You’ve been given the title of the maid of honour for a friend’s upcoming wedding.
It’s a big role, and your responsibilities don’t start on the wedding day. You will need to oversee all manner of things leading up to the wedding, from bridesmaids’ dresses to the bridal shower.
The latter can be very daunting, but fret not! You don’t need a fortune to pull off a great bridal shower, and here, you will be shown how to do it.
Talk to The Bride
You want to throw the best bridal shower for your friend or family member, but you will need their input on some things. Do they want to look at private party venues near them for the bridal shower, or do they want to go a bit further out? Who do they want at their bridal shower?
Even though it is depicted in TV shows, it is rarely a good idea to throw a surprise bridal shower! A lot can go wrong, and you don’t want anyone to get upset.
Set a Budget
Unless you have a lot of money, it may be wise to ask around the other bridesmaids and the bride’s family for some financial input on the bridal shower. You should seek to set a budget which will allow you to plan the venue, the food, the entertainment, and, if necessary, the travel. Stick to the budget! The last thing anyone needs before a wedding is a surprise bill!
Look at Themes
OK, so while this is a bridal shower, it doesn’t have to follow the exact theme of the wedding. This is a time for the bride to blow off some steam with her girlfriends and family before the big day. So, look for a theme that is meaningful but also fun. If the wedding is taking place on a beach, why not look at a Hawaiian tiki theme? Or, if the bridal shower is taking place midday, why not turn it into a boozy brunch?
Plan a Meaningful Menu
When you are hosting the bridal shower, you will likely have more choice over what food is served. You will need to make sure that all allergies are accounted for, so no one gets sick (the scene from Monster in Law with the peanuts is NOT something you want to replicate!) If you are hiring a venue that offers catering, it is worth discussing with the bride and the bridesmaids what food would be ideal. In most cases, try to get something relevant to the bride and her partner, such as food they had on their first date, or food that is culturally relevant.
Send out Invites!
Foran epic bridal shower, you will need to invite all female relatives withwhom the bride has a good relationship, as well as friends and potentially colleagues. Obviously, you will also need to invite any of the other bridesmaids, too! Of course, it is never a good idea to assume who is talking to whom, so converse with some shared friends on who the bride is on good terms within her family, or even in her other friendship groups. Once you have the list down, you can send out the invites. Try to ensure that the invites match the theme of the wedding!
