22 Bridal Shower Theme Ideas

Good morning! If you're anything like me, you're more than ready for those May flowers and sick of the April showers. The good news is that next month brings more than just tulips, it also brings a new store theme! Here's a taste of what's coming up in the weeks ahead.

May is for Mothers! 
Keep an eye out for tips and etiquette in Things our Mothers Taught us, what mothers should wear to all the bridal events, and how to make your mother feel extra special on your big day!

We've provided you with so much information about bridal showers and more this month, including how to dress and how to decorate based on theme. Here's a little recap for those of you who missed it:

• Guests should avoid wearing white, black, or even red to the bridal shower unless the theme calls for it. Let the bride be the center of attention and do your best to dress respectfully.
• We showcased our favorite bridal shower themes and even gave you tips on how to decorate for a Glitz and Glam shower.
• Prom girls: Check out the post from the first week this month. It explains how to do your hair to compliment the neckline of your prom gown!

Since there just isn't enough time each week, I couldn't even begin to give you all the tips and advice regarding bridal showers and etiquette. So, to make up for it, here's a list of the 22 bridal shower themes we featured in store this month; check out the link to our Bridal Shower Pinterest Page  to see how we put them together and to gather more ideas for planning!

1. Coco Chanel/Pink and Black
2. French Garden Glamour
3. Cheese and Wine
4. Stock the Kitchen
5. Tea Party
6. Lemoncello
7. Beach
8. Breakfast at Tiffany's
9. Glitz and Glam
10. Couple's Shower
11. Winter Extravaganza
12. Mint to Be
13. Vintage
14. Shabby Chic
15. Sweet Treats
16. Travel
17. Spa
18. Pink and Gold
19. Vineyard
20. Anchor's Away
21. Boho
22. Linen

What would you like to see featured on our blog in the upcoming weeks? Tell us what you think!

Photo Credit: blog.hwtm; etsy; marthastewartweddings; deerpearlflowers; 

catchmyparty; flickr; newsok

Glitz and Glam Bridal Shower Must-Haves

Happy Thursday, everyone! In order to add a little shimmer and shine to your day, we're talking about everything you absolutely must have to throw a Glitz and Glam bridal shower. Here are our favorite decorations, favors, and outfits that will add the finishing touches to a shower that you and your guests are going to love!

Rock Candy
These crystallized sugary treats are the perfect snack for your glitzy bridal shower. Satisfy your sweet tooth with these girly glam rock candy sticks as part of a centerpiece or as favors for your guests!

Champagne
What's a celebration without some bubbly? Glam it up with an added touch of sparkle by painting some champagne flutes with glue and coating them in glitter. Try using gold, silver, and other fun colors to mix it up. You can even get some "sparkling" champagne for your younger guests so they can be part of the fun too!

Pssst! Rock Candy and Champagne make the perfect pair! 

Glitter-dusted Cake Pops
Cake pops are all the rage right now and it's not hard to figure out why. They're the perfect size for quick bites of dessert in between party games and drinks, and they're absolutely adorable! Add a tiny dusting of fine sugar or sprinkles to give them an added touch of bling!

Glam Centerpieces
As the bride, you're the center of attention, but that doesn't mean your centerpieces should be sub par. Dazzle up the décor with a shimmering table cloth in gold, or select some stunning candle holders to really make a statement!

Show Stopping Outfit
Last, but not least, you've got to dress to impress. Reflect this glamorous theme by strutting your stuff in a beaded or sequined dress. Top it all off with a gorgeous, glitter inspired manicure and you're ready to shine!

Are you planning a glitz and glam bridal shower? Share your pictures and ideas with us! 

Photo Credit: blog.amyatlas; ideas.evite; hwtm; hercampus; happywedd;
 weddingdash; colincowieweddings; indulgy; diygirls.blogspot

Bridal Shower Etiquette: What to Wear

The days are getting longer, the weather is getting warmer, and the bridal shower invitations are probably starting to pile up! What you may not know is that there is an etiquette to follow when it comes to what you should wear to a bridal shower. Don't get me wrong, no one should ever tell you what to wear, but understanding the unspoken rules of attire is about respecting and honoring the bride on her special day. So, listen up ladies: here's everything you need to know about picking your outfit for a bridal shower!

If you're the bride:
As the guest of honor, the shower is all about you, so don't be afraid to stand out! You're the only one who has the right to wear white, so seize your moment in the spotlight. Or, if you're the shy type and you worry about having all of the attention, you can opt for ivory or nude and even play with accent colors to make yourself feel a little more comfortable.

If you're a guest:
Your job is to shower the bride with love and surround her with friendship and congratulations, not steal the show. With this is mind, the first rule as a guest is to avoid wearing white; in fact, it's best to avoid ivory and light nude as well. Think of the shower etiquette as an extension of how you would behave at a wedding. You wouldn't wear white to that, now would you? Instead, opt for solid colors or prints. I would suggest avoiding black as well, unless the shower theme calls for it!

Of course the style all boils down to the formality of the gathering. Here are some outfit ideas for brides and guests based on the different types of themes!

Princess Theme

Breakfast at Tiffany's

Formal

Casual

Vintage/Boho

Garden Party

Questions? Comments? Tell us what you think! 

Photo Credit:  canalblog; polyvore; etsy; polyvore; nordstrom; thepeakoftreschic; lizardijewelry; orientaltrading; justjaredjr; us.asos; luulla; tobi; becauseshannasaidso; polyvore; indiefashionboutique; acedarspoon; zkkoo; chicwish; lolobu; lovelyclusters; adoredvintage; amazon; weheartit;

Top 5 Bridal Shower Themes

Good morning, ladies! I hope everyone had a lovely Easter holiday with their families. Last week I mentioned that this month's theme is all about showering the bride, and since we've been getting plenty of April showers, I foresee a bounty of May flowers on the horizon. In the mean time, while we wait for the storms to pass, I've put together a list of our top 5 favorite bridal shower themes that the bride and all the guests are sure to love! Keep in mind that the theme for the bridal shower shouldn't be the same as the theme of the wedding, so don't be afraid to get a little creative!

1. Coco Chanel
In case you missed our instagram post from earlier this week, Coco Chanel is one of our all-time favorite bridal shower themes. Why? Because it's both classy and fabulous of course. The pink and black color pallet emulates the glam of this timeless fashion icon and your guests will "ooh" and "aww" over the Parisian French decor. Don't forget the champagne and pearls, darlings.


2. Garden Party
Whether you're planning a tea party or a mid-morning brunch for your guests, a garden makes the perfect spring-time setting. Flowers, vintage tea cups, and pink lemonade are just a few of the endless possibilities for this versatile theme. If you're not crazy about the idea of hosting an outdoor event (or you don't have time to sow a lavish garden), you can bring the garden inside by using bright, floral prints and other spring-inspired decorations!

3. Cooking/Baking/Wine Tasting Extravaganza
Interactive bridal shower themes are becoming quite popular this season. Whether you choose one or all three you can shower the bride and your guests with sweet treats and succulent recipes. Reserve a cooking class or host a baking party at home; either way, guests will love the fun, social interaction that seemingly flows easier over a batch of cookie dough or wine-infused pasta sauce. Plus they'll get to take home delicious food and new ideas to try in the kitchen!








4. Spa Getaway
No girl, in her right mind, would turn down the opportunity to be pampered for a day, and we're certain that the bride will appreciate the chance to finally take a break from all her wedding planning. You can book a party at a local salon, but if there isn't one available, you can easily pull this theme together at home. All you need is some soothing music, cucumber infused water, and the fixings for a proper mani-pedi. Check out this adorable shower gift for the ladies who aren't ready for their relaxing spa day to end: Spa in a Jar!

5. Mad Hatter's Tea Party
Not to be confused with the garden party theme, this Alice in Wonderland inspired gathering is one of my personal favorites. Your guests will praise the unique and adorable decorations which can include a royal setting fit for the Queen of Hearts, or a more vintage-twist feel for those who wish to venture down the rabbit hole. Regardless of which route you choose, this theme is best suited for those who love serious fun and fantasy and specifically for those who are truly mad. I'll let you in on a little secret, though: "all the best people are."

Have you recently attended a ridiculously fun bridal shower? Tell us all about it!

Photo Credit: stylemepretty; hwtm; rachelaclingen; theglamoroushousewife; 
theglampad; allibeeme; theperfectpalette; thoughtfullysimple; catchmyparty; yesmissy; jennycookies; ultimatebridesmaid; hwtm; 100layercake

How to Wear Your Hair with Your Prom Dress

April showers bring May flowers! This month our theme is centered around showering the bride so we plan on showering you with ideas for gifts, themes, and so much more! Also, make sure to keep an eye out for information about our awesome in-store events and special savings this month.

Get This Necklace!

Since Easter is just around the corner, we are kicking off the month with a blog post that features a special treat for our prom girls! We want you look fabulous when you walk through those doors and even if you already have the perfect dress, your look simply isn't complete without the right hairstyle. Here are some tips on how to style your hair to compliment the neckline of your gorgeous gown!

Strapless
Whether your dress has a straight or sweetheart neckline, the back won't typically draw the eye. For a strapless gown, the best look for your hair is to keep it all down. Soft curls or voluminous, beachy waves are the perfect way to frame your face and bare shoulders plus, it's super easy!

Jewelry Tip:
If the bodice isn't heavily beaded, pair this style gown with a statement necklace and a pair of stud earrings!

V-Neck
If you've chosen a prom dress with a v-neckline, you don't want your straps to get completely lost in your hair, but they're not always necessarily worth drawing too much attention to, either. The best hair style we've found to compliment this neckline is to have it half up. Long cascading curls will fall gracefully over the straps without completely covering them, and a cute bump will add a regal touch. A braid or sparkly clip would make a great addition to secure the style in the back.

One Shoulder
One shoulder dresses are some of our favorites. The side sweeping neckline looks best when paired with an equally soft hair style. We've found that a messy bun or ponytail secured on the opposite side of the strap looks best, but a low centered bun works just as well!

Schedule an Appointment to Try on This Dress!

High Collar
Prom gowns with high collar necklines are super popular this season and we are obsessed! With so much going on around the neck, you don't want the added weight of your hair to look constricting, so we highly recommend an all up hair style. A simple braid or clip is all you need for a finishing touch since the top of your gown is going to capture the most attention!

Jewelry Tip: 
A high collar gown means there's no need for a big necklace and long earrings aren't necessary either. We suggest a simple stud and a bold bracelet to compliment this type of dress!

Scoop Neck/Open Back
If the back of your gown is open or intricately beaded, you don't want your hair to cover it! Our favorite way to showcase an open back is with a slicked back bun or side pony tail secured so that it drapes over the front of your shoulder. No other dress captures the business in the front, party in the back look quite like this one!

Get These Earrings!

Jewelry Tip: 
If your dress has a relatively plain front, don't be afraid to play with long, drop earrings; the added touch will have you looking old Hollywood classic!

Don't see the style of your prom gown on our list? Send us a comment and we will tell you how to do your hair and what jewelry we think would compliment it best!

 

Photo Credit: Jovani Prom; teenvogue; elle; stylemepretty; hair-sublime;harpersbazaar