| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| goatgal |
Posted - Mar 03 2006 : 07:39:56 AM
i havent been online for over a week and i really feel behind but I have been dealing with 2 sick kids with the stomach bug, trying to catch up and get ready for our weekend away this weekend, and now my brother in law called me yesterday and told me that he and his live in girlfriend of 7 years is expecting baby number 2 and they are finally thinking of getting married. I havent any clue what type of party to throw for her or both of them since they have lived together for over 7 years and are now on baby number 2, but I HAVE to do something ( i have been designated family party planner, how fun!!!!! I love it!!!!) but not sure what to do. I have never been faced with this type of situation before, planning wise. Can anyone helP? I am going to go and try to catch up a little before we leave for the weekend...lol. |
| 6 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| FarrarFarmgirl |
Posted - Mar 05 2006 : 7:18:53 PM
Oh, Patti, I forgot about the unlabeled cans. When Doyle and I got married the first time that's what we got at one of our showers. It was very interesting eating for awhile. I think someone actually gave us a couple of cans of dog food. yuk! We got very good at shaking the cans and listening to how much juice there was in the can or how heavy or solid the can felt.
I did read about the other shower, they called it "Shower them by the pound." I thought that was a great idea, too. The problem with all these great ideas, Libbie, is that even if you knew someone getting married, you'd have a very hard time trying to decide which idea to go with. Not a horrible problem, but non-the-less, it's just isn't easy. That's the problem I am having for our son. And now I have only two months to figure it out - well actually shorter, more like two weeks so that I can get the invites done. Yikes!!
It is fun to be on the planning side of it and I do love to doing these kinds of things. It's a good stress, right?! :o) I'd love to help you, Sharon, wish we were closer than half way across the country. It would be a blast.
I hope it all goes well for you, Chastity and that mostly you have fun making it fun for the special couple. Blessings to you.
In His hands,
Lynda L.
Pray in faith and you will not live in doubt.
www.pamperedchef.biz/lorenzfamilycooks |
| Libbie |
Posted - Mar 04 2006 : 7:38:30 PM
These ideas are so great! I wish I knew someone who was getting married so I could use them myself! FUN!!!
XOXO, Libbie
"Nothing is worth more than this day." - Goethe |
| happymama58 |
Posted - Mar 04 2006 : 2:05:13 PM
You could always give them a pounding! We learned about those when we lived in Texas. Everyone brings the couple a pound (or more) of something. We attended the pounding of our church's new pastor & wife, and they got things like a pound of: toilet paper, sugar, glass cleaner, apples, dish towels, etc.
I know your brother & future sil probably have lots of this stuff, but like Lynda said, they might appreciate new/more.
Oh, another thing you could add as a gag type gift is something that was done to dh & I. His church gave us a shower and everyone who came brought, in addition to their shower gift, a can or two of something -- with the labels removed! It is so much fun (really) to fix supper with whatever you happen to open. One of the organizers had bought a big wicker laundry basket, and as people came in they put the canned goods in the basket. It was a fun gift!
Some people search for happiness; others create it.
http://happymama58.blogspot.com/ |
| sleepless reader |
Posted - Mar 03 2006 : 11:25:57 AM
WOW! Lynda, I know who to call on if I ever need to do a party! Great ideas and insight. Good luck to you too, Chastity!
Sharon
Life is messy. Wear your apron! |
| goatgal |
Posted - Mar 03 2006 : 08:32:51 AM
THank you for all the great ideas and I am going to go Googling now...lol. I think I am just as excited as they are if that is possible.
Catron is pretty close to New Madrid. I am about 2 1/2 hours south of St. Louis, but visit often. My daughters lung doctor is in St. Louis at Cardinal Glennon.
Thanks again |
| FarrarFarmgirl |
Posted - Mar 03 2006 : 08:05:59 AM
Hi, Chasity,
Before I start spilling my newly gained knowledge (lol) about wedding showers/parties, I have to ask, where is Catron, MO? I know I've seen your forum name before just never realized you were also in MO. I'm so glad to know another MO girl. I'm in St. Louis. I apologize for not noticing before. And I"m sorry to hear about your family's illnesses, there is nothing fun about that, I hope everyone is on the mends and getting better. Have a great weekend away - what a special treat!!
Okay, now my "vast knowledge." :o) I'm sorta in the same boat, but not quite, if that makes sense. Our son is getting married in June, he and his fiancee have been living together since they got engaged last May. They have a household pretty much set up, but still it is fun to get new stuff. For your brother-in-law and girlfriend if they have been together for 7 years, they probably have things that need to be replaced and would love to have new. I know there have been times when I've said to myself (jokingly) that it would be nice to get married again just so I could get some new stuff. Especially if they have a little one, you know how quickly things get used and become worn.
Well in my searches for wedding shower themes and ideas I have come across some that might work for you, too. IN our case, I want to throw a Mr. & Mrs. shower or sometimes they are called Jack and Jill showers. From what I have read, it doesn't have to be the traditional "shower" as we know it, when you have a coed "shower" it's usually more of a casual backyard party/get-together. You could have guests bring gift cards for them to go out as a couple without children, for Home Depot/Lowes so they can make household improvements, for Wal-Mart to get those daily necessities, etc. Put them all in a 3-ring binder with plastic card sleeves and present it to them in that way. So you could call it a "card shower." That makes it easy for those attending because like you said, since they already have an established household, what DO you get them? By now they have their own personal preferences and this just makes it easier for them, too. Then you don't have to spend too much time on games and gift-opening (unless that's something they want to do) and more on the visiting and celebrating the happy occassions.
Another idea was to find out one thing that they would really like to have, but can't really afford and have everyone contribute money to that one thing and then present it to them from the group. They will be so surprised to get something that wouldn't expect to receive.
Or you could organize a service party. Find out a few things that they need to have done around the house or yard. With a baby on the way, there may be some rearranging or painting or yard work that needs to be done and they just haven't had the time to do it. Or there is a project that just keeps getting put off because of schedules and times (we all have those). Then have everyone come over and help get some of those things done. IT will be a great relief to them to have that kind of stuff "finally" done and out of the way.
There are tons of other ideas out there. Just go to Google and type in wedding showers. They even have some ideas for couples who are getting married and have kids involved. I didn't read any of those ideas, but saw that catagory on a list.
Once you get that part figured out, the rest is a breeze, especially if you are the desinated family party planner, you know what needs to be done, just need an idea to fly with, I'm sure you will do great! Have fun with it. I was fretting so much over logistics because our families (mine and my husbands) are 1.5 - 2 hours apart, so where to have it, how to make it easy/convenient for the majority, etc, etc, etc. My daughter, who is out of town and won't even be able to help me, reminded me that it's not about everyone else, it's about the couple. Do what is going to be best for them and those who want to and are able to join in will no matter the distance. So I pass that bit of insight onto you from my daughter, as many of these kinds of family gatherings I have done, I still got so caught up in the planning and logistics I almost lost sight of the reason.
Talk with the couple and then go with it, throw in a few surprises and just enjoy the moment for their sake - they are finally getting married! Yeah!!! And you will be an aunt again!! Yeah!! What blessed occassions to celebrate. If you need any other help or suggestions or moral support as you/we go through this you are welcome to email me. Sometimes just thinking out loud to someone else helps to sort through all the ideas in your head. I'm glad to help in that way if you need. Good luck with everything and Blessings on your preparations and planning.
In His hands,
Lynda L.
Pray in faith and you will not live in doubt.
www.pamperedchef.biz/lorenzfamilycooks |
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