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Hosting a bridal shower is a longstanding pre-wedding tradition. This timeless custom honors the soon-to-be bride and gives special friends and family the opportunity to shower her with gifts and help set up her new life.
Sorry fellas, traditional bridal showers are reserved for ladies, and ladies only. But get ready, bridesmaids and close friends — organizing and planning a shower typically lands on your list of pre-wedding responsibilities.
Here’s what you should know about putting together a memorable shower that the bride-to-be will love.
1. Find Out Who’s Invited
Like other types of pre-wedding events and festivities, it should be open to people who are also invited to the wedding. When it comes to the shower, this usually includes the bridal party, mother of the bride, mother of the groom, sisters, grandmothers and close cousins.
Of course, the guest list should also include any close girlfriends who may not be a part of the bridal party. So, keep in mind the number of invitations you send out will depend on the size of the event.
If the shower is hush-hush, the maid of honor and mother of the bride typically team up and work together to surprise the bride.
Now, when it comes to sending out the actual bridal shower invitations, keep in mind most bridal showers are anywhere between 3 months to 2 weeks before the wedding. Ideally, invitations should be mailed four to six weeks beforehand, allowing guests plenty of time to RSVP, plan for travel and purchase a gift.
2. Determine and Develop a Bridal Shower Theme
Coming up with a great theme can make any party even more memorable. While not all bridal showers have a theme, you can certainly choose to have one.
When choosing one or more ideas, however, be sure to consider something the bride would like and find charming. For example, you might be into a Mean Girls or Bridesmaids theme but she might find those ideas off-putting.
Bottom line: The shower should be all about, well, the bride. If you can accomplish this I guarantee she will thank you with a great bridesmaid gift like vintage jewellery or other tokens to show her appreciation.
Of course, you also want to plan a shower that will be both memorable and special. These options include ideas such as a champagne brunch, afternoon tea, backyard barbecues, and pajama parties.
When it comes to bridal shower themes, the possibilities are endless. Get creative with the decor, venue space, food, and games that fit the theme of the shower. This way, everything will come together perfectly!
3. Order Some Great Food and Entertainment
Like any good party, a bridal shower should have three main components: food, drink, and plenty of entertainment. Whether it’s a brunch affair or a pajama sleepover-style shower, your food and drink choices should match the theme of the event.
And when it comes to entertainment, choose activities that everyone can enjoy. Some unique ideas include calligraphy lessons, a spa day, or simple games like bingo or some classic bridal shower games.
4. Invite the Groom-to-be to the Bridal Shower
While the bridal shower guest list should be limited to ladies, there could be one special gentleman at the bridal party — the groom-to-be.
Shower planners can coordinate with the groom to have him arrive close to the end of the shower, with a bouquet of flowers, of course.
Ultimately, this is a sweet way to make the bride feel celebrated and special, which will make for a very memorable bridal shower.
Create Lasting Memories with an Unforgettable Bridal Shower
Weddings are some of the most memorable moments in people’s lives. But, then again, the pre-wedding festivities and events can be just as special.
Stuck on ideas to entertain the soon-to-be bride? These tips can help you and your bridal party throw a bridal shower that she will be sure to love.
Krystle Cook – the creator of Home Jobs by MOM – put her psychology degree on a shelf and dived into a pile of diapers and dishes instead. She is a wife and mother to two rambunctious boys, sweating it out in her Texas hometown. She loves cooking, DIY home projects, and family fun activities.
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