The first thing to do before starting the preparations and sending out invitations is seek permission from the your company. For this, you need a plan in place. Is it going to be a women-only bridal shower? What part of the day are you planning to hold it? Though many office party planners swear by the lunch-hour to have a bridal shower, holding one after office hours when everybody is relaxed and done with their work is also good idea.

Determine when it would be most convenient to have the party, to least disrupt the normal functions of the office. Ask if you can use a particular conference hall or reserve a meeting room that will be free around that time. If you work someplace where walk-in customers keep popping in, holding a shower during the lunch break could be tricky.

Another early thing to decide is whether you will be inviting select co-workers who will be invited to the wedding, or if everyone at the office will be invited. If you're planning on keeping the party small, consult the bride'a guest list before preparing one for the bridal shower and consider not asking every Jane, Joan and Janie to attend. If you're keeping the invite list small, it could get embarrassing for the bride if the people present at the shower are not going to be invited to the wedding.

On the other hand, if you're hosting a large, open group shower, your event will be a nice way of connecting with colleagues who can't make it to the wedding for some reason. This is especially true when it comes to out-of-town Destination Weddings.

The duration of the shower should also be taken into consideration. You'll probably find that one fun-filled hour is the perfect amount of time to surprise the bride, share food and drink, and present the bride with her gifts. If your office is a tight knit group of friends, an hour could be too short of a time if you're going to be sharing stories, playing games and enjoying your time together.

For food and refreshments, you can ask each guest to bring a dish or drinks to contribute to the party. Alternatively, you can start a fund and get contributions from the invitees to go in for some fancy catering. Remember to arrange for plates, napkins, spoons, trays and other necessities that aren't normally found in the office. As far as alcohol is concerned, it's best to refrain from serving any as office policies usually frown on getting alcohol in the office premises. Opt for fruit juices, punches and soda instead.

Because your set-up time may be limited, you'll most likely want to keep the decorations to the minimum when you're hosting the shower in an office. This also will prevent you from being the recipient of hostile looks from housekeeping after the shower is over. A few balloons and streamers, plus presents and everyone's smiling faces are often sufficient to get the room looking festive! Oh, and don't forget to clean up once you're done!

When it comes to the gift for a shower being hosted at the bride's office, each guest may decide to get their own gifts. Another option is to ask guests if they would like to contribute to a group fund, combine the funds and splurge on one large gift.

If you're the host for the company event, keep the bride in mind while getting a gift, and consult her wedding registry. What are her hobbies and interests? Getting something that will really capture her interest and show that you care is really a special touch. Cooking sets and other kitchen items are one of the safest choices for bridal shower gifts. Or you can give something a little out of the ordinary, like a funny souvenir or lacy lingerie, provided it's not too crude and wouldn't offend the bride in the work environment. Giving the bride a gift voucher is also gaining in popularity, particularly when it comes to big group showers, so the engaged couple can go out and get something that they would really love to have.

You can have a few games planned for the bridal shower, just be considerate if your event is being held during office hours and keep the noise level down. The last thing you want to do is create a ruckus and disturb other co-workers who aren't participating in the party. Card and board games that will hold everybody's interest and get everyone to have a good time are a great choice.

While throwing a bridal shower in the office is certainly convenient to everyone attending, it can be slightly challenging to turn the formal office ambiance into one of celebration and fun. With a little resourcefulness and planning, you'll be able to host a bridal shower the bride and all of the guests will be sure to remember as a wonderfully special time spent wishing the bride well!