Taking on the task of planning a bridal shower can be a stressful undertaking but by following some of these dos and don’ts it doesn’t have to be. It can be done right and even more so, it can be a smashing success.
Don’t Plan It Alone
You may want to lead and coordinate the event but that doesn’t mean you have to do it all on your own. Enlist other members of the bridal party, the mother of the bride and even the mother of the groom to provide input and help out. Find out what each person wants to do and then assign them these tasks.
Also, ask the bride for her input as she might have a theme or idea for her shower – and you want to make sure she is happy. Even if the idea is something you may not have chosen, it is her day and having a theme with which she is comfortable will make planning easier.
Plan Early
Even if the plan is to have the shower shortly before the wedding, it is important to pick the date usually two to three months in advance. You want to pick a time when at least the bridal party and the mothers of the bride and groom can attend since they are the ones who need to be at the shower.
Ask the bride to help out or make suggestions for the guest list. Everyone who is being invited to the shower should also be those who are invited to the wedding, as not doing so is bad etiquette and can cause hurt feelings.
Send Invitations
Although it may be cheaper and easier to send out email invitations, this is one of those events for which a paper invitation is a must.
Gift ideas and guidelines can be included as part of the invitation, such as fine jewelry to which people can contribute as a group gift, or details on where the bride is registered. However, this should be on a separate insert that will go into the envelope with the invitation since the bride may want to keep the original invitation as a memento.
Final Thoughts
Make sure that some type of food and drinks are served whether. This can include bite-sized appetizers, light snacks or dessert, and some juice or soft drinks.
