Contents
Who Is the Maid of Honor?
How to Plan a Bridal Shower
How to Give a Toast
How to Plan a Bachelorette Party
How to Help Choose Wedding Attire
Maid of Honor’s Ceremony Responsibilities
Maid of Honor’s Reception Responsibilities
How to Decorate the Bridal Suite
How to Overcome Obstacles
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How to Plan a Bridal Shower
A bridal shower is a party held in honor of the bride; attendees are asked to bring gifts that are meant to help the bride and groom start their new life together. In some cases, the bride may even have more than one shower—an office shower, a family-only shower, and a friends-only shower are some variations. Often, bridal showers are surprise parties; although the bride usually knows she’s having a shower, the exact date or location of the event may be kept secret. As maid of honor, you may host or cohost any of
these occasions.
If you do host the shower, it’s okay to request help from the other bridesmaids. For example, you may ask them to contribute financially, drive you to pick up supplies, or lend a hand setting up the party room on the day of the event. Sometimes, but not always, a bridal shower has a theme, such as a beach motif or a Hawaiian luau. If you decide to go with a theme, pick one before making any other decisions regarding the shower.
Choose a Location
Before you pick a place to hold the shower, make a list of all the guests you want to invite. You can expect that about 10–15% of those you invite won’t be able to make it, but it’s smart to find a place that’s big enough to accommodate everyone on your list anyway. You can choose to throw a shower:
- In your home: Keep in mind that there are a lot of extra costs and details that go into having a party at home (such as stocking up on toilet paper and making sure everyone has a place to park).
- At an outside venue: A restaurant or party venue, such as an inn or a hotel, is a popular place to hold a shower. If you choose this, decide whether you want to rent a private party room or just set up a block of tables in the main venue space.
Choose the Menu
If you’re having the bridal shower at home, you can either prepare the food yourself or hire a professional caterer. If you’re having the shower at an outside venue, you’ll typically need to decide whether to arrange to have guests order off the house menu or select specific selections for them to choose from.
- When setting up the menu, keep in mind common allergies the bride or guests may have—such as aversions to shellfish, peanuts, or wheat—and make sure there are other options for those guests.
- If you have a theme, pick foods that suit it. For example, if you’re having a tea party theme, offer little tea sandwiches, mini quiches, and fruit.
Find Favors
Similar to the food and décor, the party theme can help determine the types of party favors you choose. If you have no theme, opt for something general—and, preferably, something that the guests will enjoy and find useful. There are many websites, such as
www.beau-coup.com, that offer charming, affordable gifts and deliver them to your home for an extra shipping and handling fee. If you prefer to see and choose favors in person, visit your local party supplies store. Keep in mind that party favors can also double as décor or centerpieces for the table.
Send the Invites
When it’s time to pick the invitations, you have a few choices. You can:
- Print them yourself
- Buy blank invitations at a card store
- Send Evite® invitations if everyone on your list has email
- Order invitations in person or online and have them made up and sent to you
Before you fill out any of the information on the invite, double-check the date and time. If you’re throwing the party at a restaurant or an inn, ask the manager for cards containing driving directions, then tuck the cards inside the invitations. Be sure to buy a few extra envelopes, too, in case you make a mistake addressing them.
Send out the invitations about six to eight weeks before the event, and make sure to indicate that guests must RSVP two to three weeks in advance so you can get a realistic estimate of the number of people to expect. It’s a good idea to make a list of the guests you’ve invited and keep it by your phone (or computer, if you’re expecting RSVPs via email). That way you can keep track of who’s coming as the responses come in.
Pace the Party
A shower usually lasts about four hours. Once guests have had a chance to mingle, you can arrange to have the meals served. When everyone is done eating (or is having dessert), it’s a good time for you to give a toast (similar to the one you might give at the wedding), play games, and unwrap gifts. Usually, you’ll sit next to the bride as she opens up her gifts so you can keep a list of gifts and the guests who gave them.
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