If you are handed the task of creating a bridal shower fit for the tropics but do not live there, worry not. A tropical luau is closer than you think. With some creative planning, you can have all of your guests thinking they stepped into paradise instead of your own front door. Be sure to purchase a CD of luau music to play in the background during your shower to help reinforce the theme.
Luau Food
A luau is not complete without plenty of tropical fruit, like cubes of pineapple, mango and papaya. Skewer these in an alternating pattern on colorful toothpicks and arrange on a platter. Hollow out one half of a cocunut as a bowl for chocolate-covered macadamia nuts or dried tropical fruit. Another excellent luau food is something from the sea, like martini glasses of cocktail shrimp or, if it is cold outside, a creamy clam or lobster chowder.
Also, do not forget fruity drinks. Serve drinks that taste great with or without alcohol. Blended drinks work best like pina coladas, daiquiris or mimosas. Add a tiny paper umbrella as a garnish.
Tropical Decorations
A wonderful theme for your bridal shower is the tropics. Place real or artificial palm fronds on the appetizer tables along with a tropical flower centerpiece for the guest tables. Use a combination of lilies, birds of paradise, orchids and gardenias for a beautiful floral arrangement. As guests arrive, give them a flower or shell lei to help get them into a tropical mindset.
If your shower is outside, line the edges of your patio or shower location with tiki torches. Then, whether you are inside or out, replace the chairs with traditional luau straw mats and a few cushy pillows for the bride-to-be. Also, set a small, plastic hula girl at each place setting -- the kind that "dances" when tapped -- for a whimsical play on your tropical theme.
Beachy Favors
At the end of the shower, thank your guests by sending them home with a jar of ornate seashells or a box of seashell chocolates. Wrap either in a brightly colored bow, like orange, pink or yellow. Or, if you prefer functional favors, purchase various beach-themed tote bags or flip-flops for your guests to take home and wear. If you go the flip-flop route, tie them together with a ribbon and attach a small tag with the shoe size so guests are sure to select the correct pair for their feet. For the tote bags, purchase bags with pictures or patterns containing palm trees, sunrises or sunsets over the ocean or seashells and sea gulls.
Tags: your guests, bridal shower tropics, shower tropics, tote bags, tropical fruit