The key for a great bridal shower is most definitely in the planning, so kudos to my mother and MOH! There are so many different ways you can go about it, but I figured I’d pass along the basics to apply to any type of shower. Enjoy!
You Don’t Need A Theme, However…
With the way of social media, there’s definitely a feeling or pressure put on needing a theme and doing something different. If the idea of a theme doesn’t fit your personality (or even your budget), opt for more functional and multipurpose decor! Use the wedding colors. Let the space set the mood and utilize your food, desserts, signs, and flower arrangements to personalize the day. Also opt for custom designed signage, place cards, and menus to instantly elevate the event.
The Guest List
Again, there is so much pressure to feel like you need all of these people at an event to make it feel important. I suggest taking this as a smaller, more intimate event to celebrate the occasion and invite those closest to you and local friends & family to keep it at an intimate event. Websites like The Knot or Brides are a great resource for these types of ‘rules’. Two showers are usually a solution, too.
Have Fun Games Prepared
I know, games can be a total drag for all involved. However, not all the guests know one another, so playing a fun game that revolves around the bride (the one thing you all have in common) is a great way for everyone to interact and learn more about the bride and groom. We had so many laughs and played simple premise games that kept conversation & drinks flowing!
In today’s time, if you’d rather just hang out and have fun, that’s totally fine too!
We Played:
How Well Does the Bride Know the Groom:
There are pre prepared questions that the groom has answered and all guests guess which questions the bride will get correct. The guest with the most correct answers, wins. Using large posters with the answers made it more fun, too!
Guess How Old the Bride is:
Display a collage of photos from a variety of ages of the bride for guests to guess her age in each.. The guest with the most correct answers, wins.
Pass the Love Story:
Each guest writes a sentence of a love story, then passes it for another guest to write their line. Each guest folds the previous line, so that all guests only see one line of the story to write theirs off of. Once complete, the bride reads aloud the entire story – guaranteed laughs!
Light Bites & Cocktails are Key
My shower was a brunch, where a lot of people don’t eat heavily during the day anyway. However, keeping it light is always a safe bet. From meat and cheese plates to finger foods consisting of sandwiches and dips (crab dip for you locals). Make it fun with a signature cocktail or too!
Shower Your Guests with Favors
Giving out favors of things that people can actually use is key. From small candles, nail polish, bath scrubs, jars of honey or jam, mini champagne bottles…anything small and useful will make for a nice party favor.
To Open, or not Open?
This is probably the biggest item that comes up as necessary or not. The old rulers think it is an absolute must, while the new rulers would rather not sit through this part. To please both crowds, we let people decide if they wanted me to open their gift at shower, which pleased those who love the tradition but kept it fast for those that wanted to get home. Another popular option that I recently learned of is a “display shower”, where you have all guests bring gifts unwrapped or in clear wrappings so that all are aware of what was gifted, without sitting through the unwrapping.
Lastly, passing out desserts while gifts are being opened is a great way to keep guests occupied and not take up too much time.
Is my Fiancé Allowed to Attend?
I am a believer in doing whatever you want to, its 2019. Joint showers are a blast. However, it was great to have one event for all the women to come together and get to know one another.
G came with about 30 minutes left to say hello (especially great to his side of the family, guests he may not have met before) and help with breaking down the event and carrying out items. It was a special moment that I am glad we decided to do!
I hope this was helpful to any bride, wedding party member, future bride, etc.! You can shop my shower look and items purchased for the shower below:
