Stock the Bar Couple’s Shower

Traditional wedding showers are meant for friends and family to “shower” the couple with household gifts prior to the wedding and the couple moving in together. As times have changed, it’s not unusual for couples to marry later in life, once they are already more established, and often after they’ve already cohabitated. This can mean they don’t require as many household items as they once might have. That doesn’t mean, however, that their loved ones still can’t shower them with gifts before their nuptials! 

A unique and non-traditional theme for a shower like this is a “Stock the Bar” Shower. This is where guests bring bottles of alcohol, mixers, or barware to help stock the lovebirds’ bar! Several websites, such as ThirstyNest, allow you to create an alcohol and bar registry so the couple gets exactly what they want and need! Read on to see how I styled this fun and fresh couple’s shower.

As an OTC blogger, I received compensation and/or products in exchange for my styling and crafting services. As always, all project ideas and any opinions expressed here are my own.  For further information on our disclosure policy please check out our disclosure page.

How to Set Up a Successful Stock the Bar Shower

Gift Drop Off

First, make it easy for guests to drop off their gifts so that they can start enjoying the party right away! This doesn’t have to mean just setting out a boring table or bin, however. You can easily make the gift area fun and aesthetically pleasing. I placed some white milk crates on the ground for some of the larger bottles of wine and beer. To make them a bit more glamorous, I added a sparkling gold “Cheers” sign in front of them. 

Next, I set up two sets of shelves and placed printable labels in champagne cork place card holders. These cute labels designated the exact areas each type of drink should be dropped off, to keep everything organized. In addition, I put a basket on one of the shelves to collect the bar accessories from the registry as well. You can get the free printable labels HERE.

TIP: Use fun or silly signs or other decor to break up the assigned drop off areas and make the shelves look more appealing.

Food and Drink Station

Next, I created a food and drink station for guests to enjoy at the shower. I set up both a table and a bar cart, so that I’d have plenty of room for my array of snacks and drinks. Behind the table, I hung a fabulous DIY Light Up Bar Sign showcasing the theme of the shower! Get the details for how I made it HERE.

Then, I set up a charcuterie board of snacks, some punch, and everything needed for a signature shower cocktail. You can get a free customizable signature cocktail printable (there are four options!) HERE.

Gold polka dotted serving paper liners, coasters, napkins, and test tube shot glasses gave the table and bar cart an extra dose of fun. I added gold embellished cups and wine glasses, and champagne flutes with chic gold drink umbrellas. Plates and pink personalized napkins toasted the bride and groom with a “cheers!” message. I also placed a floral arrangement in a coordinating white and gold vase on the bar cart to add a touch of feminine flair.

TIP: Another fun addition to the table is an area where guests can write down their favorite cocktail recipe for the happy couple. Get a free printable recipe card HERE.

Fabulous Favors

Finally, to thank the guests, I set some favors out on a variety of DIY Bar Trays. Guests could take a tiny champagne bottle full of champagne jelly beans home with them, or a pretty rose gold bottle opener that I attached to a printable thank you card. Get the printable HERE. The instructions for creating your own set of DIY Bar Trays can be found HERE.

TIP: For another piece of memorabilia guests can take home, set up a backdrop for photos and provide an Instax camera! I chose a black and gold backdrop that coordinated with the rest of the color scheme, but added a dose of masculinity to the area as well. 

You can get all the additional details for how I created this Stock the Bar Couple’s Shower on Fun365 at Oriental Trading. Everything you need to See It, Shop It and Make It with the click of a button! 

How do you feel about a unique and non-traditional shower theme like Stock the Bar? I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments below!

More DIY Wedding Ideas

For another unique DIY wedding idea, check out my recent post on How to Set Up a Vegetable Bar!

Happy Celebrating!

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