BRIDAL PATH HORSEBACK RIDING PICNIC

 Theme Concept: A fun shower where guests ride horses to a picnic destination and have a Western themed shower under a shady tree.  

Guest of Honor Profile: For the untraditional bride, the adventurous type who love animals, the outdoors, and a great time.

Invitations: Make a mini Western saddle bag with a special note inside.  Tie thin bright colored ribbons through to the zipper on a small leather change purse. Affix tiny silk flowers to the end of the ribbon.  Write your invitation on parchment paper and char the edges for a rustic touch. Fold the paper and insert into leather bag.  Place the leather bag in padded envelope and mail.

Invitation Verse: Join us on horseback down the bridal path, In a shower for Kate the bride, Slap on your jeans and cowgirl hats, For a picnic and afternoon ride. (print shower information)

 Décor:  After asking the horse owner, and, with their supervision and assistance, braid ribbons in the horses’ manes.  Affix small real or silk flowers to the ribbons.  Tie a bow around each saddle horn. Adorn the bride’s horse with white ribbons.  Tie jingle bells as wedding bells to the saddle horn ribbon on the bride’s horse.  Give each guest a straw cowboy hat with a complementary colored ribbons tied around each hat. 

Menu: An Easy Picnic. Pack each guest’s picnic lunch, drinks, and trail snacks in a saddlebag or cloth drawstring bag that can be safely attached to the saddle. 

Cake Décor: Opt for horse shaped cookies as they are more durable when transported by horseback.  Place each cookie in a cellophane bag tied with a bow. 

Games / Activities: Find out the official botanical names of the 10 types of plant life that will be seen en route to your destination. For example “pinus coniferus” common name is “pine tree”.  Shout out the botanical name and have guests guess the common name.   

 Music: Ask the horse owner and make sure that the horses won’t be spooked by music.  Bring a small battery operated music player and entertain the posse with an eclectic collection of tunes such as Happy Trails, I Wanna Be A Cowboy, Home On The Range, or contemporary selections from artists like Garth Brooks, Shania Twain, Dixie Chicks, or The Judds. 

  Party Favors: Straw cowboy hats, muslin bag of trail mix tied with a bow, good luck horse shoe.   

Theme Substitutions

THEME TITLE	THEME CONCEPT	IDEAS
Happy Birthday – Happy Trails	Celebrate a birthday on horseback to a picnic destination.