It’s funny how simple it might seem to put together a bridal shower in comparison to a wedding. A bridal shower is actually much simpler in many ways. However, not many people put much consideration into how to plan a bridal shower. Until you are in charge of organizing one, you can have no idea how complicated and time consuming it can be. This is why it is important to prioritize, create a list and take one step at a time. The organizing of the perfect shower should start at least a month or even three months before the chosen date. For a successful wedding shower, you need the right kind of planning.
Who Throws The Bridal Shower?
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The bridal shower is usually the responsibility of a maid of honor, or a bridesmaid, depending on the situation. This is the person who determines the bridal shower planning details and everything and everyone involved. The maid of honor usually has a wedding planning checklist of her own. This is crucial to throwing the bride a shower she would not forget.
When Should You Celebrate A Bridal Shower?
The answer to the question on when to do bridal shower is six months to a week before the wedding. This timeline is not set in stone, but still, it is advisable not go beyond these two extremes. Just a fun and relaxed time for the bride and her close friends and family to spend time together. But oh, so much planning needed to make it possible. The time of day for when to have a bridal party lays in the intuition of the planner. The shower can hold in the afternoon, evening or night, typically and be one more thing off the checklist for wedding. A successful bridal shower is the perfect opening to a spectacular wedding.
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Where to Have the Bridal Shower
Some tips on finding the perfect location for a bridal shower include the following. Don’t think about the wedding day itinerary. The shower is a completely different event so think about it alone. Consider a place the bride would be completely comfortable, perhaps even her home. Also, keep in mind the number of guests; this can determine if you choose a large or small location. It could be a restaurant or a park, or even an event hall. The timing for the shower is also pivotal in helping you choose a location. If there is a location special to the bride and her friends, it would make a good idea too.
How To Decorate The Place
Decoration for a bridal shower location can be easy and there are lots of DIY décors to choose from. Don’t think of your bride as mrs vs ms, think of her still as a Miss. This opens the doors to so many flirty décor options. You could also use the wedding colors for inspiration. To make it fun, it is possible to involve the friends, bridesmaids, and family. This would save costs and it’s something these people would love to do for the bride.
How To Make Bridal Shower Fun
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What do you do at a bridal shower? Have fun of course. There are so many bridal shower games to choose from. For example, from games in relation to gift opening to others on wedding registry ideas. There can be quiz games about the bride and groom. And of course, lots and lots of fun things to eat and drink. There should be fun music to encourage an upbeat tempo and even dancing.
The ultimate bridal shower planning checklist is what you need to know, from finding the perfect venue to picking the perfect time and beyond.
1. Twelve Weeks & Counting…
About three months before the shower, you should be:
- having a conversation with the bride so that you can find out what she has in mind, from a particular restaurant to a specific kind of food.
- pinning down the date of the event.
- creating the guest list.
- making the reservations for the venue.
2. Eight Weeks & Counting…
Items that should be on your bridal shower planning checklist two months before the shower include:
- sending out save-the-date emails/calling important guests to ensure there are no major conflicts in scheduling.
- creating a budget.
- purchasing or making the shower invitations.
- making the final decisions about flowers, decorations, food, favors, entertainment and other details.
- getting addresses for the invitations.
- creating your detailed list of tasks so that you can delegate various tasks.
3. Four Weeks & Counting…
A month before the shower, your bridal shower planning checklist should include:
- making/addressing invitations. You’ll need to include information about the bridal registry and theme of the party (if there is one).
- shopping for props, decorations, and other disposable items.
- mailing invitations.
- purchasing or making favors for guests.
- confirming whether any desserts or other treats will be brought by various guests.
4. Two Weeks & Counting…
At just two weeks before the shower your bridal shower planning checklist should be keeping you busy with:
- placing the order for the flowers.
- buying a shower gift.
- choosing your outfit for the shower. This is a great excuse to buy a new dress or cute outfit!
- creating a shopping list for any food or drinks you might need; don’t forget to include any extra ingredients you’ll need for games or other purposes.
- buying booze if you’ll be having cocktails.
- picking up essentials such as a punch bowl, music and equipment or serving dishes.
5. Seven Days & Counting…
By the week before the shower, your bridal shower planning checklist should be getting pretty short. At this point, you should be:
- confirming reservations, orders, delivery times and RSVPs.
- assembling and wrapping favors.
- buying groceries.
- creating a mental image of the venue in order to have a plan for decorating.
- preparing games and other shower activities.
6. One Day & Counting…
On the day before the shower, you should be fairly relaxed and only have a few tasks left to do, like:
- preparing food.
- setting up equipment.
- assembling the decorations.
- setting the tables.
- putting the finishing touches on decorations and favors.
- requesting any additional help for setting up.
- running errands.
For sample bridal shower advice or even tips on acquiring your wedding license or how to change your name after marriage, we have these and many more.
Remember tips for planning bridal shower party with this infographic!
And here watch Savannah’s bridal shower and get inspired!
