A Guide to Bridal Showers

Men have their secret Stag Nights when they wave goodbye to their old bachelor days.  This night is generally filled with copious drinking, disorderly behavior, and a host of things that we never ever find out about. Nor do we want to.  Women have their bachelorette parties as well, but we also have the luxury of a more refined setting that qualifies our uniqueness and femininity.  With presents no less!

Bridal Showers have often been referred to as Hen Parties.  Their origin comes from the Dutch bride who married her lover and whose father refused her a dowry.  So her friends got together, as all good girlfriends do, and showered the happy couple with gifts for their new home together.  The power of love prevails, and the practice of providing gifts to the bride before her wedding evolved into this wedding tradition today.

It is the role of the Bridesmaids and Maid of Honor to organize this event.  A good Wedding Consultant can help with this, but truly, a bride’s best friends know what you want better than anyone.  When choosing a theme for the shower, and oh yes, you must have a theme, choose one that reflects the bride.  If she is a die hard sorority girl, theme it around that.  Does she love kittens or have a favorite sport? You just decided her theme. This is one of HER days, so do everything you need to do to make her feel special, and honored.

The Where and the When: Bridal Showers need to take place at least two months if not more before the wedding.  It can be held at hotel, restaurant, or private home depending on how many you invite.

Who Attends: The Maid of Honor and Bridesmaids are responsible for organizing every last detail.  Family member traditionally do not host showers as it is seen as self-serving.  This is actually standard wedding etiquette, so if there is family in the bridal party, appoint someone else to do the job.  Who they invite is dependent on the guest list of the wedding.  Invite all of the women on the wedding list.  Do NOT invite anyone that has not received a wedding invitation.

What to Do:  There is a traditional format you can undergo, but truly, follow the guideline of the bride.  Even ask her what she wants to do.  You don’t need fancy sandwiches or games if that is not her style.  The key is to eat, drink, and be merry with all of her closest girlfriends.  Set enough time for food and a few drinks and for the gifts of course.  Someone needs to be appointed to record each gift and giver so the Bride can send out appropriate thank-yous.  Once the gift giving is done, people will start to make their way out, and the hosts are responsible for thanking everyone that came personally.

Above all, have fun! And do whatever you can to make this a very special day for your best friend.  She will never forget it!