Couples Wedding Shower: Stock the Bar

By Yelena Jenkins

Couples BarCheck 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.

 

DrinksHear what our Experts have to say about making the perfect cocktails:

Invitations

You can find a variety of cute invitation options at Tiny Prints. Or, look around for some fun ideas and make your own:

  • 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.

Décor

Keep the décor 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 décor minimal and gender-neutral -- no girly pink garb!

Music

Fun playlists might include:

  • "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

Favors

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: Up the ante and use twine to anchor the gifts to a bottle of wine created in the year the couple met. The couple of honor will never forget their amazing shower, and neither will the guests!

Cocktail
Essential Stock the Bar Gifts

  • Vodka
  • Scotch
  • Gin
  • Whiskey
  • Red & White Wine
  • Champagne
  • Light & Dark Beer
  • Mixers
  • Lemons, limes, olives and maraschino cherries
  • Cocktail set including shakers/strainers and wine openers
  • Travel bar

 

Cocktails

You can't have a party about stocking the bar without plenty of cocktails. Don't forget to have enough mixers on hand to satisfy drink requests.

If you're not an expert at bartending, consider getting a bartender for a few hours. A professional will create drinks with ease and keep everyone happy, and hiring one is quite easy and affordable (just check out your local Craigslist).

For more great cocktail ideas and recipes, watch our Cocktails from Around the World video.

 

Menu

Keep both sexes happy by stocking heartier food for the guys as well as lighter options for the girls.

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!

For the health-conscious set, provide low-cal alternatives like delicious Honey Mustard Grilled Chicken Breast and an eye-catching Strawberry & Spinach Salad.

Always A Favorite: Cookies & MilkAlways A Favorite: Cookies & Milk

End the night on a sweet note by serving up a classic: S'mores or chocolate chip cookies with milk.

  • Place the chocolate, graham crackers and marshmallows our separately and rent a few small melting pots that guests can use to assemble their own dessert.
  • Bake chocolate chip cookies in the oven after dinner and present a plate of gooey, homemade cookies to your guests, accompanied by milk poured into shot glasses.

Honey Mustard Grilled Chicken Breast

Ingredients:

  • 1/3 cup Dijon mustard
  • 1/4 cup honey
  • 2 tablespoons mayonnaise
  • 1 teaspoon steak sauce
  • 4 skinless, boneless chicken breast halves


Preparation:

  1. Preheat the grill for medium heat.
  2. In a shallow bowl, mix the mustard, honey, mayonnaise, and steak sauce.
  3. Set aside a small amount of the honey mustard sauce for basting, and dip the chicken into the remaining sauce to coat.
  4. Lightly oil the grill grate. Grill chicken over indirect heat for 18 to 20 minutes, turning occasionally, or until juices run clear.
  5. Baste occasionally with the reserved sauce during the last 10 minutes.

Strawberry Spinach Salad

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


Preparation:

  1. 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.
  2. In a large bowl, combine the spinach, strawberries and almonds. Pour dressing over salad, and toss.
  3. Refrigerate 10 to 15 minutes before serving.

Recipe Courtesy of AllRecipes.com

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