A wedding shower gives everyone a chance to mingle and have fun while bestowing gifts on the bride-to-be. Traditional showers with ladies making quilts have given way to more creative celebrations that may involve men as well as women.
Tips:
- While the bride opens her gifts, make sure someone keeps a list of who has given what.
- Although it is not proper to include bridal registry information on a wedding invitation, it is fine to do so on a shower invitation.
Steps:
- Set a date for the shower. It should be held about four to six weeks before the wedding. A shower held closer to the wedding date may cause undue stress on the bride, who will be dealing with wedding details as the big day approaches.
- Enlist the help of others in planning the shower. Bridesmaids and close friends should be your main support.
- Choose a theme for the shower, if desired.
- Make a guest list. If you are not having a couples shower, your list should include female members of the bride's and groom's families, as well as bridal attendants and friends of the bride.
- Make sure you get input from the bride when making the guest list.
- Send invitations about a month before the shower. The invitation should include the shower's time and place, names of the hosts, a phone number for RSVP calls, the theme of the shower (if applicable) and bridal registry information.
- Decide if you want to play games. A few games will get the guests interacting with one another. Games are generally played toward the beginning of the shower.
- Make purchases a few days before the shower. Buy food, flowers, mints, nuts, place cards and anything else you need.
- Set up your home or other location for the shower. Greet guests and be a charming hostess. Stick to your planned schedule and keep the shower moving along. Try not to let it last more than two hours.