Plan the perfect bridal shower for your bestie with the latest tips by guest blogger, Kate Wilson, from weddingclan.com.
1. Pick a date at least one month before the wedding
Choose a date well in advance that is not too far from the wedding date so that the bridal shower doesn't place any unnecessary stress on the bride.
Try to keep parts of the bridal shower as a surprise, but make sure you involve the bride when choosing the bridal shower's date and location.
Most bridal showers are usually lunch affairs held in the afternoon but you can vary this to suit your chosen theme.
2. Plan the bridal shower
Pick a theme that the bride loves based on her favourite colours or something that suits her particular style.
A Hawaiian luau is a great idea for a party where you can get the guys involved, or if the bride is classy and loves all things vintage, you could even recreate a Victorian era tea party and dress up as characters from Shakespearean plays.
3. Choose a location
The bridal shower should be located in a place that the bride would love, like her childhood home or her favourite restaurant.
The venue should have a relaxed and welcoming atmosphere which is not too busy, so that the guests can feel at home.
Conversation and sharing private anecdotes are also a big part of most bridal showers, so please keep that in mind when choosing an appropriate venue.
Another popular option is to go to a day spa or salon for some pampering, but this should be held well in advance so as not to interfere with the
bride's beauty regime for her wedding day.
4. Invite the right people
The most important rule to remember is that the guest list for the bridal shower
must match the guest list for the wedding.
You should be careful not to include people who are not invited to the wedding.
This could turn into quite an awkward situation which could potentially ruin the bridal shower if overlooked.
You could plan the bridal shower as a girl's day out or even include couples or friends of the bride, but be sure to plan a theme which will also keep the men engaged if they have been invited.
5. Plan your menu
Finger foods are still the most popular choice when it comes to bridal showers, but the menu will also largely depend on the theme you have chosen for the shower.
The main thing to remember when choosing the right menu is that the food should always be delicious and spectacularly presented, so please make sure you set aside some time for taste testing before choosing the menu for your party.
If you are unsure of what to serve, why not let the cake be a part of the theme?
If the bride has a good sense of humor, then a funny cake portraying her and the groom as cartoon characters could be a surefire hit.
5. Come bearing gifts
The hostess is usually expected to give the bride a precious gift like jewellery or something sentimental like childhood photos or a video.
Other typical gifts include presents for the wedding couple's home, or you could also present the bride with a gift based on the bridal shower's theme.
For example, if the event is held in a spa, you could give the bride gift certificates for various treatments on the day.
Last but not the least, remember to prepare small but sweet and memorable gifts for the guests for helping you make the event a success.
About the author: Kate Wilson is a blogger by profession who loves to write about luxury and technology. She is fond of automobiles and is currently writing an article on the latest fashion trends for Style Guru.
