When it Rains it Pours: The Bridal Shower

We've entered wedding season - which means that you've probably seen an increase in invites in the mail, and in the bridal showers and bachelorette parties you're attending. Maybe you have just realized that your sister's upcoming nuptials means that you are responsible for planning the bridal shower yourself! Never fear, we have researched as many aspects of the Bridal Shower as we can think of and now present you with the best themes, games, etiquette advice, and gift ideas we can find!

The Bridal Shower

The whole purpose of the bridal shower is to give the bride-to-be gifts that would help she and her groom establish a home. It is also meant to be a relaxed time to gather with close friends and family before the big day. The traditions and expectations have shifted between the 1890's and today, but the overall goal is still to honor the bride.

The bridal shower is typically hosted by the Maid of Honor and/or the bridesmaids, anywhere from two months to two days prior to the wedding. It is becoming more and more common for the Mother of the Bride to host the shower (in the past, this was taboo). Guests should include the wedding party, grandmothers, mothers, and sisters of the bride and groom, and the bride's close friends and co-workers.

*Remember: It is meant to be a smaller, intimate group, rather than a big blow-out-bash with everyone on the wedding guest list in attendance. Some people are now having multiple showers for family, co-workers, friends in order to avoid having so many people who are not familiar with each other together (and also because these are being given by people other than the Bride). Keep in mind that there are people who may feel obligated to attend all of the showers, which can make them feel pressured to buy multiple gifts. It may be good to make it clear that additional gifts are not expected.

For these tips and more check out Bridal Shower Etiquette Basics, Planning Tips, Multiple Showers Etiquette and The Knot

Shower Theme Ideas

The shower theme can be pulled off through decorations, location, activities, or the types of gifts that guests bring. You can avoid the traditional by doing something active or outdoors (i.e. rock climbing, attending a sporting event) but try to take everyone in the group into consideration when planning. Especially the bride! Try to assign responsibilities to guests as well, so that everyone feels included. 

     Spa and Beauty Day - This shower idea does not have to break the bank by holding it at an actual spa. An afternoon of relaxation is easy to pull off on your own with at home facials!

     Co-ed - The gifts are intended for the bride and groom's future home, so why not let them both share in receiving them? Gone are the days of the dowry and the all-girls gathering can certainly make room for a few gents.

     Gift Themes - A great way of separating the bridal shower gifts from the wedding gifts is to have a specific theme for guests to match for the shower. It is a good idea for the bride to register so that guests have items to choose from but it is also fun for people to be able to give something a little different from what they might purchase for the actual wedding. Some fun ideas are a Stock-the-Bar shower, where guests help the soon-to-be-married couple set up their first bar by bringing top shelf alcohol. If alcohol isn't quite right for the shower, you can request kitchen items or travel related gifts.

     Music - In addition to helping the couple prepare for life after the wedding, you can also help out with the wedding planning! Go to a concert and have guests bring CD's or playlist ideas. The perfect love songs are not always easy to come by and sometimes it takes a group effort to find the right ones!

Check out these ideas and more from TLC Weddings.

The Bow-quet

The bow-quet is fun, easy and helps the bridesmaids/relatives feel involved while the bride opens an abundance of gifts. Don't forget the supplies! You need tape, scissors, and a paper plate. Poke holes in the plate and tie a couple of ribbons through them to create a stem at the back of the plate for the bride to hold onto as she uses the bow-quet in place of her bouquet at the rehearsal. Then continue to add the bows and ribbons that you collect as the bride unwraps her gifts.

Games

     Toilet Paper Dress and Veil - Guests are divided into teams of three or four. Each team designates a model and is given a roll of toilet paper and several clips. They are given five minutes to design and create a wedding dress. (If possible, have the teams work in separate rooms or out of sight of their competition.) At the end of the five minutes, all of the teams come back together and the bride picks the winning dress.

     How Well Does the Bride Know the... Gum! - This is the "How Well Does the Bride Know the Groom" game with a twist. The groom is asked questions about himself (the goal is to make them difficult things that the bride would not know) and during the party, the bride is asked to answer the same questions about the groom. For each questions she gets wrong, she has to add a piece of gum to her mouth. Need inspiration for questions? Click HERE

     Pass the bouquet (or bow-quet) - Similar to musical chairs, the bouquet is passed around a in a circle as music plays. Each time the music stops, the person holding the bouquet is eliminated from the game.

     Blushing Bride Jeopardy - Guests participate in a game of Jeopardy featuring questions about the bride and wedding related topics. All answers must be given in question form!

*Remember: The goal of these activities should not be to embarrass anyone. Try to avoid games that require writing and instead focus on games that are light-hearted and require everyone to participate!

For these ideas and more, visit purpletrail.com or TLC Weddings

Gifts

Gifts off of the registry are perfectly fine, but so are gifts that are unique or offer that personal touch. Here are a few fun and different ideas we've come across!

Featured on weddingbee.com - Special Moments Wine!

Each bottle has a tag, commemorating a special occasion, reason to celebrate... or in the case of the first fight, a reason to drink ;) This idea could definitely be taken in different directions as well - maybe instead of wine, gift cards to nice restaurants, or decorations for each holiday the couple will celebrate in their first year. The possibilities are endless with a unique and thoughtful gift like this! 

Recipe Book

Collect recipes from everyone invited to attend the bridal shower and have them send in a picture of themselves with the bride. Put the recipes and pictures together in a book, to give the gift something special and help her cook! A friend of mine's grandmother did this and even printed off copies of the recipes so that all of the guests had a book of their own to take home.