Bridal Shower Planning - Important Basics

A bridal shower can be great fun. Planning a shower can be even more  fun, but it can also cause a lot of stress. There are lots of items to consider when bridal shower planning.

The guest list is one of the key things to consider when you begin your planning process. Five to twenty people is a good range of people to invite to keep it intimate. You don't want to invite too many people. This will overwhelm you as well as the bride. It is a good idea to work with the bride to see who she would like to invite to her bridal shower. The first to consider are the female family members of both sides of the wedding party. The bride's closest friends and members of the wedding party should also be included. To hinder any hard feelings, make sure that everyone who is invited to the bridal shower is also on the guest list for the wedding.

Once your list of guests is compiled, the next important step is the invitations. Choose bridal shower invitations that go along with the bridal shower theme that you have chosen. For example, if your theme is a beach party, send out invitations that would go along with a beach party. If you have chose to have a bridal shower without a theme, pick something the resembles the bride's wedding invitations. Check with the printer of the wedding invitations, they may be able to give you a deal if the bride's invitation order was large enough. Whatever type of invitation you choose, make sure to note the name of the bride, the time, the date, and the location of the bridal shower, the hostess' name and phone number, an RSVP deadline (at least a week or two before the shower), and the theme of the shower. You can also include a map or directions to the locations of the shower. Another idea to include with the invitation is a list of the places where the couple has registered or even colors that will be in their home. The invitations should be sent out at least three weeks before the shower is to take place.

Once the invitations are sent, the rest of the bridal shower planning process must take place. Begin with the food list. Light appetizers and an assortment of foods is a nice idea. Try to avoid foods that guests may be allergic to. It may be a good idea to check with the bride or the guests to see if there are any food allergies. You will want to serve a variety of drinks as well. Be sure to offer healthy drinks like water and fruit juice since not all people like soft drinks or alcohol. If you plan on serving cake, choose one that will go along with the theme of your bridal shower.

Once the plans for the food are complete, start working on ideas for bridal shower games that could be played at the party. Two to four games would be a good number. You can choose games to serve as ice breakers if all of the people in attendance aren't familiar with one another. One game in particular is to give everyone a list of items that you may find in a purse. The person who has the most items in their purse that is on the list wins. You could also use a game like wedding word scramble. The person to solve the most words in the allotted time wins.

Allow time at the shower for everyone to mingle amongst each other and with the bride. Some of the guests may not be familiar with many of the other guests. It is important to help them get involved with the others that are in attendance.

When shower planning, consider party favors for all of the guests. This isn't necessary, but offering party favors for each guest is a nice gesture. Simple things like scented candles or small boxes of candy would be fine. You could also use party favors that go along with the theme of your bridal shower.

Another thing to think about when planning a bridal shower is decorations. If you are planning a themed bridal shower, you may already have ideas in mind for decorations. If you aren't using a theme, some nice table lines and centerpieces might be all you need.

A great idea to assist the bride once the shower is over is to purchase some thank you notes that may or may not match the bridal shower invitations. You may also provide her with a list of the guests and their addresses to aid her in sending the thank you notes out.

Bridal shower planning may be a long, exhausting process, but with proper planning it will turn out to be a pleasant memory for all.