by Eileen Livers and Monica Bernstein

Q

Dear Wedding Women,

I'm in a friend's wedding and want to host a shower for her; however, I need some inexpensive decorating ideas as well as thoughts about what to serve. It will probably be from two to four o'clock in the afternoon. Thanks for any help you give!

--bcgarrett



A

Dear bcgarrett,

It's very nice that you want to host a shower for your friend. Keep in mind that it's customary for all the bridesmaids to help pay for such an expense, so don't feel obliged to take on the entire financial burden.

As for food, you could simply have cake and punch. Or, you might make finger sandwiches and serve tea. Another inexpensive idea: Pizzas, with the toppings in the shape of hearts and wedding bells.

The easiest, cheapest and most inventive way to decorate is using helium balloons. Have them float to the ceiling with streamers attached. Tape a picture of the bride and groom to each streamer, or have each guest write down a different memory of the bride and/or groom and tape one to each balloon's streamer. The bride will love it -- and so will the guests.

Many of the iVillagers who frequent the message boards had great ideas for simple yet chic showers as well. Here are some of their suggestions:

I had a Saturday brunch for a friend of mine and it was very nice. I served muffins, coffee, juice, fruit salad, bagels, and scrambled eggs. Part of the reason it worked so well is that there were enough options to accommodate those with special diets. It was also easy on the budget. --debi_sillygirl

"If it will be in the afternoon, make it a tea. Serve cookies, mints, petit fours, cress and salad sandwiches, cherry tomatoes stuffed with chicken or shrimp salad, cheese and crackers, and, of course, tea. For Southern flair, serve mint juleps, orange pekoe iced tea, iced fruit tea, or pink lady punch." --So Sherry77

"For my bridal shower, my mother did the white and pink bells business, with pink and white streamers, and got some bridal shower paper plates, etc. As for things to serve, how about small sandwiches, pigs in a blanket, cold cuts, things like that?" --stretch123