| Planning a bridal shower can be one of the most | | | | the other foods you will serve. Don't forget to |
| exciting activities you have ever experienced. | | | | think about drinks as well. Serve a wide variety, |
| There is so much joy associated with bridal | | | | and be sure to include healthy drinks like water |
| shower. Everyone is pleased to bring gifts that | | | | and fruit juice. If you also intend to serve cake, |
| the bride is excited to see as a sign of the start | | | | try to make it fit with the theme of your party. |
| of her new life. Even though getting ready can be | | | | Once you've considered the food, you are ready |
| an exciting time, it can also be a very stressful | | | | to start thinking about party games. You will want |
| time. There are so many things that you must | | | | to play two to four games during your bridal |
| consider when you are planning your bridal | | | | shower. These games can serve as ice breakers |
| shower. | | | | if you wish. One fun game is to issue a list of |
| One of the most important things to first | | | | common purse items. Whoever has the most |
| consider is the guest list. You should invite | | | | items in their purse from your list wins. Another |
| anywhere from five to twenty people. If you | | | | great game is a simple wedding word scramble. |
| invite more than twenty, you risk overwhelming | | | | Whoever deciphers the most words in the time |
| the bride and the guests, as you want it to be a | | | | allotted is the winner. |
| rather intimate affair. When you make your guest | | | | How can you put a limit on learning more? The |
| list, be sure to consult the bride as to whom she | | | | next section may contain that one little bit of |
| wishes to have at her wedding shower. Female | | | | wisdom that changes everything. |
| family members of both sides of the wedding | | | | Be sure to include time in your shower for |
| party should certainly be at the top of your guest | | | | everyone to introduce themselves and their |
| list. You will also want to include the bride's closest | | | | relationship to the bride. Remember that several |
| friends, and, of course, the wedding party. Be | | | | of your guests may have a connection to no one |
| sure that everyone who is invited to the wedding | | | | but the bride, so it is important to help them get |
| shower is also on the invitation list to the wedding | | | | involved with the other shower attendees. |
| to avoid any hurt feelings. | | | | A sixth thing to consider when you are planning a |
| The second important thing to think about is the | | | | bridal shower is party favors for all of the guests. |
| invitations. The invitations you choose can have | | | | While this tends to be a regional idea, offering |
| any look or feel that you like. If you wish to have | | | | party favors for each guest is a nice touch. You |
| a themed shower, send out invitations that match | | | | can do something as simple as a small box of |
| your theme. For example, if you plan to have a | | | | candy or a scented candle. Try to offer party |
| beach party shower, send out invitations that | | | | favors that reflect the theme of your shower, if |
| have the look of a beach party. If you are not | | | | you have one. |
| having a themed shower, you might want to go | | | | An additional thing to think about when you are |
| with something that looks like the bride's wedding | | | | planning is the decorative scheme. If you are |
| invitations. Check with the printer of her wedding | | | | having a themed shower, you probably already |
| invitations, as he or she might be able to cut you | | | | have some ideas in mind for decorations. If you |
| a deal if the bride's invitation order was big | | | | are having a fairly general themed bridal shower, |
| enough. Whatever type of invitation you go with, | | | | you need to think about table linens and |
| be sure to include the guest of honor's name, the | | | | centerpieces at the very least. |
| time, date, and location of the invitation, the | | | | One final thing you must consider when you are |
| hostess' name and phone number, an RSVP | | | | planning a bridal shower is planning for after the |
| deadline (about two weeks before the shower is | | | | shower. Buying some thank you notes for the |
| sufficient), and the shower theme. If you wish, | | | | bride to send that match the invitations is a nice |
| include a map of how to reach the location. You | | | | touch. Furthermore, giving the bride a preprinted |
| might also think about including where the couple | | | | list of guests with up-to-date address information |
| has registered and the colors of their future | | | | can also be quite helpful. |
| home. Send the invitations out about one month | | | | Planning a bridal shower is an intensive procedure, |
| in advance of the wedding shower. | | | | but getting the right combination of events will |
| Once you've sent out the invitations, it is time to | | | | lead to a happy memory. |
| start planning your party. You will want to start | | | | I hope that reading the above information was |
| with some light appetizers for your party guests. | | | | both enjoyable and educational for you. Your |
| Try to provide a variety of foods, and try to | | | | learning process should be ongoing--the more you |
| avoid foods that guests might be allergic to. If | | | | understand about bridal showers, the more you |
| you intend to serve highly allergenic foods like | | | | will be able to share with others. |
| peanuts, be sure to keep them well away from | | | | |