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A his-and-hers wedding shower can be twice the fun of a "girls only" get-together. A couple's shower is modern and increasingly popular -- the ideal way to celebrate Bride and Groom as a perfect pair. It's also a great way to honor the upcoming nuptials of second-timers who have been married before; a co-ed celebration offers a more grown-up alternative. Here are some favorite ideas for unforgettable parties that promise to make him feel as comfortable as her.
Red Hot Love A barbecue is a blast for guys and gals. Set a casual vibe with invitations printed on red paper wrapped around boxes of Red Hots candies and tied with a piece of twine. Stick with a traditional red-and-white color scheme with some fun updates. Rent inexpensive red tablecloths from a party center and use them as picnic blankets. Decorate with large Italian tomato cans filled with gerber daisies. Delight guests with a menu of grilled sausages, asparagus, and red peppers, along with warm bread and a simple green salad. Keep celebrating with old-fashioned ice cream sandwiches for dessert -- for a personal touch, use cake decorating gel to customize the bride and groom's with their names!
Su-She & He Invite friends and family for an evening of sushi favorites. Set a romantic backdrop with small bouquets of deep red flowers (or black for something a bit more edgy) - and create a warm, inviting mood with plenty of white votives. The soundtrack for the evening - hip, sexy tracks from Sade, Gotan Project, Thievery Corporation, and Jazz A St Germain. Order an array of sushi rolls (fish and vege varieties) from a local restaurant and serve along with finger foods like egg rolls and dumplings (easy to find in the frozen food section). And for dessert, special wedding fortune cookies to honor the happy couple.
That's Amore! Create an irresistible Italian-flavored evening that will have everyone falling in love. Start with elegant crostini appetizers (toasted baguette slices with olive, tomato or cheese toppings). Follow with an arugula salad and crunchy breadsticks. The highlight of the evening, a pizza bar where guests can indulge in every topping they've ever dreamed of -- from pepperoni to pineapple. Keep the romantic vibe going with a playlist of Italian classics from guys like Dean Martin and Frank Sinatra. You don't have to go all the way to Rome to get true romance!
Wave Of Love Surprise the man-and-wife to be with a surf-flavored bash that's fun and festive, not frilly. Create a casual "beach shack" feel, decorating in browns and whites with splashes of green, aqua blue, and orange. Brown table clothes, white paper lanterns, coconuts, and bowls of limes and clementines. Continue the theme with a menu of guacamole, shrimp cocktail, grilled chicken, and rice salad. End on a sweet note with coconut cupcakes. And give everyone a memento of the unforgettable evening by creating a "photo booth" where partiers can take custom snapshots. Have them hold up quirky handwritten signs with funny or touching messages for the couple, then collect them all into a book -- a keepsake for the Mr. and Mrs!
I Love You Mucho Celebrate the couple's spicy love affair with a Mexican fiesta. Deck out the party space in sunny colors. Set out wooden bowls overflowing with oranges and lemons. In place of flowers, fill pitchers or vases with green palm fronds. Light things up with candles in bronze lanterns (find inexpensive versions at discount home stores or online). Wow guests with a buffet of south-of-the-border snacks -- quesadillas with assorted cheeses and veggie fillings, a build-your-own taco bar, salsas (from traditional tomato to mango and pineapple), and plenty of guacamole. And for dessert, scoop out vanilla ice cream with cinnamon cookies.
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