As the best friend of the bride-to-be, it's your job to plan a bridal shower that is memorable for all the right and naughty reasons. Your friend shouldn’t just relish some of the final moments of single hood; it would also be nice to remind her of her closest relationships and of how far she’s gone. Of course, you also have to make sure that everyone will have a blast! Here are some suggestions to give you inspiration.

Text and photos by Melissa G. Bagamasbad

The Logistics

Take care of the details. Create a guest list and invite all the important women in her life: her mother, her sisters, her barkada, her closest officemates, and her good friends from elementary to college. Don’t forget to invite the groom’s mother, as well as his closest female relatives. If you opt for a co-ed shower, invite the guys closest to her. It’s best to ask your friend first if she’s okay with inviting family members to the shower, since the last thing you’d want is the atmosphere to be awkward when the mischievous games begin!

The shower is also usually held three to five weeks before the big day. Don’t hold it too close to the actual wedding, because your bride would be busy by that time.

Reserve the venue a good three to four weeks in advance, and keep in mind that June and December are wedding peak months.

The Theme

For the Party Animal

For the bride who is always at the next big Hed Kandi or Big Fish event, a clubbing theme would be most natural. Potential places to hold it could be her favorite night spot or KTV bar, where you could spend the night singing and dancing. You could go all-out naughty here and hire a stripper while asking the guests to come in their sexiest costumes. Another option is to have a glam pajama party, complete with kinky cakes and cocktails to keep you full.



For the Romantic

If your bride sees herself as Charlotte York in Sex and the City, she’s most probably a hopeless romantic who sees her wedding as the pinnacle of her childhood dreams. Intimate and feminine are the operative terms. You could hold the shower in her living room, or the function room of a homey restaurant like Mom and Tina’s. Play bossa nova, or the soundtrack of My Best Friend’s Wedding. Decorate the place with pink mementos, and give away chocolates as souvenirs. This could also be a spin to the popular lingerie theme, so you could require your guests to bring the bride naughty lingerie, if only to make her blush.

For the Corporate Animal

For the bride who eats stress for breakfast, a spa party is also an option. Rent a room in your favorite spa, or decorate your home to look like one, complete with candles for that relaxing ambience. Don’t forget the full-body massages, nail treatments, and some tea and meals afterward.

For the Adventurer

If your bride is athletic and outdoorsy, go the extra mile and be adventurous as well. As done by several celebrities, you could swim with dolphins (just like in Ocean Park in Subic Bay, or with whale sharks in Donsol, Sorsogon), then stay in the resort, where you could hold the traditional shower. Other activities for the sporty bride could include a little luau by the beach, or a pool party.

The Games

Game 1: Pin the Tail on the Donkey
A naughty version of the kids’ game, a picture of a hunk (or maybe even your groom!) is posted. Guests are blindfolded, and they’ll take turns posting a naughty bit of the hunk.



Game 2: Wear the lingerie
Lingerie is a common thing to give away during bridal showers. This time, pick the sexiest, laciest pair of lingerie, stuff it in a bag, and pass it around with music playing. When the music stops, the person holding the bag has to wear the lingerie for everyone to see!

Game 3: The Question Game
From a pack of cards are thought-provoking questions about the bride’s life: her friendships, past loves, what-might-have-been’s, etc. Put the bride on the hot seat and guests will take turns asking revealing questions about her and her groom (of course, you’ll have to do research beforehand!). For every wrong answer she gives, ask her to take a shot of tequila! Another version of this game is “I Never." Everyone takes turns sharing what they’ve never done, but those who have done it already should take one shot! This is a certified fun game that will definitely bring your group closer because of all the things you’ll find out about each other.

Contacts:

For some naughty culinary treats:
Kink Cakes
C-12 Lansdale Arcade, Timog Ave., Quezon City
Tel. #372-4454

For the games and toys mentioned, and more:
The Wedding Library
5th floor, Building B
SM Megamall
Tel #638-5791

For sexy goodies:
The Pleasure Place
Metrowalk Commercial
Complex Ground Level, Meralco Ave.

For lingerie:
Hot Pink Lingerie
Level 2, Archeology Section, Power Plant Mall
Rockwell

The Velvet Rose
4th Floor, Shangri-La Mall, Ortigas City

For themed parties:
Camayan Beach Resort
Camayan Wharf, West Ilanin Forest Area
Subic Bay Freeport Zone 2222
Philippines.
(047) 252-8000
Manila Marketing & Reservation Office:
Telephone Number: (02) 706-3344 to 46
Fax Number (02) 706-0808

Mom and Tina’s Bakery
106 E. Rodriguez Jr. Ave.,
Barangay Ugong, Pasig City
9140833