Coed Bridal Showers

Traditions tend to adapt as people change. The wedding shower, once the province of women only, has now opened up to include the groom and his friends. This gives everyone in the wedding party, and friends and family on both sides, a chance to become better acquainted. Coed showers, also known as couples showers, run the gamut from afternoon parties to an entire weekend away, but keep in mind the interests of all the guests when planning games and entertainment. Some hosts of coed showers find themselves skipping the opening of gifts because guests are having too good a time with other activities. Be prepared for this to happen at your coed shower.

If your couples wedding shower involves travel, triple check your arrangements, negotiate discounts and decide who will be asked to pay for what before finalizing the details.

Here are our best suggestions for a fun coed bridal shower:

BBQ/Patio Party – Hire a DJ or grab your best CDs, and fire up the grill. Serve hot dogs, hamburgers, chips and drinks, but be sure to have some vegetarian food options available. Set up a game of croquet on the lawn and have a Frisbee® handy. This is sure to be appreciated and remembered by both families!
Beach/Pool Party – This shower works well if the hostess has a large pool or beach house. Hire a caterer to serve the food and drinks, or go the picnic route. Play beach appropriate music, and enlist someone with the necessary training to take on the serious and important role of lifeguard – whistle, megaphone and all!
Camping Trip – If you live close to the mountains or near a great state or national park, invite guests for a weekend of camping and canoeing. If you don’t live in a convenient location, host the campout in your backyard. Pitch tents and tell ghost stories around a lantern. If you are able to light a fire, roast marshmallows and make s’mores with graham crackers, marshmallows and chocolate bars.
Casino/Las Vegas Night – Check the local laws before finalizing your plans for this party. Then recruit a blackjack dealer, get out your poker chips and set up the tables for some significant fun. You won't want to serve messy foods for this event, but do remember to set appropriate gambling limits based on the experience and financial situations of your guests.
Country Dance Lessons – Rent a large room from a local hotel or event center so your guests will have plenty of room. Hire an instructor to teach the shower invitees how to line dance. Plan a hearty menu with lots of beverages to revive the energies of your happy, but exhausted guests.
Golfing Shower – Make sure you are able to book enough tee times to accommodate your guests. Inform the golf pro at the course you've chosen that there may be a gallery. He or she could have specific rules for spectators. Book a room at a sports bar for the shower portion of the day or provide refreshments at home.
Moving Party – The guests at this shower help the bride and groom move into their new home. Upbeat music and lots of pizza make the job portion of the program more enjoyable. Be sure everyone on the guest list will defer to the wishes of the happy couple in decorating and furniture arrangement choices.
Post Wedding Picnic – Should the pre-wedding schedule be too busy to permit a bridal shower, host an informal backyard picnic after the wedding. Food can be provided via potluck dishes.
Scavenger Hunt – Get together with friends and write up a list of items for guests to find on their timed journeys. Set up teams of two, three or four. The first couple or team to return to party headquarters complete all of the clues wins a prize.
Ski Trips – This is great couples shower event for a winter wedding. Check to see if any local hotels or lodges are offering special prices for groups. Make arrangements to visit a nearby restaurant for après ski hot chocolate and appetizers.
Snow Mobile/Sledding Trips – If skiers are not on your winter shower guest list, consider a venture up to the mountains to go snowmobiling or sledding. Make arrangements for a group rate for equipment and lodgings. Don't forget to plan for refreshments for the group at a local restaurant.
Summer Entertainment Party - Hire a live band and enjoy the summer night. Guests will enjoy dancing and a competitive game of volleyball. Gifts for this shower could include lawn chairs, BBQ utensils, beach towels, sunglasses and playing cards.
Tennis Shower – Rent a court or two to accommodate the tennis players among the shower guests. Make sure to provide comfortable seating for the spectators in the group, and book a location for post game refreshments.