Planning a Bridal Shower

Tips for Organizing a Perfect Celebration for the Bride to Be

Are you ready to put together a fun, memorable bridal shower? We've got everything right here to help you get organized. From checklists to guest lists, we will help you become the hostess with the mostess. Our only advice? Set aside three weeks for planning, sending invitations, and purchasing supplies.

Week 1: Organizing the Perfect Shower

What's Expected? 

Traditionally, a bridal shower takes place during the day time, and brings family and friends from all aspects of the bride-to-be's life together in one place. So one main goal, is to break the ice. Here is a sample format you can follow for your bridal shower that does just that:

• Welcome the guests
• An ice-breaker game or activity
• Serve food or have a buffet service
• Another game or activity
• Open gifts
• Serve cake

Of course, you can throw in some more games, mix things up, leave things out, it's all up to you! Here are some games to help you get your creative juices flowing:

Crunching the Numbers

Here are the 8 major costs you should budget for when planning a bridal shower:

1. Invitations
2. Favors
3. Pictures and film developing
4. Food and beverages
5. Cake
6. Paper plates, cups, napkins, utensils, etc.
7. Decorations: streamers, balloons, flowers, etc.
8. Games and prizes
   
   

Create the Guest List 

Anyone on the wedding guest list can be included, but if you need to shorten the list, invite close family and friends that are in town - or just the women.

Week 2: Invitations, Decorations and Entertainment 

Pick a Theme

A theme can serve as inspiration for decorations and games, even the invitations, favors and nametags. It makes planning and preparation simpler to have one central theme. 

Plan the Entertainment

As mentioned above, games are a great way to get guests who may not know each other, to interact. They're great ice-breakers and can really set the mood for your bridal shower. About three games for a two-hour shower are just right. Bridal shower games should be the fun part of planning your shower, so don't wait until the last minute to think about them! Here are some of our favorites: Bridal Shower Games.

And what about party favors for the winners and booby prizes for the losers? Here are some fun ideas:

Invitations

Now is the time to finalize the guest list and get those invitations sent out! Invitations to any bridal shower are the guests' first clue to the theme of the bridal shower. Pick invitations that reflect the theme, and don't forget to include any special instructions or requests. 

Week 3: Final Details

Finalize the Menu and Go Shopping

Take a look at your theme and your plan, and make a list of everything you need to buy. Think about the food and beverages you're going to serve, what you're going to serve it on, what games are going to be played, party favors, decorations, are you ready? A tip on food: set the food up at different spots around the room. Put the chips on one side of the room and beverages on another. This will encourage your guests to mingle.

Confirm Reservations

If you have reservations, go ahead and confirm them. Double-check to make sure you have enough chairs, tables and dishes.

Creating Memories

Designate a photographer to capture these bridal shower moments for the bride. Set out disposable cameras at the bridal shower for the guests to snap "action shots" and then develop the film for the bride-to-be. Take a photo of each guest with the bride-to-be as they leave, and include the photo with each thank you note. Designate a gift recorder to keep track of who brought what gift, so the bride-to-be will have an easier time writing thank you notes.

Day of the Shower

Now is the time to reap the rewards of all your efforts! Greet the guests with a smile and make sure the bride-to-be gets an opportunity to meet each guest. Have fun and enjoy!

• More Shower Games