Lauren's Insight on Bridal Showers

I have had the priviledge of going to quite a few bridal showers this year, and many in the past. This is a list of tips I have compiled that will help to make a bridal shower fun and interesting for everyone there. Take it for what it is, it's just my opinion!

::stepping on my soap box::

1. Bridesmaids:


Define the roles of what everyone's role is going to be BEFORE the guests arrive. The worst thing is when bridesmaids fight over the jobs in front of the party :)



* One bridesmaid (most often the Maid of Honor) should be seated near the bride to take the cards and make a Detailed list of what each person got the couple.
*One bridesmaid should be bringing the gifts to the Bride
*One bridesmaid should be taking the opened gift from the Bride and placing it in a neat pile. (if you can, bring rubbermaid containers to allow to store gifts. It also makes for easy loading after)
*One bridesmaid should be disposing of the gift wrap. (this may not be the best job, but it may be the most important!)
*One bridesmaid should be making the gift bow bouquet.Make sure this is someone who has done one before, or is creative!

If you don't have that many bridesmaids, you can have other people sub into these roles.

2. Brides:

The way you act and carry yourself at the shower says a lot about you. People are there for you, and they are excited for you.

*Please announce who every gift is from. People want to know when their gift is being opened and others want to know what people got.
*Show the crowd each gift.
*Thank the person who got you the gift when you open it. They spent time and money getting you that gift, they need to be acknowledged.
*Greet all your guests when they arrive. They are there for you, please show them you are happy.
*Don't spend all your time with your bridesmaids - you see them ALL the time. When is the last time you got to see Aunt Betty?
*Don't check your registry everyday. Let there be some surprise!
*If you get overwhelmed just take a deep breathe and relax!
*Write a personal message in the thank you card. People really appreciate the thank you cards

3. Guests

The bride invited you because you are someone important to her.

*Please do not talk through the gift opening. This is incedibly distracting.
*Don't be afraid to talk to people that you don't know, everyone there has something in common - either the bride or the groom, use that as a conversation starter!



4. General Tips:
*Set up the room so everyone can see the bride when she is opening gifts. The worst thing is when people feel like they are pushed to the back like their presence is not important.
*Do not invite an overwhelming amount of guest. If you need to have 100+ people at a shower, please break this into a couple of showers. The shower is not meant to be a mini reception and you shouldn't obligate every women coming to your wedding to come to the shower as well. I went to a shower this weekend of 32 people and it was the perfect size.
*Try a different theme to create excitement: wine tasting, stack the bar shower, couple's shower.... the possibilities are endless
*This is one people have differeing opinions on, but mine is please don't make me fill out my own address. Why don't I open the gift I brought too?
*And above all, enjoy being there, being the bride and being part of the wedding. This day is to celebrate the Bride and Groom building a life together - dont lose site of that!



Making sure you take into consideration some of these things when planning a bridal shower for someone else, will help everyone enjoy their time there.


::stepping off my soap box::

Good Luck Planning :)

PS look at this fab bow bouquet Megan G. and I made for our friend Megan's rehearsal: