bridal brunch question

[Luv to Cook]

I am hosting a brunch for my roommate from college this weekend. She is getting married in October. It is one of those world-colliding type of things. I am the only one from college, some are from grad school and some are from two different jobs. There will be about 10 of us. I am a little nervous about how everyone will mix. Do I need to do anything to break the ice a little? Not into any of the dress the bride in toilet paper games...maybe a how well she knows the groom type game...but other than that, I am not too keen on the game idea.

Any thoughts on how to make sure everyone mixes well. I have moved out of the area from where she lives and where I will be having it, so I don't really know these other women and I just want everything to go smoothly!

Thanks!
Anita

[ChristyMarie]

Mimosas?

:p

[stefania4]

Is it a shower?

[Luv to Cook]

LOL...definitely already have the alcohol part down...actually Pomosas (I found pomegranate liquer). Is that all I will need for a smashing success???

Edited to add: It is not a shower...I put on the invitation that is is a brunch. But I guess these kind of things kind of morph into each other. There will be no gift opening.

[DanaSD]

Instead of a game, can you plan an activity? either a craft or help with the food prep (something like make your own pizzas, skewers, decorate cupcakes, etc)?

At my baby shower, everyone decorated onsies with craft paints - it was great because it gave us something to do and everyone was talking to get ideas about how to decorate the onsies. Maybe everyone could design a scrapbook page (for their wedding, honeymoon or first year together) and just leave room to add the photos.

I do like the games that aren't the traditional games - things like:

match the celebreties to their spouses (either photos or names)
name that tune (start playing traditional, sappy, or oldie wedding songs and see who can name it first

[erinlovesmarc]

For my bridal shower my mom and sister made up a quiz on Marc and I with some trick questions and funny questions...it was a real hit! I included the quiz so you can get some ideas...they also came up with a game like the game Scattegories with topics based around us...it's very easy to play...you ask someone to pick a letter and every word in the category has to start with that letter...also, for example, let's say the category is drink and someone picks C...if you write down Coca-Cola...that's 2 points...you get 2 minutes per category and then everyone has to say what they wrote down, if 2 people wrote down the same thing they have to cross it out...each word that isn't crossed out gives you a point..I included the categories we used to give you some ideas...this was really fun...everyone was laughing so hard at some of the responses...this game really broke the ice...I also had girls at my bridal who didn't know each other...some from work, some family, some friends so it was a great non-cheesy game... :D

QUIZ: How well do you know Marc and Erin?

1. Where did Marc and Erin meet?
a) Blind date
b) At a track meet
c) On the metro – he was giving her a ticket!
d) The Internet

2. How many years did Marc and Erin know each other before they actually met?
a) One day
b) One month
c) One year
d) Four years

3. How many times did Erin suggest they go out for coffee before Marc actually asked her out?
a) 3
b) 5
c) 2
d) 1

4. Where did they go on their first date?
a) A Restaurant
b) The Casino
c) A Café
d) A Movie

5. On their second date they fell in love, which restaurant did they go to?
a) Joya
b) 3 Amigos
c) La Belle Province
d) Las Americas

6. Where have Marc and Erin NOT been on a date?
a) Skating
b) Hockey game
c) Movies
d) Comedy Club

7. Where did Marc pop the question?
a) His graduation ceremony
b) Mont Royal
c) A Restaurant
d) He didn’t – Erin asked him!

8. What was notable about the way he popped the question?
a) It was raining
b) It was in a boat
c) It was videotaped
d) She threw up afterwards

9. What else was notable about the day he popped the question?
a) It was Erin’s Birthday
b) It was Marc’s Birthday
c) It was Valentine’s Day
d) It was their one year Anniversary

10. What habit did Marc have to give up after dating Erin?
a) Prozac
b) Cigarettes
c) White Bread
d) Tequila

11. What habit did Erin have to give up after dating Marc?
a) Biting her nails
b) Junk food
c) Wearing colored contact lenses
d) Shopping

12. What habit is Erin still dealing with?
a) Buying dishes
b) Buying cookbooks
c) Tickling Marc
d) All of the above

13. What dogs do Marc and Erin want, respectively?
a) Pitbull, Beagle
b) Labrador, Daschund
c) German Shepherd, Husky
d) Chiwawa, Poodle

14. What is Marc and Erin’s favorite food?
a) French
b) Italian
c) Spanish
d) Asian

15. But, what is their favorite restaurant?
a) McDonald’s
b) L’Academie
c) Baton Rouge
d) Savannah

16. What’s notable about Marc and Erin’s new house?
a) It’s next to an army base
b) It’s near a shopping mall – bad news!
c) It has a pool
d) It’s brand new

17. What did Erin learn how shortly after she met Marc?
a) To Iron
b) Laundry
c) To Cook
d) Tai kwan do

18. What did Marc learn to do shortly after he met Erin?
a) Women are always right!
b) Laundry
c) Read labels at the grocery store
d) To Iron

19. What did Erin insist that Marc buy until he finally gave in?
a) Sunscreen
b) Sandals
c) Shorts
d) All of the above

20. What did Marc insist Erin learn until she finally gave in?
a) To Bake
b) To Drive
c) Rules of Hockey
d) Japanese

21. What did Marc want to wear to their wedding?
a) A tux
b) His uniform
c) A kilt
d) A shirt and tie

22. What first caught Erin’s attention about the hotel Le St-Martin for their wedding?
a) Indoor Jacuzzi
b) Piano Bar
c) Palm trees in the pool area
d) It was in Laval

23. Where are Marc and Erin going on their honeymoon?
a) Turks & Caicos
b) St-Maarten
c) St-Lucia
d) Guarda LaYarda!

24. How many kids do Marc and Erin want?
a) 1
b) None
c) 2
d) 3

25. Where do Marc and Erin really want to go before they have kids?
a) Spain and Portugal
b) Italy and France
c) Alaska and Iceland
d) Hawaii and Australia

Scattegories!!!

The Couple
1. Term of endearment
2. A place for a date
3. Personality trait
4. He wants…
5. She wants…
The House
1. In the kitchen
2. A paint color
3. In the DVD player
4. An expense
5. Item of furniture
The Wedding
1. On the menu
2. In the bride’s bouquet
3. The first dance
4. A wedding gift
5. A cocktail
The Honeymoon
1. Method of travel
2. In the couple’s suitcase
3. Honeymoon destination
4. You bring it to the beach
5. Honeymoon activity
After the Wedding
1. An annoying habit
2. A chore
3. A celebration
4. A baby boy’s name
5. A baby girl’s name

[Arete]

I want to know the answers to Erin's quiz!

[Lauren]

I want to know the answers to Erin's quiz!

Me too!!! :p

Erin, the quiz is fun!

[erinlovesmarc]

Here's an example for the Scattegories game...

The Couple - LETTER CHOSEN S
1. Term of endearment ----- Sexy
2. A place for a date ------- Ski Hill
3. Personality trait --------- Stubborn
4. He wants… -------------- S*x
5. She wants… ------------- Sleep

The House - LETTER CHOSEN E
1. In the kitchen -------- extracts
2. A paint color --------- ecru
3. In the DVD player ---- evanescence
4. An expense ---------- eating out
5. Item of furniture ----- end table

The Wedding - LETTER CHOSEN P
1. On the menu ----------- pork
2. In the bride’s bouquet -- peonies
3. The first dance -------- perhaps, perhaps, perhaps by cake - 3POINTS!
4. A wedding gift --------- picture frame
5. A cocktail ------------- pina colada

The Honeymoon - LETTER CHOSEN H
1. Method of travel --------- horseback
2. In the couple’s suitcase -- handbag
3. Honeymoon destination --- hawaii
4. You bring it to the beach - handcream
5. Honeymoon activity ------ handshake

After the Wedding - LETTER CHOSEN F
1. An annoying habit -------- fingernail biting
2. A chore ------------------ farming
3. A celebration ------------- first anniversary
4. A baby boy’s name -------- frank
5. A baby girl’s name --------- francesca

[erinlovesmarc]

LOL...okay I'll give the answers...just a sec... :D

1 - D
2 - D
3 - B
4 - C
5 - D
6 - B
7 - A
8 - C
9 - D
10 - C
11 - C
12 - D
13 - B
14 - C
15 - B
16 - A
17 - C
18 - C
19 - D
20 - B
21 - B
22 - C
23 - C
24 - C
25 - D

[Luv to Cook]

Great ideas, guys! Erin, I still don't get the scattegories one (can you tell I have never played it!). Please explain. Do you give everyone a sheet of paper with those things? Who picks the letters?

[Jazzmatazz49]

I'll have another pomosa and sit out the games. I really hate games, but that's just me.

[Luv to Cook]

Jazz, thanks for the reply. That is what I was a little nervous about. I am not a huge fan of the "typical" embarrass the bride type games. But what about the ones that Erin posted. I really don't know the crowd that well...what do you hate about the games?

Thanks!
Anita

[Jazzmatazz49]

Luv, I know I'm weird. I don't like game night with the family, I don't like card games, I don't like game shows. I don't know why, it's almost a phobia. I like to talk or listen to music, and maybe one of the crafty ideas would appeal to me. I'm sure your brunch will be great whatever you decide to do. Just feed them and they'll be happy. :p

[erinlovesmarc]

Great ideas, guys! Erin, I still don't get the scattegories one (can you tell I have never played it!). Please explain. Do you give everyone a sheet of paper with those things? Who picks the letters?

You give everyone a sheet of paper with all the categories...we brought the dice from the game that has every letter on it but you can just ask anyone at random to pick a letter...after each category (ex. "The Couple") you go around the room and everyone says what they wrote down for each line...if they didn't an answer it's 0 points...if one or more people have the same answers they have to cross it out and it's 0 points...you keep going around the room and repeat the process...it's 1 point per answer and 2 points for double words (Coca-Cola, Ronald Reagan, etc...)...at the end of the game everyone counts up the final points and then you see who the winner is...if there is a tie you can have a bonus round with one of the categories again...also, you can challenge answers...ex: for method of transportation for the letter K...kite probably would be challenged but Kayak is a good answer and Kangeroo could be challenged but it might not...

here are the official rules from their website:

Object of Scattergories
To be the player with the most points after three rounds.


Setting Up Scattergories
Slot the cardboard back of the answer pad into the long horizontal flap inside the folder – one for each player. Separate the category cards by colour into 4 sets. Each set should consist of 3 cards containing Lists 1 to 12. Slot a set of 3 cards into the vertical flap above each answer pad.


Playing Scattergories
The Game is played in three rounds.

First Round:
Take a folder each. Decide which list you will use and make sure it is the one facing you in the slot.

Place the die-rolling board on the table and roll the letter die. The letter rolled is the key letter for the first round.

Set the time to the longest time and press it down to start.

Fill in as many answers as you can in the first column of your answer sheet. Each answer must fit the category and must begin with the key letter. There are several exceptions (see Rules for Acceptable Answers).

When the timer finished, stop writing.

Second Round
Set the timer to the longest time, roll a new letter and continue playing using the same category list you used in the previous round. This time, fill the second column of your answer sheet. Note: if the same letter is rolled again, re-roll.

Third Round
Set the time to the longest time and roll a new letter. This time, instead of using the same category list as previous rounds, us the single highlighted category at the bottom of the list. For this round use the third column of your answer sheet and write down as many as you can. Remember: all your answers must begin with the key letter. When the timer stops, mark your answers in exactly the same way as previous rounds.

Scoring a Round
Take it in turns to read answers allowed. Mark your answer sheet by circling acceptable answers that DO NOT match any other player’s answer. Score 1 point for each of your circled answers. Make a note of your score.



Winning Scattergories
After three rounds have been played, add up the scores on your answer sheet. The player with the highest score is the winner. Players who tie should play one more round with a new letter. The highest score in that round is the winner.


Rules for Acceptable Answers
The first word of your answer must begin with the key letter
The articles ‘a’, ‘an’ and ‘the’ cannot be used for the key letter. For example, ‘S’ is the key letter for the movie title The Shining. ‘C’ is the key letter for the book, A Christmas Carol.

The exact same answer cannot be given twice in a round. For example, you cannot answer Daisy for a flower and also for a Girls name.

You cannot use the same adjective beginning with the key letter more than once. For example, if the category is Things To Wear and the key letter is ‘P’, you might answer Purple Trousers but if you are playing Round 3 (multiple answers beginning with the same key letter), you cannot also have Purple Skirt, Purple Jumper, Purple Hat, etc.

When answering with a proper name, you may use the first or last name as long as the key letter is the first letter of your answer. For example, if the key letter is ‘P’ and the category is Celebrities, your answer could be Paul Newman or Presley, Elvis. If you are playing Round 3, you could have Paul McCartney, Paul Simon and Paul Daniels as these are all completely different people.

Creative answers can be acceptable. You could answer Knuckle as a Kind of Sandwich. However, if one player challenges the answer, the group must take a vote.



Challenging Answers

When an answer is challenged, everyone (including the challenged player) votes on whether the answer is acceptable or not. This is done by giving either a thumbs-up or a thumbs-down sign. Majority rules. In case of a tie, the challenged players vote does not count.



Scattergories Game Variations
Extra Points
You can score extra points for answers that contains more than one word beginning with the key letter. For example, Ronald Reagan, Saatchi and Saatchi and The Famous Five score 2 points: World Wide Web scores 3 points.

Time Challenge
For a more challenging game, reset the timer and play with less time.

[Luv to Cook]

Thank you everyone! Erin, it sounds like fun...I just may try that.

Jazz, thanks for chiming in...it is good to know that some people just may not be into it.

Anita