Wedding showers or bridal showers are an important part of a wedding and it is basically a small party thrown in the honor of the bride. Usually only one wedding shower is enough for a wedding, but you may have a couple of smaller parties if you have lots of guests or you want to throw separate parties for different ‘circles’ or groups. The bridal shower can be arranged by anyone close to the bride, including maid of honor, bridesmaids, friends, or relative. Although it can be thrown by anyone close, as per the tradition the mother of the bride should not organize the bridal shower.

The size and style or theme of the party can be anything you can imagine, right from a fancy one to a more casual gathering. You can even arrange the party as per the choice of the bride.  Whichever will make her happy. You can give gifts to the bride through her registry, linens, towels and other common things on the wish list, however, many wedding showers are more of a bachelorette party meant for fun, which may include gifts that can be used on the honeymoon.

Most bridal showers include some kind of games.  You can find basic ideas online or you may talk to friends who have been to bridal showers earlier to get some idea. If you are adventurous, and so is the bride, you can be a bit more creative by including certain fun filled activities like belly dancing, pole dancing. The activity may be anything that is fun and easy to learn or follow along.  Do not forget that not all the guests are going to be the same age group as the bride, for instance if going for an adventurous game don’t forget the mother of the bride or groom.

One thing not to forget is the bridal shower invitations, which are most often sent by the one who takes responsibility of arranging the bridal shower. You can directly ask the bride about the guests and who she wants to invite and you may even ask the mothers of the bride and groom. Seeking help of close friends to figure out the guest list will make sure that you don’t leave someone out or forget to invite someone close to the bride. While making the wedding shower guest list, you should also take into consideration the size of the venue where you will be organizing the wedding shower as you will have to see if you can accommodate everyone. If you cannot cut down the guest list, then it is better that you select a bigger venue. Whatever you do, remember to include friends and family from the groom’s side of the family also.

For the bridal shower, you can simply send a basic invitation card along with a RSVP card, or with details about the ways to respond to the invitee. You can also send online invitations; these are very easy to arrange for as there several websites that will design and manage your invitations hassle free. However, it is important that you ensure that everyone that you are sending invitations to, have access to computer and e-mailing facility to ensure that everyone gets the invitation.

Whatever, you choose to do or whatever way you arrange the bridal showers, just always remember that it is supposed to be fun activity and something that makes the bride appreciate your efforts and make her feel special.

Wedding shower is an emotional as well as exciting moment that is shared between the bride and her family and friends. People use many creative ideas and ways to make it memorable, which includes lots of fun and enjoyment. If you are going to be a bridesmaid and are planning one such bridal shower for your friend, then read the following tips to make the shower party enthralling and unforgettable.

Holding a great party does not mean that it should be expensive and extravagant. You can keep it low profile and less expansive at the same time with lots of fun and pleasure. The concept of a bridal shower is about bringing all the closest relatives and friends at the same place for having fun. Instead of concentrating towards how to bring perfection to the party concentrate towards how you could bring excitement to the party so that everyone could share, laugh and cherish this moment forever.

Coordinating party is really exciting and gives you lots of experience while organizing it. Keep the party unique and imaginative, which carries the essence of the bride’s personality and style into the shower. Keep the budget of the party as your top priority while planning for it. It will be good, if you plan it well in advance. Invite the guests, set themes or follow bridal shower favors trend according to your budget.

Tell each person, who is about to attend party, to turn up with a wrapped gift, you can also decide price limit for the gift if you want. You can also decide theme for the gifts, if the party that you are throwing is theme based. You can also ask your guests to bring homemade bridal shower gift instead buying one off the shelf. It will add lots of emotion, sentiments, and guest’s personal feelings to this event. It’s necessary for everyone to have made the gifts by themselves; one can buy bridal gifts and turn it into personalized bridal shower gifts by engraving gift with couple’s initials and adding hand written notes and wishes for the bride and groom.

When it comes to selecting the venue for bridal shower, then you should choose it according to the number of guests and off course your budget. It is usually organized at home, although it is not mandatory that it is yours or the bride’s home. You can also conduct it in a hall or on the beach, if you are inviting loads of people to the shower. While deciding when to hold it, it would be good if you conduct it six to seven weeks before the wedding.

To make it more exciting, you can also invite the future groom to the party turning it into couple’s shower. You can also invite guests of groom’s side also. The more will the guest be the more will be the impact on the games you will play at the party for having fun. Invite all the guests in the bridal shower who are also invited in the wedding day.

Spark Your Creativity with Fun Bridal Shower Ideas

Fortunately for many brides who don’t have time to devise creative bridal shower ideas, their close friends are often responsible for the festivities, alleviating the extra planning responsibilities. With lots of colorful decorations, unique bridal shower favors, and delicious food, a shower gives members of the wedding party, the bride, and her friends a chance to get together and celebrate the upcoming day.

If you’ve been chosen to plan a shower for a close friend, you have quite a few options. From bridal shower favors, decorations, and refreshments to all of the little details, ensuring that the event is successful is a major concern. If you’re unsure where to start, here are just a few fun bridal shower ideas to get you thinking and planning constructively!

Bridal Shower Favors, Decorations, and Supplies

Decorating for the festivities is perhaps the most fun, and all of your more creative bridal shower ideas can flourish. For a Victorian tea theme, for instance, you can set the tables with elegant china, tea cups and saucers, and luxurious, lacy fabrics. Or, focus on making the event a classy affair with simple flowers, muted tablecloths and settings, and crystal accessories for fun without the fuss.

The bridal shower favors can also help you make the event a hit if you supplement your chosen theme with charming scented candles, wine bottle stoppers, kitchen and house goods, photo albums, and coasters. Personalized bridal shower favors are also a wonderful way to thank your guests for their attendance. Another way to spice up the party is to have your guests dress up, keeping with the theme. For a festive Christmas-themed shower, give bridal shower favors like ornaments and require guests to show up in deep reds, rich greens, and soft winter whites.

Personalized Invitations with Flair

Many of your bridal shower ideas and choices can be based on the bride’s likes and interests. If you’re contemplating a themed shower, your invitations can reflect that. Plus, many card shops will customize invitations for you that can include special sayings, favorite quotes of the bride, pictures, and colors. You can also choose from embossed and engraved and a variety of other font styles.

It’s important to remember that your invitation is the first glimpse of the shower your guests see, so keep the theme and/or color scheme cohesive. Many invitations also list where the couple is registered (you’ll need to find this out beforehand), and depending upon the venue, the dress code. Above all, make them special and indicative of the bride’s and groom’s personalities.

Games that Stand the Test of Time

There are hundreds of bridal shower ideas for fun, interactive games that have been played over the years, most of which can be somewhat nonsensical but engaging nonetheless. At a co-ed bridal shower, the bride and groom have been known to be wrapped up in rolls and rolls of toilet paper resembling their gown and tuxedo respectively. More than keeping your guests entertained, games are also essential ice-breakers that help your guests get to know each other. Keeping multiple bridal shower favors on hand to reward guests who participate and/or win a game is a good idea.

Bingo, famous couples, toasts to the couple, and ‘how well do you know the bride?’ are all great bridal shower ideas. Another way to get guests mingling is by having a scavenger hunt. Before guests arrive, place wedding-related memorabilia and/or bridal shower favors around the house or backyard, leaving clues by each trinket directing guests (who should be split into teams) where to look next. Reward the winning team with a gift for their efforts.

Festive Food & Refreshing Drinks

Depending upon the season or theme, the sky’s the limit when it comes to your menu. For a spring shower, you can serve dainty finger sandwiches, fruits, and delicious tarts. Or, for a wine and cheese themed event, wow your guests with rare, vintage wine choices paired expertly with fine cheeses. Some hosts even elect to serve catered food, which saves time for everyone, meaning that more time can be devoted to decorating, purchasing personalized bridal shower favors, or even thinking of more bridal shower ideas to keep guests entertained.

You can have a lot of fun coming up with bridal shower ideas for your food and drinks, including creating beverages for your guests to sample. Just make sure you have both alcoholic and non-alcoholic choices to please everyone in the crowd. You can serve a fruit-infused punch as well as devise new recipes for cocktails that are both delicious and follow your theme or colors. For a garden party, martinis such as a creamsicle, lemon drop, or any other fruity concoction, for instance, are perfect choices to blend the theme with food and drinks.

Planning the Perfect Event

It’s not hard to plan the perfect event, and if the bride asked you to play hostess, she knows you’ll do a great job seeing the party from start to finish, coming up with fun bridal shower ideas that keep the event exciting. Though it may take some planning (and coordination with the bride), use inspiration from the bride herself – note her likes, needs, interests, and personality. But most importantly, if you make the event fun with engaging games, delicious refreshments, and personalized bridal shower favors and keep everyone laughing, mingling, and interacting, your many bridal shower ideas are sure to pay off and ensure a fun time for both the guests and the bride herself.

About the Author: Cherie Johnson is the founder and owner of Creative Bride, a one-stop shop for personalized, unique baby and bridal shower, graduation, quinceañera, anniversary, and wedding favors, helping countless couples and families make their big events a success. Before she launched the company in 2006, Cherie worked as a professional wedding photographer, capturing the most special moments of the bride and groom’s big day. For more information on Creative Bride or to find a variety of colorful, customizable gifts and favors, please visit www.Creative-Bride.com.