How To Plan A Great Bridal Shower

Your sister, friend, daughter, or niece is engaged. This is an AMAZING time in her life. She has so many tasks to complete before the big day. So the bridal shower is really something that you can help out with and take off her already full plate. Here is a checklist and a few ideas on how to plan a bridal shower. This will be especially important if you have never planned a bridal shower or other similar event in the past. At the end of the day, remember that the bridal shower is all about the bride. Make sure that she feels comfortable and that the shower really represents her.

Preparation

The planning process may seem like the most important but preparation is key as well. You may accomplish a lot of the planning if you prepare correctly for the big day.Pick a Date - Check with the bride. What dates work for her? What dates don't? Sure, she may be able to make a date work that is convenient for you, but make sure it is completely convenient for her. It's her day. Showers can be held as early as 10 weeks prior but no closer than 2 weeks prior to the wedding. Most showers are held 6 to 8 weeks before.

Compile a Guest List - Speak with the bride, and try to get a realistic guest list for the event. Make sure to only invite people who are invited to the wedding. Does the bride want a traditional girls only event, or is this a co-ed affair? Once you have a good idea of the guest count, you can start creating a realistic and looking at locations. Budget - How many people are planning the shower? What can everyone contribute? Make sure that your numbers make sense. The average bridesmaid spends over $1,500 on attire, bridal shower, bachelorette party, gifts, etc. So although $100 from each of five girls may sound like enough, it probably isn't going to cut it if there are 50 guests on the invite list. Make sure to factor in food, décor, favors, games, and prizes for the winners.

Picking a Location - If your bride provides you with a small guest list, chances are this is something that you, another bridesmaid, or the bride's family may be able to host at a home. However, if your bride supplies you with a guest list of 30 or more, you may want to consider other options. First, consult the bride. Does she have a favorite food or restaurant? Ask her for the information for her wedding venue, if it's conveniently located to all of the attendees. Chances are that the venue has a smaller space than the wedding reception location to accommodate a smaller event, like a shower. If that is the case, most venues will offer you a for hosting multiple events. If they do not have a smaller space, or you really don't want to host the shower at the same venue as the BIG DAY, ask the venue for referrals. They will have a lot more knowledge on other venues in the area and a general idea on pricing. This will save you a ton of time researching online or calling each venue individually. You can save a lot of time on the day of if you don't have to set up or clean up tables, chairs, linens, etc.

Choosing a Theme - Once you decide on a location and you have a guest list, you will want to decide on a theme. You may choose to incorporate some aspects of the wedding theme or colors, or you may go a completely different route. Use the location aesthetics to your benefit. Build off of what they already offer you. Above all, make sure that it represents the bride, not you or the other members of the committee. Pinterest has amazing DIY ideas and links to sites where you can purchase or print certain items. If you chose a location, ask them what they include. If the linen is included, make sure you choose a theme that incorporates the linen they offer. Feel free to narrow down the choices and ask the bride for her input. Just don't inundate her with questions.

Invitations - Once your date, theme, and location are set, create invitations. Do not send an emailed invitation through Evite or Paperless Post. You can purchase invitations at a local store or use websites like weddingpaperdivas.com or vistaprint.com. They have all sorts of different themes that are customizable at Make sure to order the invitations a month before you need to send them to allow for any shipping issues or misprints. Send the invitations about five to six weeks before the shower, and give guests two to three weeks to RSVP. It is completely acceptable for a shower to have the guests respond via email or phone. Make sure you ask for the guests to RSVP at least a week before you actually need the final count. This will give you time to call those guests who have not responded. At the end of the day, the earlier you send invitations, the less stressed you will be. Now on to the fun part, the planning!

Planning the Shower

Decorations - Based on your theme, design the decor. Do you need to provide centerpieces, or does the venue provide them? Linen, silverware, tables, chairs, etc? All of these items can add to the overall look and theme of the shower.

Games - Are you going to play any games at the shower? Games are usually a good idea if a lot of the people at the shower do not know each other. They are also a great way to get to know the bride better, especially for the guests that are from the groom's side of the family.If the bride is outgoing, you may consider pre-taping the groom answering certain questions and have the bride announce her answers at the shower. If she is more reserved, then you'll probably want to go with something that could potentially be a little less embarrassing. Just make sure not to overdo it. Games can be a great way to show off the bride's likes and dislikes and her personality. Try not to play games for the sake of doing it, especially if they have no meaning. Feel free to let the guests interact and get to know each other better before the wedding.

Prizes - If you have games, then you need prizes. Nothing is worse than playing a game and winning and having nothing to show for it! Try to pick out gifts that cross generations, like soap, Visa gift cards, picture frames, etc. There would be nothing worse than to give Great Aunt Helen a Victoria's Secret gift card or a cute tee shirt that she would never wear in a million years.

Favors - It is considered good etiquette to provide a favor for the shower. Incorporate this into your theme. For example, if you host a kitchen themed shower, you can have all of the guests send in recipes to create a keepsake favor for the bride. For the favor, you can provide a personalized kitchen tool, like the measuring spoons pictured below. Try to choose something practical that you know guests can actually use. If you can't think of anything, go with a dessert. Get the bride's favorite cupcakes or her favorite candy with a personalized wrapper. Who doesn't love sweets?

Plan the Menu - Keep it Simple!! Showers are usually at brunch or lunch time, and most people are not looking for a 5 course meal. If you decided on a venue, go with something the bride likes off their menu. If she doesn't see anything, ask them to customize a menu. Since showers are more of a mingling event and a relaxing time, try to stick with a buffet set up. This way the bride can get up and talk to her guests. With plated meals, everyone is stuck in their seats for a fairly long time, and it definitely doesn't allow guests to socialize as much. If you are hosting it at a home or hall without a kitchen, use a caterer. You will stress yourself out if you have to cook and set up the day of the event. Don't forget dessert! Decide if you want a cake, individual desserts, or just a display or cookies, brownies, and coffee. Purchase anything you may need for the day of - This includes your gift! Since you are hosting the shower, you do not need to break the bank, but you do need to give the bride to be something for the shower. How are you recording gifts the bride receives? Purchase cards for each guest to fill out or a notebook to keep track the day of.

Games, Favors, Ideas, and More

For the day of the event, make a checklist of everything you need to bring. If you have a committee, split up the tasks so each of you has less to worry about.Gift Opening - Trash bags, scissors, notepad &pen. If your bride is going to walk down the aisle at her rehearsal with her ribbon and bow bouquet, you'll need a plate to create one! Games and Prizes - Make sure you have all of your prizes for the games and game "pieces" (laptop, personalized cards, etc), all in the same container or box. This will make it easy on you when you arrive at the location. Decor, Favors, Centerpieces, etc - Keep all of this in one container as well. Have everything pre-assembled so you can just set it out when you arrive. Arrive Early - Leave for the venue 30 minutes before you really have to. This way you don't have to worry if there is unexpected traffic, and you can tackle any last minute mishaps that may occur. Or maybe, just maybe, you can relax for 30 minutes before guests start to arrive. Enjoy Yourself - You did all of this preparation and planning so that you could enjoy the day with the bride to be. Stay calm and try to relax. This will help the bride relax, and this day is really all about everyone spending time with her before she becomes a MRS.

Bridal Shower Success

At the end of the day, make the bride happy! Again, you are doing all of this because the bride-to-be is about to be married. So make sure you make her feel special, and make sure she is having the best time. All of the preparation and planning will help you create a successful event. If something goes wrong, look on the bright side. (If it rained, and you had to move the party from outside to inside, the guests just had to get to know each other a little faster because of the lack of space.) Everyone is there in support of the bride. So don't let the little things get to you. Their focus will be on the woman of the hour. And don't forget to buy thank you cards. The bride will thank you for being so thoughtful. Now she has one less item to worry about before the wedding!