Hosting a bridal shower is a real honour, so it’s okay if you start feeling a bit stressed out due to all the things that need to be planned out. However, even though it can sometimes be difficult to cater to everybody’s wishes, managing a bridal shower can be a walk in the park if you prepare everything in time. So, to help you organise the best bridal shower ever, here are a few things to keep in mind.
The location
Traditionally, bridal showers are held in the home of the host, but that’s more of a custom than a rule. You can choose any location you find appropriate, such as a nice restaurant, a comfortable café, or a banquet hall. It can also be a place that bears a certain meaning to the soon-to-be-married couple, such as the park where they first kissed, the gallery where they met, etc. Just make sure the location is comfortable, large enough, and not too difficult to reach.
The time
You can hold a bridal shower anywhere from six months to one week before the wedding. One-two months before the wedding usually works best, but it also depends on the guests. If some of them are travelling from afar, it might be a better idea to organise it closer to the wedding date so they don’t have to travel twice or miss one of the events. Additionally, most bridal showers take place during the afternoon, but any time of the day is fine as long as the guests can attend it.
Who to invite
As the host of the shower, you decide on the size. If your place can’t accommodate more than ten people, you should go through the guest list with the bride so you don’t leave out anybody important. The showers are usually very intimate, so the guest list should include the bride’s family, close friends, and the groom’s close female relatives. If the size is still an issue, you can hold two smaller showers with friends and family members separately. Of course, the same guests should also be invited to the wedding.
The theme
When coming up with a theme for the shower, think about the bride’s favourite colours. It doesn’t have to be anything extravagant – less is more, so even a simple colour theme with some nice decorations can go a long way. In case the bride doesn’t have any specific desires, you can go with the wedding colours and incorporate them into the flowers, food, and décor. If the budget is not an issue, you can also give out themed favours to show your guests how much you appreciate them.
Food and drinks
The food you offer can be as simple as light bites, snacks, and sweets or as complicated as a full-course dinner in a restaurant and a cake. It mostly depends on your budget, and keep in mind that showers can be very costly. You can also ask each guest to bring a dish, and make it a potluck meal, which would allow you to focus on other things, like drinks and music. When it comes to drinks, there are many bottle shops in Australia, such as the amazing bottle shop in Pyrmont, which can provide you with everything you might need to set up a cocktail bar or simply serve some nice champagne.
During the shower
There will probably be guests who don’t know each other, so come up with some fun games that will help them feel more comfortable. For example, you can play a trivia game about the bride, which will also make her feel special – as long as you keep it fun and classy. When the time comes for the bride to open the presents, play some nice music in the background and use that opportunity to serve desserts, so the unwrapping of gifts doesn’t take over the whole shower.
Managing a bridal shower can be quite exhausting, but it is also very rewarding. Therefore, think about all the details, make sure everybody is comfortable and having fun, and the shower is guaranteed to be a success that all the guests (including the bride) will remember for a long time.
