Are you looking for an incredible wedding shower theme? Stock the bar showers are wildly popular and we’ll show you how to throw one! Planning a stock-the-bar shower for the couple celebrates the upcoming nuptials with their closest family and friends. But if you think planning a well-thought out party like this is an overwhelming task, think again! In this blog post, we’ll show you exactly how to plan a stock the bar shower for your favorite engaged couple from the guest list, to the invitations, party games, prizes, and so much more. It’s so easy!
Let’s get started – you have a wedding shower to plan!
• Date and Venue
• Guest List
• Invitations
• Stocking the Bar
• Games & Activities
• Food and Decorations
First, if you’re wondering… here’s exactly what a Stock The Bar Shower is.
What is a Stock The Bar Wedding Shower?
A stock the bar shower is a party where guests bring gifts for a soon-to-be wedded couple for their home bar. It can be in lieu of traditional wedding gifts or in addition to the customary registry towels, bedding, kitchenware, and more. Many host opt for this type of shower theme when the couple has all the typical home ware items, and adds a fun element of gifting.
Instead of the towels and bedding, guests bring gifts like mixers and fancy glassware, bar carts, ice buckets, coasters, drinks – you get the idea. :)
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Now that you know what it is, it’s time to start planning! Let’s begin with an important first step: selecting a date.
Pick a Date and Venue
Before you plan anything, you need the date of the party and a potential venue in mind. As the host, discuss your party plans with the couple and find out their availability. As a rule of thumb, most showers are held anywhere from 2 to 6 months before the wedding, but most are held 6 to 8 weeks leading up to it.
Next, decide where will the celebration be held. At a restaurant? Your home? A swanky hotel bar? A banquet hall? A garden party? Decide on where the party will be held and make sure it is large enough to accommodate your guest list.
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Once you pick a date, decide on a venue that works with the couple, check its availability, and book it. Now you have the big tasks out of the way, and you have just one more big to-do: the guest list.
Guest List
Discuss the guest list with the couple. The shower can be as large as your budget allows, or as small and intimate as the couple prefers. Creating a guest list that includes both sides of the family and friends is a great place to start. You can opt to have a co-ed shower – also known as a couple’s shower – in lieu of a traditional luncheon, if you prefer.
The only rule of thumb when it comes to inviting guests to a bridal shower is:
• Do NOT invite anyone to the shower that isn’t also invited to the wedding
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Create a guest list, finalize it, and then compile all of the guests’ mailing addresses together for the next step: invitations.
Invitations
Set the tone of the theme and celebration with an invitation! You will need to mail them out 4 to 6 weeks before the party date, so plan accordingly by ordering ahead of time. Choose stock the bar wedding shower invitations so guests know exactly what kind of party to expect.
For invitations, you can opt for an overall theme, such as “Pop the Bubbly” or “Love and Cocktails” or “Cheers to Love” to tie in the stock the bar concept. Create personalized and creative invitations that utilize the theme with a motif such as a martini glass, champagne bottle, or bar cart on the invitation design.
Here are some examples of stock the bar invitations for the wedding shower. These – and other designs – are available at Minted. Many can be combined with an enclosure card asking guests to contribute an item or cocktail recipe to “stock the bar” for the happy couple.
Send out your invitations on time and include a link to the couple’s website and registry to make gifting easier.
► Need more design inspiration? Shop invites at Minted here.
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Now, let’s talk about how it works: here’s what you know about stocking the bar at the shower.
Stocking The Bar
You may wonder what stocking the bar should include, and guests will likely wonder the same thing! To assist in gift selection, include items like alcohol, mixers, and supplies on the registry.
Go even one step further with unique and personalized gift suggestions:
• A set of nice beer glasses
• These sweet snifters
• A marble wine chiller with personalization
• This unique whiskey bottle weekender bag
• A personalized tavern sign
• This stunning cheese board
• Unique decanters you won’t find elsewhere
• Custom gin glassware set
You know… the things they wouldn’t normally purchase for themselves, but will look nice and add to their home bar.
Think monogrammed barware, glassware, cocktail recipe books (might I recommend this?), coasters, bar carts, ice buckets, tasting flights, bottle openers, wine aerators, and fancy ice molds like these.
There are a ton of outside-the-box gifts here if you need an amazing place to shop. I love their variety!
• Need suggestions? Read: 12 Home Bar Wedding Gifts They Don’t Already Have.
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Next, let’s talk about the party itself. Don’t let your guests get bored: plan out the following games and activities to keep the party moving along.
Games and Activities
Traditional wedding shower games are always a hit, so feel free to include them if you see fit. You can get bubbly themed bridal shower games here with cards to match:
Or opt for a more neutral palette with wedding shower games on kraft paper cards, like these:
Offer prizes for the games that are on-theme: bottle openers, mixer sets, rimming sugars and salts, coasters, fun ice cube trays, and glassware are all fun prizes your guests will love to win!
Prefer activities? For a stock the bar shower, a wine-tasting from a professional sommelier, a cocktail-making class, a beer-tasting flight, a wine pairing cooking class, or something similar are great ways to entertain guests and stay on-theme all evening. Even something simple like a cocktail making station is a way to get your guests in on the fun in a more interactive way.
Personalized cups will add to the festivities, like these by Rubi and Lib!
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Next, let’s talk about one of the most important parts of the party: food and decorations. Guests will remember these, so take note!
Food and Decorations
Plan a full luncheon or dinner menu that is casual yet delectable, and include appetizers and snacks for a fun-filled celebration. For the drinks, offer a signature cocktail or a DIY bar, where guests can make their own mimosas, cocktails, or mocktails from a drink station.
Also offer a drink station in chilled tubs, like these by Chilled Designs:
Decorate the party space with streamers, balloons, centerpieces, gold embellished items and light up decor, like this bar marquee sign, I Do confetti for the tables, and a stock the bar banner.
A big balloon kit like this bar themed one is perfect for a photo wall or entryway of the celebration (by Gellary’s Store):
Or this balloon wall decoration kit by Fecloud:
Add some cocktail napkins, like these from Your Dream Party Shop:
You get the idea. Have fun with it!
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Last but not least, don’t forget stock the bar wedding shower favors.
Here are some suggestions:
• These can coolers are perfect for guests and can be personalized with the names of the couple
• These magnet bottle openers are available in bulk + are oh-so-colorful
• Bottle opener key chains are a fun, affordable party favor
• Give out these cute mixers for a thematic take-home present
• Buy these stainless steel champagne flutes in bulk for a party favor guest will use
• Mini bottles of champagne are always a hit – add custom labels from here for a personal touch
And there you have it! Now you’re on your way to planning a successful stock the bar shower. You’ve chosen a date, a theme, you’ve learned about invitations, stocking the bar, activities, and how to decorate your space. Your guests are going to love the creative spin you’ve added to make the shower special for the couple! If you have any questions, suggestions, or want to add your input, please leave a comment below. We’d love to hear from you!
