The easiest way to plan a bridal shower is to start with a theme and coordinate everything around it. There are many bridal shower themes to choose from and a Hawaiian theme bridal shower can be the perfect idea for a coed or casual shower. It's the ideal setting when you have a lot of guests meeting for the first time. Everyone will feel more relaxed right from the start and have a more enjoyable time with the casual setting.
Invitations
Just like the bridal shower itself your invitations need to be in keeping with your Hawaiian theme. The invitation will be your guests' first glimpse at the event you have planned. Consider creating your own invitations. You can find lots of free clip art on the internet. Think of your favorite tropical image such as a sandy beach, exotic tropical birds, or secluded palm trees.
For something very unique try sending your invitations as a message in a bottle. You can purchase small plastic bottles with corks at your local craft store. Add some beach sand, a few small shells and a little paper umbrella. Print your invitation and roll it up like a scroll. Tie with raffia, leaving a length to hang outside the bottle so the invitation can be easily removed.
Set the Mood
You will need to decorate for your Hawaiian themed bridal shower. Use inflatable palm trees and gather all the plants you can find to create the backdrop for your tropical setting. Staple a grass skirt around the buffet table and top with a green table cloth. Add tiki torches and candles for evening and string tiny white lights around deck posts. Tropical flowers, real or silk, can add lots of color. Hang tiki masks, leis, and coordinating colored balloons.
When your guests arrive, greet them with an "Aloha" and place leis around their neck. Give the women a flower to wear in their hair and remember the tradition that a single woman wears the flower behind the right ear, while a married woman wears it behind the left.
Set the Table
Center pieces for your Hawaiian themed bridal shower can be single orchid plants or tropical flowers. Cut the stems from flowers and float the blooms in large bowls of water along with little tea light candles. Decorate wine glasses with tropical theme beverage markers so that the guests can keep track of their drinks and take home the marker as a party favor.
Keep the food plentiful but simple. Think casual and remember that finger foods are best for a Hawaiian themed bridal shower Set out fruit platters with pineapple and orange slices, grapes, strawberries and mango, watermelon and cantaloupe wedges. Add shrimp with a variety of dips. For dinner try Hawaiian baked chicken or ham, coconut shrimp, crab stuffed pasta shells and vegetable platters.
Let the Fun Begin
It's easy to create a Hawaiian theme bridal shower. Just add some traditional Hawaiian music, lots of tiki torches and an outdoor fireplace to serve as your fire pit. Remind everyone that attire is Hawaiian floral shirts and flip flops, straw hats optional.
Remember, keeping it simple and fun is the key. Your Hawaiian theme bridal shower will bring visions of a distant tropical paradise and be an event long remembered and appreciated by the bride and groom and all your guests.
