Guide to Planning An Awesome Bridal Shower
So your bff is getting married and it’s your responsibility to host her bridal shower. But perhaps hosting events is not in your wheelhouse so you’re feeling overwhelmed. Is that you? Don’t worry… in this blog we’ll talk about some of the things you need to do to plan a successful, fun, memorable bridal shower.
A traditional bridal shower typically includes an all-female guest list, comprising the brides friends and close relatives on both the bride and groom’s sides of the family. It includes a mix of eating, playing games, socialising and of course… opening prezzies. These days however, bridal showers can be co-ed.
Let’s take a walk through the major steps in planning the bridal shower.
Budget
Usually, it’s the bridal party, led by the maid of honor that hosts the bridal shower. Agree with the other bridesmaids on a reasonable budget before beginning to plan.
Set the Date
Bridal showers typically take place one or two months before the wedding. Due close out-of-town family members coming in for the wedding, sometimes the bridal shower is held a week or so before the wedding. You’ll also need to consult with the bride before finalising the date to ensure she’s available for her own shower.
Create a guest list
A traditional bridal shower includes an all-female guest list, comprising the bride's friends and close relatives on both the bride and groom’s sides. Over the past few years however, co-ed showers have risen in popularity.
Tip: Bridal shower guests should also be wedding guests so it’s a good idea to run your guest list by the bride first.
Choose your venue
It’s traditional for the bridal shower to be held at the host’s home. But you can also consider a banquet hall, restaurant, spa or other venue. Make sure you consider things like parking, and ease of access for the guests.
If you’re near Winterport, Maine then 1812 Pierce House is an ideal venue for hosting your bridal shower. On the National Register of Historic Places, this home is a blend of modern convenience and historical charm and accommodates up to 20 people.
1812 Pierce House offers a large fully equipped kitchen w/ big center island, 3 ovens. 5 sleeping rooms, TV room, formal living room with original fireplace, formal dining room. One full bath & two half baths as well as a large yard with firepit.
Choose a theme
Choosing a theme isn’t essential but it can be helpful when choosing the menu and decor. If you’re the maid of honor, chances are you know the bride better than most. Use this insider knowledge to set a theme you know she’ll love. Themes could be tropical, Bridgerton, tea party, rustic, brunch, sip n’ paint etc.
Send invitations
Remember to send invitations early! Evites are appropriate and convenient. We recommend sending the invitations 6-8 weeks before the event. This gives guests enough time to pencil in the date, confirm their availability and gift shop. Remember to include a dress code.
Menu
The yummiest part of planning. The key things to remember about menu planning are:
It should be food the bride enjoys
It should be easy to serve and eat
It shouldn’t break your budget
Having a theme may be helpful in deciding on a menu. For example, if you decide to have a Bridgerton-esque tea party, then you’ll be having tea cakes, cucumber sandwiches, scones, etc.
You can choose to cater, potluck or even take on the meal prep yourself with help from your fellow bridesmaids.
Decor
Make sure your bridal shower space is warm and inviting. If you choose a theme, your decor should reflect it. Need inspiration? Head to Pinterest and search for bridal shower decor ideas.
Games
Games help to break the ice when all the guests may not know each other. They’re also lots of fun. All you need to do is do a Google search for bridal shower games and pick a few that you find interesting and for which the materials are easy to find. You should also consider the personalities of your guests when choosing your games. You only need about three or four games.
Playlist
Background music contributes to the ambiance of the event. Head to your favorite streaming service or YouTube, and create a playlist of music you know the bride would enjoy.
In our next blog, we’ll walk you through the bridal shower itself.
So you took our advice and planned an epic bridal shower for your bff. Food, music, venue and decor are covered.