Planning a wedding can be incredibly stressful for the bride and her bridal party. Before the wedding, a well-planned bridal shower will not only let the bride know how much you appreciate being a part of her upcoming union, it will also make her special day even more memorable. Gathering the bride’s female friends and family together will require careful planning and execution, especially if you want to make the upcoming bridal shower a surprise. From afternoon tea parties to less formal gatherings, planning the perfect bridal shower doesn’t have to be a chore. If you are lucky enough to be a part of her bridal party, chances are you know the bride relatively well, which will make planning her bridal shower that much easier. Sit down with the other members of the bridal party, as well as the bride’s mother and future mother-in-law so everyone can pool resources and ideas.
Much like the gifts the bride and groom receive from the guests at their wedding, the bridal shower is the perfect opportunity to encourage friends and family to “shower” the bride with things she will need in her new life and home. Whether it’s lingerie for the wedding night, or kitchenware, taking into consideration the needs of the bride is a great place to start making plans.
Themed bridal showers have increased in popularity over the years, providing the guests with instructions and gift ideas, as well as an opportunity to share their experiences if they are already married, or hopes and aspirations if they have yet to to tie the knot. Putting together a lingerie party and encouraging guests to bring the bride nightwear, as well as wearing their own favorite lingerie or bed gear under the clothes, can create a memorable opportunity for the ladies, both single and married, to bond before the wedding. Evoking conversation about the wedding night to come can be a huge comfort and inspiration, especially if the bride and groom have decided to wait for marriage before becoming intimate.
Just about any idea can be easily worked into a bridal shower theme. Since this is a special day for the bride, take some time considering her own personal wants, needs and preferences while choosing a theme.
Send out invitations to the shower about three to six weeks prior to the date, so guests have time to prepare and RSVP. When preparing the invitations, be sure to include the wedding details, the date and time of the shower, the location, RSVP details, and where the couple is registered so guests can check out the registry to see what the bride and groom are in need of. Be sure to include any special details if the shower is themed, so guests can prepare accordingly.
A theme will also give you a chance to create special favors for the guests to take home. Though the bridal shower will be a memorable occasion for the bride-to-be, it will also be a fun time for the guests. Even if you don’t have a theme, giving everyone a small scented candle or a bag of bath beads in the wedding party’s colors is a great way to thank guests for coming, and show them how much you and the bride appreciate their support.
Make sure you take time to plan the event, as a traditional bridal shower is usually held between one or two months before the wedding. If you are holding something formal and require a caterer, you need to provide the caterer with an estimate on the number of guests attending so they have time to prepare. You will also want to reserve your location, which may require six months to a year advance notice and a deposit. Along with planning the food and location, you will also want to make sure you have activities for the guests to engage in during the shower.
Not everyone at the shower may be familiar with each other, so bridal shower games will break the ice just enough for the guests to feel comfortable. Comfortable guests will make the bride’s experience all the more memorable. Games like wedding-themed bingo and famous couples trivia are a great way to get everyone started. You may also want to take some time to make up trivia about the bride and groom to see how well everyone knows them.
The most important thing to remember when planning a bridal shower is just like the wedding, this is the bride’s special time. Think long and hard about what she would like, and if the shower isn’t going to be a surprise, don’t be afraid to ask her. Allowing her a little input will make her feel at ease, and will ensure that you and the bridal party create a truly memorable experience for her.
