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Pre-wedding parties are a fun part of any wedding celebration and often just as important as the big day. Celebrations such as bridal showers, bachelor or bachelorette parties, and rehearsal dinners are traditions many couples choose to continue to partake in. That doesn’t mean, however, that these traditions can’t be modernized and updated to reflect today’s times. Here are some tips for updating your prewedding celebrations.
Traditionally these celebrations have specific guest lists. A bridal shower for example is traditionally celebrated with close female friends and family of the couple. The bachelor and bachelorette parties are celebrated separately by gender, and the rehearsal dinner with immediate family and the bridal party.
You can modernize these guest lists by opening them up to more friends and family. Have a co-ed bridal shower, combine your bachelor and bachelorette parties, and celebrate your rehearsal dinner with close friends and family.
Bridal showers and rehearsal dinners typically don’t have themes, but both are great opportunities to do something unique and fun that represents you both as a couple. The same goes for your bachelor and/or bachelorette parties. Hold your bridal shower at the bar where you first met or the restaurant you had your first date. Host a BBQ rehearsal dinner for a less formal, but fun night with your family and friends. You can even combine parties for an even more modern approach, especially if you don’t have the budget to host multiple celebrations.
Don’t be afraid to think outside the box when coming up with a theme. Start by focusing on your mutual interests as a couple. Do you both love the outdoors? Consider planning a camping trip complete with hikes, swimming, and more for your combined bachelor and bachelorette parties. The options are endless, it’s up to you to be creative!
Gift registries are usually comprised of gifts for the home such as small appliances, towels, bedding, and kitchen or dining items. If you want to modernize this tradition ask for guests to gift you experiences on your honeymoon, date nights back home, or even for gift cards to local restaurants or grocery stores. This may be especially beneficial to couples that are already living together and have most of the items they need for their homes. As an alternative, you can also do a combined registry featuring some traditional items and some modernized gift ideas.
Games are traditionally played at bridal showers and are usually comprised of events like bridal shower bingo, a purse scavenger hunt, toilet paper wedding dresses, and other similar games.
To modernize this tradition, try adding in some more updated games like trivia to see who knows the couple the best, He Said, She Said, or even wedding versions of traditional games such as catch phrase, The Price is Right, or blind wedding cake testing.
While there are many opportunities to modernize prewedding party celebrations, there are some traditions you should continue to follow so you don’t display poor etiquette, this includes:
