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"Check out what our Experts have to say about fabulous Bridal Showers."
Bridal showers no longer mean No Boys Allowed. Today's couples enjoy "Jack and Jill" showers to celebrate their coming nuptials -- that way, both bride and groom can enjoy time with their family and friends. Throwing a "Stock the Bar" shower will include both the man- and wife-to-be and prepare them for the celebrations they'll be hosting together in the future.
What is a Stock the Bar Shower?
The premise behind a Stock the Bar shower is simple: Help the newlyweds fill their home with the essentials needed to host a cocktail party. This includes stemware, decanters, ice buckets, cocktail napkins, martini shakers, stirrers, mixers and of course, the alcohol.
For the health-conscious set, provide low-cal alternatives like delicious Honey Mustard Grilled Chicken Breast and an eye-catching Strawberry & Spinach Salad. End the night on a sweet note by serving up a classic: S'mores or chocolate chip cookies with milk.
What is a Stock the Bar Shower?
The premise behind a Stock the Bar shower is simple: Help the newlyweds fill their home with the essentials needed to host a cocktail party. This includes stemware, decanters, ice buckets, cocktail napkins, martini shakers, stirrers, mixers and of course, the alcohol.
For the health-conscious set, provide low-cal alternatives like delicious Honey Mustard Grilled Chicken Breast and an eye-catching Strawberry & Spinach Salad. End the night on a sweet note by serving up a classic: S'mores or chocolate chip cookies with milk.
Chicken is a safe choice for any bridal shower and will appeal to both sexes. Spice it up with honey mustard sauce. Delish!
Ingredients
- 1/3 Cup Dijon mustard
- 1/4 Cup honey
- 2 tablespoons mayonnaise
- 1 Teaspoon steak sauce
- 4 skinless, boneless chicken breast halves
Steps
- Preheat the grill for medium heat.
- In a shallow bowl, mix the mustard, honey, mayonnaise, and steak sauce.
- Set aside a small amount of the honey mustard sauce for basting, and dip the chicken into the remaining sauce to coat.
- Lightly oil the grill grate. Grill chicken over indirect heat for 18 to 20 minutes, turning occasionally, or until juices run clear.
- Baste occasionally with the reserved sauce during the last 10 minutes.
This salad is simple and sophisticated, perfect for serving at a bridal shower.
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons sesame seeds
- 1 Tablespoon poppy seeds
- 1/4 Cup white sugar
- 1/2 Cup olive oil
- 1/4 Cup distilled white vinegar
- 1/4 Teaspoon paprika
- 1/4 Teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 Tablespoon minced onion
- 10 ounces fresh spinach - rinsed, dried and torn into bite-size pieces
- 1 Quart strawberries - cleaned, hulled and sliced
- 1/4 Cup almonds, blanched and slivered
Steps
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the sesame seeds, poppy seeds, sugar, olive oil, vinegar, paprika, Worcestershire sauce and onion. Cover, and chill for one hour.
- In a large bowl, combine the spinach, strawberries and almonds. Pour dressing over salad, and toss.
- Refrigerate 10 to 15 minutes before serving.
- Recipe Courtesy of AllRecipes.com
You can find a variety of cute invitation options at Tiny Prints. Or, look around for some fun ideas and make your own:
Check Out More Fun Bridal Shower Ideas:
Bridal Shower
- Take simple card stock and gluing wine or liquor bottle labels to one side of the card.
- Either handwrite or print the party details on the other side.
- Include an assignment to guests to bring a particular type of gift to ensure the bride and groom end up with a well-stocked bar.
These tunes set the mood for a rockin good time at a couple's wedding shower:
- "Margaritaville" by Jimmy Buffet
- "It's 5 O'Clock Somewhere" by Alan Jackson
- "Escape (The Pina Colada Song)" by Rupert Holmes
- "Red Red Wine" by UB40
Keep both sexes happy by stocking heartier food for the guys as well as lighter options for the girls.
Food:
For hungrier guests, create a burger & fries centerpiece:
Cocktails:
You can't have a party about stocking the bar without plenty ofcocktails.
Don't forget to have enough mixers on hand to satisfy drinkrequests. If you're not an expert at bartending, consider getting abartender for a few hours. A professional will create drinks with easeand keep everyone happy, and hiring one is quite easy and affordable(just check out your local Craigslist).
Sweet Dessert Ending:
Place the chocolate, graham crackers and marshmallows outseparately and rent a few small melting pots that guests can use toassemble their own dessert.
Bake chocolate chip cookies in the oven after dinner andpresent a plate of gooey, homemade cookies to your guests, accompaniedby milk poured into shot glasses.
For hungrier guests, create a burger & fries centerpiece:
- Start with plenty of gourmet mini burgers and homemade sweet potato fries (as seen in the Posh Pool Party article).
- Create your centerpiece by placing the mini burgers on tiered dessert stands and placing fries in paper cones to create individual serving sizes.
- Place the cones in a stainless steel ice cream cone holder to complete the display. They might just look good enough to eat!
Cocktails:
You can't have a party about stocking the bar without plenty ofcocktails.
Don't forget to have enough mixers on hand to satisfy drinkrequests. If you're not an expert at bartending, consider getting abartender for a few hours. A professional will create drinks with easeand keep everyone happy, and hiring one is quite easy and affordable(just check out your local Craigslist).
Sweet Dessert Ending:
Place the chocolate, graham crackers and marshmallows outseparately and rent a few small melting pots that guests can use toassemble their own dessert.
Bake chocolate chip cookies in the oven after dinner andpresent a plate of gooey, homemade cookies to your guests, accompaniedby milk poured into shot glasses.
Keep the decor sophisticated and upscale. Think classy cocktail hour, not neighborhood bar:
- Candlelight sets an upscale tone and flatters everyone.
- Float white flowers in water using oversized martini glasses as vases.
- Keep other decor minimal and gender-neutral -- no girly pink garb!
Wine bottle stoppers & corkscrews: Send guests home with a cute party favor that follows the theme, like a wine bottle stopper or a corkscrew.
Bottle of wine: Give your guests their own bottle of wine or a cocktail mix for them to take home. Don’t forget to include a cute tag or label for the bottle!
Jelly Bean Cocktail Mixers: These fun cocktail-flavored jelly beans are a unique way to add flair and fun to your party. Plus, they're perfect for couples looking to stay budget-friendly.
Mini Cocktail Shakers: Fun and practical, these mini cocktail shakers make great gifts for any cocktail connoisseur. Pair them with your favorite drink recipe, so that guests can enjoy their favor and remember the special day!
- Fun and practical these are perfect for the cocktail connoisseur!
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