Planning Wedding Showers: Benefits and Opportunities

Wedding showers are a fun and practical event that can have huge dividends in the establishment of a new family. But even more, a bridal shower offers an opportunity to take a break from the rigors of wedding planning and relax with good friends and enjoy the season and the anticipation of the upcoming big day.

Traditionally the Maid of Honor hosts the wedding shower with the help of the bridesmaids. However there are many cases where this is not possible and it is perfectly acceptable for a family member to host instead. The problem, however, is that a family member hosting the shower, especially if it is the mother of either the bride or groom, is likely to give the impression that the family is asking for gifts rather than taking an opportunity to celebrate the upcoming nuptials.

The time period in which a shower is normally held is between two months and two weeks before the wedding. Choosing a date for the bridal shower much earlier than that might interfere with the bride's efforts to plan the wedding. Planning a wedding shower after this window is likely to interfere with the last minute planning and, perhaps more significantly, get in the way of the bride trying to watch her diet so that she can fit into her wedding dress!

Practical

The first benefit of planning a wedding shower that people point to is the simple fact that the event offers an opportunity to provide the young couple with house wares and other practical items the young couple will need to establish a home together. It is also an important opportunity for friends and family to get together before the big day finally arrives.

Build Relationships

Wedding showers are an excellent way for future in laws to have a chance of getting to know one another, but remember this day is really for the bride so if you are planning a shower keep her in mind. You do not want to plan events or invite people that will make her feel uncomfortable, do you?

Options

There are nearly as many options available for wedding showers as there are activities that lend themselves to a party setting. Here are just a handful of ideas to get the creative juices flowing:

Tea - Hold a formal tea party in someone's parlor, great room, or garden. Serve, scones, finger sandwiches, chocolate covered strawberries, fruit soup, mini cakes, and as many flavors of tea as you like.

Garden - Enjoy the splendor of creation in someone's neatly manicured garden. This is especially appropriate for a couples wedding shower who already has most household items but could use plants and gardening implements for to spruce up their yard - especially if they are trying to prepare their own yard for a outdoor wedding!

Wine Tasting - Hold the wedding shower at a nearby wine tasting room or have all of the guests bring their favorite bottle of wine. Serve fresh baked bread, cheese and crackers.

Barbeque - This is a great option for a couples shower, a casual wedding shower, or just for an outdoors enthusiast. Relax. Have fun.

Lingerie - There is so much fun to be had with a lingerie bridal shower... and the groom will thank you for it!

Location Wedding Showers - It has become increasingly popular to hold wedding showers while participating in some fun activity. For example, why not hold the celebration while taking the bride to her favorite amusement park? How about the beach? Think of activities that will appeal to the bride (or couple if you are planning a couple's shower) and guests and host your wedding shower on location. Of course, while planning a location shower, take into consideration any guests who might have limited mobility. You will not want anyone to feel left out.

The list goes on...

Use the resources that you have creatively to come up with a unique bridal shower experience. Likewise, choose your bridal shower favors carefully and work the favors into your overall theme. By doing so you make your budget do double duty.

Have fun. Dream. Play with the ideas for a little while. It is entirely possible that you can come up with a unique wedding shower experience that your guest of honor will remember for years to come for more than simply your thoughtfulness.

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