Hosting a bridal shower is one of the top tasks for a bridesmaid. You and the other bridesmaids will host the get-together to “shower” the bride with gifts and warm wishes. It’s also an opportunity flex those party-planning muscles and shine as a hostess with the mostess. With some extra thought and creativity, you can also create an event she’ll never forget.
We’ll approach the shower essentials with a journalistic approach and give you the basics: who, what,
when, where, why and how… as in how much will you pay for this event. When you check out the list below, however, you’ll see that the why is conspicuously missing. That’s because why you’re throwing this shower, is a factor in the entire process: to celebrate the bride. So it’s important to keep that in mind when you’re planning. Make sure the choices you make reflect the bride’s likes and dislikes – not yours.
WHO – Guest list
As with any party, the invitation list can be the most daunting task. The maid/matron of honor can get the ball rolling by contacting the bride about this first. Is the leading lady having any other showers, allowing your event to be a small gathering of close friends and family? Or will this be her only shower, a big to-do with an equally big guest list?
Since a shower is, by definition, an event to give the bride gifts it’s necessary to
remember that – as a general rule – anyone invited should also be invited to the wedding. A guest shouldn’t be expected to buy a shower present if she’s not close enough to the couple to be invited to the wedding.
WHAT – Theme/Style
This is the fun part! Is the bride a green-thumbed garden goddess or is she the consummate connoisseur of wine? Does she love lacy lingerie or does she melt watching sappy romantic comedy movies? Consider her interests when you and the other bridesmaids are selecting a theme for the shower. You can also take a cue from her by asking her about the gifts she needs most for her new home or knowing the items she doesn’t splurge on for herself. You can then tailor the theme around those items.
WHEN – Date
A shower is usually held on a Saturday or Sunday but it could be on any day of the week, as long as it works with the bride’s schedule. The shower can be held one month to several months before the wedding. If many of the guests are from out of town, you can break-up their travel burdens by holding the shower further from the wedding. Or you can consolidate their trips by combining the shower and bachelorette festivities in one weekend a bit closer to the wedding.
WHERE – Location
Ah, it’s always about location, location, location, right? It is, surprisingly, an integral decision. The venue will often determine how large your party can be and its formality. You wouldn’t likely have a large, jeans-only gathering at a tearoom or a formal event in the back room of your neighborhood pub. If one of the bridesmaids will be hosting the event in her home, it’s necessary to keep a close eye on the size of the guest list before invitations are mailed to make sure there’s no chance the celebration will out-grow its setting.
HOW MUCH - Budget
All the previous sections – guest list, theme, date and location – will factor in to this topic. A large party, with fancy food, on a weekend day in a swanky rented locale will push the price up significantly. A small shower at the host’s house with homemade goodies will cut the costs for the budget-conscious gals.
The key issue to remember is that the shower is truly about loved ones coming together to shower the bride with love and laughter. By the time you hold the shower, she’ll be knee-deep in wedding planning so this will be a welcomed break. Keep the mood light and the focus on the bride and your fete will be fantastic!
NICE TOUCH: buy thank you notes – pre-address and pre-stamp them for the bride
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