A long-time family friend’s daughter is getting married in July. Last year, we had a nice shower at my house for her son when he got married. Now it’s the daughter’s turn.
Then COVID 19 stepped in to interfere with our plans. But I’m not going to let it completely destroy our plans…just modify them. Texas is opening up some but not enough for most folks to feel comfortable gathering at a house with 30+ others to celebrate a couple’s big day. So with the bride and her mother, my friends and I decided on a Drive-Thru Bridal Shower. Most of the festivities (other showers, bachelorette and bachelor parties, reception) surrounding the wedding were cancelled. We made up for it by sending lots of invitations. I bought a cute do-it-yourself invitation online. We are off to the races. In order to spread out the attendance, we set a three hour window from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. (we started early as it’s already getting hot here in Texas). #drivethrubridalshower
I am lucky enough to live on a big cul-de-sac so it could not have worked out better. And yes, I did coordinate with/warn the neighbors. ? We set up a few canopy/tents in the middle of the cul-de-sac with tables and chairs for the bride/groom and their families. We decorated a little with fabric, signs, and balloons. The guests came in one side of the cul-de-sac, drove around the circle, and stopped for a picture with the bride and groom. They could drop off a gift if desired and visit for a few minutes with the families. Then, gather their homemade scone, cold bottled water and a fresh flower to remember the day by and exit the cul-de-sac. All while maintaining the physical distance we all needed to stay safe. Some guests sent gifts to my house ahead of time in case they couldn’t come. Between those and the ones brought by the drive-thru guests, the bride and groom stayed busy opening gifts the whole time. It was wonderful for all.
I don’t think the couple felt slighted as we got to celebrate their new beginning together with friends and family in a unique way. There were at least 30 cars driving thru our cul-de-sac Saturday. One kind of special thing to note, with this kind of shower, a lot more men stopped by with their wives than would have been the case for a traditional bridal shower. It was great way for long-time friends to come and say hi and everyone to feel comfortable.
The biggest takeaway from all of this, is the reminder that we must get creative in keeping our emotional and social interactions going while understanding the physical interactions may have to be modified for some time to come. Whether it is a graduation party, a baby shower, a retirement celebration, a birthday celebration, or a wedding shower, we simply cannot let life’s big events go by. We must find some ways to celebrate. There are ideas all over the internet. #letsgetcreative
