You have either "stepped up to the plate" or been chosen to be the host of loved one's bridal shower. No need to panic! This should be a joyful labor of love. Keep your priorities straight and a firm hand on the budget and everyone, including you, will have a wonderful time.

First priority - recruit some help! There is no need to shoulder the entire party yourself. "Many hands make light the work" is so true! This will help with the cost, gathering supplies, and any food preparation.

There are so many great "theme" ideas for showers. A garden theme is one way to set the mood for your guests and the bride-to-be. Do a little detective work and find out what the bride's favorite flower is and make a beautiful centerpiece. Or simply put bunches of her favorite into containers and set them out where your guests will be entering and also on the buffet table. She will be so pleased at the thoughtful gesture.

Arrange potted trees and flower pots in corners of the room. Include smaller pots of flowers and ivies on bookshelves, mantels, windowsills to expand on the garden theme. If space allows, a cleaned-up wheelbarrow makes a delightful holding bin for the shower gifts. Tie some organza ribbon on the handles for a festive touch. Don't forget the powder room - set a small fresh bouquet on the vanity.

Set your serving table with pastel tablecloths, fresh flowers, and floral dishes. If you would rather use disposable plates, beautiful selections can be found in your local stationary shops. Get matching napkins but I would suggest using real glassware (yours, rented, or borrowed). I have yet to see any attractive disposable drink ware suitable for a shower. If you can, use nice flatware (again, the plastic stuff isn't very festive). If you need more than you own, maybe you can borrow or rent some.

For the menu selection, your choices are wide open. Remember, eating is not the focus here - the bride-to-be is - so don't go overboard. Three to five appetizer choices, two or three heavier items, and maybe a couple of pastries besides a cake will offer enough choices that all guests will be satisfied. If you want to go the "extra-mile", many baking cookbooks will show you how to make sugar-coated edible flower petals. These are beautiful on a cake or on individual cupcakes. Sugar cookies cut out with flower shaped cutters are another consideration.

Make a flower-hued fruit punch, sprinkle it some edible flower petals (be sure they haven't been sprayed with anything harmful). Be sure to offer a very nice coffee (no cheap stuff) and some fresh brewed tea and also a pitcher of ice water. Remember, just choose a few beverages - it will be simpler for everyone. If you like, a nice fruity wine or some champagne would be elegant and festive.

If you would like to have a party game to loosen up the guests, collect some pictures of exotic flowers and have guests fill out game cards to name each bloom. Start with some easy to identify ones and move up to the more exotic. A little garden spade or pair of floral garden gloves would make a cute prize. Or play "identify the bulb" using tulip, daffodil, snowdrop, and other bulb or tuberous types to get your guests testing their garden IQs.

Seed -embedded plan-table party favors make an ideal finishing touch to the garden shower. Whether in the form of bookmarks, note cards, or little boxes, your guests can take them home, add a little water and watch them grown into lovely wildflowers. The favors themselves are quite beautiful and one almost hates to plant them! But that will be up to your guests.

Betty is a party planner and specializes in personalized party favors to match any occasion! No event is complete without a unique party favor to compliment the occasion and make it a memorable celebration. She is co-owner/operator of Party Favor Depot with her husband, David. More tips and ideas may also be seen at Time To Party!