Jack and Jill Party with a Dance Lesson Theme

A Jack and Jill party with a dance lesson theme can raise money for the engaged couple without looking tacky. These are 5 steps for planning a coed shower everyone can love.

If you haven't already encountered these gatherings, they're mostly called Jack and Jill parties in the U.S. and stag and doe parties in Canada. Whatever you call them, they're all about raising funds for the engaged couple. At best, a Jack and Jill party is like a coed shower and limited to those invited to the wedding. At worst, people have put ads in local newspapers and solicited funds with less subtlety than the Sopranos. With a dance lessons theme, you can throw a Jack and Jill party without getting offensive.

Jack and Jill Party Invitations: The wedding party can issue the invitations which should be limited to people invited to the wedding. You can use any images suitable for the dance lessons theme such as Fred Astaire movie posters or ballroom dancing scenes. Have a suggested ticket price that will cover the costs and a little more to help out the engaged couple.

Dance Lessons Dress Code: Sparkly costumes and twirling skirts are part of the fun. Ask that everyone wear glittery outfits and comfortable shoes. The experienced dancers may already have the correct attire, and it's easy for beginners to add glitter to an outfit or use costume jewelry and hair accessories.

Coed Shower Dance Program: Find a local studio or private instructor. You may be able to negotiate a group discount. Beginners will appreciate having dance lessons to feel more comfortable at the reception and veteran dancers can help them along. For a coed shower, it may be more entertaining than watching gifts get opened and it's certainly healthier than drinking and eating for hours.

Jack and Jill Shower Food: You will need some refreshments so you can have a pot luck buffet or include a fixed menu meal at a local restaurant in the ticket price. You could serve a cake decorated with a music note or the outline of a waltzing couple.

Jack and Jill Party Favors: The best favors may be photographs. Get photos of every couple dancing. After the betrothed and their guests have been practicing all day, stage a final dance to show off their skills. Videotape it and email it to everybody.

A Jack and Jill party with a dance lessons theme is perfect for the engaged couple who are needy but still tasteful. It's a coed shower that everyone can enjoy.