Alphabet Themed Bridal Shower

So I got this idea from a Martha Stewart Weddings' daily email, but when I actually reviewed it, it wasn't as cool as I thought it might be, so here's my take on how to make this a great bash...

To hold an alphabet bridal shower, you should consider doing the following (and let's use me as the bride for instance, A-M-B-E-R):

• First off, make sure to invite at least as many women as there are letters in the bride's name (or her last name or whichever name you choose). If her name is something long, say Jenna Marie for instance, try just Jenna if you're not going to have enough guests to make it work. In the event of my name and say inviting 15-20 people, assign more than one person per letter. In this case 3-4 people would have each letter.
• Then send out a detailed invitation (which of course should have an alphabet-inspired theme) with instructions. For instance, it would instruct them to RSVP to obtain their letter. Once they had their letter they must do the following: 1) buy/bring a gift that starts with their letter. For example, if you had M, perhaps you'd select a microwave, for a B, perhaps a barstool. In the event of names with crazy letters like X..maybe allow them to pick something with an X in it, like a Netflix subscription. 2) Then they should make a personal card that has their letter on the front, and inside has an adjective describing the bride on it, with a detailed description of why they picked it. For instance, with A, one might write artsy. Then a friend of mine might describe how I am an artsy person, perhaps even including a story. These cards are very easily made into a cute scrapbook after the party. 3) Finally, using whatever crafty motives they can, each gift should have a gift tag with their appropriate letter on the front. It's a little bit of work, but believe me, anyone should be able to handle it with a little effort. The goal is not to look perfect, but to have the gift look heartfelt.
  
• At the party, try to also incorporate letters in various ways. Making sugar cookies in the letters are always fun. Perhaps the guests could even decorate them themselves and take them home as a favor at the end of the day. You could also serve foods that are either favorites of the bride or start with the bride's letters. Almonds, Milk chocolate, Berries, Eclaires, and Rum, get the hint?
• Of course decor can also be alphabetically inspired. Taking wood letters and hanging them with ribbon on a wall for display would look lovely. Or you can make a beaded monogram using a 16 gauge wire too to hang if you feel like getting creative.
  
• Or even games. What about a wordsearch you create, where you see who can find the most "(insert bride's name here)" in it? Or a where's waldo like drawing where you must find the bride's letters? What about trivia with answers that start with the letters? You can also include the groom's name or her soon-to-be last name if you'd like.
• Finally parting favors can be handed out in monogram stamped, punched, or printed boxes/bags. Of course if you can make these boxes into a display for decor during the party you're even more ahead of the game.

These are just some suggestions and the beginning really, for ideas on how to plan an alphabet-inspired bridal shower. The key is simply to rack your brain for any way you can incorporate your bridal shower theme into the event itself. Whether it's this theme, or a theme centered around their honeymoon or times of the day, etc. you should always try to think about the main party elements (food, drink, decor, invites, gifts, games, etc.) and how each can tie in to the theme in one way or another.

Well I hope this has given you an idea for the future. And look, I've actually posted twice in one day (I'm trying to make up for some lacking lately...so please do be patient with me). Happy planning!

~A