Bridal Shower Planning

Bridal Shower Planning does not have to be overwhelming.  All it takes is a little pre-planning and everything will turn out just fine.  Most bridal showers are hosted by the maid of honor, the bridesmaids or a relative of the bride.  Determining who should host the bridal shower should happen about 3-4 months before the wedding.

Most of the bridal shower should be a surprise to the bride.  The only things she is responsible for is providing the guest list, gift registry, input on the theme and location. She may need to provide some answers to the shower games, and then just has to show up. If you start early, the planning is pretty easy.  The bride normally also gets a gift for the host(s).

Start by jotting down ideas in a notebook as a brainstorming session.  Write down your ideas, the bride’s ideas, and discuss with others that  may help you with the shower.  Then organize those ideas into a timeline with a To-Do list from current date, to the date of the shower.  The checklist action items start usually from 3 months, to the date of the shower.  Below is a few ideas on what needs to happen and when.

To see my available Party Bundle Downloads, click here:  https://majorgates.com/product-category/party-bundles/

 

For a great group game to play, see my Bridal Shower Jeopardy game here:  https://majorgates.com/product/bridal-shower-jeopardy-game-download/

 

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Sample High Level Brainstorming To Do List

• Date and Time
• Location or Venue
• Theme or Decor
• Dress Attire
• Invitations
• Menu
• Seated Dinner or Buffet
• Games or Entertainment
• Thank You’s
• Create Timeline for planning and Agenda for Shower

 

For more party ideas and DIY craft ideas, visit my DIY section here:  https://majorgates.com/category/do-it-yourself/

 

Bridal Shower Planning

 

3 Months Ahead

• Obtain guest list from the bride – contact any guests that may need to travel far away and provide any additional information like date and time as a courtesy.
• Host(s) – secure bridal shower location.
• Determine colors and theme – make list of decorations and who is getting what.  For example, flowers, balloons, tables/chairs/linens, centerpieces.

2 Months Ahead

• Send out “Save The Date”.
• Order or design invitations.
• Bride completes gift registry (if not done already).
• Place orders to vendors – bakery, caterer, linens, rental companies (ex. drink machines, photo booths), music.
• Make requests for anything you plan to borrow, like stands, platters, crockpots, food warmers.
• Host assigns tasks to volunteers.

 

1 Month Ahead

• Send out Invitations – make sure everyone that is invited, is also invited to the wedding or things will be awkward.  Don’t forget about mentioning the dress attire and if kids are allowed or not.
• If people are bringing treats or foods, then confirm what they are bringing.
• Order flowers.
• Purchase decorations.
• Determine shower games and get the prizes – don’t forget to buy pens or pencils.
• Order or assemble the party favors.

 

2 Weeks Ahead

• Grocery shop for most things if you are making food as long as it is not perishable.
• Shop for hard to find items that are not perishable.
• Create a location for guests to upload their pictures from the shower.
• Print out games, create Welcome Board, and other signs for shower, menu.
• Shower gift for bride.
• Purchase shower outfit.

 

1 Week Ahead

• Assign a few people to help take pictures.
• Confirm reservations.
• Validate delivery times and any orders.
• Confirm RSVP’s and final head count.
• Assemble shower game prizes.
• Send out reminder for anyone that is supposed to be bringing something and gather serve ware.
• Get hair and nails done (optional).
• Clean the house (if applicable).
• Wash out coolers, wipe down platters, food serve ware, etc.
• Go grocery shopping ( 3 days ahead for the perishable items).
• Type party Agenda with times.  Having an Agenda guarantees a great party flow with no boring down time.  Determine the time for each activity and type it up.  This will be your secret weapon to the best shower.

Day Before

• Coordinate delivery set ups.
• Decorate or if at a home, you can start this a week before – put up signs like for:  Favors, Gifts, Advice, Guesses, etc.  You can do everything but balloons (if helium filled) and the food.
• Make any “Make Ahead” meals.
• Food prep – cut up veggies, wash fruits, slice cheeses, make dips, put water in coolers without the ice, etc.
• Last minute cleaning – make sure enough toilet paper in bathroom(s).
• Set up places for trash and recycling.
• Validate the time additional help will be arriving.
• Set up the bar (if applicable).
• Set up games – make sure you have enough pens and put the prizes in an easy to remember location.  Don’t forget to put all the answer keys in a folder and in a location that you will remember.
• Have a note pad to record the gifts to the bride.

Day of The Party

• Make sure you have enough ice!
• Last minute decorating.
• Cook any same day foods in the morning.
• Fill food containers.
• Don’t forget your help network if you forget something.  Have someone else pick it up for you.
• Enjoy the party!

 

 

To get some great games to play at the Bridal Shower, see my Bridal Shower Game Bundle here:  https://majorgates.com/product/bridal-shower-game-bundle-download/

 

 

Bridal Shower Decorating Ideas

• Determine the theme and colors of the Bridal Shower.  Do you want the colors tied into the wedding or something totally different?  If the bride was contemplating between color schemes for the wedding, surprise her with the alternate color palette at the bridal shower.
• Photo backdrop  – make it yourself, rent or purchase one.  If you have the budget, you can also hire a photo booth – there are 360° booths, selfie booths, and digital iPad booths.
• Indoor Showers at a home – traditional or modern – things to decorate with include: giant flowers, balloon arch/garland, lights for evening showers, flowers, themed elements, candles, extra lighting.
• Outdoor Showers – use the space features as part of the decor.  Enhance what is already there with paper lanterns, lights, flowers, whimsical items, elegant items, etc.
• Restaurant Showers – focus on decorating the table or room you have reserved.  Bridal portraits, picture sequencing of bride or couple, welcome signs, helium balloons and favor’s that sit on or behind place settings are great.  Best part is no prepping of food or clean up.
• Large venue showers – table linens and place settings are important in large venues, flowers, lighting and centerpieces.
• If there is budget, consider something special to highlight the mother and mother in-law of the bride.  This can be something simple and special, or pampering like a spa visit or nail salon gift card.

 

Menu Ideas for Bridal Shower

• Appetizers – mini egg rolls, deviled eggs, mini quiches, pigs in a blanket, mini food, mini salads or salads in cups, shrimp, pinwheels
• Tea sandwiches, various sandwiches, croissants, pitas
• Cheese balls, Brie, Pepper Jelly Cheese
• Fruit, Vegetable and Cheese platters, Charcuterie board
• Fajitas or build your own tacos
• Sweets Table – from candy to all types of cookies, mini cakes or cupcakes – just make sure you have take away containers for your guests
• Food Stations – Donuts, Coffee, Ice Cream, Popcorn, Sundae, Chocolate, Cookie
• Italian Food – pastas, lasagna, meatballs
• Chicken and Waffles
• Dips:  Guacamole, French Onion, Hummus, Salsa, Crab, Spinach, Artichoke

 

For ideas on great recipes, visit my Recipes section here:  https://majorgates.com/category/recipes/

 

Bridal Shower Favor Ideas

 

• Favor Box – gourmet candies inside, personalized candy, mini sweets
• Favor Bag – many of the items below can go into a favor bag as well as having a pick and choose station for guests to select what favor(s) they want.  This can be coffee, tea, sweets, cookies, fans, mini drinks, tin of mints, cake pops, etc.  Just don’t put soaps and sweets in the bag to early together or your sweet treats will taste like soap.
• Small Plants – herbs, succulents, flowers, plants
• Shower Bag – sponge, soap, sofa, scrub, bath bombs, bath salts
• Lotions and body sprays
• Nail polish and file
• Lip balm and lip gloss
• Kitchen Items – towels, whisk, spatula, wooden spoons that are carved, cookie cutters
• Handmade Gifts – salsa, cookie mix with instructions, bread mix with instructions, custom soaps, bath bombs, cocoa bombs
• Scented candles

To see my available 2-Liter/Wine and Apothecary Party Labels, click here:  https://majorgates.com/product-category/potion-apothecary-labels/