Wedding Directory >Bridal Shower Ideas, Games, Invitations, Gifts and Themes for Successful Bridal Showers

• The bride-to-be will not be disappointed that she has not been informed beforehand.
  
• You are confident that your guest list includes everyone the bride-to-be would have invited, if consulted.
  
• The bride will not schedule another event on the planned date

There shouldn't be more than two showers, excluding the workplace shower. But, if there is to be more than one shower, and some guests such as attendants and family are to be invited to more than one shower, they do not need to purchase more than one gift. They should try to attend all showers, though. Guests receiving two bridal shower invitations are faced with the moral dilemma of whether they should give two gifts. The answer is no. An understanding bride-to-be will make it known to the guest that she will also announce during the gift opening activity at the second shower that she has already received a beautiful shower gift (describe the gift) from that guest.

If the guest has not been given this hint ahead of time, a solution would be for the guest to give a small gift for the second shower. It is a good idea to connect the second gift with the first gift. Examples:

1. You gave a cake plate and server at the first shower. For the second shower, gather some spatulas and other utensils at the local dollar store, wrap them prettily and include a note in the package saying "The cake plate was for the end product - here are the utensils you will need to bake the cake!"
   
2. If the bride is registered for dinnerware, you can split up the gift. Give the sugar dish at one shower with a note saying "more to come", then give the creamer at the second shower.
   
3. Give a set of towels for the first gift. Wrap a pretty package of guest towels for the second shower with a note saying "My first gift was for you, this gift is for the many guests who will be welcomed into your new home.

• Although it is becoming more commonplace, for most cultures here in the US it is considered impolite for close family members (mom and sis) to host a bridal shower.
  
  • A sister or relative may host if she is a member of the bridal party.
    
• Never host a shower for yourself.

• The shower shouldn’t resemble a reception, so keep the guest list to a minimum.
  
• Typically the mother of the bride and honor attendant (often the bridesmaids) will attend all showers, but do not have to give a gift for each one.
  
• Only invite those whom are invited to the wedding.
  
  • Exception: the office shower.
    
• Multiple and co-ed parties are appropriate.
  
• It is never polite to invite the same guest to more than one shower.
  
• Showers are usually informal, but the sky is the limit.
  
• It can be held anywhere, a home, restaurant, and hotel…
• Any time is fine, however the afternoon is still the most popular.
  
• It could be a lunch, brunch, barbecue, pool party, cocktail party, co-ed or no.
  
• It can sometimes be a surprise.
  
• Remarrying brides can have showers hosted for them.

• Name of the bride-to-be.
• Date of the Shower.
• Time of the Shower, e.g. 2 PM - 5 PM. (It is best to put both the beginning and end times on the invitation so that the guests can plan their day.)
• Address where the shower is being held.
• Name and phone number of the hostess/hostesses.
• A deadline date for the RSVP. (This is usually about two weeks prior to the shower date.)
• Bridal Shower theme. (If applicable).
• Home decorating colors. (If applicable).
• It is helpful to enclose a map of the shower location.

1. Hostess greets guests and offers drinks and appetizers. Some introductions are made.
   
2. When all the guests have arrived, the hostess has each guest introduce herself and explain her relationship to the bride-to-be.
   
3. Icebreakers: These can be shower games or other activities that help your guests interact.
   
4. Food is served. This can be appetizers, a buffet or a sit-down lunch, tea or dinner depending on time of day.
   
5. Toast to the bride-to-be.
   
6. The bride-to-be opens her gifts and then the gifts are passed around for the guests to admire.
   
7. The bride thanks the hostess for giving the shower and thanks the guests for celebrating with her.
   
8. Time for individual conversations and socialization.
   
9. Bridal shower favors are given to guests. (If they have not been provided at a place setting.)
   
10. Hostess thanks the guests for coming - individually, if possible.

• Appetizers - vegetables and dip, fruit tray, potato chips, nuts, etc.
  
• The meal - salad and a casserole works well. Select a menu that can be prepared ahead of time, because you don't want to be busy in the kitchen when you could be mingling with your guests.
  
• For vegetarians - If some of your guests are vegetarians, include a meatless dish such as a bean casserole, etc. If you plan to serve a chicken or shrimp salad, put aside some of the salad in a separate bowl before adding the chicken or shrimp.
  
• Drinks - coffee, tea, soft drinks and/or punch. Mimosa (orange juice with champagne) is good for a brunch. This can be used to toast the bride. If you don't want to serve liquor, there are many good non-alcoholic champagne choices available now.
  
• Dessert - specially decorated cake, pie.
  
• Sunday Brunch Shower: Bagels, fresh seasonal fruit, mini danish, scones, breakfast quiche, fresh squeezed OJ, bloody mary's, mimosas

• Have some music playing in the background to set the mood. See that the music is low so that it will not drown out the conversation. Choosing a CD of wedding music will set the tone and provide a talking point. A CD of wedding music is also a good gift for the bride, if she has not yet finalized the music to be played at her wedding.
  
• Decorating with banners and balloons can quickly give a room a festive air.
  
• Flower centerpieces always add charm to the food table. Consider purchasing the new "edible arrangements" that are fruit based cut out to resemble flowers...really cool and useful too!
  
• Use white napkins pushed through heart-shaped cookie cutters as a napkin ring.
  
• Make a faux wedding cake or a bridal shower towel cake for a centerpiece.
  
  This fake wedding cake is composed of 4 bath towels, 4 hand towels, and 4 washcloths. These should be new and will be given to the bride after the shower. Start by folding the bath towels in fourths lengthwise. Connect the folded towels end to end with large safety pins. Start at one end and roll the towels up. When you reach the end, secure the end with pins. Follow the same procedure for the hand towels and then again for the washcloths. Stack the three rolls with the bath towels on the bottom, the hand towels in the middle, and the washcloths on top. Secure the layers together with pins. Use creativity to decorate. Ideas include silk flowers, strands of beads, pearls and/or jewels which can be purchased at local craft stores.

1. Hostess places shower favors and place cards at each place setting.
   
2. Guests arrive and are introduced to each other.
   
3. Guests are seated and the meal is served.
   
4. Toast to the bride-to-be.
   
5. Bride opens her gifts.
   
6. Bride thanks hostess for giving the shower, thanks guests for celebrating with her.
   
7. Hostess thanks the guests for coming.

• Place Card Frames
• Almond Jewels Favor Kit
• Small plants (wrap fabric around the pot, tie with a personalized ribbon)
• Decorative Favor Soaps
• Personalized Box of Mints
• Disposable Wedding Cameras
• Themed Cookie Cutters
• Manicure Set
• More Bridal Shower Gift Ideas

• A prominent chair for the bride-to-be.
• A writing pad and pen for the gift list.
• A sturdy paper plate and a scissors for the shower bouquet.
• A plastic bag for quick disposal of the discarded wrapping paper.

• Make "Room" for Bridal Showers
  Come up with a list os rooms in the couples new home and ask guests to bring a gift suited to furnishing that particular room.
  
• Oooh-La-Lingerie
  This one can be as tame, or as racy as you like, depending on the guest list. Guests will bring gifts of wedding lingerie which can include penoir sets, comfy jammies, garters and more.
  
• Time for Shower!
  Come up with special "times" like movie time, dinner time, etc and ask guests to use their imagination to think up gifts which will fit into this theme.
  
• The Pampered Bride
  Guests buy gifts associated with helping the bride to care for her personal needs. This can include health spa or nail salon gift certificates (although, you should really bring along something the bride can open so include a manicure set, etc with a certificate), yoga instruction or bath incidentals. Actually hosting the shower at a spa or hair salon is a really fun idea. There are plenty of places that specialize in hosting showers. What is more enjoyable than to spend a day at a spa with a group of your best girls?
  
• Garden Party
  Know a bride who has a love for gardening? Host a shower in a garden setting and decorate tables with beautiful flowers. Ask guests to bring along gifts that the bride can use in her garden.
  
• Belly Up to the Bar
  Guests bring gifts of wine or other types of favorite drinks, glasses, drink mixes, etc. to help the couple stock their bar.
  
• Christmas Theme
  Ask your guests to help the couple fill in their first Christmas tree by bringing gifts of Christmas ornaments. These could be fun or sentimental, handmade or store bought. The couple will remember each guest every year as they trim their tree. Makes a great theme for a shower for a winter wedding.
  
• Old fashioned Pajama Party
  Good clean fun! Ask guests to dress in their favorite jammies. Have tons of super-bad-for-you snacks, chick flicks, board games, etc.
  
• Recipes Galore
  For the bride who loves to cook - or hasn't got a clue! Guest write their favorite recipe and bring the card along with all non-perishable ingredients for the recipe wrapped in anything festive