Tips for Planning the Perfect Bridal Shower

Planning the perfect bridal shower can be as stressful as planning the perfect wedding, and it general falls on the bride’s friends or family members to take on this task. While the happy couple are busy choosing flower arrangements and guest favors, hiring photographers and a DJ, someone else is just as busy planning a fun filled affair for the bride and her closest friends and family. There’s much to do, but with a few helpful tips you can throw a bridal shower that the bride and her loved ones will be talking about for years to come.

Enlist Help

The first tip to planning a successful bridal shower is to enlist help. Whether you’re the bride’s friend, best friend, sister or bridesmaid, there is no need to go it alone. Recruit others to act as co-hostesses. Each person can be put in charge in a different aspect of the party such as invitations, catering, décor, guest favors or games. This division of labor will make the planning a little less stressful, but it also helps you divide the costs of the shower between each of the co-hostesses.

Consider the Bride

A bridal shower isn’t simply a party, it marks a momentous occasion. Keep the bride in mind when planning the theme, choosing décor, menus and activities. The shower is thrown in her honor. Also, make a point of consulting the bride about the guest list. It would be in poor taste to invite someone to the bridal shower that isn’t being invited to the wedding, so get past this party faux pas by including her in this one element.

The Where and The When

Hosting a bridal shower at a hired venue can eliminate a string of headaches that can arise when planning. By hosting a bridal shower at a hired venue you can eliminate the stress of preparing your home and cleaning up post-party. It also allows you to enjoy the party itself without having to worry about if your guests are taken care of. Be sure the venue you choose is centrally located for guests and offers plenty of parking. Include a map with the invitations so guests have no trouble finding the venue.

Choosing a Menu

Another way to make planning less stressful is to hire a caterer. Whether you are opting for a light lunch buffet or choosing to go with hors d’oeuvre stations, offering your guests some tasty tidbits will help keep guests happy. If you want to include a signature cocktail in the bride’s honor, opt for something fun that is in the bride’s taste or one of her favorites.

Games and Gifts

With the venue hired, the invitations mailed, and catering in place, all that is left to do is plan a few exciting activities. Games have been a long standing tradition of the modern bridal shower, but don’t get too carried away. Keep the games simple and fun, and try to personalize them whenever possible. When it comes time for the bride to open her gifts, keep it organized and moving at a brisk pace. A hostess or bridesmaid should be given the task of sitting with the bride as she opens gifts to keep a record of the gift and gift-giver. This makes for easier thank-you card writing later on!

Our Thoughts

The most important part of planning a successful bridal shower is making sure the bride has a wonderful time with her friends and family! With these tips in mind, you can throw a bridal shower that will have the bride and your guests talking for years to come.