Planning a wedding comes with lot of celebrations. But what is a bridal shower, exactly?
A bridal shower is a party usually held for the bride-to-be in the months leading up to her wedding. It’s a chance for her loved ones to celebrate her special day.
Bridal showers used to be relatively small gatherings, but they have become more and more elaborate over time. Some brides go for large, luxurious parties complete with catering and entertainment. Others prefer more intimate gatherings where they can spend quality time with their loved ones.
No matter what style of bridal shower you choose, it is important to plan ahead so that everything goes smoothly on the wedding day. With a little planning and some help from friends and family, you can make sure that your bridal shower is a memorable event. The guide below will help you understand everything you need to know about throwing a bridal shower!
Why Is It Called A Bridal Shower?
The name “bridal shower” comes from the custom of giving gifts to the bride that would help her set up her new home. It’s a wedding tradition that dates back to the Victorian era, when English colonists brought it to America. The bridal shower quickly became a popular way for brides-to-be to gather with their families and female friends.
Today, bridal showers are still a popular way for brides-to-be to celebrate with their loved ones.
Who Comes To Your Bridal Shower?
This is an event specifically for the bride, which means no men allowed. Many bridal showers include female friends and relatives like aunts, grandmas, the bride’s mother, and the mother of the groom. This is because brides generally don’t want their older relatives included in their bachelorette party, but of course, that’s up to you.
The party’s main purpose is for all your female friends to shower you with gifts that help you prepare for life as a married woman.
As the bride, you can still invite whomever you want. Just remember one important note: your bridal shower guest list is a bit different from your wedding guest list.
Not everyone invited to the wedding reception is invited to the bridal shower… but everyone invited to the bridal shower should be invited to the wedding reception!
What Are The Expectations For Bridal Shower Etiquette?
Bridal shower etiquette depends on who is hosting the shower. But generally, etiquette says you should limit the number of bridal showers to two or three.
If you do have more than one bridal shower, be sure to invite each guest to only one of them. Otherwise, it may look like the bride-to-be is trying to obtain multiple bridal shower gifts from each guest!
In addition, keep the guest restricted to women only. It isn’t a requirement, but many people also think it’s polite for the bride to host two separate showers. The first is for her own female friends, and the other for her spouse’s friends.
How Long Is A Bridal Shower?
Most showers aren’t all-day events. They typically only last a few hours. When to host your shower is totally up to you, but they often happen during the early morning or afternoon. Pro-tip: both options pair nicely with brunch or lunch!
What Happens At A Bridal Shower?
At a bridal shower, guests will often bring gifts for the bride and her future spouse. These gifts are typically items that the couple will need for their new home together.
The bride will open her gifts in front of the guests and often express her gratitude with a short speech.
But that’s not all! Bridal showers may also involve playing games, eating great food, and having the bride’s favorite drinks.
Every unforgettable bridal shower has one thing in common: lots and lots of food. Finger food is pretty much the norm at all bridal showers, and there are lots of ways to have fun with it.
For example, try working your bridal shower theme into the food you provide for your guests.
If you’re going for a fiesta theme, you could serve gourmet mini tacos on an array of beautifully colored platters that pop!
If you’re doing a beach theme, offer guests cupcakes with starfish, mermaids, or any other sea creature you adore.
Or if you’re hosting a bridal tea party, create a spread of cookies and pastries for your guests to enjoy!
The activities you choose depend on the preference of the hostess and the bride. But all bridal showers share one common goal: to give the bride a special day to remember as she prepares for her wedding day.
What Are Some Great Bridal Shower Gifts?
Bridal shower gifts are typically things like dishes, pots and pans, appliances, and decor. These are all generally things straight from your registry that you will need to begin married life.
If you’re a guest struggling to choose the perfect gift to take to a bridal shower, have no fear. Here are some great ideas to help you show the bride-to-be how much you appreciate her!
Small Gifts
While small gifts may not seem like much, they can actually be some of the most appreciated items at a bridal shower. They’re usually more affordable too and easier to personalize, and everyone appreciates gifts that are unique.
We can think of tons of examples. A handkerchief with the bride’s new monogram, a small trinket box for her jewelry, or a hand-painted champagne flute with her wedding date are all super thoughtful gifts. Any bride would appreciate them long after her wedding day.
Open Gifts
You could also consider an open gift. This can be anything from a gift certificate to a day at the spa.
The great thing about an open gift is that it allows the bride to choose exactly what she wants.
If you’re totally stuck on what to give, an open gift is always a safe bet.
Traditional Gifts
You can always choose traditional bridal shower gifts such as kitchen appliances, towels, or bedding. If you know the bride’s style and taste, this can be a great way to get her something she’ll love and use all the time.
But avoid gifting anything too personal or controversial… No one wants to receive something like lingerie as a bridal shower gift… that’s just awkward!
Choose bridal shower gifts that the bride will love and appreciate. If you’re stuck on what to give, go for a gift card to her favorite store or spa so she can pamper herself before the special day!
What Bridal Shower Games Are Popular?
Games and entertainment are great for breaking the ice and helping the guests get to know each other. Especially if they are from different sides of the family or different friend groups. Here are some of the best games to play at a bridal shower.
Guess The Dress
Have guests sketch or describe what they think the bride’s wedding dress looks like based on hints or the bride’s style. You can also provide magazines or printouts with various dress designs for inspiration. The person who gets the closest to the actual dress wins a prize. This game is fun for everyone, even if they don’t know the bride well.
How Well Do You Know The Bride?
This is a classic bridal shower game where guests answer questions about the bride. Base the questions on anything from facts about her childhood to what drives her nuts about her current fiancé. Whoever answers the most questions correctly wins!
Bridal Bingo
This is a twist on regular bingo. Guests create their own cards with things they think the bride will say during her wedding speech. If she says the phrase, they mark their cards!
For example, “I love you,” “We met in ____,” etc. This is a great game to get everyone laughing and wondering what will happen on the wedding day!
Tip: For added fun, set up a photo booth where guests can get pictures with a full-size cutout of the bride. It’s sure to get some laughs. Make sure guests know your wedding hashtag if you’re using one on social media to share photos!
Who Plans And Hosts Your Bridal Shower?
The Maid of Honor along with her fellow bridesmaids typically plan and facilitate this fun gathering!
They send out invitations for the bridal shower. They choose a theme for the bride. They plan games for the guests. And they make sure to stay within the budget.
If you’d like more control, go right ahead and plan your bridal shower yourself! Nowadays, it’s acceptable for the bride to choose whoever she wants to handle the planning process.
And if you’re wondering who pays for the bridal shower, the short answer is: not the bride!
When Do Bridal Showers Take Place?
In the past, bridal showers took place after the wedding ceremony. Now they typically take place a few months before the wedding day.
The timing of the bridal shower depends on factors like the size of the guest list and the venue’s availability.
When you’re planning a bridal shower, keep in mind that the event should not conflict with other major wedding events. These include things like the bachelorette party and the rehearsal dinner.
In general, it’s best to plan a bridal shower at least four to six weeks in advance of the wedding. This will give you ample time to send out invitations and coordinate with the bridal party.
Is There A Standard Bridal Shower Dress Code?
No. Whether or not you set a dress code is completely up to you. Some brides prefer casual pre-wedding events, but many do prefer to host more formal parties. It comes down to where the shower takes place as well as the theme of the the event.
Communicate with your Maid of Honor to make sure she knows exactly what type of dress code you have in mind. This helps make sure your shower guests show up looking fit for the occasion.
What Bridal Shower Favors Are Most Popular?
Popular bridal shower favors include small keepsakes, sentimental trinkets, or useful personalized items that mark the event.
Some good ideas we’ve seen include customized bath salts, soaps, commemorative succulents, and ornate floral arrangements.
Suggest anything you think guests of your pre-wedding party will love and remember. Always try to make your bridal shower favors as sentimental and unique as possible!
What Is The Difference Between Bridal Showers And Wedding Showers?
The bridal shower is just for you and the girls. The wedding shower is a co-ed party where friends and family shower both the bride and groom with gifts and love.
If you’re a bride who loves to party and celebrate, have both a wedding shower and bridal shower!
This way, you get huge party with all your soon-to-be husband’s friends and family members. But you also have the opportunity for to host a smaller and more private bridal party for you and the girls.
Having both a bridal shower and a wedding shower is a great way to make sure that all your loved ones can come and celebrate with you!
Get Planning
Now that you understand the basics, you’re ready to throw one of the most iconic events on your wedding planning timeline.
If you aren’t sure what theme to shoot for, check out this post, 11 Trending Bridal Shower Themes for 2022 and 2023!
Are you a bride looking for the best engagement party and bridal shower games and ideas for your grand entrance on the big day? Or a groom trying to learn more about what he can expect on his wedding day? Whatever inspiration you need, you’ll find it all in our blog, which we constantly update with new ideas.
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