Bridal Shower 101: Recipe for a Party

By: Vanessa Greaves

The question was popped, the date is set, and now it's time to shower the people you love with love. And toasters.

Shower Ideas

Showers can be girls-only or coed.

You can hit a spa, park, or craft studio. Or break out and take a cooking lesson, go rock-climbing or bird watching.

Just take into account the age, interests, and abilities of all the guests.

Couples Shower

Shower Power

Like many time-honored customs, the bridal shower is rooted in romantic legend and down-to-earth practicality.

Some say it began as a Dutch village's generous response when a farmer refused to let his daughter marry a poor but deserving suitor.

Others whisper of a conspiracy by the fondue pot industry. (We kid.)

The term "shower" might come from the Victorian custom of hiding presents inside a parasol so the bride would be showered with gifts when she opened it.

How-To Advice

How-To Videos

The upside of a bridal shower is the sense of tradition, community, and genuine well-wishes in helping a bride-to-be gear up for a new life.

The downside is the anxiety of pulling together such an important prenuptial pageant.

Relax. We have sensible advice and simple recipes for a perfectly lovely bridal shower.

Basic Elements

Make a to-do list that includes invitations, menu, setup, cleanup, photos, decorations, ice-runs, etc. Organize list items in a three-ring binder with dividers. Add details as needed, but hang on to your sanity by keeping things simple.

The maid or matron of honor usually leads the charge, with work shared by the rest of the bridesmaids. This means the party-givers pay the bills, so it's essential you make and stick to a budget.
Schedule the shower six to eight weeks before the wedding. Try for a two-hour block on a weekend afternoon.
The bride and groom compile the guest list. When you've gathered addresses, phone numbers, and email, send out invitations six weeks before the shower or several months ahead if there will be out-of-towners. Include the date, start and end times--two hours should do it--event address, contact information, and gift registry.
Let guests know if the party has a theme: kitchen, new home, pamper-the-bride, or other special interests.
A big guest list might mean you rent a space; a more intimate gathering could be held at a private home. Either way, plan for enough seating, eating, and mingling. Decorations can be simple or elaborate; classic or themed.
If there's room in your budget, hire someone to help set up, serve, and clean up afterwards.