Plan A Couples’ Baby Shower Even the Guys Will Love December 8, 2013

If you’re looking to do something non-traditional for your baby shower, we suggest having a couple’s shower. The dad-to-be gets to be involved in this special day and your guests will enjoy bringing their significant others.

 

Keep some traditional aspects of the baby shower but don’t be afraid to throw in a few twists. Here are some of our favorite ideas.

 

Keep the Invites Unfussy

 

While images of expecting mothers and baby bottles are adorable, consider your guest list and remember that half will be males. We love these chalkboard-inspired couples baby shower invitations on etsy.com.

 

Clockwise from top left: http://www.etsy.com/shop/MGDezigns, http://www.etsy.com/shop/kimberlyjdesign, http://www.etsy.com/shop/katesprintables, http://www.etsy.com/shop/InvitationCeleb.

 

Keep the Games Laid-Back

 

Most guys might cringe at the thought of playing baby shower games, but here are a few that everyone (even the guys) will enjoy.

 

Baby Picture Game – Ask guests to bring a baby picture of themselves to the party, and then have everyone guess who is who.

 

Guess the Baby Food – Blindfolded guests sample unlabeled baby food and try to guess the correct flavor.

 

Childhood Stories – Each guest writes down a funny story about their childhood and the expecting couple has to guess who belongs to each story.

 

Baby Gamble – Set up a betting board for the date/time and weight of the baby. Chart the weights down the Y axis of the graph (4oz increments from 6 to 11 lbs) and the times on the X axis (12hr increments for 5 days on either side of the due date). You wind up with a 20×20 grid. Each bet makes a guess on the date/weight. Sell ‘squares’ for $1 (like a Super Bowl grid) or give everyone two guesses (for free). The winner gets 1/2 the money and the other 1/2 goes toward a night out for the new parents.

 

Bottle Race – Fill baby bottles with the beverage of your choice (beer for the guys at a grown-ups’ party). Give everyone a bottle and on the count of three they must suck the bottles dry as quickly as possible. The first person to down the contents of his or her bottle wins.

 

Keep the Food Yummy

 

Check out one of Hello Productions’ past blogs for some fun food ideas: https://helloproductions.wordpress.com/tag/party-food-bar-ideas/.

 

 

Keep the Favors Functional

 

While favors are not necessary, if you decide to give your guests something on their way out, pick something functional that everyone will enjoy. Some of our favorite ideas include: wine glasses (so each couple will take home a set), fun favored popcorn (The Pittsburgh Popcorn Company has all types of flavors that can be purchased at one of their locations or ordered online), a 6-pack of the couple’s favorite beer with custom labels, or baby bottles filled with hot chocolate mix and marshmallows.

 

 

Want help planning a baby shower? Request a quote from Hello Productions!

 

Have any other great ideas for a couples’ baby shower? Tell us about them!

Aisle Runner Etiquette and Ideas November 2, 2013

The aisle runner originated as a barrier to protect the bride from evil spirits as she made her way down the aisle. It continued to be used to protect the bride’s dress as she walked down the aisle and nowadays, most often as a special way to announce the bride’s entrance. Even non-traditional brides like the tradition of an aisle runner, but it is completely optional in your wedding!

 

There is no right or wrong way to display your runner, but common practice is to reserve it for the bridal party or just the bride. Aisle runners may have started out as paper, but they have come a long way! Whether you want a traditional aisle runner or something more unique, we compiled aisle runner ideas for all types of weddings and all types of brides!

 

Flowers

Using flowers to indicate the aisle works really well for outdoor weddings, where a fabric or paper aisle runner wouldn’t hold up on soft ground. If you decide to use flowers to create a design as your aisle runner, make sure you rope off the center aisle and usher guests into their seats from the other sides. You also want to make sure your photographer has a chance to capture the design before the procession!

 

Source: http://www.decoration0.com

Light

Using lights can help illuminate the path for a wedding held at dusk or can add a romantic element to the aisle runner. Some examples include rope lights, white string lights wrapped in fabric or even candles.

 

Source: elimweddingsaislerunnerideas.blogspot.com

We also love the idea of lanterns down the aisle. Just remember to enclose your candles in glass to prevent guests from knocking over a candle or the wind from blowing them out.

 

Clockwise from top left: 1., 3., 4. http://trendybride.net and 3. http://www.brides.com

 

We also LOVE this gobo (or light projection) on the floor as an aisle runner!

Source: http://www.newlywife.com/

Fabric

Fabric aisle runners can add fun designs, colors and even a monogram to your ceremony. From burlap to lace, it is easy to find one (or make one) that will fit with the theme of your wedding. If you have an outdoor wedding, remember to make sure to put hard flooring under the aisle or have the ceremony on harder ground – you want to prevent anyone from tripping on the runner with their heels!
 

Clockwise from top left: Burlap (catherineguidry.com), Non-slip with Monograms (http://strictlyweddings.com), Burlap with Lace (http://www.weddingbee.com/classifieds), Damask (http://boards.weddingbee.com)

Looking for an aisle runner that is really customized? This DIY aisle tells the couple’s story, complete with pictures and a corresponding puzzle in the program for the guests!

Source: http://www.ohlovelyday.com

Bonus: How cool is this idea of non-traditional seating for a ceremony? This would work perfectly for an intimate wedding!

 

Source: http://www.bridalguide.com/

 

Looking for a few more ideas? Visit the Walk This Way board on Pinterest by TheMarriedApp or visit the photo galleries on www.HelloProductions.com!