So your best friend is getting married! You, good friend that you are, will be hosting her wedding shower. Let's see - cake, gifts, games. Sounds easy but hold on - today's showers aren't just about filling the bridal kitchen anymore. Today's showers are festive events that reflect the bride's personality, from bachlorette style soirées to casual coed barbeques and everything in-between. The bridal shower is an opportunity for close family and friends to spend time honoring the bride (and sometimes groom!) in a relaxed and fun setting. You want the shower to be as unique as she is. So let's get started!
Determine a budget. This should be your first step. Decide how much you can and are willing to spend. Will the expenses be shared (say among bridesmaids)? Determining a budget will help guide the many decisions you'll face during the planning stages.
Create the guest list. Obviously this should include anyone the bride would want there. Be aware, however, that bridal shower guests should also be on the wedding guest list. Ask bridesmaids, family and friends to ensure you are including those that should attend. This is also the time to ask for contact information. Be mindful of your budget and limit the list accordingly. Best steps toward creating the guest list:
- Create a list of all the people you think the bride wants at the shower, such as bride-to-be's friends, co-workers, and her or her fiancé's relatives.
- Run that list by two-three close friends/family members of the bride and get their input.
- Show that list to the bride, absent any surprise guests you plan to invite.
Choose a theme . This is where the planning gets fun! There are a plethora of bridal shower themes from which to choose. Some unique, some traditional, all fun. Just remember, the theme should match the bride's personality but should also be appropriate for all the bridal shower guests. Will Great Aunt Gertrude really enjoy a lingerie gifting party? Probably not.
Choose a day and time. Three things to note here:
• Timing the invitations is important. Invitations should be sent four to six weeks before the event. This needs to be factored-in when choosing the day.
• Timing the bride's schedule. It's best to get a list of the bride's available days and times - won't be much fun without her.
• Also, think about your schedule. Make sure you give yourself time to complete and execute the shower plans without the unnecessary stress of time constraints.
Choose a venue. There are no hard rules to bridal shower venues. Anywhere from your living room to the local bowling alley is appropriate. In some cases your theme will guide this decision. The shower venue is a decision where the budget comes into play. Your living room is going to cost nothing while the swanky hotel downtown is going set you back some pretty pennies.
Determine the menu. Again, the theme and your budget will guide this one. There are options such as catering, potluck or making the food yourself. Unless you are having a formal sit-down affair, the food should not be elaborate. Finger food, hors d'oeuvres, or just desserts and coffee are all appropriate. Usually cake is served at all showers.
Plan the fun! Above all else, your bridal shower should be fun! Planned activities and games will break-the-ice and get the party going. A variety of group and individual games will ensure a good time for everyone. Play music to set the mood. Just loud enough to hear but not drowning-out conversation. Make sure your bride is the center-of-attention in all activities.
Organize helpers. There are many stages of the party where help will be needed. Areas to concentrate on are food prep/serving, taking photos, conducting games, organizing and recording the gift-opening sequence, packing/transporting gifts and party clean-up.
Party favors. This is not always necessary but it is nice to give each guest some small token of thanks for their attendance. This can be as simple as a slice of cake to-go to a beautifully wrapped party favor gift. Again the watch cry is.budget!
There you have it, plans for the perfect bridal shower! Have fun and remember, no matter what the budget, theme or venue; your bride will appreciate the care and time you put into her special day. Whether you spend $100 or $1000, it's your care and effort the bride will remember and appreciate. Keep it fun and you can't go wrong!
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As thousands of women prepare for their spring or summer wedding, thousands of women who know them are asking themselves, "Why in the world did I offer to host the bridal shower?" In the midst of the excitement of hearing the news that there would be a wedding, women sometimes lose their mind. They quickly offer to host the party, knowing it would be so much fun but are now faced with the realization that they have no idea how to go about it! Some have never been to a shower and don't have a clue what goes on at one. Others have been to one or more and have found them to be about as fun as having their eyebrows plucked.
Who do I invite? Should I invite the men too? What food should I serve? How many should I invite? Where should we have it? What bridal shower games should we play? What will the shower cost? These are just some of the questions these panicking women ask.
Well, the first thing I usually suggest is to tell them to calm down. Take some deep breaths. Meditate if that helps. After all, it's just a party to celebrate one of the most important events in a person's life. Many may be coming from around the world to attend. There will be people from both sides of the family meeting for the first time, critiquing the "other side." Guests will remember it for the rest of their lives. So again, breathe deep. It's JUST a bridal shower!
Grab some paper and pencils and start brainstorming.
Here are some things to think about.
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Who should be at the party? Friends, relatives, co-workers, youngsters? Often times, a bride will have 2 or even 3 showers, one for family, one at work, one with just girl friends. Talk to the bride to find out what she would prefer.
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Don't be afraid to think outside the box. A bridal shower doesn't have to be like all the others. Have it at a park, at a wine cafe, on a boat, or on a beach.
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How formal or informal does the bride want the party to be? Remember this is her party. While you may enjoy crystal glasses and china dishes, she might be one who is most comfortable with a picnic basket out in the backyard.
The food is always a major worry it seems, at least in this country. We seem to have an inborn fear of not having enough food at a party! The result is usually ending up with plates and plates of leftovers that you send home with smiling guests. Are you on a tight budget? There is no rule that says the guests need a full course meal. Many hosts serve just cookies or maybe a nice dessert. And then there are the Martha Stewart types who make beautiful cakes that when cut into, reveal the names of bride and groom surrounded by a heart. If you are one of those types, you have probably stopped reading this article by now. You have much more ideas that originated within your own creative mind.
Bridal shower games are always another source of anxiety among hosts. Should I do the old standards that everyone has played over and over or something new and unique? Should I order pre-made bridal shower games and have them shipped to me ready to play? Should I buy printable bridal shower games that can be instantly printed from my computer (If you are planning the shower the day before the party, choose this option!). Or are you going to prove that you can do it all yourself and design some wedding games on your own? There are lots of great bridal shower games out there. Remember your audience though. Keep the overall rating of the games at a level you think all the guests can handle without too much embarrassment. Typically 2 or 3 shower games are played at a shower but there is nothing that says games have to be played at all.
Finally, have fun at the party. If the host is relaxed and enjoying it, everyone else will too!
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Bridal Shower Games - Get the Party Started!
Bridal showers are celebrations of the union of two people. Showers are a time for family and friends to share the joy with the happy couple. Many times a wedding shower is the first time family members on the other side of the aisle will meet. This sometimes awkward situation can be turned around with a few shower games. Bridal shower games will help break the ice and stimulate a party mood. In addition to being a lot of fun, bridal shower games are a great way to encourage your guests to mingle, relax and enjoy themselves. Get your wedding shower off to a fast fun start with these crowd-friendly bridal shower party games:
The Wedding Song Game
Find out who knows their wedding songs as players try and complete the titles of these most popular tunes played at weddings! A great bridal shower ice-breaker.
Bridal Shower Trivia
What is the average age a woman marries? Who should propose the toast at the wedding? Find out who can answer these bridal shower trivia questions! Get the party going with this fun bridal shower game.
Romantic Movies Word Scramble
Movie goers will love this game as they race to unscramble the titles of 25 big screen love stories, from Gone with the Wind to Titanic. Get your guest talking with this fun bridal shower game!
My Candy Bar Wedding Night
Funny, funny, funny! Players must use the candy bar names listed to write a story about the bride and groom's wedding night! Names include Whoppers, Whatchamacallit, Sugar Daddy, Runts, and more. Players then read their stories aloud. This is a hilarious bridal shower game!
Bridal Bingo
A popular shower game. Players mark off each item as the guest of honor opens each gift. First to get Bingo wins! Gifts include towels, blender, coffee maker, iron, toaster, crystal, gift certificate, utensils, china, and more. The perfect bridal shower game for all ages!
These days, bridal showers are not limited to "just the gals." Many "wedding showers" are being thrown that includes both the bride and groom and their friends. Sometimes called a "Jack and Jill" shower, coed wedding showers are quite popular and a great way for all wedding party members to get to know each other. The bridal shower game list should include games that would be of interest to both guys and gals. Try some of these bridal shower games for Jack and Jill Shower suggestions:
Name that Tool
Men love to talk tools! This game is sure to make the guys chuckle as they watch the gals struggle! Who will guess the most -- the guys or the gals? A fun couple wedding shower game!
Name that Spice
The gals turn to chuckle! This game is an old classic that's been around a long time. How many guys can name the spices? A couple wedding shower game sure to generate laughter!
Famous Couples
Celebrity fans will love showing their expertise at this star studded matching game! Players must match each celebrity with his/her correct partner!
Famous Husbands/Famous Wives
Men play this while women play Famous TV Wives. Which team will know the most?
Animal Mates
Find the animal experts at the party as each guest tries to match each animal with its appropriate mate! Example: rooster & hen. This wedding shower game is great for couples.
Terri Hunziker founded and operates GamesAndLetters.com. GamesAndLetters provides hundreds of print-and-play games for bridal showers, wedding showers, baby showers, Christmas and holiday parties and special events. Print-and-play games offer immediate access to a plethora of fun ideas for party host to make their event unique and entertaining! Find the perfect game for your next event at gamesandletters.com!
