Remember Our Day Bridal Blog

If you’ve had the honor of being a bridesmaid then you know the effort that goes into planning the perfect bridal shower.  However, if you’ve never planned a bridal shower then keep reading for some of our most helpful tips for planning a bridal shower that everyone will enjoy and remember for years to come. 

Rule #1:  Keep the Lines of Communication Open

The Maid of Honor is responsible for communicating with the bridesmaids about ideas for the bridal shower and making sure that everyone is involved.  The bridesmaids will discuss and decide on the:

a)      Bridal shower theme

b)      Bridal shower venue

c)       Bridal shower invitations

d)      Bridal shower favors

e)      Food and bridal shower games

The easiest way to organize everyone is to meet in person if everyone is local or use a service like www.freeconferencecall.com to organize a conference call otherwise.

Rule #2:  Choose a Bridal Shower Theme

Bridal shower themes are varied and can be so much fun.  The theme should be reflective of the bride’s personality and possibly carry through from the theme of the wedding if there is one.  Below are some examples and ideas for bridal shower themes:

a)      Pampering or Spa Party Theme

b)      Breakfast at Tiffany’s Tea Party

c)       Wedding Theme Gifts (i.e. Beach Theme Gifts, Wine Theme Gifts, etc.)

d)      Lingerie Theme (Tasteful Only – Leave the Risqué lingerie for the bachelorette party)

Guests should be directed to purchase gifts within the theme of the bridal shower and SHOULD NOT be directed to purchase gifts from the bridal registry which is meant for wedding gifts that the couple will share in their new home.  Remember, it’s all about the bride. 

Rule #3:  Choose a Bridal Shower venue

The best way to choose the appropriate venue for a bridal shower is to 1) decide on the number of guests you plan to invite 2) consider the available budget and 3) decide whether you need a location that provides food or one that will allow you to bring your own.  Many restaurants have private rooms that can be rented for a nominal fee, which is usually priced by the number of persons being served. 

Rule #4:  Select a Bridal Shower invitation that reflects the Bride

When selecting the bridal shower invitation, keep in mind the theme of the bridal shower, which should already be reflective of the bride’s personality or wedding theme.   As a matter of etiquette, your guest list for the bridal shower should only include those who were also invited to attend the wedding ceremony and reception.  Plan to send out your invitations at least one month before the planned bridal shower.

Rule #5:  Gift Bridal Shower Favors that are both useful and reflect the theme of the shower

We all look forward to the end of any party when we receive that special thank you gift.  The best Bridal Shower Favors or Bridal Shower Thank You Gifts are useful, unique, and ideally reflective of the bridal shower theme.  For example, the Chocolate Bath Salt  from Remember Our Day (http://www.rememberourdayfavors.com) is a most fitting bridal shower favor for a Pampering or Spa Theme Bridal Shower.  The ladies will absolutely thank you for this wonderful indulgence for many days after the bridal shower is over. 

Rule #6:  Make sure the food is delicious and the games are fun

If you are hosting the bridal shower at a full-service venue, then your selection of food will depend on the available menu and your food budget per person.  For a more casual mood, select 4 to 5 finger foods, beverages (mimosa’s are great for afternoon bridal showers), and of course it’s not a party without a cake. 

For your bridal shower games, plan for no more than two games for the guest and one for the bride and purchase a few inexpensive shower game prizes. The classic must have bridal shower game is the one where the bride is asked questions about her husband to be and must show how well she knows him.

The Bridal Shower Fortune Cookie Pail  from Remember Our Day makes the cutest gift for the bride-to-be or bridal shower hostess.  The adorable reusable pail comes filled with 20 pre-wrapped fortune cookies, each containing a question for the bride.

Lastly, make sure to purchase a bridal shower guest/gift book to help the bride-to-be remember all of her guests and gifts, have thank you cards on hand for her, take lots of pictures, and have a great time!