Make your bridal shower delicious

I love weddings. What is there not to love about love? Weddings symbolise the union of families, the creation of new family units and general happy times for all. They are such a big deal in this part of the world that homes are usually strung up with lots of pepper lights to announce nuptials; it is a joy shared by the entire community. March is wedding season in the UAE. While weddings happen all year-round, they peak this month. If a bride you know is getting married this March or any time this year, here are some fun bridal shower party food ideas.
Having lived in the UAE for so long, I know for sure that the most lavish and beautiful weddings take place here. Middle Eastern and Indian weddings are days-long affairs of splendour and joy. As a woman, one of the pre-wedding events I love most is the bridal shower - the gathering of close female friends and relatives of the bride before the wedding to share gifts, play ludicrous games and share some tasty treats on the joys of womanhood and what to expect from marriage. In certain cultures, for instance - among the Emiratis, "the henna party is the bridal shower," according to Mouza Obaid, Communications Manager at RAK Free Tree Trade Zone and a strong member of the Emirati culturati.  
In such parties, henna artists are invited to tattoo the bride and close relatives prior to the wedding. Gifts are exchanged and there is lots of dancing, singing, fun and, of course,
eating! Pre-wedding henna parties are serious business. And while food plays an important role in any bridal shower, if the bride is a foodie herself, you can take it even further and go ahead with these really cool themes.
One thing for sure is that a bridal shower or henna party must operate in an atmosphere of relaxation. That means no crisp whites and formal dinner settings. Leave that for the wedding reception. The bridal shower is a time for the bride and her girls to relax and enjoy themselves and that has to follow through with the food, no matter which theme you choose for the occasion.

The Bubbly Brunch Babes Bridal Shower
Brunch is my favourite meal of the day.  Maybe because it goes on for hours and always involves great company.  If your bride is a brunch lover, you could do a private brunch in a hotel or at a family home. You can ask for a specially designed dish with a bridal theme if you want to go all out. By renting a room, you could also add decorations like flowers if you so desire. Plus, it's a nice dress-up event.

The Sublime Bridal High Tea Party Shower
If you like tea, this is a great idea. Again, you could book  private rooms in a hotel or rent out an entire lounge like Al Bayt at the Palace Downtown Dubai.  If you are going to a hotel or restaurant, speak to the conference & events manager to see if you could arrange for the pastry chef to do a bridal theme for the desserts. You can play up the personality of the bride and her family and friends from slightly cheeky to outrageous to utterly posh. For a more intimate high tea, a homemade one is absolutely special.  Order nice homemade tea cakes and cupcakes from a small home-based baker or a small bakery.  Be sure to get a chocolate basket from Chocolala, Patchi, Forrey & Galland, Chocolat or Vivel Patisserie.

The Girl Power Bridal Shower Cocktail Party
Here is the best idea for a bride who really likes to party. Get a lady DJ, rent a space in a hotel or get a home that you can have all to yourselves and party like it's 1960s!  Bring out all the girl power songs and have a great leg-shaking time that will leave the bride and everyone else who attends happy. Get someone who can mix all kinds of swanky beverages and mocktails. Definitely choose finger foods to go along as well and bite-sized desserts. Get a fun and vivacious female MC for the evening and play fun games on the dance floor.

Cleopatra's Bridal Shower Sparty
Beverley Spencer, the Spa Director at Cleopatra's Spa and the Pyramids at Wafi, has created a really magical idea of a "Cleopatra Sparty" that, I believe, is really a brilliant way to host a bridal shower.  You could even seek special permission if you have a licensed henna artist. The entire facility can be rented for a totally private affair. Treatments can be pre-booked from their impressive spa menu for the bride and the mothers of both bride and groom and smaller treatments for others in attendance. One of the best features of this is that you can create your own food menu as well to tailor to your theme. If you are going with a Cleopatra theme, you can select scrumptious Middle Eastern dishes/ canapés.  Be sure to take along your music and arrange for it to be played throughout your event as well!
 Any of these ideas can be scaled up or down to suit any budget or preference, just be sure to order extra food because no one will want to leave!   
wknd@khaleejtimes.com