If you are planning a bridal shower, you’ll need to decide on the location and your bridal party. You’ll also want to decide who is hosting the event. Your bridal party may be spread across the country, making it difficult to plan a shower for each member. If this is the case, you might consider hosting the shower together, dividing the costs and organizing duties. Of course, individual circumstances will determine the best decision.
Traditions
Bridal shower traditions date back to the 16th century in Holland. In the past, brides-to-be gathered with family and friends to wish her well and spoil her with gifts. Oftentimes, women poured small gifts and notes into an open parasol and “showered” them over the bride. Today, brides may substitute gifts with other activities or games.
If the bride does not want her guests to bring a gift, ask them not to. She may want to give her guests personalized chocolate coins or thank-you notes. She may also want to serve food at the party, or create a cake and candy buffet. However, monetary gifts are not appropriate.
The date and location of a bridal shower are determined by the bride, and the shower usually occurs between two and three weeks before the wedding. The exact time will depend on the circumstances, but it is customary to have the party at noon or after, and it can last three to four hours.
Gifts
You can find some great gift ideas for the bride-to-be at a bridal shower. The hostess of the shower is usually outgoing and social, so you can choose a gift that has multiple uses. For example, a music speaker can be used for both music and movies, so you can’t go wrong there. Another great idea for a gift is a smart speaker, which can be used for several purposes.
If you’re not sure what to get for the bride-to-be, consider buying her something from her registry. Gifts for the bridal shower can include anything from a handbag to a champagne-flavored gummy. Other great ideas are a full skin-care regimen or an unconventional scented candle. Personalized items are especially great.
A personalized wine glass is another great option. This glass features the hostess with the mostest, making the wine-drinking experience even more fun. Jewelry can also be a great gift for the hostess. A beautiful dainty necklace with a personalized note can be the perfect gift.
Venues
When deciding where to have your bridal shower, you have several options. You can have the party in a friend’s home, or in a clubhouse. In addition, there are many condos and apartment buildings that have event rooms that are perfect for bridal showers. Many of these locations offer on-site catering, and they are ideal for smaller showers.
If you’re looking for a more intimate setting, consider hosting your bridal shower in a venue in the city. Many larger cities are home to cultural centers, restaurants, hotels, and event spaces. The right venue can make planning the shower easier. For example, the Sterling Heights Cultural Center in Macomb County is a great choice for a bridal shower.
For a more unique setting, you could choose a restaurant that offers a private space, such as an intimate Italian restaurant. In NYC, there are several options for private event spaces. At the Beautique Restaurant and Lounge, you’ll find decor inspired by Coco Chanel. The restaurant is also known for its award-winning menu and can accommodate any theme you’re planning.
Games
The bride-to-be can have lots of fun with games at her bridal shower, whether you plan to play silly games or competitive ones. Some games are great for showers that center around baking, such as cake riddles, which require guests to use their creativity and imagination. Painting parties are also a great idea for a backyard shower. Instead of using actual paint, give guests a blank canvas and let them paint whatever they want. A traditional bridal shower game is the ring game, which is especially popular in Florida.
Games for bridal showers can also involve guessing, including “How much do you know the bride?” Guests should write down a number of questions about the bride and groom. The closest guess wins! There are many Pictionary sites online, and one of them is free to use. If you want to make it more challenging, try using celebrities’ wedding prices as the basis for the game.
Another fun game for the bridal shower is a scavenger hunt. This fun game combines the thrill of a hunt for items to help the bride choose the perfect gifts. It allows guests to guess the bride’s wedding-related items with a bit of speed. This game can be played with any number of guests.
Food
When planning a bridal shower, it’s important to make sure you have plenty of delicious food available. You can choose from a variety of options, from traditional finger foods to more modern options. Before the shower, make sure to talk to the bride and groom about what they’d like to eat. Then, plan accordingly.
To make the shower as delicious as possible, ask each guest to bring a dish or two. If possible, plan a potluck. If you are hosting the shower at a venue, arrange for the food to be room temperature or cold. You can even invite guests to bring a bottle of wine for the bride, or ask them to bring a drink to the shower.
For lighter fare, prepare salads. They’re quick to make and can be prepared the night before. Choose from Caesar salad or tossed house salad, or prepare macaroni or pasta salad. A variety of sandwiches are also a great option.
Invitations
When choosing bridal shower invitations, consider the theme of the event. While some showers are themed around a holiday or season, others are more casual. In either case, the style of the invitations should reflect the overall mood of the party. For instance, if the shower is an informal celebration, skip formal wording and use a type of font that expresses the party’s informality. Similarly, an elegant shower might use handwritten calligraphy or spell out commonly abbreviated words.
The wedding shower has evolved over the years into a larger affair with brunches and luncheons. Bridal shower invitations are available in every size and can be printed at home or at a local print shop. You can also send your invitations online through a wedding invitation service that offers full event management.
Bridal shower invitations are very important because they set the tone for the event. Choosing a theme will help you choose decorations and party favors. Remember to include the bride-to-be’s partner’s contact information on the invitations.
Games at a bridal shower
Games at a bridal shower are a great way to have fun and engage the guests. There are several different types of games you can use. These games are easy to plan and provide great entertainment for the guests. In addition to traditional games like bingo, you can also incorporate trivia about the wedding and the bride and groom.
A popular game for bridal showers is a movie quote game. In this game, each guest fills out a game card with a quote from a movie. The first guest to match the most movie quotes wins. This game will keep guests entertained and build tension, and they will also get a chance to remember their favorite movies.
Another game you can play at a bridal shower is a drawing contest. You can ask guests to draw pictures of the bride or her groom. You can also ask them to draw the bride or the groom in underwear. This game can be quite funny, especially when the bride is the one choosing the winning drawing!
Etiquette
When planning a bridal shower, it is important to follow proper etiquette. The shower should be small, intimate, and include the bride-to-be and her closest friends and family. Before deciding on a guest list, the host should consult with the bride. There are a number of different styles of bridal showers, including the “Jack and Jill” style, which is a popular trend these days, and the groom-only shower. Some couples may choose to have a themed shower, such as a kitchen-inspired shower, a gourmet cook-themed shower, or even a shower outdoors.
The host of the shower should make sure that there is enough food and drink for everyone to enjoy. Many bridal showers offer sweet and savory foods. It is also customary to serve alcoholic beverages. Many people will choose to serve champagne or cocktails, but tea and coffee are also popular.
The host of a bridal shower should be the maid of honor or a close family friend. The Mother of the Bride should not host the shower herself, but she may attend and even offer to pay for it. She should not expect guests to pay for the shower, however.
