Preparing for a Cocktail Bridal Shower Party
A cocktail bridal shower party is perfect for the modern bride who doesn't want a traditional afternoon bridal shower filled with tea, shortbread cookies and bridal bingo. Although traditional bridal showers are fun too, a cocktail bridal shower party will still highlight the bride and be fun for everyone with a little planning and creativity.
Hosting a Cocktail Bridal Shower Party at Home
If you're planning to gather the gals for a fun evening at home with a cocktail bridal shower party, you don't need to worry about the cost of supplying thirsty guests with expensive cocktails. Instead, work with the bride and find out her favorite drink and make this the signature drink and the theme.
For instance, if she loves on the rocks margaritas, then have a margarita party, and all you'll need is tequila, margarita mix, limes and ice. Send bridal shower invitations that feature a margarita glass so guests understand the nature of this non-traditional bridal shower party. With margaritas go chips and salsa, guacamole and seven-layer dip. Heavy appetizers will be filling enough while guests sip away on their margaritas.
If your bride loves vodka martinis, make this your theme, but be prepared with a few different types of mixers so you can make apple-tinis and cosmos should some guests request them.
Another great theme for a cocktail bridal shower party that helps focus on one type of drink is a wine-tasting. You could choose to sample white California wine, red Italian wine or French wine. Any wine store will help you select themed wines for tasting and usually give you a discount for buying multiple bottles. Then, make up a cheese plate and include figs and grapes for a sophisticated cocktail bridal shower party.
Hosting a Cocktail Bridal Shower Party at a Bar
If the bride wants to have her cocktail bridal shower party at her favorite watering hole or a posh wine bar, or if you prefer to work out a deal with a bar so you don't have to play bartender that evening, then you'll remove a lot of the planning from your plate. You can still work out a signature drink with the bartender, especially if you'll have a private room or reserved lounge area, depending on the type of bar. Choosing a signature drink or developing a special 'drinks' menu will also help offset the cost.
Work with the bar to devise a pre-set menu of hot and cold appetizers, instead of offering guests a menu. This will work within a theme and to keep your budget in check. For a sophisticated evening, try and reserve a bar with a lounge-like feel so everyone will gather on comfortable couches and chairs and give the cocktail bridal shower party a more intimate feel. Otherwise, guests might get distracted or actually leave the party to chat with others at the bar, making it less like a bridal shower and more like a night out.
Whether you'll be drinking at home or at a local bar, keep the guests united with a common drink theme, and the bride will leave with happy memories.
Hosting a Cocktail Bridal Shower Party at Home
If you're planning to gather the gals for a fun evening at home with a cocktail bridal shower party, you don't need to worry about the cost of supplying thirsty guests with expensive cocktails. Instead, work with the bride and find out her favorite drink and make this the signature drink and the theme.
For instance, if she loves on the rocks margaritas, then have a margarita party, and all you'll need is tequila, margarita mix, limes and ice. Send bridal shower invitations that feature a margarita glass so guests understand the nature of this non-traditional bridal shower party. With margaritas go chips and salsa, guacamole and seven-layer dip. Heavy appetizers will be filling enough while guests sip away on their margaritas.
If your bride loves vodka martinis, make this your theme, but be prepared with a few different types of mixers so you can make apple-tinis and cosmos should some guests request them.
Another great theme for a cocktail bridal shower party that helps focus on one type of drink is a wine-tasting. You could choose to sample white California wine, red Italian wine or French wine. Any wine store will help you select themed wines for tasting and usually give you a discount for buying multiple bottles. Then, make up a cheese plate and include figs and grapes for a sophisticated cocktail bridal shower party.
Hosting a Cocktail Bridal Shower Party at a Bar
If the bride wants to have her cocktail bridal shower party at her favorite watering hole or a posh wine bar, or if you prefer to work out a deal with a bar so you don't have to play bartender that evening, then you'll remove a lot of the planning from your plate. You can still work out a signature drink with the bartender, especially if you'll have a private room or reserved lounge area, depending on the type of bar. Choosing a signature drink or developing a special 'drinks' menu will also help offset the cost.
Work with the bar to devise a pre-set menu of hot and cold appetizers, instead of offering guests a menu. This will work within a theme and to keep your budget in check. For a sophisticated evening, try and reserve a bar with a lounge-like feel so everyone will gather on comfortable couches and chairs and give the cocktail bridal shower party a more intimate feel. Otherwise, guests might get distracted or actually leave the party to chat with others at the bar, making it less like a bridal shower and more like a night out.
Whether you'll be drinking at home or at a local bar, keep the guests united with a common drink theme, and the bride will leave with happy memories.