Bridal Shower Planning
Showers
are a special gathering for momentous occasions.
The hostess for the shower should not be members of your immediate
family. More appropriate hostesses
might include friends, co-workers, cousins or a friend of your parents.
Plan
your event with the worksheets throughout this site and especially under the menu
& table sections. See Table of Contents.
Check
List
|
Invitations
(printed?)
Calligrapher?
Stamps
Centerpiece/Theme
Decor
Flowers
Corsages
Music
Confetti/Sprinkles
|
Table
Cloth
Plates
Napkins
(printed?)
Forks,
Spoons, Knives
Coasters
Candles
Party
Games?
|
Cake
Punch
Ingredients & ice
Food
Items
Camera/Film
Party
Favors
Name
Tags
Balloons
|
Wedding
Ideas
Reception Set-up
Dinners
FAVORS
Fans
Determine the following:
-
Estimated
Budget
-
How
large do you want the shower to be?
-
Co-ed
or just the girls?
-
Forecast
weather conditions (warm, cold, wet)
-
Should
the event be a surprise to the guest of honor?
-
Food,
Cocktail party or Desserts?
-
Games
& activities?
-
Theme
& Decorations Expense
-
Select
a “gift corner” where the bride can see in full view of her friends as
she/he opens the gifts
-
Wicker
lap trays can be used for each guest to serve cake & punch on
-
Have
your guest bathroom/powder room well-stocked with pretty soaps, hand towels,
lotion, potpourri and an extra
roll
of toilet tissue. Lit a scented
candle.
Needed
Items
Guest
Registry Table & Book from Honoree
Old
photos, trinkets, memorabilia for table
Card
Basket
Assigned
Table Server
Assigned
Greeter
Person
to Log in Gifts
Clean-up
Assistance
Shower
Do’s & Shower
Don’ts
-
DON’T
invite guests to more than one shower
-
DON’T
allow immediate family to host the shower
-
DO invite
immediate family & bridal attendants to all showers
-
DON’T
expect those attending several showers to bring a gift to each
-
DO ask the
bride what type of shower she prefers
-
DO note
where the couple is registered on the invitation
-
DO have the
bride & groom determine the list
-
DO consider
group gifts for the more expensive items
-
DO assign
someone to take photos
Displaying
your Wedding Gifts
Displaying
your gifts is a tradition that many brides choose.
Choose a room that is not in use much and place white tablecloths or
sheets on tables or other furniture items.
Be festive by using the bows and ribbons from your packages to decorate
the tables. You can group like
items together in one area (i.e. crystal, silver, etc.).
Everyone likes to admire wedding gifts.
Ask friends to come over, host a bridesmaid tea or invite family members
to see your gifts. IMPORTANT:
If you leave your display up until the time of the ceremony, contact your
local police department to watch the house.
Coordinate with your neighborhood watch program or have a trusted
neighbor to house sit. You might
also need to check with your insurance company.
Wishing Well showers.....if you choose
this theme style, remember that it is inappropriate to open the envelopes during
the shower. This is done after the shower in private.
Activities for the guests are important for this theme as well as hospitality
and socializing, but remember....this theme is not well-accepted by many and it
deflects the gift giving spirit.
Wishing Well
Bridal
Showers
In
the "old days", the young, bride-to-be was expected to post her dowry.
Her dowry could consist of money, household items, clothing, or even
land.
Today's
showers are an expression of support. Friends
and family members gather to attend one or more scheduled shower dates.
Some still prefer the traditional theme, while others add a bit more
creativity. From Church Parlor to
Antique Bordello, this is a very pleasant event for many brides.
Showers
are traditionally a woman thing, yet couple showers have gained popularity over
the years. The groomsmen could also
give the groom a shower as well. This
provides an advantage to the creativity of your shower theme