Planning the Bridal Shower

Three months before the wedding is a good time to start preparing for a shower. Six weeks before the wedding is the ideal time have a shower. Your Family/Friends will need about eight weeks to plan a formal shower.  Unless it is a surprise shower you should consult with the Bride concerning the date and time the shower will be held.  Ask the Bride for a copy of the guest guest list.

Guests
Bridal showers are intimate gatherings and guests are usually close friends and families of the bride and groom.  Have the mothers of the bride and groom look over the guest list as well to be sure not to leave out anyone that may be important to them.

Theme Showers  ask the Bride what type of a Shower she would like.  Types of showers include “open” shower where the guests bring a gift to their choosing or a “themed” showers such as a lingerie shower, or kitchen utensil shower etc. depending on what the couples needs are.

Home Party Retailers
Another consideration is to have a Home Party Retailer such as Pampered Chef plan the party for you.  The Bride can create a wish list prior to the party.  It’s an easy and fun way for the guests to purchase the gifts that the Bride needs and wants!

Bridal Shower Games
It isn’t always necessary to have games at a shower but it’s a fun way to break the ice for those that don’t know each other.  If the guests know each other, they may enjoy just sitting back and catching up – if not playing games will help people to interact and get the conversations started.  Ask the the Brides how well the the invitees know each other and whether games will be necessary.  Keep the games simple and not too personal. 

Wedding Shower Decorations/Favours
In helping you decide what to use for decorations you may discuss with the Bride her wedding colour scheme so that the colours can be  incorporate into the scheme in their décor planning and creating the wedding shower favours.

Thank you’s
During the shower make sure that someone writes down the name of the person and their gift for the Bride.  Another helpful tip is to ask the invited guests to fill out the own return envelope as they arrive so that the Bride can send out her thank you's right away.  Be sure to ask the bride for her "thank you" envelopes in advance.