Wine Tasting Party
I don’t know much about wine, but one of my best friends, and bride to be LOVES it. Her mother, sister, and I decided to throw her a wine tasting bridal shower party. I have to say, it was one of the best showers I have been to. Between the bridal shower games and the wine tasting itself we had such a great time that all the guests stayed for quite a while. Here are a few easy DIY decorating ideas for a bridal shower wine tasting party theme.
Wine Tasting Score Cards
I made cards out of card stock and scrapbook paper that doubled as wine tasting score cards and an answer sheet to a “who knows the bride best” game. On the wine tasting score card I had instructions and a rating system for five different wines. There were five categories including, appearance, aroma, body, taste, and finish. I supplied pencils with the letter “W” all over them, the initial for the bride’s new last name.
Wine Charms
I made personalized wine charms with each guest’s monogram. For a complete tutorial on how to make wine charms click here. Each guest took the glass and charm home as a party favor.
Wine Tasting
The wine tasting was so much fun. I’ve never really done it before at a party. I went to a local wine specialty store to help me choose the featured wines. They were able to assist me and curtailed it to my budget. I displayed the featured wines as part of a centerpiece as well as the wine tasting steps.
Bridal Shower Trivia Game
I wanted each guest to be able to mingle and meet one another, so I had a “who knows the bride best” game. Instead of the traditional ask and answer game, I displayed each question in a wine glass picture frame and placed them all around the room and outside on the patio. It allowed each guest to walk around, talk, and look at the decorations. Some sample bridal shower trivia questions I used were:
- What is the bride’s biggest pet peeve about the groom?
- What is the bride’s most favorite feature of the groom?
- What is the bride’s favorite sports team?
- How many countries has the bride visited?
- What is the bride’s favorite food?
- Where did the bride and groom meet?
- Where is the bride and groom going on their honeymoon?
- Who asked whom out first?
- Where was their first date?
If you are throwing a wine tasting party only, and not a bridal shower, consider using wine trivia questions instead.
Recycled Wine Bottle Centerpieces
Wine bottles come in so many sizes and colors and are so beautiful when they are grouped together. I asked my friends to save their wine bottles and collected them to use as party decorations. Click here to find out more on how to make wine bottle frames.
Hanging Tissue Paper Flowers
I made hanging tissue paper flowers out of cocktail napkins instead of tissue paper. I decided to do this because it was cheaper than tissue paper, and the color scheme of the napkins fit the décor. Click here for a full tutorial on how to make tissue paper flowers out of cocktail napkins.
Decorate Your Own Wine Glass
This party game was a hit! I had a wine glass decorating station. At the guest’s leisure, they were able to sit down and anonymously get creative. The bride chose the winning glass. At the decorating station I had craft markers in all colors especially made for glass, gems in all sizes, shapes and colors, googly eyes, ribbon, and other embellishments. The winner received a prize and each guest took their glass home to remember the occasion.
Other Simple DIY Decorating Ideas
I framed the letters of the bride’s new last name, “Mrs. Walker”.
I used recycled wine corks to labeled the food by cutting a flat side and a slit on top with a sharp knife.
I made easy DIY cupcake decorations with the couples monogram.
I placed framed pictures of the happy couple everywhere.
I picked up recycled wine crates from a wine specialty shop to use in the décor. Check your local wine shop. They sell them for about $5.00 a piece, or give them away for free!
I used scrapbook paper, ribbon, and twine to embellish recycled wine bottles.
P.S. Today is the bride to be’s birthday! Happy birthday, Sara! I love you!! Thanks for always being an inspiration in my life!
Awww thanks D! I loved the party so much, everything was personal which gave it that special something. You are so talented! Love you!!
This was by far the most fun I’ve had at a Bridal Shower! Love you, Mermer!
This was the best shower ever!!!. And I luv u both too…..Dinah you are so talented. Happy Birthday my Sister!!!!
You are so creative. It was a great party!
Thank you ladies!!! XOXO!
This is a very cool party idea,i will definetly save this for sure,and i’ll come back again hehe 🙂
Thank you for stopping by and commenting!
Such great ideas for a party! I like how you used recycled wine crates and wine bottles.
hello i just found your blog. great idea for a wine party and bridal shower in one! thanks!
The pictures look really awesome adding a factor for great planning for the party.
I am doing a wine-themed shower as well and these are some great ideas! Can you elaborate on how you did the wine tasting? I am trying to figure out logistics on this because I have a pretty big invite list!
Hi Tallulah! Thank you! This bridal shower was so much fun. For the wine tasting I made those wine scoring cards. On the cards I hade the instructions: “Give a score from one to five for each category and total. Highest average for all guests wins.” The “winner” was the wine (not a guest). The categories were: appearance, aroma, body, taste, finish. Per the bride’s request we did all red wine. It’s up to you on what wine to choose. Some people mix both red and white, and start the tasting with the whites. I purchased wine glasses that doubled as favors and those were used for the tasting. For each tasting, pour only a small taste (about and ounce). I had a dump bucket ready if anyone wanted to use it (which no one did!!).
There are about 20-25 taste servings in a typical wine bottle. That is how I measured how many bottles to buy. I also bought 2 extra of each in case anyone wanted more. I would suggest purchasing the wine at a wine specialty store. Ask someone for help and tell them you are hosting a wine tasting party. They can help you find GREAT wines for less than $10 a bottle.
Hope this helps! Let me know if you have more questions.
Dinah
P.S. If you end up doing it, feel free to post pictures on our FB page! http://www.facebook.com/diyinspired
Hi, could you tell me where you purchased the pencils that were used for scoring the wines?
Hi Lynne, I got these pencils a long time ago at Michael’s Craft Store in the dollar bin section.
Great Ideas, especially love the score card. My cousins and I are planning something similar for our other cousins bridal shower. You wouldn’t happen to still have that template? or be willing to share, would you? Thanks for the ideas either way! 🙂
Thank you do much! I’d love to share it with you! I believe it’s in my old laptop. Let me find it and I’ll email you directly!
Such great ideas! Looked like a ton of fun. Love the little wine charms.
It WAS so much fun. One of the best. Thanks again for stopping by and commenting!
Hello! I just came across your ideas for a wine party. I’m having one this Sat evening and I just love the flavor you added to your wine party. Thanks so much for sharing your ideas!!
Oh fantastic! This party to date was one of the most fun parties I’ve been too. I hope you have a great time!
I saw your website and loved the ideas! I think this would be a great idea for my boss’ wedding shower. Do you happen to still have that score card template and be willing to share? Thanks again!
Hi Ashley, I’m so sorry I don’t have it anymore! I really should have kept it. I just made it in Excel. Maybe you can recreate it? So sorry!
Love your ideas, can’t wait to start preparing my cousin’s bridal shower. THANK YOU!!!
Great! So glad you like them! Have fun!!
Hello Dinah,
I am hosting a wine themed bridal shower at a wine restaurant and your ideas are terrific. Would you be able to email me your scoring card template? Also could you let me know how many questions are appropriate. It’s a shower with max 14 girls.
Thank you so much in advance.
Dagmar
Hi Dagmar! So glad you like the party! Here is a link to the wine scoring card download: https://diyinspired.com/wine-tasting-party-score-card-printable/. I think I ended up doing about 10 or 12 questions, which was perfect.
Do you have any advice on timing? My wine themed bridal shower is from 2PM to 6PM, it starts with cheese plates and flat bread followed by a full Menu served at the restaurant/ wine bar. I am trying to figure out when to do the wine tasting activity and the bridal shower game? Which one to do first? I was thinking doing the wine tasting at the beginning between appetizers at arrival and the sit down menu…..and then the game after the menu before the bridal shower cake that will be served with coffee? Any advice?
I think doing it before the sit down menu is served. That way they’ll leave with a full stomach after drinking a little wine. You want them to get home safely! I think I gave the game when guests arrive and let them do it as they walked around to look for the questions. It was also a great conversation starter for the guests who didn’t really know each other well. You can go over the answers while your guests are having cake and coffee. I hope this helps! Let me know how it goes!!
Any chance you can explain the wine tasting game a little more? I am throwing a wine theme bridal shower in a couple of weeks and I was wondering about the game and scorecard. thanks!
For the wine tasting I made those wine scoring cards. On the cards I had the instructions: “Give a score from one to five for each category and total. Highest average for all guests wins.” The “winner” was the wine (not a guest). The categories were: appearance, aroma, body, taste, finish. Per the bride’s request we did all red wine. The game and rating was more of a fun conversation piece rather than a competitive game. Due to some email requests I ended up making a free wine scoring card that you can print. You can download it here: https://diyinspired.com/wine-tasting-party-score-card-printable/.
I hope this helps! Thanks, Margaret!