Ideas for mixed bridal shower

[blueyes]

I'm throwing a mixed shower for my friend in September of this year, but I'm planning it from 4.5 hours away and under the impression I'm going to have little to no support from the other bridesmaids. Hence, why I'm starting the planning in April. :rolleyes:

Here's my question - what on earth is an appropriate shower favor for a mixed shower? The bride is a pharmacist and the groom is a screenwriter. I'm at a total loss with what to come up with that isn't utter cheese. (One of my coworkers suggested a prescription bottle full of bubble bath confetti and a roll of film tied to the outside. :rolleyes: ) I'm trying to come up with something that's appropriate for both sexes and will be something I can send the other bridesmaids to find/assemble/bring to the shower.

I'm also wondering if anyone's got ideas regarding those annoying shower games for a mixed shower. (In case you haven't picked up on it yet, I'm none too thrilled about a mixed shower - but that's another issue entirely.) I'm afraid I'm going to have to fend of a slew of inappropriate/immature suggestions from the other bridal party people b/c I'm the oldest by about three or four years (the youngest member of the bridal party is still in HS and two of the groom's attendants are notorious partiers/drunks).

[WorkInProgress]

It doens't have to be the cheesy, "normal" bridal shower affair.

You could do any number of things, from just having a nice party with a few fun games here (the newlywed game type things can be really fun in mixed company) and there, and maybe a cake.

You could have a seasonal theme. Or a time theme. Or a set up house theme. Or a wine and cheese party. Or a cocktail party. Or a barbeque. Or a picnic. Or a travel theme. Or a cooking theme.

What do these people like? Do they have similar hobbies/interests? The possibilities are endless.

[pisces2473]

You don't have to have favors or play games. The simpler you keep it the party, the easier the planning will be!

[blueyes]

See, all of these are super-good-awesome ideas - I just am worried that I won't be able to coerce the other attendants into NOT doing stupid games or crap like that.

I know the bride very well, but I'm not really close with the groom. The most I really know is he writes screenplays and has lots of tattoos. Oh, and he likes puppies. :?: I'm pretty sure you don't have a mixed bridal shower with a theme of puppies...or tattoos.

[WorkInProgress]

If you're planning (and/or paying), you get to pick.

And you can do some games (especially if others want to), but they don't have to be the regular games. As it happens, I've helped plan two showers in the last year (and have another to work on), so I compiled a list of games/activities. PM if you're interested and I'll get that to you.

EDIT: from what you've said, I'd probably go with a barbeque type thing, cake, and a few fun mixed games for everyone. It's pretty low stress, as these things go.

[pisces2473]

Just because they are "into" things, doesn't mean the party has to be about those things.

If he's a little edgy, you wouldn't have a tea party, KWIM?

Would a BBQ be good for this couple? That might be more laid back and fun. You could play BBQ games--badminton, volleyball, horseshoes, bocce, etc.

ETA: Years ago, we threw a mixed shower for my aunt and uncle. One of their friends hosted it at his lake house. It was basically a huge picnic/BBQ thing, people went on the guy's boat, went swimming, etc. Nothing really crazy. I mean this gently, but I think you're overthinking this.

[WorkInProgress]

Favors:

Uh, depends on what you decide to do for the shower. Kitchen magnets are simple, easy, pretty cheap and useful. M&Ms in the colors of their wedding? If you're go with a backyard barbeque, you could have personalized barbeque sauce, a mason jar with goodies. If you're having a setting up house type of thing, you could have personalized votive candles. You could mix up a recipe (for just about anything--hot chocolate, cookies, margaritas, whatever) and use that. Or you could have handmade chocolates or something (the mother of a friend of mine had these for her shower--they were divine and not very expensive).

[embrassezla]

Christ I hate all things bridal shower related. Sorry you are stuck planning this, E!

You should totally hire a tattoo artist. Free tats! Now THAT'S a shower I'd attend.

[mishl982]

I'm sure SmilesSoSweet will have a ton of ideas! I don't know if she threw one or was just in one, but she has done the mixed/Jack and Jill type parties.

I do like the idea of a BBQ. My cousin had a post-wedding bbq and handed out bbq sauce and chili sauce with her and her husband's names on them. You could do a lot at a bbq.

[blueyes]

I am overthinking this - the bridezilla talked my ear off w/ copious amounts of worries in the past two days, hence...my quasi-panic.

Is it fair of me to ask the groomsmen to help too?

[WorkInProgress]

I am overthinking this - the bridezilla talked my ear off w/ copious amounts of worries in the past two days, hence...my quasi-panic.

Is it fair of me to ask the groomsmen to help too?

I'd have them pitch in, but honestly, more in a hands on kind of way. Like, say, if you do a bbq, have them run the grill. Maybe have them bring a side dish. I wouldn't have them help plan, but that's because I don't think too much planning needs to happen and I'm a control freak anyway.

[SmilesSoSweet]

My brother and his wife had a couple's wedding shower. I thought it was a great idea. It was also a way for both families to meet as well.

My SIL's cousins (who were BMs and the MOH) planned most of the shower. Food was prepared by the moms and the aunts of both the bride and groom and the dads helped out with the BBQ.

As for the games, there was one where we had to guess the scent of candles. It was entertaining to see the guys' answers. Another was the bride to be being blind folded and all the men at the shower sat in a row with their legs out. She had to guess, just by touching the men's legs which was was her groom to be (my brother). It was quite entertaining. I forget about the other games, but they were fun.

Their give away was a candle in a holder with ribbon in the color of their wedding motiff. Overall it was simple and well planned.

I'm planning a couple's shower for my friend's wedding in July. It's going to be totally informal and it's just a few days before the wedding.

[MetFanL]

I would rent a pavilion at a park and have a BBQ. You can then play boy v. girl games... volleyball, horseshoes, bocce, whatever...

[pisces2473]

I would rent a pavilion at a park and have a BBQ. You can then play boy v. girl games... volleyball, horseshoes, bocce, whatever...
Hey! You stole my idea! Didn't you see it above? :p

[MetFanL]

No, I didn't read the rest of the thread -- just the OP. Sorry. :)

[WorkInProgress]

Hey! You stole my idea! Didn't you see it above? :p

Hey! It was my idea first! ;):

[pisces2473]

LOL what I meant by "stealing" was that Met basically wrote the exact same post as I did. It's all good, ladies! :D

[WorkInProgress]

I was just teasing you. Great minds (or at least party planners) think alike, etc., etc.

[SmilesSoSweet]

I'm sure SmilesSoSweet will have a ton of ideas! I don't know if she threw one or was just in one, but she has done the mixed/Jack and Jill type parties.

I didn't see this until now. LOL Yup, I replied to the OP. hehehe

[Krishna]

I like the idea of a mixed shower...


....I also like the idea of joint bachelor/bachelorette parties. You know, ahve each group go their own way for a few hours and then meet up at a bar around 1 or so. :)