A bridal shower is held in honour of the bride-to-be and is usually planned by the maid of honour or bride maids. Whoever chooses to host the bridal shower, should note, it is a women-only party and attendees do not come empty-handed -the bride deserves gifts.

A lot of things are left out in the heat of the excitement. It is important you begin to plan weeks before the party.

Get your guest list and send out an invitation. A bridal shower party and everything should be done as the bride would love it to be. You can have her check through the list of guests and leave her out of the rest of the plan.

Pick out a venue that can accommodate your guest conveniently. Enough room for décor, food, games.

Have a list of how you want the day to go, are you having a bridal shower brunch, dinner, lunch, a girl’s night out? have a list of games that will make the event fun. Games like the kitchen memory game, what is in your purse game, who knows the bride best, rest relay, and so on.

Make arrangements for food and drinks. Enough food and drink! Book your cake early to avoid delays.

Now, this is usually swept under the rug. If you are having a party, music should be available, you might think there would be games and food, but then a little sound can spark up the mood.
Choose a theme and ensure it is casual and comfortable so as not to override the big day.

Organize the decoration, ensure it blends with the theme and is not dull, not too loud as well. Remember this can also dictate how the day goes.
Ensure the bride’s outfit is ready, makeup and shoes on fleek. Nails, hair, check!!!!!

Ensure the bride is comfortable to and from the event. If you have to book a ride, make plans for that.
All this preparation will not be complete without a record of this event in our hearts but importantly for revisits. Get a photographer.

Bridal shower planning checklist: What are the required bridal shower checklist? See below some suggestions;

• Decide on the budget. 

Before picking a menu or choosing a theme, the first thing is deciding on a budget. The host traditionally pays for the shower, and while your first instinct may be to go all out and spoil the bride, we suggest choosing an amount of money that you can easily afford without breaking the bank. 

• Set a date for the shower. 

We advise you start to plan the bridal shower at least six months before the big day, and no less than four months out. The bridal shower should take place about two months before the wedding—consult the bride before you finalize the date to ensure that it works for her schedule and also accommodates her family members.

• Create a bridal shower guest list. 

After you’ve settled on the date, the next step when planning a bridal shower is the who is comimg. Ask the bride for a list of must-invite people, as well as home addresses for each guest. The final guest count should be between 30 and 50 people, depending on where you think you’ll host the party. Just remember: anyone who is invited to the bridal shower should also be invited to the wedding. 

• Pick a location for the shower. 

Once you’ve concluded on the date and have an idea on guest count, you should then decide the venue. If you have fine space to host the bridal shower at your house, that is the most classic option. If not, consider the home of a relative who is close to the bride. You can also host a bridal shower at a restaurant, a private banquet room, or any venue that appeal to the bride’s interest, such as an art gallery or spa. When in doubt, ask the bride for her opinion! Most importantly, make sure the location is easily accessible, has ample parking, and has enough space to accommodate all of your guests. 

• Choose a bridal shower theme. 

Once you’ve finished compiling the addresses and the final guest list has been approved by the bride-to-be, it’s time to choose a bridal shower theme. While having a theme isn’t an essential part of bridal shower planning, it can be the perfect way to add some personality to the party with invitations, food options, and decor. Feel free to get as innovative as you like—for starters, some popular options include a brunch and bubbly theme, a rustic theme, wine tasting theme, or even a flower arranging party. Whatever you choose, it should make sense for the bride’s personality and everyday interests. 

• Send out the shower invitations. 

Plan to conclude, purchase, and mail out the bridal shower invitations about six to eight weeks prior to the event. This will give guests time to clear their schedules, buy a gift, and let you know if they’re unable to attend. 

• Plan the bridal shower menu and stock the bar. 

After you’ve sent out the invitations and the RSVPs start rolling in, you can begin working on the menu for the party. Our central pieces of advice for planning the menu: stick to foods that you know the bride will like, and choose foods that are easily served. If you’re hosting a brunch-themed bridal shower, opt for a mimosa bar, coffee drinks, and breakfast foods like mini waffles or salmon toast. For a boho-themed shower, a build-your-own-taco station with guacamole and margaritas would be a fun option. Depending on your budget, you can have the meal professionally catered, cook the food yourself (hopefully with the help of the bridesmaids!) or ask guests you’re close with if they’d be willing to bring a potluck dish. 

• Purchase the bridal shower decor. 

Now it’s time for the fun part: decorations! Once you’ve chosen your bridal shower theme, it’s time to kick your bridal shower decor shopping into high gear. You don’t have to go all out unless you want to—look for items such as mylar letter balloons, customized posters, tassel garlands, and photo backdrops that will instantly make the space feel personal for the bride. Fresh flowers and candles are great options, too! Check out the WeddingWire Shop for affordable decor ideas, bridal shower favors, plates, and more.  

• Plan out the bridal shower games. 

While you’re shopping for decor, it’s a good idea to also look into bridal shower games to entertain guests at the party. Some of the classic bridal shower games include bridal bingo, wedding mad libs, and guessing trivia about the bride. Games are a good way to help your guests break the ice, especially if many of them have never met before. Plan the games for when there’s a natural lull in the bridal shower itinerary, such as after everyone has finished eating and before the bride opens her gifts. 

• Create an uplifting playlist. 

While music isn’t the main focus of the day, it’s nice to have some background noise as guests are arriving, chatting, and enjoying their refreshments. Create a bridal shower playlist with mood-boosting and age-appropriate songs—bonus points if they’re about romance or marriage! 

BOTTOM LINE 

To everyone reading, if you have a bridal shower to attend, and you are in a foul mood, please stay home or brighten up a little. The essence of a bridal shower is for everyone to have a fun time, and especially for the bride to be ushered into this new journey.