The New Bridal Shower Rules (Toilet Paper Dresses and Awkward Icebreakers Not Included!)

The New Bridal Shower Rules (Toilet Paper Dresses and Awkward Icebreakers Not Included!)
Photo: Mike Krautter

To Each Bride Her Own Shower
It's time to throw the toilet paper wedding dress to the wind--especially if you're celebrating a non-traditional bride. Bridal showers no longer require awkward icebreakers, tea sandwiches, and an all-eyes-on-the-bride gift opening session. See how we scrapped the traditional bridal shower lineup and re-wrote the etiquette rules to inspire a more personalized party.

See More: Common Wedding Traditions and Superstitions

Photo: Mike Krautter

Palette Perfect Invitations
When it comes to shower stationery, why not go with colors and an aesthetic that complement what the bride has chosen for the big day? For a wedding taking place at a winery on Long Island, we chose a Minted bridal shower suite in a regal shade of purple that matched the bridesmaid dresses. A kraft paper envelope picked up the colors that would show up at the barn reception.

Photo: Mike Krautter

Downtown Hotspot
Just because grandma will be attending doesn't mean a bridal shower must be held in a family member's living room. For this Brooklyn bride, brunch at Pulino's on the Lower East Side of Manhattan was far more fitting. On the menu? Classic Italian fare.

Related: How to Be a Good Wedding Guest

Photo: Mike Krautter

Easy-to-Pack Centerpieces
When planning a shower at a restaurant, keep in mind your decor must travel. These accordion photo centerpieces are a cinch to customize. Since they fold into perfect rectangles, they are easy-to-transport and still have a personal touch. We DIY'd the idea to match our palette using Paper Bag and Aubergine cover paper from Paper Source, self-adhesive gold photo corners, and black-and-white photocopies of family pictures.

Photo: Mike Krautter

Striped Straws
To bring the stationery motif into the table details, Minted printed a set of adhesive drink flags which were attached to gray and white paper straws from Paper Source.

Photo: Mike Krautter

Dress the Tables
Transform restaurant tables into a personalized party space by adding a few simple touches: We created a blue table runner made of wrapping paper then added Mason jars full of baby's breath.

Photo: Mike Krautter

Non-Awkward Icebreakers
Rather than relying on name games, guests instinctively found their faces among the photo centerpieces which then sparked conversations between new acquaintances.

Photo: Mike Krautter

A Delicious Signature Drink
Glasses of white peach sangria added a pop of color to the tablescape.

Photo: Mike Krautter

Family-Style Servings
Cut out the confusion that comes with a dozen different food orders and opt to go family-style. It'll also ensure that everyone can sample as they please.

Photo: Mike Krautter

A Creative Hashtag
The ladies were encouraged to Instagram photos during brunch with a hashtag making them all easy to find after the event. On the big day, the bride and groom are asking guests to post all their candids on the Wedding Party App for sharing.

Photo: Mike Krautter

Gifts for Guests
Mini bottles of wine with custom labels designed by Minted were handed out as bridal shower favors foreshadowing more winery-themed surprises in store for the big day.


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