PARTY THEME Lifestyle of couple is key to great bridal shower

Choosing a shower theme is only as limited as your imagination.
SCRIPPS HOWARD
A week after Kathleen Montgomery became engaged she created her first bridal registry in just an hour from the comfort of her living room through Crate and Barrel's Web site. What she hadn't thought of yet was which, if any, theme she would like for her shower.
Theme bridal showers are becoming more and more popular as many modern brides and grooms, like Kathleen and her fianc & eacute;, Jacob, come to the marriage with the basic necessities since they both had their own apartments. Bridal showers should be fun. They're the last party you'll have before the formal wedding and reception.
Whether you're the bride, groom or attendant, a shower theme is only as limited as your imagination. Start with the couple. What is their lifestyle? What are their passions? Are they in a bowling league or do they belong to a book club? You can have a coed shower at a bowling alley or come as literary characters (a la dressing like a pirate from Treasure Island). Are they planning on honeymooning in Hawaii? Why not plan a luau-themed party.
Among respondents to a Shopzilla survey in which 3,372 people responded, the two most frequently mentioned themes were kitchen and lingerie showers.
Unless a bride requests it, reconsider a lingerie shower which sounds like fun but can be embarrassing for both bride-to-be and some attendees.
Kitchen showers are the most common shower themes, but they can be boring without a specific direction. Get specific on what you register for. Consider a color theme or style. If she dreams of a sleek stainless steel kitchen, sherbet-colored accessories will look out of place.
Outdoor necessities
In the same week Kathleen and Jacob got engaged they bought their first home in Minnesota, where they are relocating from Southern California. When Kathleen realized that neither she nor Jacob had any garden or yard equipment, more possible themes emerged -- a garden shower, with outdoor selections from Crate and Barrel and a registry at Home Depot.
A welcome-to-Minnesota shower could include desperately needed cold-temperature clothing and must-haves like windshield deicers and a snow blower.
Kathleen and Jacob have long been members of a local winery and have amassed a nice collection, none of which can be transported by the movers they disappointedly found out. The wine will be given away and a collection started anew, so why not a wine and cheese shower to replenish their passion? MorrellWine.com is a fine wine shop in New York City that offers a bridal registry.
Recommended
Kathleen registered at Crate and Barrel first because she likes the merchandise but also because it scored highest among friends who had previously registered there.
Consider a Web site's ease of use, on-time delivery record, shipping and return policies and friend's experiences before registering. Be sure to check out the online store's ratings at www.shopzilla.com. The more user-friendly the registry experience is, the more likely your guests will embrace it rather than shop on their own.