The wedding shower is something in our history that is semi-second nature at this point, but when discussing with the happy couple (or with your partner), just how DO you plan one?
Today we’re going to be talking about all of the considerations when planning a wedding shower and where to start if you are the lucky person in charge of the celebration! Traditionally, either the bridesmaids/female wedding party members, maid/matron of honor, parents of the couple or even friends/family plan this event, so it’s important to select who you’d like to have plan this event and talk things over with them to best understand what they’re willing to do.
From there, you’ll cover some basic questions on the guest list, invitations, and date and time – but most of the traditional party is similar no matter the bride (or groom!).
Who to invite?
It’s a good idea to determine early on if you’d rather keep things purely just for the girls or if you’d like to host a co-op wedding party. Having both sexes at the party is becoming more popular, and it’s a great way to get to know your partner’s family and friends more (and let them know each other) if that’s something you’d like. Traditionally speaking, most of the time the bride determines who to invite, and will invite the female wedding party members, close friends, and family from the wedding guest list. It’s important to remember not to invite others who are not invited to the wedding.
When?
Showers can be hosted between 3 months and 2 weeks prior to the wedding. I advise my couples to host theirs earlier rather than later, as those last few weeks before the wedding can become very hectic!
Who hosts?
As I mentioned, typically this is paid for and hosted by the bridesmaids/maid of honor or a close family member. It’s important to talk this over with your crew to find out who is financially comfortable and relay any expectations to them early on.
What activities should I plan?
Most of the activities are purely mingling and chatting with your guests, however, there are usually gifts involved. Many people prefer not opening gifts in front of others, so it’s important to discuss this option with the host prior to the party. If you are opting for opening your gifts, this is an activity usually done with dessert so your guests can have something sweet while you’re reviewing their presents.
There are also many, many different games you can play and these usually have to do with the happy couple. Trivia, bingo, scavenger hunts…the list is endless! A quick Google search will lead you to unlimited options for activities.
How long?
This will depend on how many guests you invite overall and if you plan on unwrapping your gifts there as the present opening can take up a good chunk of time. That said, typically these events range from 2-4 hours and include lunch.
There are many other topics we can cover with just this subject alone, but I hope this lends an idea to what kind of things to consider when planning your wedding shower. Ultimately, by keeping in mind the purpose of the event, you can better choose what you’d like yours specifically to look like!
Should we do a theme?
That really is totally up to the couple and the host! Popular ones are garden parties, a boho bash, flannel & frost (for a winter vibe), glitz & glamor (for those who like sparkle!), and more!! For my daughter’s shower, we used “Around the Clock” — each guest was assigned a time and their gift was to be something she would need for that time. For example, for 8am, the gift could be breakfast plates, juice glasses, coffee accessories; or for 10pm, the gift could be some cute pj’s or nightgown!
If you need some help on narrowing down the details, I would love to help! Call or text me at 410-978-2048.
Cheers to the happy couple!
(Images are from my daughter’s wedding shower; photos by a friend!)
