It is such a pleasure to host a bridal shower for the bride-to-be. Nevertheless, preparing a bridal shower takes nerves of steel, and it takes insane skill to execute it correctly. We have lots of both, which is fortunate for you. We also have a practical bridal shower planning checklist that includes everything you need to know, as well as a time frame to keep you on track.
Whether you’re the maid of honor or one of the bride’s best friends, it’s up to you to make the most of your unique knowledge and experiences on how to prepare for a bridal shower. Remember that no one knows your bride better than you, which is why she chose you. So, to honor that role, give a wedding shower tailored to your best friend’s personality and style. Here are simple steps to make it the best shower ever!
Pick a Date and Time
While this may appear a simple task, it requires some strategic thought on your behalf. Remember that your bride is buried in wedding preparations and vendor meetings, which means her schedule is always filled.
To choose a date that works for both her and the rest of the bridal party, start with the weekend eight weeks before the wedding and work your way down from there.
Ensure at least two weeks between the shower and the wedding, as this is considered crunch time for the couple. On the other hand, don’t organize the bridal shower so far ahead of time that your best friend believes her pre-wedding activities were rushed.
Choose Location
After you’ve decided on a date for the bridal shower, you’ll need to settle on a location. You can ask around family and close friends who have spacious homes to entertain guests to avoid paying any form of party holding or booking fees.
On many occasions, the mother of the bride or groom, or the bride or groom’s parents, will offer their home for use if it is nearby. If that isn’t an option, utilize the time of year and the number of guests on your guest list to help you scale down your options and guide you on how to prepare for a bridal shower.
If the wedding shower is being hosted in the spring or summer, consider holding it in a local park or country clubs of your choice. Alternatively, if the guest list includes a few close family members and friends, you could book a private room at one of the bride’s preferred restaurants. You are responsible for checking the venue’s sanitation, indoor air quality, and suitability before settling for it.
Come Up With a Guest List
First and foremost, do not determine who to invite without consulting the bride. The bride must have an ultimate say over who gets an invitation to her event and who doesn’t. The bride can also give you insights if you do not fully comprehend how to prepare for a bridal shower.
While some brides like a large party with many people and gifts, others choose a smaller gathering with only their closest friends and loved ones. Whether your bride is on one side or the other, it’s your job as maid of honor to receive her finished guest list, complete with full names and addresses.
The second rule is that anybody who gets an invite to the bridal shower should also be invited to the wedding.
Choose a Theme
Since the selections are infinite and overwhelming, this is frequently a difficult box to check off the bridal shower preparation checklist, especially for first-timers. Before you start working on this project, you must discuss it with your bride to get a sense of what she’s anticipating.
Though having a few surprises up your sleeve is exciting, you want to ensure that this wedding shower reflects the bride, not yourself or any other bridesmaids. You can begin exploring theme options once you have a general understanding of your best friend’s wants and views about how to prepare for a bridal shower.
Select, Order, and Send Invitations
After you’ve figured out who’s coming, where they’re coming from, and when, the next phase in the bridal shower planning is to get the invitations printed, mailed, and sent out. Send them out at least a month before the shower date to provide out-of-town attendees time to make travel arrangements.
Have the RSVP date two weeks before the bridal shower so you can prepare and finalize specifics based on the number of guests. Ensure the invitations mention the shower’s date, time, location, and the couple’s registry information. If there is a theme for which guests must prepare, make sure to mention it on the invitations.
Choose your Decorations
You can go as simple or as elaborate as you want with the bridal shower decor, depending on your bride’s theme, venue, and personality. While you’ve certainly assisted your bride in selecting everything from the flowers to the cake topper, this can be your chance to take charge of the entire decor. Nevertheless, getting a third-party expert opinion about how to prepare for a bridal shower will help you come up with the best decoration.
When you’ve finalized your guest list, double-check that there are sufficient tables and seats for everyone to relax, eat, and play games. If you’re low on cash, seek the assistance of the rest of the bridal team, as well as the bride and groom’s mothers, to save money on rentals.
Plan a Menu
The same guidelines apply when picking food as when choosing decor. Anyone who knows how to prepare for a bridal shower will advise you to stick to the main theme of the wedding shower and your bride’s preferences. Whatever the theme, serve a delectable range of easy-to-plate, buffet-style party dishes like dips, finger salads, sandwiches, and so on.
Depending on your menu, you can choose a Mexican food distribution company to take care of catering services. You’ll also want to pick alcoholic drinks you’ll be serving while preparing your wedding shower food menu. A DIY mimosa bar adds a modern flair to the classic champagne cocktail.
Prepare Games and Other Fun Activities
After deciding on décor and a meal, the next item on your to-do list is to determine which bridal shower activities you’ll perform. While games are not required, they are an excellent way to get visitors to connect and have a good time.
This planning stage is also when you’ll buy prizes for the bridal shower activities and select whether or not you’ll be handing out party gifts to your guests. There are many ideas for gifts online. Just search how to prepare for a bridal shower, and you will get limitless options.
Delegate Duties to the Bridesmaids
You’ve probably already enlisted the help of the other ladies in the bridal shower planning process, so now is the moment to assign responsibilities to each bridesmaid officially. You can be as particular or as comprehensive as you need to be, depending on the size of the party and your knowledge of how to prepare for a bridal shower.
As maid of honor, you’ll have the most responsibilities, but it doesn’t imply you’ll be in charge of everything. Make a master list of everything you’ll need, then segment and distribute responsibilities fairly. For instance, you can assign someone the task of finding the best audio visual companies to cover the entertainment part of the event.
Make sure that no bridesmaid bears a greater financial burden than the others. If you can afford it, buy everything yourself, pay for venue and water rental services and have the rest of the bridal party compensate for it.
Buy a Gift
Now that you’ve completed the planning phase, it’s time to get your best friend a fabulous wedding shower present. While there’s nothing wrong with choosing from her registry, the rest of the guests should do likewise.
Instead, draw on your expertise and personal observations with the bride to create something touching and one-of-a-kind. To be clear, don’t spend the most money; rather, show your best friend what it means to be her maid of honor by taking the time and effort.
Plan an Outfit
Do not wait until a few hours before the bridal shower to plan your outfit because you’ll be rushing around with plenty on your plate. Deciding what to wear should be your last thing since any mistake in this phase will clearly show you haven’t done your homework on how to prepare for a bridal shower.
Make sure you’ve planned everything from your jewelry to your shoes, so all you have to do now is dress up and go. There is only one fundamental rule regarding what to wear: Leave white to your bride.
Finalize EVERYTHING
Chairs, tables, linens, glasses, plates, napkins, cutlery, games, flowers, decorations, music, prizes, favors, and so on are all part of the finalization process. You’ll thank yourself later if you don’t leave any stone unturned.
To make the day-of setup easier, create a rough arrangement where you’ll put all your decorations and equipment, such as the grill, tables, and seats, during this double-checking step.
Check in with the rest of the bridal party members, as well as the bride’s and groom’s mother, if they’re involved, to make sure they’re all set to go. Finally, follow up with any unverified RSVPs from the guest list to complete the number.
Buy Groceries and Alcoholic Beverages
Purchase the appropriate ingredients a day before the wedding shower if you are responsible for cooking or cocktails. Ensure you alert your guests of the menu for food allergy safety. To save time with the food, prepare as much as you can the night before.
Purchase your spirits in quantity to obtain case discounts and save money. Finally, provide food and beverage in disposable carriers to save the inconvenience of transferring soiled dishes.
Arrive Early
It’s been a long time coming, but it’s finally here! Soon, you’ll be able to enjoy all your hard work, but before that, there’s a lot of work to be done. Arrive at the wedding shower site at least two hours early to ensure the adequate setup of the dining table and lounge chairs. This is an important step for any maid of honor who grasps how to prepare for a bridal shower.
That may seem like a long time, but you’ll be driving a full car, as will the other bridesmaids. Additional time will also allow you to catch your breath before going into full hostess mode.
A tidy environment is essential at this stage. carpet and upholstery cleaning should be done before the event begins. Do a last sweep after everything is in its correct place, pour yourself a bubbly drink, and get ready to celebrate! Remember that you’re the leader of the tribe when it comes to decorating, so don’t be afraid to delegate tasks to keep everyone moving and on track.
Be the Hostess with the Mostess
Now that the bridal shower has started, it’s up to you to keep things moving precisely. This will entail replenishing any food plates and drink containers and tidying up any rubbish that has been forgotten.
It’s time for you to introduce any activities that will be undertaken after all visitors have had an opportunity to eat and fill their beverages. You’ll be in charge of explaining the game rules to attendees and announcing winners.
Keep Track of All Gifts
On the day of the wedding shower, you’ll perform the part of secretary as your final function as maid of honor. Prepare yourself with a notebook and pen before the bride starts opening her gifts.
Since this is what the bride will be referring to when mailing out her thank you cards, attention to detail is crucial. As you pass over each item, have the bride announce who the present is from on the guest list, and then write down what it is. If any of the guests have the same first name, include their last names with the gifts.
