It’s also important to make sure all guests are taken from the actual wedding guest list. Of course, where it makes sense, Bridesmaids, mother, mother-in-law and sisters could be invited to all showers though not expected to attend every one. You will also want to coordinate with anyone planning other showers to make sure the guest lists do not overlap. Be sure to talk with the bride-to-be to see who she wants to be invited. Speaking of guests, it’s time to make that final list.

In most cases, the more guests are invited, the more help you will need. A good way to decide on how many helpers to ask for is to consider the size of the guest list. Not only does this lighten the load of all the work, it also helps spread the costs for the party around too. It’s actually pretty common for a bridal shower to be hosted by more than one person. While it is more common today to see the Mother of the Bride involved, the Maid of Honor, Bridesmaids or any other close friend may want to speak up and take on the duties as a way to celebrate the bride. Like I said before, anyone can plan a beautiful bridal shower to honor the deserving bride-to-be in your life. If you missed my tips on planning a shower on a budget, you should check that out too and if you are wondering about any etiquette that you may want to be aware of, I’ve got you covered there to. My goal with this checklist is for it to be your go-to guide that walks you through the process complete with information for before, during and after the special event. Whether you’re party planning on your own, or you have some extra hands, and minds to help, today I’m sharing my complete bridal shower planning checklist to help you start things off right! While pretty much anyone can plan a great bridal shower, it does require some time and effort so being prepared from the time you begin planning will go a long way toward keeping things moving along smoothly. Coordinating dates, finding the perfect location, deciding on a menu and entertainment all while hoping it’s absolutely perfect for your very dear bride-to-be may feel more like work than play. They are great for throwing things in that need to be transported and helps with an easy clean up.If you are currently planning a bridal shower, I’m guessing that what may have seemed like fun and games at the beginning, may not feel quite the same now that you are into it. TIP: always bring your own role of garbage bags. Build in as much time as you can for decorations.Īre they delivering? If not, who is in charge of getting the food in time TIP: ordering early gives you enough time to send things back or change your mind. Start ordering things on Amazon or Etsy now to allow time for production and delivery. Include all of the details in the invitation date, location, time, where the bride is registered, RSVP date, desired attire, theme, etc.Ĭolors and theme should already be chosen. If you have a tight turn around, we recommend sending a Facebook event “Save the Date” to notify guest immediately and even collect missing addresses if necessary. Does she want to be surprised with the theme/colors or does she want to have an input?Ĭollect all addresses from the bride so that you can send out invitations with enough notice. Make sure that you have a timeline in place to ensure that your guests don’t get bored or feel awkward.įigure out just how much the bride wants to be involved. TIP: showers are often thrown at a guest’s home which can cut down dramatically on the cost. Select a venue that works within your budget and can comfortably accommodate everyone on your guest list. All hosts typically contribute the same amount. Once you have a date and an idea of how many people will be on the guest list, meet with your co-hosts/bridesmaids to decide on a budget that everyone is comfortable with.

Inquire with the bride about who she would like to have on her guest list. (Make sure you both connect with immediate family members to make sure those dates work for them as well.) Narrow it down to 2 or 3 dates that you can float out to the other co-hosts/bridesmaids. Make sure you talk to the bride and make sure that you are on the same page as the family.Ĭompile a list of dates and blackout dates with the bride of potential event dates. Other bridesmaids? Aunts of the bride? Each party is different. Make sure your bride has her registry in order so that you can give the guest a point of reference to look for a gift.įigure out who your co-hosts will be.

Hosting a bridal shower checklist