How to Plan a Bridal Shower

You're wondering how to organize a bridal shower for your best friend's (sibling's, daughter's, or cousin's) wedding. Don't worry! It doesn't need to be difficult. Please familiarize yourself with the calendar, read our description of duties for the bride shower, and try out our fantastic bridal shower ideas. Let's begin!

How to plan a bridal shower: 11 common questions

1. Who throws the bridal shower?

Traditionally, the bridesmaids and maid of honor are responsible for this task. However, the regulations have been loosened. These days, the bride's mother, mother-in-law, relatives, or friends organize showers. Planning is frequently a group endeavor involving both family and friends.

2. Who pays?

The cost is the responsibility of the person organizing the event. Although they are not asked to assist with the tab, guests bring gifts.

3. When is the bridal shower thrown?

The ideal time frame is four to eight weeks before the wedding. Although any time of day is permitted, Saturday and Sunday remain the most popular days for the event. Reasonable possibilities include early evening dinners, afternoon luncheons, and late morning brunches.

4. When do you start planning?

Planning should begin three months before the event to help you stay composed and organized.

5. Where do you host the bridal shower?

Anywhere can be used for the shower. The residence of a member of the wedding party, eateries, breweries, banquet spaces, wineries, spas, and local, state, or national parks are a few places to think about.

6. Who gets invited?

The bridal party, the bride and groom's immediate and extended family (mothers, grandmothers, aunts, and cousins), and close friends are all invited to the bridal shower. Traditionally, only women were invited to the shower, but these days, the husband, bride, and groom's close male friends are also invited to Jack and Jill showers. As a general rule, everyone invited to the shower should also be on the guest list for the wedding.

7. When are invitations sent?

About six to eight weeks before the shower day, send out invitations (via email or mail).

8. How long is the bridal shower supposed to last?

It will take two to four hours. The length of your planned activities and the size of your guest list will determine the time.

9. What happens during bridal showers?

It's an occasion to celebrate the impending marriage and exchange presents that will assist the couple start their lives together. In addition to delicious food and lively discussion, the occasion typically involves a round of "oohs" and "aahs" when the bride opens the presents. In addition to entertaining games, many wedding showers feature activities like wine and painting or a few hours at the spa. Planning is your responsibility, so you control what people do.

10. Do you need to serve a full meal?

No. Food should be served, but you can limit your offerings to tea, cake, and cookies. A complete, multi-course meal is an opulent option, though, if you have the funds and the want.

11. How do I keep track of the gifts the bride receives?

A trusted visitor or bridesmaid should be assigned to record each present and the giver's name. It's much easier to send thank-you notes this way. Obtain "thank you" cards, print or write addresses on the envelope, and stamp them if you feel ambitious. She only needs to write the notes and place them in the mailbox.

Bridal shower timeline and checklist

Here is an example timeline to help you stay on course from beginning to end. You can use this timeline as a checklist to ensure nothing is overlooked.

Three months before:

• Decide on a day. A bridal shower can be held as little as two weeks before the wedding or as much as six months beforehand. Since the bride will have much on her plate soon after the wedding, it is best to start early.
• Converse with the bride. Discuss themes, food, and décor with the bride if you are not organizing a surprise shower. You are in charge of organizing the celebration, but it's good to have some bridal feedback.
• Compile the guest list. Get the bride to provide the information. Gather visitor addresses, either physical or email, as you compile the list.
• Reserve a place. If you aren't hosting the event at someone's house, make your venue choice and reservation as soon as possible.
• Make some invitations. Name of the bride, event date and time, venue, RSVP details, and hostname should all be on the invitation. Provide information about the wedding register and the URL of the couple's wedding website. Then, incorporate all the relevant information in your invitations.

Two months before:

• Get your group together. Don't bear the entire burden of preparing alone. Bring the bridesmaids together if you are the MOH. Ask a few friends or family members (who will be invited, of course) for assistance if you are the mother-in-law or mother of the bride. Choose a planning committee and set to work; even two heads are better than one.
• Decide on a theme. It might range from anything as basic as afternoon tea to something as elaborate as a Hawaiian luau. Before you go all out with a creative idea, think about your location, your budget, and the amount of time you have available for planning.
• Forward the invitations. To ensure everyone on the list receives the message, send it by mail, email, or both.
• Arrange the menu. Select appropriate cuisine for the occasion (for example, don't organize a pasta bar for an event with a Cinco de Mayo theme). Choose dishes that you know the bride will enjoy. To finalize the menu details, including finger appetizers and desserts, consult with the restaurant, caterers, and bakery.

One month before:

• Start the games. Games for a bridal shower might be straightforward or intricate. Of course, you'll make a gift-bow-bouquet, but you'll probably need more. Create engaging, enjoyable games that encourage participation from the visitors. (See below for more details.)
• Buy party favors. These can be opulent mementos or low-cost, straightforward presents. Mini champagne bottles, personalized sunglasses (for the upcoming beach wedding!), personalized candies, and decorative soaps are all festive and enjoyable.
• Consult the team. Meet with the girls (or males) to see how they are doing on their allocated tasks. If they need assistance, offer to help.

The week of:

• Verify RSVPs and determine the final number of guests.
• Verify the vendors and the location.
• Verify the delivery schedule.
• Assemble favors and plan games.
• If you are hosting at your house or are responsible for bringing food, go grocery shopping. Ensure your guests are still ready to participate if they bring dishes.
• To make sure everyone is ready, get in touch with the committee.

Make a personal checklist and have it with you at all times. If you finish a task during your lunch break (you sent out those invitations!), cross it off your list and feel like a hero.

11 bridal shower themes you'll fall in love with

Select a theme that appeals to the couple, whether straightforward, charming, sophisticated, exquisite, or completely unconventional. In Paris, did they get engaged?  Use macaroons, miniature Eiffel Tower favors, and a pink, white, and black color scheme to create a Parisian bridal shower. Are they wine experts? Arrange a wine tasting complete with fruit and cheese dishes, charcuterie, and decorations that resemble grapevines.

To execute any of these themes, you need only your creativity and a helping hand; a big budget is not necessary to produce something outstanding.

1. Jack and Jill or couples. As previously stated, this is a contemporary and well-liked shower design. Enjoy a coed celebration by inviting the happy couple and their closest friends. Pick a theme you like, like travel, wine, or sports.

2. With a culinary theme.  Request that each visitor bring a printed copy of their family's favorite recipe to put in a decorated three-ring binder with sheet protectors. Alternatively, organize a culinary class shower where attendees work with a local chef to produce a recipe.

3. Tea in the afternoon.  It is always a wonderful time, always a classic. Serve scones, pastries, cucumber sandwiches, and boutique teas. Choose a bohemian theme with floor pillows for seating, go conventional with lots of flowers and ceramic tea cups, or throw a fanciful Mad Hatter party with white rabbit décor.

4. Delightful plenty. To honor the sweetness of love, have a shower with a candy or dessert theme. Present lovely bowls of chocolates with candy coatings in hues that complement the wedding theme or personalize them with a charming note. Create a homemade Belgian waffle bar or ice cream sundae station. For people with dietary concerns, don't forget to offer sugar-free options.

5. Beach- or tropical-themed. Pink flamingos and inflatable palm trees evoke the feeling of an island. Serve various beverages and dishes with banana, pineapple, and coconut. For fun, use a color palette of pink, yellow, and orange with lots of greenery.

6. The Kentucky Derby is fun at any time of year but ideal for rain in early May. Request that visitors don ostentatious hats and give away a prize for the most outrageous. Serve little pecan pies, fried chicken fingers, and mint juleps in mason jars. Allow southern charm and horseshoes to take the stage in the décor.

7. Simple Swiss cross. Swiss cross-bridal showers, which are based on a minimalist design, are currently very fashionable and come in black and white. With Nordic, Swiss, and Swedish roots, they are also referred to as a Swiss plus and represent hope. The décor is straightforward and adheres to the black-and-white color scheme. To make a statement, add accents of natural wood.

8. For the bar, bring a bottle. This theme will be appreciated by wealthy couples who enjoy entertaining. Everyone supplies the home bar with glasses, mixers, accessories, and bottles.

9. A party in pajamas. Put out some entertaining snacks, order pizza, go into pajamas, and watch a wedding romantic comedy (Mamma Mia, Wedding Singer, Father of the Bride, etc.).  The next morning, have a real sleepover and brunch to make it even more awesome.

10. Informal gathering. There isn't much more informal than wearing jeans and sneakers to a barbecue in the garden.  This is for the bride who wants to spend time with her loved ones before the wedding but doesn't want a big deal.

11. Bridal shower at a destination. An overnight excursion is thrilling and enjoyable. Go to a nearby city, a beach, or a cottage in the woods. The event may become much more exciting with a change of environment.

6 games that your guests will play

Games for the bridal shower may be the highlight of the occasion or its low point. Ensure the games are appropriate for the bride and her preferences, and don't overdo this part of the shower—some groups prefer eating and mingling. Have plenty of little prizes available for the victors, and look at these easy and entertaining options.

1. The photo challenge. Photographs of the bride and groom at different stages of their lives should be collected. Each one should be numbered and pinned on a corkboard. Give guests paper and pencils, and ask them to guess the bride and groom's ages in each photo. Whoever is most correct wins.

2. Win. Make blank bingo cards, then ask guests to fill the squares with presents they believe the bride will get. Guests use markers or stickers to mark their cards while the bride opens her gifts. Whoever gets to five consecutively wins.

3. Go on a scavenging hunt. For fun, please list commonplace objects individuals keep in their purses and add a few unusual options. Possible items on the list are a phone, pen, receipts, business cards, sunglasses, gum, mascara, lotion, feminine products, a phone charger, nail polish, a penny, receipts, pepper spray, lip balm, paperclips, and hairbands. The one with the most stuff wins.

4. Identify that line. Guests can guess the romance film by printing a list of well-known phrases, such as "You had me at hello."

5. What is the bride's level of knowledge? List the questions you want to ask the bride about the groom. Some examples of questions are:

• Which was the groom's first occupation?
• What dessert does the groom prefer?
• Which person would the groom like to meet if he could only meet one?

Each guest guesses the number of questions the bride will successfully answer. Have the groom's prepared responses ready when you ask the bride the questions during the shower. Whoever makes the closest or correct guess wins.

6. Identify the pair. Print images of power couples with celebrities. Request that guests name the two individuals in the pictures. As always, the visitor who gets the most correct answers wins.

Activities other than games

You can replace the games with an exceptional performance activity or both! Among the options are:

• Reading tarot cards.
• Both pedicures and manicures.
• Magician.
• Henna artists.
• Mixologist for cocktails. A new trademark cocktail is introduced to the guests.
• Self-made craftspeople. Ceramics, etching, and painting are popular at the moment.
• Make a photo booth or rent one. Guests can snap amusing pictures using the props. Print extras for the bride to have a copy and for guests to take.