The Shower Diva: Where Fun Reigns!

Marilyn Oliviera, Senior Editor, WeddingChannel.com

From East Coast to West we're talking to top wedding experts who want to get a new message out there -- trends are changing! The sky's the limit! Weddings have gone from sticking an X in the order form box to chic, unique and eclectic personal statements.

When we had our conversation with Marilyn Oliviera, senior editor of the WeddingChannel.com, she was no exception. The delightful Ms. Oliviera took us into 2008's new bridal year by giving us invaluable tips on how to throw the most fabulous wedding ever!

When we asked her how she thought WeddingChannel.com could best serve its many readers, she had this to say:

"WeddingChannel.com is the most popular wedding planning and gift registry site on the internet. We target the classic bride who wants a timeless experience. The wedding channel shows brides how to weave in their personal touch while retaining the overall class and timelessness of the event."

There you have it! The new wedding world isn't out for revolution for its own sake. What we have is an Evolution that takes the best of the old and blends it perfectly with the new!

Here's the inside scoop straight from Marilyn herself.

I've attended many showers and what I've come away with is that having a theme that best reflects the bride's or the couple's personality works best. Whether the shower is for the bride only or done as a co-ed event with the groom, the more the guests were able to identify the personality characteristics of the bride and groom, the more meaningful and exciting the party was.

Showers and weddings create lifetime memories for everyone, not just the bride and groom. We're talking about parents, friends of the bride and groom, relatives, and so on. Everybody is part of this important rite of passage.

The Unconventional Shower is the New Elegant

The Wine Tasting Co-Ed Shower

This is an example of the kind of new shower trend Im talking about. In this case, the bride and groom already had a household established. They didn't need or want any of the typical registry gifts. Instead, they chose to honor the way they got engaged -- which was on a wine tasting trip -- by hosting one of their own. Guests brought a favorite wine to the shower for the couple to sample in lieu of a typical shower gift. Everybody at the shower was then treated to a line up of wines to taste and discuss. Wine and wine collecting are very important to this couple. It's a shared interest that led to their marriage and will be a bond between the two for a lifetime. Guests know this about the couple and were delighted to share this unique marriage statement at their shower.

The Brunch Mid-Day Shower

Brunch is another favorite way to shower, especially for brides. This particular bride's favorite meal event was brunch. She always brunched at a certain restaurant with her father who had recently passed away. The brides maid-of-honor showered her with a special brunch located in the hotel restaurant she and her father loved. In this way, the bride's father was "present." He was part of the bride's wedding in a very special way. This is an example of how a shower is an event that should hold meaning for the bride as well as be fun for everyone.

The Destination Shower

Another big trend -- one that's getting really popular -- is the Destination Shower. For example, a brunch shower could be held at a winery. Or a wine tasting and gift opening could segue into a music concert later in the evening. The Spa Shower is hot right now and thats a trend that will continue to grow in popularity. The big selling point on the spa theme is that it's the perfect way for brides, bridesmaids and close friends to relax during the anxious weeks of wedding planning. Get manicures and pedicures, try out several beauty treatments the spa facility offers. The bride will love it when her entourage joins in.

The Las Vegas shower is also a hit with many brides when it comes to the bachelorette. There are many great hotels in Las Vegas where you can do a high tea bridal shower, for example, then transition from bridal shower into bachelorette mode. The advantages here are clear. Merging two events into one big party reduces the overall expense since bridesmaids and bachelorettes can all chip in. Sharing expenses is not a no-no so long as it's worked out between the parties in advance. [Diva editor's note. Remember that at no time does the bride ever pay for anything. The only exception is when a bride is adamant about a destination shower her entourage can not afford. If she can pick up the tab and states clearly that she intends to do so, then it's okay.] The combined shower-bachelorette weekend is a great way to reduce the number of weekends the bride has to spend away, too. It frees her and the groom to attend other wedding related functions.

Top Tips:

• Always run your ideas by the bride whenever possible. Keep her preferences in mind.
• First things first -- ask the bride who she wants to invite then tailor the event to fit the number of guests and into your budget.
• Send wedding invitations to everyone you want at the wedding even if you know they can't make it.
• Surprise bridal showers are no longer in vogue. Today's brides are more involved and time-challenged. Brides want to prepare for each wedding-related experience right down to their clothes, hair, jewelry and overall look for each event.
• If you are invited to multiple showers, you are not expected to bring a gift to each one.
• A bridal website is the new wedding planner guidebook. The convenience of a wedding site allows brides to work on their wedding with immediacy whenever they have the time.
• It's "Emily Post appropriate" to mention a couples wedding website on an invitation. Its a great way to subtly provide information about the day and the registry without having to directly state it.
• The Wedding Channel recently launched a new Registry Site. It includes discussion boards; great examples from brides on items they wish theyd included on their registries; fun discussions (including notes on the wackiest non-registry gift ever received!) and lots more!

Interview of Marilyn Oliviera by The Shower Diva

Marilyn started as an editor at the Wedding Channel four years ago. At the time, she was the whole team. Marilyn now oversees a large group and is in charge of all images, content and copy for WeddingChannel.com. Marilyn was always been passionate about weddings and is thrilled to have a position where she can tap into that!

Check out BusinessWire EON for more wedding and shower planning tips straight from Marilyn. Learn how the stars did it and how YOU can work Hollywood chic into your budget!