Wedding Gazette

What's Her Bridal Shower Style?

By Jennifer Baumann

So many shower options and so little time! Not sure whether the bride-to-be is a Tame Tracey or a Wild Winona? Take our quiz and find out.

1. Her Wedding Dress Could be Described As...

• A. expensive and timeless, something that Michelle Pfeiffer or Nicole Kidman might wear.
• B. different, something that Gwyneth Paltrow or Renee Zellweger might wear.
• C. whimsical and fresh, something that Julia Roberts or Kate Hudson might wear.
• D. comfortable and possibly off-the-racks, something that Sandra Bullock or Meg Ryan might wear.
• E. silky, sleek, and a little naughty, something that Jennifer Lopez or Catherine Zeta-Jones might wear.

2. The Music At Her Reception Will Feature...

• A. every love song ever written.
• a mixture of music from classical, to folk, to alternative, to rap.
• C. well worn dance ditties to get them up and make 'em smile.
• D. a local DJ keeping the tunes mainstream.
• E. the best kick-butt band my money can buy.

3. The Bride and Groom Will Exit The Reception...

• A. limo all the way.
• B. in a horse-drawn carriage or a rented Jag.
• C. in his car, bedecked with "just-married" stickers and the requisite cans tied to the bumper.
• D. in her Dad's car, no big deal.
• E. in a helicopter (they'll throw rice as they lift off!)

4. Her Gift Registry Is All About...

• A. formal and informal china, basic white linens, and a well-appointed kitchen.
• B. pottery, mix-and-match place settings, retro appliances, and a bonsai for every room.
• C. his-and-hers towels; matching bathrobes, themed bedroom décor, and set-ups for the breakfast nook.
• D. one set of all-around china, handsome but practical flatware, easy lifestyle décor for the livingroom, and pretty much anything that is useful for the kitchen.
• E. their honeymoon toTahiti; an honest-to-goodness Tiffany lamp; custom-made lawn furniture; and scuba diving equipment.

5. Her Engagement Ring Has To Be...

• A. a white princess-cut diamond, large enough but not too showy.
• B. a tanzanite set in white gold.
• C. a sweetheart diamond band.
• D. something attractive and unobtrusive.
• E. a rock the size of Gibraltar.

Read On For Her Bridal Shower Style:

Mostly A's:

Her style is classic, and that means she's probably going to feel most comfortable with the traditional bridal shower. Traditionally, the MOH is the one who is to plan and throw it. The classic bridal shower is all about what's done, and correct etiquette counts.

Typically, it should occur 2 to 3 weeks prior to the wedding at the MOH's house. Keep it female only, and send out the invitations 3 weeks prior to the actual party. Traditional bridal shower fare includes finger foods, cake, coffee, and punch; gifts are tasteful, useful items for the home; party games are out, and after the initial introductions, general chit-chat, and canapés, the major activities include opening the gifts and cutting the cake. The classic bridal shower is tame, time-honored, and functional.

Mostly B's:

Her style is creative, so a bridal shower that leans toward the unique will be right for her. If you're smart, you'll consult the bride to find out what pleases her. Today's bride with a creative side is being showered at spas, restaurants and jazz clubs, to name a few. Sometimes called no-host showers, you may opt to provide invitations, entertainment, and favors. In short, pretty much everything but the venue and the food. And because the location is out-and-about, it makes sense for the group to give the bride one gift, generally something significant that you couldn't afford on your own.

Mostly C's:

Call her style cutsey. Let's face it, decorating with little umbrellas and wearing the "ribbon hat" just appeals to her. In order to access her inner child, be sure to plan plenty of games.

While cutsey showers don't appeal to guys (so don't bother inviting them), they do provide the you the perfect opportunity to go with a theme. Think room-of-the-house showers (gifts to fit each room) or white elephant showers (guests bring the worst gifts in order to gain the biggest laughs, the real gift is opened later). Finally, to keep the fun rolling, food should be simple like pans of lasagna or order-in pizza, salad, cake and coffee.

Mostly D's:

This bride is casual all the way. Creativity, charm, and tradition can all have their say in her shower, but they'd best be laid-back about it. Backyard barbecues and his-and-her showers are perfect for the bride with the casual side. More party than anything else, the casual shower can dispense with most of the niceties, ask guests to bring a covered dish, and offer tried-and-true foods sure to please the crowd: giant heroes, burgers and hotdogs, chips and dips.

For brides and grooms with large families and lots of friends, the casual shower is absolutely the way to go.

Mostly E's:

You'd better tighten your seatbelt, for this shower is sure to provide a bumpy ride. Her style could be termed crazed, so already it might be best to think that guest list through. After all, male strippers might be a bit much for Grandma and Great Aunt Millie. All kidding aside, some brides like to walk on the wild side so that tamer affairs are just not for them. In these cases, the group can go out clubbing or bar-hopping (with a designated driver, of course) or simply set up a night of all-in-good-debauched fun at someone's home. In the latter case, the theme of "naughty" might prevail with lingerie gifts, racy games, and R-rated edibles.

Keep these tips in mind when planning any shower:

1. No matter how wild she is, don't plot or plan anything that will embarrass the bride so much she'll be upset or angry. So find out ahead of time if a stripper really is her cup of tea and never let the fun go too far. No bride wants to wake up with a hangover and find out she shared the stage with guys in thongs.
2. Don't plan the shower too close to the wedding date.
3. Offer your services in the planning of the shower, whether you're the bride, a bridesmaid, the MOH, or a guest.
4. Ask the bride for input regarding the guest list if you're unsure whom to invite and be certain that her fiancé's female relatives are invited.
5. Be sure to look for group rates where appropriate (spas, restaurants, entertainment).
6. Plan on two separate showers if one is going to be a tad too wild for some guests.