Use tropical fruits to help the mood.
Luau means "feast" in Hawaiian. Throw an exotic feast for your bridal shower whether it's outside or in. Take advantage of everything the islands has to offer when planning the shower. Decorations, food and entertainment related to the theme pull it all together for the bride-to-be. Make it a celebration that everyone is sure to remember. Does this Spark an idea?
Decorations
Hang colorful lei-inspired curtains over the doorways your guests will be using. The cascade of artificial tropical flowers help inspire the mood. Hang green streamers or use flower streamers around the room.
Carry the theme over to the table. Use grass skirts as table skirts. Use runners made of bamboo or woven reeds and grasses.
Place inflatable palm trees around the room or outside. If you are decorating outside, use balloon weights to anchor them or tie them to posts or other outdoor structures if it is windy. Use tropical flower arrangements or large pineapples for your centerpieces.
Use tiki torches and candles for lighting after the sun goes down. Pop the center out of artificial flowers and slip around the bulbs on holiday light strings for a light-up lei effect.
Food
A pig roast is a traditional luau event but there are other options if this is beyond your capability. Coconut shrimp and mahi-mahi are options from the sea or serve Hawaiian chicken or pineapple teriyaki burgers.
Serve tropical fruit platters including pineapple, mangoes and melons. Arrange on platters or make fruit kabobs on wooden skewers. Place fruit in an empty watermelon shell for an impressive display.
Use tropical-style drink picks, drink umbrellas and pineapple slices to adorn the cocktail or punch glasses. Use real coconut shells or plastic party versions for cups.
Activities
A banana race is sure to encourage laughter. Tie a string around a banana then loop the string around each participants' waist so the banana dangles between the legs. Place a ping-pong ball on the ground in front of each person. Each participant has to thrust their hips and use the swinging banana to push the ball toward the finish line. First one there wins.
Crank up some luau music and bring out the limbo stick. Have two guests each hold the end of a broomstick. Pour a drink for a third person who is going to do the limbo. She has to make it under the limbo stick without falling or spilling her drink to win.
Tags: around room, limbo stick, string around