Amazing Bridal Showers

The bridal shower is something every bride-to-be looks forward to with anticipation. It’s a chance for her to celebrate one of the most important events in her life with close family and friends. With all this excitement and anticipation can come confusion or anxiety for friends and family as they get ready to host the perfect bridal shower. Here are some guidelines to help you host the best bridal shower the bride will remember forever!

Who Should Host The Bridal Shower

The bridal shower can be hosted by a close friend of the bride, or a family member. Traditionally, it may have been considered improper for a family member to host the bridal shower. Since the bridal shower can result in overflowing gifts for the happy couple, in more “proper” times, the mothers of the bride were careful to not convey the impression that the family was hosting a shower for the purpose of securing as many gifts as possible.

The maid of honor or bridesmaids traditionally are the shower hosts. Since the maid of honor is often the sister of the bride or a close relative, it has become quite acceptable for close family to host the bridal shower. Having the bride’s family or extended family help in the planning of the bridal shower also helps when the bridal party is young or from out-of-state. Many moms are so excited to be involved in planning their daughters special event, there’s no holding them back! If you want to help with the bridal shower but don’t know where to start, try asking the maid of honor; if she’s not hosting the shower, she’ll know who is!

When To Have The Bridal Shower

There are no set rules regarding when to host the bridal shower. If the bridal party, or many of the invited guests are from out-of-town, and will be traveling to attend the shower, make sure you give enough advance notice so they are able to make travel arrangements. A shower can take place the week before the wedding, or six months before. It can be a surprise shower, or she can know every detail - it’s up to you! Once you pick the date, get together with everyone who will be co-hosting with you to talk about the theme, locations and entertainment. That will help you get started with the next step, setting the budget.

Who Pays For The Bridal Shower

The person or group of people hosting the shower are usually responsible for paying for it. If the bridesmaids are hosting the shower, everyone should contribute to the costs. It’s best to make a budget, outlining costs for the bridal shower you are planning, and noting who is paying for what. Because so many items for the shower need to be paid in advance, or at the time of purchase, select one person to act as the treasurer for the event. Taking the time to put together a budget will not only help keep unforeseen expenses to a minimum, but it will also help with the overall planning. The bride’s family and friends often pitch in to help with the location, food, supplies and/or invitations.

The Bridal Shower Theme

Maybe the most fun you’ll have is determining what the theme of your bridal shower will be. Is the bride a fun loving, up for anything type of girl who is expecting something totally out of the ordinary? Or she all about tradition, and has been dreaming of the perfect tea party since she was little? Themes can also be inspired by the bride’s hobbies, like cooking, traveling, entertainment, or well known loves, like classic movies, the color pink, or an obsession for everything spa-related. Themes can harness the energy of the shower, and actually make the planning a lot easier since everything becomes driven by the selected theme.

Get inspired by the hundreds of Bridal Shower Themes and tips

Choosing The Location To Host The Shower

The old adage, “location, location, location” can apply here! Put on your creative hat and start thinking about all the different places you could possibly host the bridal shower that’s coming together. Things to take into consideration - the theme, number of attendees, accessibility and logistics. Some ideas to get you started: a quaint French restaurant, a barbecue at a park, a picnic at the beach, a spa, a hotel garden, a historic home. Remember that besides your bridal shower, there are constantly events that are also booking available spaces. Book early, especially during the busy holiday season. Call about availability and costs, as those items with both impact your final decision.

Selecting The Guest List For The Bridal Shower

Anyone who has planned a bridal shower will tell you that the most complicated part of the planning is putting together the invitation list and sending the invitations. The immediate female family members from both the bride and groom’s families should be invited, as well as members of the wedding party and close friends of the bride and groom. Make sure to include the bride when you’re drawing up the list of people to invite. Anyone that’s invited to the bridal shower is usually invited to the wedding, so you’ll want to coordinate lists with the bride to avoid any hurt feelings or misunderstandings. Conversely, everyone invited to the wedding does not have to be invited to a shower.