![]() ![]() If you're hosting at a restaurant, begin looking over the menu options if you're holding the event at home, decide what you'll buy, prepare, or have catered. This is also the time to nail down the delicious food and drinks you will serve at the event. If you choose to define a dress code, keep it simple: Request that guests wear floral prints, their pastel best, all white, or similar easy-to-source fashions that make a statement without adding stress or expense. Build from the bride's preferences, and seek her input as necessary, but leave some element of surprise. Your venue may have already determined your bridal shower theme-a garden party, a high tea, a wine tasting-but if not, confirm an aesthetic and color palette that you can use to inspire the invitations. Everyone invited to the shower should be invited to the wedding, but the shower can be a smaller, more intimate guest list. The bride will often provide a guest list for each shower held in her honor the only guests invited to more than one should be the immediate family of the couple, and the wedding attendants. If the host has hesitations about timelines, tracking RSVPs, or who's in charge of what, a planner will help this person stay on track. ![]() "Having a reputable planner to help your host with the planning and logistics (and sometimes even the décor) ensures a good time is had by all, even the ones throwing the event," says Fitzgerald. Depending on the size and style of event you have in mind, it may be helpful to hire a planner. If you choose to host at home, says Emily Reno of Weddings and Events by Emily, the money you save can be allocated to other elements of the shower, including a caterer and decorations. This could be a casual backyard affair, an elevated at-home brunch, or a more formal tea at a hotel or restaurant. "Think about the style you're going for and then pinpoint a space that best suits it," Mason adds. But during this timeframe, you and the other hosts can brainstorm and research locations. To fully decide on a venue, you'll need a guest count, a date, and a budget. "As long as the bride and the VIPs (family, bridal party, etc.) are able to attend, the party will go on." ![]() "Don't go so crazy trying to please everyone that you lose sight of the event itself," says planner Jacin Fitzgerald. When choosing the day that might work best for your party, consider potential weather issues, especially if you're hoping to host outside the travel needs of out-of-town guests and the time of day. Most bridal showers take place one to three months before the wedding. "Talk with the guest of honor in the first month of planning and see what they're comfortable with," says Mason. While many bridal showers have elements that are a surprise for the guest of honor, you should check in with bride on a few key details: Who she wants to invite, any venue ideas, traditions she imagines including (or not). "You can very easily blow through a budget if you're not tracking your numbers." "Before making any set shower plans, it's always good to know who's contributing and how much you collectively plan to spend," says Ashley Mason, the founder and lead planner of Saunter Weddings. ![]() Set a time to talk funds with any family members, friends, or wedding party members who may want to help with costs. To take the lead, you simply need to raise your hand. In fact, sometimes these parties are thrown by groups so that no one hostess has to cover the entire price tag. Anyone can throw a shower in honor of the VIP, and there's no rule that reserves the "first right to host" for the mother of the bride, female family members, or bridesmaids. It's a wonderful way to get conversations going. "A date night theme is cute, too, and so useful guests can pair with a personal story as to why that restaurant or activity is special to them." Ritchie also loves a "favorite things" option: "Attendees bring items you didn't know you needed, but that they swear by-a weighted eye mask, their favorite watering can, a special kitchen utensil. "A lingerie theme can be fun for a daring bride," she suggests. To ensure attendees still have a broad mix of options to choose from at that point, encourage your bride to keep her wish list up to date and rich with presents of different price points, Ritchie says-or opt for a themed registry or gift category that is specific to the shower to avoid depleting the general one. Bridal showers are thrown about three months before the wedding, so her registry will likely be slightly picked over in the weeks leading up to the event. ![]()
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