7 Jack and Jill Party Theme Ideas and Matching Invitations
Your partner popped the question — of course, you said yes! — and the wedding planning festivities have begun. From engagement parties to wedding showers, this blissful period is full of soaking in the love and cherishing this special time with your spouse-to-be. If the thought of a traditional bridal shower where only females are invited isn’t your cup of tea, consider celebrating in style with a Jack and Jill party.
This modern twist on pre-wedding celebrations brings together friends and family from both sides of the couple for an unforgettable gathering of fun, games, and merriment. Inspired by the classic nursery rhyme, Jack and Jill parties embody the spirit of partnership and friendship. They’re the perfect way to kick off the wedding season with a bang, offering a relaxed and inclusive atmosphere where everyone can let loose and celebrate the love that’s about to blossom.
Discover fun Jack and Jill party theme ideas — ranging from boho-inspired to retro and glam. You’ll also find matching digital invitations to pair with the theme and get guests excited for the special celebration.
7 Creative Jack and Jill Party Ideas + Invitation Inspiration
Originating in Canada and once called stag and doe parties, this type of coed event traditionally involved inviting guests and charging a small admission fee to help raise money for the wedding. Today, it’s more like a coed wedding shower where guests are asked to attend and bring a small gift while the hosts provide food and entertainment.
Whether you’re planning your own couples shower or are a friend of the happy couple and hosting the special event, here are some Jack and Jill party ideas to consider. We’ve made planning easy by adding inspiring Jack and Jill invitations so you can choose a theme, select an invite, and start planning everything from the decor to the food and activities.
1. I Do BBQ
Design: Jen Montgomery
Invitation Inspiration: I Do BBQ Invitation
Celebrate the upcoming nuptials with a barbecue party in the backyard, at a nearby park, or on the beach. Keep it simple and invite your close friends and family members only, or make it a big bash with a large guest list. Set up classic games like Giant Jenga or cornhole. Serve tasty BBQ foods like burgers and hot dogs, or go for an elevated twist with goat cheese and fig sliders and lemon bulgur chicken salad.
2. Diamonds and Denim
Design: Claudia Owen
Invitation Inspiration: Denim and Diamonds Invitation
Get the bridesmaids, groomsmen, and your loved ones together for a good time with a diamonds-and-denim-themed shower. It’s perfect for couples that love a casual t-shirt and jeans vibe, and a hint of diamonds elevates the theme.
Choose the invitation option above or another design from the rustic bridal shower invite collection. Be sure to include your dress code — asking guests to wear their best Western attire and bling it out. Serve blue-hued cocktails to match the denim theme and decorate the space with metallic balloons and glittery tablecloths.
3. Afternoon Tea
Design: Signature Gereenvelope
Invitation Inspiration: Bright and Bold Florals Invitation
Celebrate your Jack and Jill party with family and friends using an afternoon tea party theme. Choose a pastel color palette for a hint of whimsy, or make the celebration all about the couple’s unique style by blending their favorite colors into the decor palette.
Decorate with elegant table linens in soft cotton fabrics, and add colorful centerpieces filled with fresh flowers. Rustic touches like burlap and rope add a contrasting vibe to the soft elements.
For the tea, you can serve classics like green tea and herbal teas, or for something coed wedding shower guests will love, try Lapsang Souchong, a smoky black tea that adds a rugged note. Get creative with the food by offering both sweet and savory finger sandwiches.
4. Around the World
Design: Becky Nimoy Stationery
Invitation Inspiration: Quaint Entry Invitation
If the couple loves to adventure together, plan a coed Jack and Jill shower centered on a travel theme. Make it a cocktail party, brunch, or dinner depending on the couple’s preferences. Decorate the space with travel-themed items, including globes, world maps, and hot air balloons.
Play shower games like trivia to get to know the couple better. You can ask questions like where they first met, where they took their first trip, and what they’re dream vacation is.
You could also plan a raffle to make the shower a fundraiser to help the couple pay for the costs of the big day. Sell tickets for a small fee and raffle off prizes like adventure gear (think: hiking backpacks, insulated water bottles, and custom luggage tags) or tickets to a staycation nearby.
5. Tropical Paradise
Design: Kaydi Bishop
Invitation Inspiration: Monstera Deliciosa Invitation
Whether you want to plan a big bash or celebrate with just the wedding party and the couple’s closest friends, a tropical paradise theme is a magical way to make it memorable. Serve tropical appetizers like bacon-wrapped stuffed dates and grilled pineapple skewers.
Ideal for most wedding celebrations, including bachelor/bachelorette parties, this theme can be dressed up or down to make it casual or formal. For laid-back gatherings, keep it simple with colorful decor and brightly hued flowers. To elevate the look, consider decorating tables with fresh orchids, and use metallic accents such as gold silverware.
It’s also the perfect way to give everyone on your guest list a glimpse of what’s to come if you’re planning a tropical wedding.
6. Casino Night
Design: Jackie Crawford
Invitation Inspiration: Casino Night Accents Invitation
It’s all fun and games as you enjoy the lead-up to wedded bliss, so why not share the fun with a casino night Jack and Jill shower? For this event, head to a local casino if you live nearby, or bring the casino to you by renting an event space and table games like roulette. For an at-home celebration, you can use green felt tablecloths to mimic the look of casino game tables and play things like blackjack.
Hire a mixologist to craft cocktails that are unique to the happy couple. Serve elegant finger foods, and don’t forget to have a few prizes on hand for the winners of the games.
7. Nautical Adventure
Design: Signature Greenvelope
Invitation Inspiration: Natural Clams Invitation
Celebrate the upcoming wedding day with a nautical-themed Jack and Jill party. For a fancy fete, charter a yacht or large sailboat, and spend the day out on the water. If you’re looking for something more casual, host a clam bake on the beach or in your backyard. These ideas also work well when planning a nautical wedding.
For the decor, use blue and white striped tablecloths, rope elements, and driftwood. If you want to incorporate fun games, consider playing nautical trivia or doing miniature boat races. Each guest can decorate their own boat and then compete to see who’s the fastest sailor.
How to Plan a Jack and Jill Party
When planning a Jack and Jill party, most often the best man, a bridesmaid, or a close family member will be in charge of hosting. If you’re the host of the party, start by deciding what type of party you want to have. Consider budgets, determine how big the party will be, and then start making a guest list.
Choose a venue that can accommodate your guest list, and decide on a party theme. As the big day approaches, you can start to gather decor and supplies for any activities. If you want to make things easier, you can also work with an event planner to handle the details for you.
Pick out and send invitations to everyone on your guest list. Be sure to include any dress code requirements and details of the themed event. Write down any gift-giving instructions if the couple has requested something specific or has a gift registry.
Think about a menu and how much food you want to serve. While most Jack and Jill parties provide a meal, you can keep things simple with appetizers or finger foods. Be sure to match the food to the party theme for a cohesive event.
On the day of, arrive early to set up any activities and finalize last-minute details. Greet guests and get excited to spend the day showering the happy couple with love!
Invite Guests to a Memorable Jack and Jill Party
With these Jack and Jill party ideas, the happy couple is sure to have a wonderful time celebrating with their friends and family. Whether you’re planning the event for yourself or helping a close friend, these themes are sure to fit any personality.
Ready to invite guests to the big event? Greenvelope has dozens of bridal shower invitations, which include options for Jack and Jill coed celebrations. Each one is customizable, giving you the opportunity to make this event even more memorable. Adjust the typography and color palette, and upload photos of the happy couple. Then send it off to everyone on the guest list via text or email with just a few clicks.
