How to Host a Bridal Shower

If you are a maid of honor, bridesmaid, or sister of a soon-to-be bride, the task of throwing a bridal shower may fall to you. Do not be overwhelmed! There are several free resources on the internet, as well as your own experience from which you can draw ideas. With a little bit of work and imagination you will throw a shower the bride-to-be will remember for the rest of her life. Here are a few things to keep in mind as you get to work:

1. Select a theme. Some people choose to pick a specific theme for a bridal shower such as Wine and Cheese, Flowers, Kitchen, Exotic, Patriotic (Yes, I have heard of this), Island, etc. Since you are close to the bride and likely know her better than most, consider her personality and interests and decide your theme based on that. For some young couples just starting out, it is better to have a party based on getting the bride the things she needs to run her home by using a Kitchen & Bath or Home theme. For more mature couples who already have home essentials, you have a little more liberty to do a fun or extravagant theme, such as Beauty or Decor. You can use your theme strictly for directing guests on what types of gifts to buy, or you can weave the theme throughout the invitations, food, games, decorations, party favors, etc. A note about bridal registries: It is considered rude to mention registries on an invitation. Registry or gift ideas should be listed on a separate card that may be inserted into the invitation.

2. Send detailed invitations. Guests want to know what is expected from them. The invitation should clearly state the theme of the party, as well as instructions for their RSVP. Furthermore, be sure to state whether or not "personal" items are appropriate. I have seen women embarrassed for bringing something black and slinky while all other gifts were meant for the kitchen. If you are having a strictly "Bedroom" shower, make that obvious by using romantic invitations which designate a "Personal" or "Intimate" theme.

3. Have an itinerary. Bridal showers are generally more laid back than baby showers, but it is still wise to have a general idea of what you will do and when. If you are holding the shower during the daytime, you must have a designated starting and stopping point. If it is a personal shower with just close friends, hold it in the evening so guests are more free to stay longer. For a daytime shower, your schedule will probably look something like this:

2:00-2:30 Guests arrive and have refreshments
2:30-3:00 Games
3:00-3:45 Gift opening
3:45-4:00 Shared Sentiments

Food The food you serve should roughly match the theme of the party. Personal showers should offer chocolates, mints, nuts, fruit and drinks. Daytime showers with no particular theme usually provide cake, breads, punch, coffee and fruit.

Games This is sometimes the trickiest part of hosting a shower. You want the games to be fun, but not tacky or embarrassing. Having a feel for your guests' personalities and interests will give you guidance in selecting appropriate games. Some websites that might help you: www.allaboutshowers.com/bridal, www.partygameideas.com, www.bridalshower.com, and www.bridalshowergamesatoz.com.

Gift Opening Since the gift opening section of a bridal shower can get long and even boring for guests, it is fun to implement door prizes or party favors during this time. For example, the giver of every third gift the bride opens could receive a gift. Gifts may also be suited to the theme. Candles, chocolates, stationary, dish towels and kitchen utensils are all possibilities.

Shared Sentiments It is nice to have a close friend or relative of the bride relay some advice or words of wisdom about marriage. The bride is embarking on the rest of her future and would most likely appreciate learning from the experience of others. It might be nice to have each woman in the room give one piece of advice, which the gift recorder can write down for the bride to keep. A short devotional or Bible study may also be appropriate.

A bridal shower is an event which a bride remembers for the rest of her life. With thoughtfulness and careful planning, you can make it a special occasion that she and others will remember with joy.