The Budget-Friendly Wedding Shower Guide

These modern, inexpensive ideas -- from themes to refreshments and gifts -- celebrate the wedding to come with the least amount of stress and a whole lot of heart.

Sipping At Sunset  Throw an elegant evening picnic in a backyard or a nearby park.

Food - Gather several large baskets: one filled with appetizers (crackers, cheese, nuts, tapenade); one with homemade or storebought pasta-veggie salad in individual Chinese food takeout containers; one with bottles of red wine, apple juice, and water; and one with dessert. Sip wine and dip into dinner as the sun sets, then finish off with a yummy dessert -- strawberries and brownies -- as the stars come out. What could be more romantic?

Decor - Rent inexpensive matching tablecloths from a party rental center to use as picnic blankets. Sprinkle votive candles around, along with pitchers or baskets filled with loose wildflowers. Don't forget to take along a corkscrew, cheese knives, some pretty napkins, real forks, and glasses (not plastic). We love to use small, cheap juice glasses to serve wine (like they do in charming Italian bistros) because they aren't fragile and are so easy to transport... plus, not nearly as likely to spill over when set down on a patch of grass.

Gift - The perfect way to remind the bride of the evening is a picnic basket for two to use with her honey.

Something Blue  Indulge the bride-to-be with a bubbly brunch.

Food - Make it potluck. Have each guest bring a favorite dish -- from muffins and fruit salad to quiche and sliced ham. Pop open some champagne and OJ and mix up a "Blushing Bride," a mimosa with a splash of grenadine.

Decor - Put cheerful gerber daisies in simple glass vases. Take the theme of "Something Old, Something New, Something Borrowed, Something Blue" and update it. The "Blue" -- a party-perfect mix of upbeat blue tunes from Aretha Franklin, Sarah Vaughn, Eartha Kitt, and Ella Fitzgerald (burn your own mix or search iTunes for ideas). Decorate with something "old": black-and-white photos of the bride as a baby or young girl placed all around, in frames or make copies to lie on the tables.

Gift - Here's the "new": Have each guest write in a scrapbook what her hope is for the newlyweds as they begin their "new" life together. And for "borrowed": Have each guest bring a favorite item for the bride to borrow during her rehearsal dinner, wedding, after party, or honeymoon -- jewelry, scarves, handbags, dance CD's, even a camera. She'll be grateful for the extra goodies.

Sleep-Over  There's nothing more festive (and girly) then an old-fashioned slumber party with a few modern twists.

Food - Update the usual junk food with healthier alternatives: sweet potato chips with yogurt-and-herb dip, white cheddar popcorn, mini carrots and sliced red pepper with hummus. Set up a "build your own" pizza bar. Start with cheese pizzas (frozen or delivered) and offer a spread of gourmet toppings -- sundried tomatoes, shaved proscuitto, goat cheese, sliced figs, kalamata olives, steamed broccoli, and more. To drink: soda straight out of a bottle, how nostalgic! And what is a slumber party without a mega-dose of sugar! Delight guests with the ultimate ice cream bar -- vanilla  ice cream with grown-up toppings like dark chocolate, crumbled gingersnaps, fresh mango, and raspberries.

Decor - Get out your blankies and pillows and cuddle in front of the TV to watch one of the bride's favorite chick flicks. First one asleep is the rotten egg. 

Gift - Put together the perfect "slumber party" kit for the bride and her man to enjoy -- several movie DVD's, some gourmet popcorn, brownie mix, and "his and hers" ice cream bowls!

Dance Fever  Throw a "Sex & The City" style club party, complete with mini-skirts, martinis, and music music music!

Food - Serve up cosmopolitans, martinis, or your own diva-worthy concoction. Whip up a chic spread of nibblies -- olives, almonds, cheese sticks, vegetable chips, sushi, and other finger foods that you can easily round up at your local gourmet store or supermarket.

Decor - Have each guest put together a mix of her (and the bride's) favorite dance tunes. Tell everyone to get decked out in their most glamorous garb, and clear the floor! Dance the night away. Be sure to hold a dance contest and "crown" the winner (hopefully the bride!).

Gift - Have everyone chip in and treat the bride to some dance lessons -- salsa anyone?!

Tropical Treats  There's something magical and romantic about a beach-inspired bash -- even if you're nowhere near the water. Treat the bride to a swank tropical party that will make her feel like she's on honeymoon.

Food - Serve up warm-weather foods that match the color scheme - margaritas, snap peas and celery sticks with yogurt herb dip, cold cucumber soup, bread, and assorted cheeses. For dessert, fresh kiwi and adorable seashell cookies.

Decor - A modern white-and-green color scheme sets the mood. Decorate with glass bowls filled with white sand (or table salt) and nestle cheery green flowers inside. Scatter white seashells around, along with bowls of green grapes for munching. Entertain guests with a playlist of beach tunes -- Bob Marley, The Beach Boys, Israel Kamakawiwo'ole, and more. What a fitting way to celebrate a "hot" romance! 

Gift - Get the bride ready for her honeymoon (or next romantic getaway) with a new bikini, personalized beach towel, and custom sunscreen inscribed with the bride and groom's name.