How to Plan a Bridal Shower
A relaxed, pretty party with the right guests, food and details.
A bridal shower is a warm, simple way to celebrate before the wedding. It does not need to be big. A pretty table, good food and the right people are enough.
Step 1
Pick the date and guest list
Hold the shower two to six weeks before the wedding. Ask the bride who she wants there, and invite only people who are also invited to the wedding. Check the date with her closest family before you send anything.
Tip: Send invitations four to six weeks ahead.
Step 2
Choose a theme
Pick something that sounds like the bride, such as a garden tea, a brunch or a rose party. One theme helps you decide the colors, invitation and food. Keep it simple, as a few well-chosen details look better than many.
Tip: Choose the theme before you buy any decorations.
Step 3
Set a pretty table
A home, a garden or a private restaurant room all work well. Set the table with matching plates, cloth napkins and small vases. If you are hosting at home, borrow from friends or rent what you need rather than buying.
Tip: Set the table the night before.
Step 4
Plan light food
Brunch and afternoon tea are popular because they are easy to serve. Offer fresh fruit, small sandwiches, salads and a pitcher of something cold. Choose food that people can eat while they talk, and ask about allergies.
Tip: Make as much as you can the day before.
Step 5
Add something sweet
Skip the big cake if you prefer. Macarons, mini tarts and cookies look lovely on a tiered stand, and guests can take one or two without cutting anything. Choose colors that match your theme.
Tip: Extra sweets make easy party favors in small boxes.
Step 6
Plan the gifts and activities
Add the wedding registry to the invitation details and keep one person in charge of writing down who gave what, which makes thank-you notes easy. Choose one or two short activities, and leave plenty of time for people to simply talk.
Tip: Keep the whole party to about two or three hours.
Your planning timeline
- 8 weeks beforeDate, guest list and place
- 6 weeks beforeTheme and invitations
- 2 weeks beforeFinal count, menu and decorations
- 1 day beforePrepare food and set the table
Common questions
Who usually hosts a bridal shower?
A close friend, a sister, the maid of honor or a family member usually hosts, and the costs can be shared.
When should a bridal shower take place?
Two to six weeks before the wedding works well for most families.
Photo credits
Photos from Wikimedia Commons, cropped and resized.
- Vimukthi (CC BY-SA 3.0)
- Praveen from Bangalore, India (CC BY 2.0)
- Bhullargraphic (CC BY-SA 4.0)
- Tamilchandran (CC0)
- Cecilia Par famla_fint (CC0)
- Benoît Prieur (CC0)
- Jpquidores (CC BY-SA 3.0)