Party Ideas
Wedding Shower: French Themed Party is Trés Belle
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Felicitations! That’s French for ‘congratulations,’ because the privilege of hosting a wedding shower shows how close you are, and how much you care about a very, very special couple. It’s only fitting you’d want to make the party as warm and romantic as a springtime day in Paris. So let’s celebrate the beginning of this new romantic journey, and “shower” your special bride-to-be with a little tender-loving-care á la francais.
Some of my favorite parties that I have planned for clients have been wedding and baby showers, because there is such a feeling of hope, love, and happy expectations for the future. No matter how diverse the guest list, everyone shares in this sense of goodwill. How can you go wrong with a party purpose like that?
Get guests ready for a romantic departure from the everyday with these adorable French postcard invitations. Make sure to jot down places where the bride is registered, as well as any themes or gift preferences. With your lovely French theme, you could perhaps suggest romantic travel/honeymoon gifts, if appropriate.
Fresh, clean, contemporary yet romantic – here’s a sophisticated Parisian theme that’s trés apropos for today’s modern bride.
The black and white melamine plates make a maximum statement with minimal impact on your wallet. They look very spiffy atop a lavender pashmina (yes, pashmina! These affordable acrylic throws make great table covers in a lovely array of colors). 
Fill a shiny tin planter (make sure and line any tin vase with a waterproof liner. Something like a cut-down plastic freezer bag works well) with lavender roses and crystalized butterflies for a soft, romantic tablescape. Trés belle!
Purple and black satin ribbons, pearl beads and crystallized butterflies make lovely accents on the votives (See "How-To") and black napkins (See “How-To”).
La Rochère “bee” wine glasses and water glasses add a lovely Provençale accent, and simple pearl-white cutlery can’t be beat.
Continue the theme of the party with a little mood music! The soundtrack from the movie “French Kiss” is sure to set the right romantic rhythm for this French-influenced party.
The Hors D’Oeuvres Table
Plan a festive little hors d’oeuvres center around your coffee table, as this area’s a key one. It’s where everyone gathers while guests are arriving – and it’s where the bride will most likely open her gifts.
Set the mood by laying down a beautifully romantic print of the Eiffel Tower at night. It will do so much more than protect your wood!!!
This long, rectangular, black and white tray matches your plates -- and supports a wonderful assortment of French cheeses for your guests to nibble on. Add
mounds of grapes, good french bread, and a great French wine served in a La Rochère Carafe, and everyone will be satisfied.
Add a little French accent to the Powder Room as well. Purchase an extra tin
like the one used for the rose centerpiece, and display lovely toilette items that recall summer in Provence: dried lavender sprigs, lavender scented soaps, lavender room spray, and anise violet breath-mints. I also like to offer color-coordinated towels, whether paper or cloth, for that extra je-ne-sais-quoi.
Whether you choose a simple luncheon buffet or a sit-down meal, keep it light for the ladies. Start with some simple Parisian fare, such as an assortment of lovely french cheeses (click here to download Cheese Flags PDF) with mounds of grapes, and a lovely, crusty baguette sliced for nibbling. For your main course, a crisp vinaigrette salad can accompany some simple-to-make Quiche Lorraine.
Other options? French onion soup, or grapes and apples in a cheese fondue are lovely…and mini éclairs and cream puffs make an elegant dessert selection. Add french roast coffee, french wines, and Perrier – magnifique!
Wedding showers often mix ages – so icebreakers can help get conversation going. And they provide a good bonding opportunity for guests that may not know each other well. Here are a few good ideas:
- Let the married women offer some “sage” advice. Pass around a little scrapbook, and ask the “old marrieds” to write down their best words of advice for the bride.
- Riff on your theme of romantic journeys by asking everyone to share their best/most romantic/funniest travel story.
- Have guests bring an international recipe, to put in recipe box for bride. (Be sure to include this in your invitation so your guests come prepared.)
- Don’t forget to provide the bride with a paper plate! Use it to create a “bouquet” of gift ribbons that she can save and use as her wedding-rehearsal bouquet. Wrap your gift with beautiful ribbon and add a little tulle to start the bouquet off well.
Cute name tags are an easy icebreaker! Use two of these pretty French-theme gift tags – one facing forward, and the other with the guest's name on it — tied with purple satin ribbon.
Conjure up the romantic South of France with a packet of fragrant lavender seeds. Think of them as little seeds of hope – a lovely take-home gift for well-wishers. Package them in a small tin or white clay pot with a little lavender tissue paper. (Click here to download the Gift Tag PDF.)
