Throwing a bridal shower is one of the best ways to get everyone together before the big day to provide support and love to the couple. It may seem like a monumental task to pull off, but when you have a checklist and the proper planning, you will be able to throw a stress-free bridal shower with the best bridal shower ideas for the ultimate experience.
Everything You Need to Know About Planning a Bridal Shower – Set Up & Checklist
Planning is an essential part of any celebration or event because it saves lots of time and frustration when everything goes according to plan. Whether you are a part of the bridal party or a close friend or family member who wants to make it all happen, the core parts of planning will need to include things such as:
- Creating a budget
- Drawing up a guest list
- Choosing a theme, location, and menu
- Organising activities and entertainment
- Writing a once-in-a-lifetime speech and toast
Feel free to add anything else you need to this list to suit what you have in mind since the above covers the essentials to ensure that you have everything you need.
Decide on a Bridal Shower Budget
You can work on the following items simultaneously as you collect quotes and develop an understanding of the associated cost. The first thing is to start setting a budget by considering how much money you have available to spend without breaking the bank. Remember that the bride will be happy when she is spoiled by all the guests’ presents, love, and company, so the budget doesn’t need to be excessive.
The budget will need to cover the venue, catering, decorations, photographers, and any other extras you want to add.
Set a Date for the Shower
For the best results, start planning the bridal shower four to six months in advance to give yourself the best chance of securing everything you need. Most people choose a day around two months before the actual wedding.
After setting an approximate date range for the party, run it by the bride and groom to ensure that it fits nicely with their schedule.
Create a Bridal Shower Guest List
Bridal showers typically consist of 30 and 50 people, although this will change based on your unique plan. Start by asking the bride precisely whom she wants to see there and collect the home addresses and contact information for those people.
Anyone who gets an invite to the bridal shower should also be invited to the wedding, so clear potential guests with the bride first if you want to invite more people.
Pick a Location for the Shower
You can start choosing your location now that you have a budget, a date, and a rough guest list. The top priorities are to find a place with enough space for all your guests that meets your budget. It is also great to find a place with enough parking that is easily accessible to everyone.
Choosing a great Sydney bridal shower venue is easy when the package contains a full catering service. That is why it’s worth looking at what Navarra has to offer for all Sydney events.
Choose a Bridal Shower Theme
Themes add a lot of fun, style, and ambience to the party, so you should consider creating a theme if there is room in the budget for extra decorations.
Match the theme to the bride and her interests to ensure it follows her flair and style.
Plan the Bridal Shower Menu
When planning the menu, you will need to:
- Choose foods that the bride loves and will enjoy eating
- Make sure that all of the guest’s dietary needs are met, such as allergies, and that they have alternative foods to eat
- Tie the menu into the theme and style of the party
A caterer is not always necessary for every party. Many people choose to cook the food themselves or organise a potluck amongst the guests to keep it more personal and reduce catering costs.
Plan Out the Bridal Shower Games
Games are not just about having fun. They are a way for you to tell stories, connect with what is meaningful in life, and learn more about one another so everyone can grow closer. While there are hundreds of game ideas out there, some of the best ones for you to try include:
- Where Were We?
- Musical Matching
- Find the Guest
- Vow Mad Libs
- The Whose Memory game
What to Do During the Bridal Shower?
After the planning is all taken care of, there will be a few things you need to put together on the day of the bridal shower.
Set Up a Station for Bridal Shower Gifts
Gift stations should be easily accessible and close to the entrance so guests can put them down without any trouble. You can use a simple table with a nice linen cloth over the top placed somewhere visible so everyone can guess what others have brought.
Create a Ribbon Bouquet
Collect all the ribbons from the presents and make a bouquet with them. A ribbon bouquet is an excellent keepsake for years to come. For many, it is also a tradition that the bride uses this bouquet during wedding rehearsals.
Prepare a Toast to The Bride
You can prepare this beforehand, but feel free to do it on the day when you have a moment, as the toast doesn’t need to be very long or formal. Leaving this last also means you can add in any extra details and stories that come out during the bridal shower.
Pass Out Favours to the Bridal Shower Guests
Bridal shower favours are great to give something back to your guests, although these are not a requirement. Small gifts that guests can use as home décor pieces are an effective way of giving something they can cherish forever. You can also provide them with food and drink, spa treatments, or personalised gifts unique to each person or the group.
Have a Stress-Free Bridal Shower
Planning a bridal shower won’t be as stressful when you have your checklist and know what needs to happen. You won’t need to sweat about anything, from setting your budget and choosing your venue to selecting games and activities that add to the event’s meaningfulness.
It will still take time to plan and arrange everything, which is where we can be helpful to you. We provide a full range of venue and catering options for weddings, bridal showers, and much more with 47+ years of experience. Make sure to look at everything we have to offer here, and if you have any questions or queries, you can contact our team directly here.
