Throwing a Bridal Shower

You want to have a shower for your friend who is soon to be married, and all of a sudden you're in a panic. There are so many things to do and you don't even know where to start. This article will help you get organized.

Bridal showers are typically held anytime between three weeks and three months before the wedding. You need to set a date, keeping in mind how busy the bride will be from now on. Guests need enough notice as well, since most people are
busy these days.

Once the date is established, you will need to draw up a list of invitees. A sure way of getting all the information you need is to ask the bride for the wedding guest list. There are some definite rules to follow here: the maid of
honor or bridesmaids usually host the shower (if there is only one), and don't ask anyone who hasn't been invited to the wedding. It would be insulting to imply that someone is good enough to bring a shower gift but not special enough to attend the wedding itself. In some cases the couple has
planned a wedding to which only family will be attending. This doesn't happen often. If this is the case invite the bride's female friends and all the couple's female relatives, which is the usual etiquette for bridal showers.

Planning the menu for the event is the next step. Since most bridal showers take place in the afternoon, light snacks and light drinks, such as wine, are appropriate. Its fine to ask a close friend to assist with bringing food, but it's inappropriate to ask all guests to assist with food and drinks. After all, it's quite rude to ask people to bring a gift to an event and also bring food as well. Always offer non-alcoholic drinks for those that prefer not to imbibe.

Finally, it is traditional to play games at a bridal shower. This is a fun way to get guests involved and break the ice between everyone. Most of the games center around the bride, but everyone should be able to get involved.
Offering small prizes is also fun for the guests. There are many different types of games that can be played, everything from G rated to R rated. Of course use your discretion depending on who is going to be there! Two to
three games is usually enough, and can be used to break up the gift opening if there are many guests to prevent them from getting too bored.

Be aware of a couple of additional protocol issues. The bride's mother does not plan the bridal shower so as to eliminate the appearance of being motivated by a wish to merely get as many gifts as possible. If a guest would like to bring a friend to the shower, politely decline. An explanation about how awkward the guest may feel with family and friends of the bride should be sufficient reasoning to dissuade the most persistent individual. Take plenty of
pictures at the bridal shower - the bride will enjoy looking back on a scrapbook of memories of her shower, and the family and friends that gathered together to wish her well.

Holly Clandon is the webmaster for
FT Bridal,
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Holly Clandon