Pro Tip: How Do I Host the Perfect Bridal Shower?

July 20, 2023

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Dubsdread Catering Team Event Specialist, Peighton Ballant weighs in with professional tips for for this often-asked question about creating the perfect bridal shower for the you.

A bridal shower is the perfect way to celebrate and spoil the future bride-to-be! It’s filled with fun snacks, drinks, décor, gifts, and games, and is the perfect excuse to get fancy. Many will also have a theme that reflects the bride’s interest, such as a nautical affair tea party, black tie glitter and glitz, or a Gatsby-themed shower. If you’ve never planned a bridal shower, however, it may be a little tricky to know where to get started. We’re here with some Pro Tips to help you shower the future bride with love.

GUEST LISTS

The first step for any bridal shower is to figure out the guest count. A bridal shower is most commonly an all-female celebration for the bride, her best friends/ bridesmaids, and close relatives such as aunts, grandmas, and cousins. So, start early determining who will be invited as the number in the guest list will influence the date and venue you select. Plus, it will give you time to gather emails, phone numbers, or addresses to send invitations to.

PLAN THE DATE

The next step is to pick a date. A good rule of thumb is to start planning the shower four to six months out to give invitees plenty of time to figure out if they can attend. Also, have two to three options for dates to give yourself some flexibility in booking a venue. The shower itself is usually held about two months before the wedding date.

SELECT A VENUE

It’s important to know the approximate number of guests that are attending before deciding on a location. Once you’ve figured out the ideal date, with a few back-ups, and your estimated guest count, you can start looking for a location. The most traditional option is for the shower to be held at the home of a close relative. But, depending on the size of the guest list, you may want to consider a public venue that has space for your event like a clubhouse, restaurant with a banquet room, or maybe even a spa. Make sure your location has plenty of parking and it is easy to find. That can be done by drawing attention to a home by tying ribbons or balloons around mailboxes or adding a sign outside the door of a public venue.

PICK A THEME

Now comes the fun parts! it’s time to pick a theme. The theme will help you figure out the food and drinks you want to serve, as well as how to decorate the space. While a theme isn’t a requirement, it can make the rest of the planning easier. Feel free to get a little creative and consult the bride if you need to! You will want to make sure it fits her personality and everyday interests. Once the theme is decided you can start stocking the bar and loading up the pantry or calling in a caterer to see to it all.

HAVE SOME FUN

Another great aspect of bridal showers is the fun games you can play. Some classics include bridal bingo, trivia about the bride and/or couple, wedding mad libs, and a scavenger hunt! These games can be a great way to get some laughs and can also help everyone get to know each other.

The biggest thing to remember when you’re planning a bridal shower is that it needs to be focused on the bride’s wants and needs. Ensure she feels loved, and it is bound to be a success!

Peighton Ballant is an Event Specialist with the Dubsdread Catering Team and enjoys working with prospective couples to discover what they are most interested in bringing to their special day, and how to make those ideas come to life. Contact her today at [email protected].

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