9 Engaging Ideas for Hosting a Virtual Wedding Shower

We may not able to gather in the same room to celebrate an upcoming wedding, but there are still plenty of ways to throw a memorable shower.

Send Out Invitations

If there are no party invitations, did the shower actually happen? Send out fun, colorful invites to guests — either print or digital — that the couple can save as keepsakes. It's a cinch to create stylish, custom invitations on a made-to-order site, like Tiny Prints. The company will even mail out the invites for you. Or, go digital by sending out an evite for the special occasion using Paperless Post or Punchbowl.

Don't Skip the Decorations

You may not be able to celebrate in the same room, but that doesn't mean you should skimp on decorations, or worse, skip them altogether. It's imperative to make the happy couple feel special at this momentous time in their life. Decorations can be as simple as a festive Zoom background. Try Minted for a wide variety of free virtual backgrounds. Or, go all out with sashes, tiaras and streamers that you can buy online from a party supply site like Oriental Trading.

Get All Dolled Up

These last few months, we've all gotten a little too familiar with our pajamas and yoga pants. There's no better reason than a wedding shower to ditch the sweats and get dressed up to celebrate — you know, as you would for an in-person shower. So, get cleaned up, put on make-up and don your favorite outfit, and ask the other guests to do so as well. The guest(s) of honor will feel the love as they see all their besties looking their best, even on a laptop.

Have a Toast

Ahead of the shower, send around festive cocktail and mocktail recipes for all guests to shake up and sip during the virtual celebration. Mix it up with a pastel-perfect Cranberry-Lime Mocktail or a Rose and Mint Champagne Cocktail. Or, keep it simple with a glass of fizzy champagne or sparkling cider. It's an absolute must for everyone to raise their glass to toast the happy couple before the end of the virtual celebration.

Let There Be Presents

Every shower needs dedicated time for guests to "ooh" and "aah" as gifts are opened, and yes, it can still be done over a video conference. It just takes a bit more planning as you'll want to ship or drop off gifts early so they can be opened up on the video call. Keep in mind that some items may have delayed shipping times, so pay close attention to arrival dates as you ponder the perfect shower gifts.

Let the Games Begin

You can't have a bridal shower without fun and silly games. You won't be able to use toilet paper to create wedding dresses (thankfully, since toilet paper is in such high demand these days).

Share a Virtual Photo Album

Create an engaging slideshow using photos and videos taken through the years. Don't forget to ask shower guests to submit photos to make the slideshow as good as it can be. Be sure to get several childhood photos of the couple. On the video call, share your screen with guests and play the slideshow so everyone can watch at the same time. Online services, like Smilebox and Biteable, make it easy to create stunning slideshows with music, transitions and dazzling special effects.

Get Crafty With a Group Activity

It's surprising how many in-person group classes and activities have pivoted to a model that allows them (at least temporarily) to offer group classes via Zoom. Let your creative side shine with a virtual paint-and-sip party with Paint the Town. Guests receive painting supplies and a canvas ahead of time and the art instructor joins the video call. Another fun idea is a 75-minute virtual makeup class with a Blushington makeup artist.

Record the Shower for the Memories

One of the best things about virtual celebrations is that they are easy to record and re-watch at a later date. A recording can be a special keepsake the happy couple can use to reminisce, maybe as part of a future Zoom get-together with besties. On Zoom, it's as easy as clicking the "record" icon at the bottom of the screen.