Every bride wants to feel her best—inside and out—during wedding season. But with parties, luncheons, showers and other festivities, all the celebrating can make anyone feel off track from her healthy lifestyle. Instead of planning another carb-filled brunch or luncheon for your bestie’s bridal shower, consider a wellness theme for something fresh and fun.
I’ve outlined a few tips below for healthy, dietitian-approved food and drink, along with wellness-inspired gifts and DIY activities.
Keep Food Fun and Fit
Planning a healthier fete doesn’t have to mean boring celery sticks and plain old water for refreshments. Instead, try elevating nutrient-rich foods by pairing them with flavorful add-ons. Consider a crudite platter with Greek yogurt dips featuring fresh herbs and spices, or a fruit and cheese platter with dairy-free alternatives for vegan options, like almond-milk based cheeses. Include current food trends too by creating a build-your-own toast station. Provide varieties of 100% whole grain bread, gluten-free and sprouted grain options for guests to top with anything from avocado slices and chia seeds, to whipped ricotta and honey.
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Make Beverages Nutritious and Cocktails Healthy-ish
For alcohol-free drinks, set out several pitchers of infused water for a spa-like atmosphere. Infuse with fragrant fruit like melon, berries or citrus, along with fresh herbs like mint or basil, to encourage guests to stay hydrated.
As another option, have a selection of mini pre-made smoothies to sip on as a welcome drink. Include a variety of options and try to include a veggie in each. Stick with mild flavors to keep guests interested like spinach, kale or even cauliflower. Bonus with the cauliflower—guests won’t detect any color changes like in green smoothies.
To properly toast the bride, create a healthy-ish cocktail spritzer with sparkling wine, fresh fruit and herbs, plus a fragrant liqueur, topped off with sparkling water. The lighter, more refreshing cocktail still feels celebratory without a strong after effect.
Send Guests Home with Wellness Inspiration
Inspire guests to try at home wellness by providing self-care gifts like dry brushes, face masks or bath salts. As a DIY activity, create a body scrub station to create sugar scrubs for in-shower exfoliation. Provide small mason jars and a variety of essential oils for guests to choose their own signature scents.
As an added treat for the bride, ask each guest to send you her favorite healthy recipe before the shower. Combine all recipes into a cookbook for the bride to create healthy habits for years to come.
Style Me Pretty Contributor – Amanda Baker Lemein, MS, RD, LDN, is a Registered Dietitian and freelance writer from Chicago. She works in private practice, helping both pediatric and adult clients find healthy lifestyles. Follow her for nutrition tips @amandalemein_rd.