How to Plan a Fun Bridal Shower

We've recently had a blizzard of weddings among my friends and family. That has meant I've been to a lot of Bridal Showers in a short amount of time. Some of them I've put on myself. Here are some of my tips to putting on a fun Bridal Shower for all ages.

What is Bridal Shower? (And what it is not)

A Bridal Shower is a special time to gather with friends and family to celebrate the bride of a coming wedding. As the name suggests it's for the bride (sorry groom). And the other part of the name means it's a time to “shower” her with gifts for her new life.

A new, especially young, couple can enter their new lives with nothing for their new home. And if you think of all the things you use daily in your home it can be quite expensive to set up house. So a shower is a great time to help them couple outfit their new space. Check out my Bridal Shower Gift Ideas on Amazon for ideas if you're stumped. Most times the bride and groom have already set up a dream list for you to purchase from.

Often a Bridal Shower may have a theme such as kitchen, bathroom, or general household as far as gifts go. It can also be a more fun theme such as Pride and Prejudice, Tea Time, a favorite movie or book. It's a time for those close to the bride to “shower” her with gifts, advice, and memories.

A Bridal Shower is not a Wedding Shower, which is a co-ed party for the couple. A Bridal Shower is not something the bride should be hosting, planning, or organizing. She just shows up. A Bridal Shower is also not mandatory for a wedding but it is a nice thing to do for a bride to be in your life. And it's a great chance to “shower” her with gifts for her new home.

Who hosts the Bridal Shower?

Typically a bridal shower is given by someone close to the bride. Someone who knows her well and is hopefully a little outgoing. You will be hosting a party after all. Good choices are her maid or matron of honor, bridesmaids, her mother or an aunt, a sister, sister in law, or even someone not in the wedding party but a close friend might decide to throw the bridal shower.

Several people can also come together to throw a Bridal Shower for the bride. It's a fun group project as you get closer to the wedding date. It also relieves the burned from just one set of shoulders. Most of showers I have thrown have been group affairs. Organized and planned with at least one other person and sometimes as many as five.

What should a Bridal Shower look like?

There is no one way for a bridal shower to look like but for the sake of being organized here is a simple formula to pull together a party for the bride.

• Food
• Games
• Gifts
• Celebrate

So just plug in the bride's wishes and style and voila you have a party.

Making a Bridal Shower Fun

So how do you make a Bridal Shower fun?

Actually it's very easy.

Engage your guests from the moment they walk in the door. Give them something to do and keep the action going. Bridal Showers become not so fun when your guests are bored. Your Bridal Shower is an average of 2 hours. Here is a simple step by step for keeping your guests interested.

• Greet your guests as they come in the door and give them an activity that has them getting to know each other until all the guests have arrived. Many people like the popular bingo sheet game. You play bingo by finding guests that fit the descriptions on your bingo sheet.
• Then, once everyone has arrived, open up the shower with a small speech about why you are all gathered and how the time will be spent.
• Next everyone can eat the prepared foods and desserts . They can be doing another seated worksheet activity while they eat or just get to know each other more.
• After food you can have a hands on activity such as creating something each guest can take home or play some fun team games such as Bridal Jeopardy or Wedding Family Feud.
• This is a good time to quiet things down with a meaningful activity of sharing marriage advice, date ideas, or special prayers for the bride.
• Last the bride can open gifts.
• If you did not do a hands on activity be sure and have a small favor for each guest to take home.