Theme Idea 3: Roll Out the Red Carpet: A Celebrity-Style Couples Shower
The red carpet is the epitome of Hollywood glitz, glamour, and style. And no celebrity baby shower trio would be complete without a salute to this iconic tradition. "Roll Out the Red Carpet for Baby: A Star-Studded Evening for Couples" is the theme that pulls out all the stops for the shower in which cost is not an obstacle.
From the flash of paparazzi cameras that should announce the arrival of each guest to the Swarovski crystal-encrusted pacifier on the gift registry, this is a shower worthy of a magazine spread. Don’t be blinded by the “bling.” A star-studded soiree of this caliber is really a matter of attention to a few key details and the willingness to indulge your fantasies.
Menu Ideas and Options
Mom isn’t the only one who will feel like a star. Score an all-star hit with this award-worthy menu. You can serve this meal buffet-style or ask guests to choose one of the three entrees when they R.S.V.P. and have the dinner plated and served more formally.
Celebrity-Style Shower Menu
- Eggplant Caviar with Red Onions, Chopped Egg, Capers, and Chives
- Herb-Crusted Salmon
- Stuffed Filet Mignon
- Classic Asparagus with Lemon and Olive Oil
- Yukon Gold Potatoes with Fresh Oregano
- Grilled Pears with Claret Sauce
- Chocolate and Espresso-Flavored Gold-Dusted Truffles
Color Palette and Decor
Obviously, the color scheme for this shower includes red, but consists primarily of black, white, and gold. Keep the red to a minimum to allow the “red carpet” to take a prominent role at the event. White linens, white flowers, black china, gold flatware, and gold candles complete the table décor palette.
Essential
Personal champagne buckets are a detail that really makes the champagne pop. Purchase small bowls, approximately 3 inches deep made of glass, crystal, or silver, to use as mini-champagne buckets. Fill them with ice, add the mini champagne splits and have them passed or arranged on trays at the entrance of the party to welcome the guests.
Staging this party is the first step to creating a world usually reserved for the rich and famous. You will need a place to make an entrance — a long driveway, an extended curbside pull-up, or a grand stairway.
A party like this will require an evening setting to take full advantage of searchlights, twinkle-lit trees, and the soft glow of candlelight, all of which will help set the mood. You can get a red runner from a floral supply company, theatre prop shop, or party rental store. If extreme outdoor lighting isn’t possible, try lining the red carpet with luminaria bags.
Of course, walking the red carpet will require guests to be dressed to the nines, ready to meet other celebs and greet their public. Capture these moments on film by having a photographer, or several, snap pictures like the paparazzi. Consider hiring a celebrity look-alike or rent a costume and press a friend into star action to add an extra layer of panache to the festivities. Mom-to-be’s arrival (limousine, anyone?) should be timed so that she makes a dramatic entrance.
Are flakes of gold safe to eat?
Gold and silver have been used by top chefs for centuries as a way to garnish the most elegant of culinary delights. Gold has no nutritional value. It also has no fats or carbohydrates, and it passes through the body without incident. Although silver is also without nutritional value, there are occasional reports of some stomach reactions to this garnish. Go for the gold and garnish with confidence!
Once inside, the festivities and star treatment should continue—passed hors d’oeuvres and Piper-Heidsieck mini champagne splits (packaged in a bright red bottle), served with a straw will greet each guest. Have a special bottle of sparkling water and a curly straw ready for the star mommy, who may not be drinking champagne.
In classic cocktail-party form, lights should be dim, tables draped, seating offered at varying heights, candles everywhere, and lots of up-tempo music wafting through the party space. If space allows, consider a live band with a singer to get people up on their feet and dancing. Keep the photographer busy all night taking pictures of the mom-to-be and her circle of friends. Let the gift opening begin with a drum roll from the band, and send guests home with another tradition borrowed from the Oscars — the gift basket.
Invitation Ideas and Script
What is more dramatic than getting a film canister that contains your invitation to the party of the year! (See here for details)
It’s the occasion we have all been waiting to celebrate!
Join us as we Roll Out the Red Carpet to welcome Baby Greaves! There will be Dinner, Dancing, Lights, Action, and Pictures, So get dressed to the nines!
Saturday, October 22 at 8 o’clock in the evening
Cocktail attire and maternity wear welcomed
The Perfect Games or Activity
Have your own version of Dancing with the Stars. A live band or deejay will help keep your party moving, but a good mix tape can also set the mood. Choose a mix of musical styles and eras from swing to contemporary, but keep in mind the sophisticated tone you will be setting.
Gifts That Work with This Theme
Considering the star magnitude of this shower, assume that the parents-to-be will want to share their progeny with the public — give them gifts that can make this dream come true. A group gift of a camcorder, a still camera, or a photo printer will be much appreciated and well used. Camera phones or digital picture frames are also great gifts.
If the parents are camera challenged, consider giving the gift of photography. Give them a session with a professional photographer. You could also offer a Hollywood-style photo album from Gousman’s Bookbinding in Los Angeles, which offers binding services to help compile the many new baby photos into albums.
Essential
When putting together a musical play list, consider Tony Bennett, Elton John, Burt Bacharach, Cole Porter, and contemporary soft-rock artists such as Nora Jones, and Liz Phair. Starbucks now offers mix tapes of top artists, and you might find one that fits your shower crowd to a tee.
In the “bling” department, try a little something from Paci Posh, where they can cover everything from baby pacifiers to diaper-wipe containers with as much bling as any baby could need.
Favors
After an evening of star power, guests will appreciate the party’s parting gift — a basket worthy of star status. Include a memento of the evening — a picture of each guest with the guest of honor in a picture frame.
Chocolate is always appreciated: Guests will love mini chocolate champagne bottles. Custom-labeled wine announcing the impending expansion of the guests of honor would be a delicious and indulgent pleasure. Other basket additions could include Serendipity’s Frozen Hot Chocolate, a foot scrub for tired dancing feet, or a soothing eye pack for beauty sleep.
