Fancy Ideas For a Valentine’s Day Bridal Shower Party

Planning your bridal shower party around mid-February? The choice of a Valentine shower theme may seem pretty obvious. But it need not look obvious! After all, hearts and cupids aren’t the only way to set a sweet and romantic mood. Take your cue from our five inspiration points below, and stage a Valentine-time bridal shower that your guests will just love. Begin with an appealing color scheme and carry on the look from the party invitations, to the table settings, to the food and drinks, to the guest favors. Happy Valentine’s!

Hearts and cupids aren’t the only way to decorate a Valentine-time bridal shower. Romantic elements in soft pastel hues can capture the “look of love” in the invitations, table settings, guest favors consisting of porcelain footed boxes, mini rose pots, pretty flower sachets, or pink wrapped candy all the way to the party fare.

1. Color Scheme – Just because this is a bridal shower doesn’t mean it has to have a pure pink motif. For a relaxed and intimate ambiance, take this color approach:

– Have touches of pink—from the softest powder pink to the sassiest fuchsia—share the stage with shades of lilac, baby blue, and yellow.
– Balance these out with elements in cool ivory or crisp white.
– Add accents of gold and silver for a hint of elegance.

2. Shower Invitations – Set the look of your party from the outset. Send out pretty invitations that give a nod to the Valentine season with touches such as:

– lace trim along one edge of the card
– pink or lilac satin ribbon woven through the lace trim and tied in a petite bow
– envelopes and cards using mix-and-match colors from the shower’s palette
– a tiny heart-shaped hole punched in the envelope alongside the guest’s name or a series of holes along one edge of the envelope, showing the contrasting color of the card inside
– loose heart-shaped “confetti” of different colors to drop out of the envelope when the card is pulled out

3. Table Settings – Again, hearts and cupids need not figure in your table display to capture the feel of Valentine’s. But do bring in romantic place setting elements like these:

• floral-patterned porcelain dinnerware with matching teacups and saucers
• a silver teapot and silver cutlery
• lace table napkins
• pearls, paper roses, and lace tablecloth – see the tablescape

At mid-table, set out groupings of petite pots of pink or ivory roses to serve as your centerpiece. Then, pair these with antique-style urns holding pink taper candles.

4. Party Food and Drinks – Aim for tea party fare with a light and flavorful appeal. As a Valentine surprise, serve up different kinds of sandwiches cut into heart shapes with a cookie cutter. Serve tantalizing Valentine’s cocktails, too! Here’s a sample menu to give you some ideas on what to serve:

• consider a soup and sandwich fare for a light menu
• finger sandwiches of grilled shrimp or fresh crab with Dijon mustard, mayonnaise, and cucumber slices
• have vegetable trays with various dips from ranch to thousand island
• give guests choices for the main entree such as fish, beef, or chicken
• an arugula salad drizzled with balsamic vinaigrette and olive oil, and topped with bits of pancetta and candied walnuts
• a lobster corn chowder, gazpacho, or roasted tomato soup
• a potato chip, chips and salsa, or popcorn bar
• gluten-free baked treats for Valentine’s
• have a chocolate tasting station

5. Valentine’s Sweets Table – For dessert, set out a display of sweet treats like lilac and pink Macaron de Paris, tiny heart-shaped marshmallows, and pink frosted cupcakes accompanied by freshly brewed coffee and a selection of teas. Include dessert wines and a special celebration cake!

6. Favors for the Guests – Here, the Valentine look can be in the packaging. Prepare your favorite edible treats like M&Ms, chocolate truffles, or exotic rose-flavored chocolates, and present them in the sweetest favor containers:

• Think spa favors that your friends will love!
• For Old World charm, choose porcelain footed keepsake boxes painted with roses and trimmed with gold.
• For something sweet yet sophisticated, use flower-shaped favor sachets made of silk shantung.
• For ease and elegance, opt for organza fabric wraps in your shower’s color motif. How to present these with flair? Pop a wrapped favor into each guest’s teacup, or line them up on a favor display table with a whimsical welcome sign setting the tone of your party.

  

7. Gives for the couple – look to give something practical yet budget-friendly to the couple such as cutting boards, wine glasses, coasters, and serving dishes. Get more ideas, here.