Planning a Bridal Shower - Bridal Shower Themes, Invitations, Games and Ideas

What's Expected?
Traditionally, a bridal shower takes place during the day time, and brings family and friends from all aspects of the bride-to-be's life together in one place. So one main goal, is to break the ice. Here is a sample format you can follow for your bridal shower that does just that:

• Welcome the guests
• An ice-breaker game or activity
• Serve food or have a buffet service
• Another game or activity
• Open gifts
• Serve cake

Crunching the Numbers
Here are the 8 major costs you should budget for when planning a bridal shower:

1. Invitations
2. Favors
3. Pictures and film developing
4. Food and beverages
5. Cake
6. Paper plates, cups, napkins, utensils, etc.
7. Decorations: streamers, balloons, flowers, etc.
8. Games and prizes

Create the Guest List
Anyone on the wedding guest list can be included, but if you need to shorten the list, invite close family and friends that are in town - or just the women.

Of course, you can throw in some more games, mix things up, leave things out, it's all up to you! Here are some games to help you get your creative juices flowing:

And The Bride Wore...
The Bride-to-be is the center of attention today...but how well were your guests paying attention to her? Find out when the Bride leaves the room and you surprise your guests with this pop quiz!

Bridal Bingo Card Generator
We've taken the Classic Game of Bingo and pre-filled the Bingo card with Wedding items. And with our Game Card Generator, you get a different Bridal Bingo Card for each guest - even if you have 200 guests!

Who Am I? Bridal Shower Survey
How well do you really know each other? Take this secret survey and have the Bride-to-be read the answers as the guests try to figure out Who's Who! A great ice-breaker, even for groups who think they know everything about each other!

Sketch The Bride
This humorous activity is sure to make it into the bride's scrapbook! Have each guest try to draw a picture of the bride, then list 5 things they like about her. What a great way to get to know the bride better, and even share some sentimental moments with the girls.

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Plan the Entertainment
As mentioned above, games are a great way to get guests who may not know each other, to interact. They're great ice-breakers and can really set the mood for your bridal shower. About three games for a two-hour shower are just right. Bridal shower games should be the fun part of planning your shower, so don't wait until the last minute to think about them! Here are some of our favorites: Bridal Shower Games.

Invitations
Now is the time to finalize the guest list and get those invitations sent out! Invitations to any bridal shower are the guests' first clue to the theme of the bridal shower. Pick invitations that reflect the theme, and don't forget to include any special instructions or requests. Here are some fun invitations you can print out yourself: Free Bridal Shower Invitations

Don't forget to check out these Hip, Modern, Exclusive Wedding Invitations!

And what about party favors for the winners and booby prizes for the losers? Here are some fun ideas:

Printed Votive Cups

Tea Light Candles

Parchment Picture Frames

Printed Champagne Flutes

Finalize the Menu and Go Shopping
Take a look at your theme and your plan, and make a list of everything you need to buy. Think about the food and beverages you're going to serve, what you're going to serve it on, what games are going to be played, party favors, decorations, are you ready? A tip on food: set the food up at different spots around the room. Put the chips on one side of the room and beverages on another. This will encourage your guests to mingle.

Confirm Reservations
If you have reservations, go ahead and confirm them. Double-check to make sure you have enough chairs, tables and dishes.

Creating Memories
Designate a photographer to capture these bridal shower moments for the bride. Set out disposable cameras at the bridal shower for the guests to snap "action shots" and then develop the film for the bride-to-be. Take a photo of each guest with the bride-to-be as they leave, and include the photo with each thank you note. Designate a gift recorder to keep track of who brought what gift, so the bride-to-be will have an easier time writing thank you notes.