FROM NOW THROUGH THE SUMMER, BRIDES AND SHOWERS WILL GO TOGETHER LIKE LEMON AND GINGER.

From now through the summer, brides and showers will go together like lemon and ginger.
By GRETCHEN MCKAY
SCRIPPS HOWARD
The Bee Gees certainly had it right when, borrowing from that famous poem of Lord Tennyson's, they crooned that in spring, "a young man's heart begins to sing, thinkin' of wedding rings."
PRING, WITH ITS UNABASHEDLY ROmantic flowers and warm, fragrant breezes, is when many in-love couples start thinking about marriage. Well, maybe not the ceremony itself -- for centuries, June has remained the most popular month for tying the knot. But this is certainly the season when people start gearing up for the life-changing event with celebratory parties and dinners.
One of the most popular ways to celebrate the happy couple's upcoming nuptials is with a bridal shower; it's also one of the most time-honored. Legend holds that the tradition originated in Holland in the 18th century, when a young girl fell in love with a poor milliner and -- denied the customary dowry by her angry father -- was "showered" by the townspeople with gifts.
Modern bridal showers traditionally are thrown by someone in the wedding party, most often the maid or matron of honor. Following today's relaxed rules of social etiquette, however, they can also be hosted by a relative, close friend or co-worker; it's even perfectly acceptable for someone who has not been invited to the wedding to organize the party. And they're not just for women. Co-ed "couples" showers, which include friends of both the bride and groom, have grown increasingly popular in recent years.
If you're holding the shower, just make sure you're as thoughtful of your invitees as the guest of honor: Weddings tend to generate a lot of social activities, and you don't want to overtax any one person by inviting her to yet another shower. Unless the shower is a surprise, it's probably also wise to run the guest list past the bride and/or her mother to ensure you don't leave out anyone who should be invited.
Check the purse
Depending on your budget, a bridal shower can be a very casual event, such as a potluck dinner or backyard brunch, or a more formal affair that demands candlelight, fine china and a high-priced caterer. But it should also reflect the bride's likes and dislikes, along with the type of wedding she and her fiance have planned.
If she's the type of person who never gets dressed up or hates being the center of attention, for instance, it's best to keep it simple and relaxed. If she's a teetotaler, you should scrap those plans for a fancy cocktail party.
Just as important, says Christine Ferguson, president of Aromas Event Consulting & amp; Catering in Fox Chapel, Pa., is to plan a party that fits the location. For instance, you wouldn't want to throw a "high tea" bridal shower in the back yard, or vice versa, a luau in your formal dining room.
Like all good parties, a successful bridal shower will offer guests great food in an amiable atmosphere. And that takes some planning. The first obstacle, after deciding how many people you want to invite into your home, is coming up with a theme. Some hostesses might consider it fun to shoot from the hip, but for most of us a theme is essential because it dictates everything from the food to the music to the decorations. It also makes it easier for guests to choose a gift. And the point of a shower, after all, is to shower the bride with gifts.
The possibilities here are virtually endless: The theme can be practical and far-reaching, such as a kitchen- or bath-equipment shower, or more personal and frivolous; lingerie showers will delight the sassy bride. Or, build your shower around a particular color or favorite activity.
Having trouble coming up with an idea? Party-planning Web sites such as evite.com and shower-specific Web sites such as www.allaboutshowers.com and www.bridalshower.com can help get the creative juices flowing. The bride might even have some thoughts on the subject, especially if she and her beloved will be moving into a new house.
Once your theme is set, it's time to plan your menu. What ends up on the table depends on several different factors, one of the most important being the number of guests invited. (The larger the number, the greater the expense.) But you also need to take into account the tone of the event.
Whatever the type of meal, make sure you offer a variety of dishes so everyone has a choice, and plan at least one appetizer to pass around while guests are getting situated. (The easier the better; you're going to want to mingle, too.)
The bride matters
You should also take into account the bride's personal taste (remember, it's her day) and be sensitive to the bridal party. As showers are usually held within a month of the wedding, she might be worried about fitting into her dress. So this is probably not the best time to unveil that triple-chocolate fudge cake that looks so delicious in Gourmet magazine.
Because this is a celebration, you'll also want to serve a drink or two. Champagne -- either alone or mixed in a cocktail -- is an obvious choice. But anything tropical and girly is sure to please, and the fruitier, the better. Not entertaining a crowd of drinkers? Consider a virgin daiquiri or a sparkling punch. You'll need something to toast the bride as she opens her gifts and contemplates her future.
The decorations, whether you go all out or simply dress it up with a bouquet from the supermarket, should also reflect the style of the wedding. If you don't want to go to the expense of fresh flowers, Ferguson suggests weaving the bridal colors throughout the room. For instance, tie napkins with ribbons in the shades of the bridesmaids' dresses or have petit fours iced in that color. If you do decorate with flowers, opt for varieties in the same shades. Just make sure they're feminine and lovely.
"You want it to look like you went out into the garden and picked them yourself," said Ferguson.
And after everyone has been fed and all the good wishes bestowed? Make sure you send your guests off with some sort of party favor. It needn't be expensive or even all that creative. What matters is that you let people know you appreciate their presence. If you threw a kitchen shower, for example, you might give them a recipe or heart-shaped cookie cutter; a lingerie shower could merit a sweet-smelling sachet or packet of milk bath.
"It's a lovely way to say thank you for coming," said Ferguson.