| Planning a Bridal Shower |
From "Ask DIY"
episode ADI-502 |
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Q: I'm having a bridal shower for my sister, and I want it to be special. Do you have any creative ideas for me? A: (from DIY's entertaining expert, Jeanne Benedict): Why not take the "shower" theme literally and create a party with decor based on spring showers -- including an umbrella centerpiece and guest favors for the bath? Here are some suggestions:
- Create a centerpiece using a child's umbrella and silk flowers. Fasten silk-flower blossoms to the edge of the umbrella using a hot-glue gun (figure A).
- Create a sturdy base to stand the umbrella upright in a container by embedding the umbrella handle in floral foam (figure B).
- Use some dried moss and fresh-flower blossoms to create an attractive base and conceal the floral foam (figure C).
- If you know the colors the bride has selected for bridesmaid dresses, you can incorporate those colors into your decorating theme.
- For the tabletop, cover the table with tulle to create a bride's veil effect.
- Place silk flowers underneath the tulle (figure D), and place nesting bowls of varying sizes -- each containing flowers -- underneath the tulle as well.
- For guest favors, create a "body and bath-products buffet." Place an assortment of such things as sea-salts, bath crystals, and potpourri in decorative dishes (figure E).
- Using pre-cut rounds of tulle, instruct your guests to place their choice of products into the tulle, wrap it and tie it with a ribbon to create a bath sachet (figure F) as a take-home gift. Have some sachets already pre-made as examples -- and as gifts for the less-crafty among the guests.
- Another idea for gifts is do-it-yourself scented bath oils and lotions. Purchase decorative bottles, and place a funnel nearby so that guests can choose from among various scented products. Encourage your guests to place their choice in a bottle that they've selected (figure G).
- Include recipe-cards with recipes for creating various scented oils, lotions or bath salts (figure H).
- Provide decorative bags for guests to collect and carry home their gifts.
RESOURCES :
Diane Warner's Complete Book of Wedding Showers
Model: 1564143007
Author: Diane Warner
October 1999
Career Press
Franklin Lakes, NJ 07417
Phone: 201-848-0310
Fax: 201-848-1727
The Best Baby Shower Book
Model: 0743212436
Author: Courtney Cooke
2001
Guests Without Grief: Entertaining Made Easy for the Hesitant Host
Model: 0684818841
Author: Paula Jhung
218 pages
(April 1997)
Decorating for Dining and Entertaining: 128 Projects and Ideas
Model: 0865733694
Author: Home Decorating
The Taste of Summer: Inspired Recipes for Casual Entertaining
Model: 0811824683
Author: Diane Rossen Worthington
(2000)
Chronicle Publishing Company
Website: www.chroniclebooks.com
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