Bash Basics: Throwing a Couple’s Shower

Your BFF just got engaged over the holidays. Yay! Such happy news calls for a celebration. Though we love traditional showers with tiny sandwiches and fancy fruit tea we have become quite fond of the couple’s shower. Reason? It allows for everyone, both guys and gals, to share in the excitement of the upcoming nuptials. Also, it is the perfect time for both friend groups to get to know one another. The “your friends” vs. “my friends” now becomes “our friends.” To throw the perfect couple’s shower keep these tips and tricks in mind.

Tips for Throwing a Couple’s Shower

Stick with a Crowd-Pleasing Menu

Instead of the traditional tea party offerings serve food everyone will enjoy. A good place to start is anything that qualifies as comfort food. Bar-B-Que sliders with all the fixin’s, a taco bar, and fried chicken are all certainly crowd-pleasers. To make the menu extra special, throw in a signature cocktail for the event. Our go-to is the “Bourbon Spice Rack” from Barcelona Wine Bar.

Bourbon Spice Rack Recipe

Ingredients
3/4 oz Lemon juice
1/2 oz Grade B maple syrup
1 oz Cocchi Torino Vermouth
1 oz Bulleit Bourbon
1 dash Scrappy’s Cardamom Bitters
2 dashes Scrappy’s Lavender Bitters

Directions
Measure all ingredients into a clean shaker
Add ice, shake well
Strain into a rocks glass
Add 2-3 large ice cubes

Choose a Couple Friendly Theme

Traditionally themed showers typically favor one person more than the other which often means receiving gifts that are geared towards said person. The great thing about a couple’s shower is it gives the opportunity to celebrate the bride and groom building a life together. A few excellent theme choices include the following.

Stock the Bar. A selection of spirits is typically very appreciated by a happy couple. However, a stock the bar does not have to be all about alcohol. It is a great opportunity to supply a couple with items for home entertaining such as linens, glasses, and serveware.

Gift Card Party. One may argue this is a less than thrilling theme. We disagree. This is the perfect choice for a bride and groom that are traveling from out of town with limited packing space. And bonus, it speeds up the gift opening process. This is truly a win-win for all.

Perfect Pairings. This theme is all about things that are better together. Create a menu that really plays up a pair and offer items such as mac & cheese, shrimp & grits, chicken & waffles, etc. Also, extend this idea to your gift purchase. Think wine glasses with a cheese board, a chip ’n dip…you get the idea.

Organize an Activity or Game

The important rule to remember about any shower game is to keep it simple! Complicated or long and drawn out games can be a major downer for a party and the idea is for everyone to have a good time. For a couple’s shower we typically prefer a “he said/she said” game that keeps focusing on the bride and groom. It can be extremely entertaining to see how each answers the questions and also what they know about each other.

Throwing a couple’s shower? We’d love to hear how these tips helped!

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