Does the idea of an alternative bridal shower appeal to you?
Traditional bridal showers aren’t for everyone. They often involve a group of women, mingling and enjoying refreshments. There is usually some gift opening, mostly from the bride’s registry. A traditional bridal shower is typically very mellow, and the bride usually returns to her home with a ton of extra stuff.
While bridal showers are a great way to celebrate a woman before her wedding, a traditional one may not be right for you. Enter the alternative bridal shower. These bridal showers still take elements from tradition, but they become a bit more tailored for the bride. Perhaps she doesn’t want to bring home a lot of extra stuff. Or, she wants to do something a little different and more memorable.
No matter the reason, the good news is there are options.
8 Alternative Bridal Shower Ideas!
From wine tasting, crafting, and even yoga, this post will give you lots of options to choose from. Most involve instructing your guests to bring alternative gifts, or no gifts at all, if you feel like you don’t need more stuff. The ideas may also be more complicated to explain or create than a traditional bridal shower. So, look them over and follow through with what speaks the most to you.
#1 – WINE TASTING
Wine tasting is something that most people enjoy, and it can be done at a winery, or at home.
A winery can be booked with an appointment for a group, or wine can be purchased for easy tasting in a host’s living room or backyard. Either way, simple crackers and cheese can be provided to pair with the wine, and there can even be non-alcoholic options for people who don’t drink.
For an alternative gift, you could request that your guests bring you a bottle of wine. This way, you’ll bring home a consumable good that you and your partner can enjoy together. Plus, wine doesn’t take up much space, and this will be an excellent way for you to build your wine collection.
To add a fun flare to this, have your guests suggest when to drink the wine. They could put little stickers or tags on the bottle they bring, instructing you to share the wine on your anniversary, on a holiday, or after an event.
#2 – RECIPE SHARING & COOKING CLASS
If you’re the type of person who loves to cook new foods, this one is perfect for you.
Whether it’s baking or actually cooking, you can request that guests bring you a recipe to try out. And, during the shower, you can all make something. It could be something fairly easy, such as decorating cookies or cakes, or something more complicated. A fun idea would be to hire a cooking instructor to guide you all through the process.
If you still want to walk away from your shower with items, you can request that your guests give you kitchen-related supplies. Maybe you need to upgrade some pots and pans, or replace old spatulas? You may also need new dish towels, plates, or glasses. This is a great opportunity to revamp your kitchen before you get married.
#3 – HAVE AN EXPERIENCE
With the pandemic, many people are ready to go out and experience the world again. So, for your alternative bridal shower, why don’t you have an experience together?
This could mean the group pitches in for tickets to a concert. Or, it could be dinner at a renowned restaurant. It could be a festival or event that appeals to you. In lieu of gifts, have guests contribute towards transportation and your entry fee, if applicable. This could be such a fun event for the right group of people, and it will certainly be memorable for all the guests.
Having an experience may not seem like a bridal shower, and it may seem even more like a bachelorette, but when it comes to how you celebrate with your loved ones, you get to make the rules.
#4 – A FLOWER SHOWER
I just love how this one rhymes. A flower shower.
So, with this idea, the focus would be on flowers. During the shower, you could have guests put together bouquets, corsages, or flower crowns, using tools and flowers that the host provides to them. Just like with a cooking class, you may be able to hire a local florist to come and show everyone what they can do.
For gifts, guests could bring you seeds, or a plant, for you to use in your garden. The nice thing about seeds is that they can last a long time, and take up very little room. Planting them could even be a really fun activity to share with your partner.
#5 – A SPA DAY
Who says spa days are just for bachelorette parties and right before the wedding?
Along the same lines as an experience, host your shower at a local spa. Guests can pitch in for your treatments and any meals as their gift to you. Everyone can enjoy pedicures, facials, saunas, or sit pool side together. Some spa’s may even be able to accommodate large groups and make it quite easy for guests to separate, enjoy their treatments, and come back together for a large meal and celebration.
A spa day could be a really relaxing and special way to allow guests to celebrate your wedding, and get to know each other.
#6 – A CRAFTING SHOWER
Crafts are where it’s at these days.
It could be paint nights, pottery classes, or scrapbooking, but crafts are a super fun way to have an activity and a souvenir from your bridal shower. Plus, if you’re into crafts, you could have guests help you buy supplies that you can use later on.
If this idea appeals to you, and you’d like to do something at home, look into ideas on Pinterest. You may find easy ways for your guests to create mugs, frames, or other home items that they will enjoy. If you are able to find a class near your home, even better. You may be able to find a painting tutorial or something else that’s hands on and convenient.
#7 – A POTLOCK PICNIC
Alright, so you’d like to keep everyone outside and don’t want any prep or mess to deal with. Sounds like a potluck picnic is perfect for you.
To accomplish this alternative bridal shower, the host needs to assign supplies, a dish, or drink to each guest. Then, have all guests bring their assignment to a designated outdoor space. The host can set up really cute tables or blankets for everyone, and then the group can just enjoy being outside together.
For gifts, you could go with your traditional registry, or ask guests to bring something that you can use outdoors. This could be camping supplies, hiking tools, or whatever you and your partner need.
#8 – A YOGA CLASS
So you’re into being active and exercising. Why not share that with your guests?
Yoga classes are so popular right now. Especially ones in unique spaces. Interactive art galleries, rooftops, and museums all come to mind. How cool would it be to have your guests take a yoga class in your honor, and then follow it up with a simple celebration?
If you’d like alternative gifts for this bridal shower, consider having each guest bring you a candle, bath salts, or essential oils. Each of these can help you relax in the weeks leading up to your wedding, and none of them take up that much space.
CLOSING THOUGHTS
Hopefully you’re inspired to consider an alternative bridal shower after learning about these ideas. Of course, many of them can double as a bachelorette party, but they also work as a shower. When it comes to your wedding experience, you can define what works best for you. If taking home a bunch of gifts stresses you out, think outside the box. I promise that even if it isn’t traditional, your guests will accept and get into your alternative idea.
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