Your Guide to Planning a Bridal Shower
If you are a Maid of Honor planning a Bridal Shower for your bride-to-be-bestie, here is a helpful checklist and a few recommendations on planning your event.
First and foremost, coordinate with the bride. A bridal shower is traditionally planned by the Maid of Honor. Coordinate with your bride to be about what dates work best for her, as well as if she would like a certain theme or color scheme.
3. Guest list
General rule: all guests invited to the shower or any wedding related event, should be invited to the wedding. Ask your bride for a list of close family and friends she would like to invite. Ask if she has an existing list with names and addresses, if so ask her to share it with you to save time on gathering information!
4. Pick a location
Once you know the approximate number of guests you can plan the size space you need. Ask a bridesmaid or family of the bride if they would be willing to host at their home. If budget allows, reserve a private room at a restaurant or local country club. When deciding on location consider budget, the theme, travel distance and the size of your group.
5. Invitations
Invitations should be delivered 1 to 2 months before the Bridal Shower. Ask for help from a bridesmaid who is creative or tech savy to help you create an invite online. I have used and recommend Etsy, Canva, Vista Print or Minted for Bridal Shower Invites!
Here is a quick link to FREE Bridal Shower templates with Canva!
If you are on a budget you can also send an online invitation through evite.com. You may also consider creating a private event on Facebook to invite your guests. Make sure to mail or phone call any guests who do not have an active Facebook.
On your invitations, be sure to include the address of your shower, a RSVP by date, and directions on who to RSVP to. You may also include the wedding website to share gift registry information.
6. Decor
My favorite part of event planning is the decor!! Ask your bride if she would like to be a part of the decor plan or if she would like to be surprised. While planning decor, consider your theme and the colors you want to use. You can incorporate your theme through wall decor, table centerpieces, place settings, food, and signage.
Decorations should be planned and purchased a month before your shower so you have plenty of time to coordinate the design and see what decor you may be lacking.
I recently partnered with Sprinkles and Confetti, which is a party supply store specializing in modern and on trend party supply collections. They supply both bachelorette and bridal themed decorations. Plus, when you purchase from Sprinkles and Confetti, a portion of your sales is donated to The Birthday Party Project which is an organization that helps provide birthday parties to homeless children. How cool is that, I love a business that gives back!
Below are a few of my favorites pieces you can find on the Sprinkles and Confetti website. Which by the way there are so many decor pieces on her site that I love, it was hard to narrow it down to only 5!
Be sure to use my code BBRIDESSAVE to receive a discount on your order!
7. Last minute items
One to two weeks before your shower, create a shopping list of any food or drinks you need to purchase.
Confirm your reservations and/or deliveries.
Call any guests who have not RSVP’d.
Assemble any favor gifts for your guests.
Plan any games or activities and make sure you have any necessary supplies.
Ask other bridesmaids to arrive early and help with set up.
Let’s get this planning party started! Want Bianca Nichole Events to help plan your wedding day? Click here to send us an inquiry!
Bianca Nichole Events is an Austin based wedding planner, and will travel to San Antonio, Fredericksburg, New Braunfels, Corpus Christi and the surrounding Texas Hill Country area.
