Checklist for hosting a bridal shower

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A bridal shower is a special event to celebrate the bride's transition from the single life to married bliss. If you are planning a bridal shower for your friend or sibling, use a planning checklist to help ensure everything is taken care of. A detailed list will help any bridesmaid or maid of honor plan a fun-filled and stress-free bridal shower.

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1. Select Date and Create Guest List

   • Meet with the mother of the bride and the bridesmaids to determine the guest list and date of the event. According to "Emily Post's Etiquette," the wedding shower is held a minimum of two weeks before the wedding date, but for the sake of sanity, try to plan it for earlier than this. Before finalizing the guest list, check with the bride to determine the list of people she would like to have attend the party.

   Choose Theme and Location

   • If possible, hold the bridal shower at your home or a bridesmaid's apartment. Choose a space large enough to accommodate the bridal party, family friends and the bride's work colleagues. Select a bridal shower theme such as Lingerie, Nautical, Tea Party or a Wine Party for the event. Ensure that the theme reflects the bride's style, taste and food preferences, and that the theme is appropriate for the guest list. If you want something more intimate, you may want to have a few close friends over to someone's house or apartment.

   Menu Planning and Invitations

   • If a caterer is required for the event, plan the menu a minimum of three months before the shower, especially if the wedding is held in the height of wedding season. If you are catering the event yourself, plan the menu four to six weeks before the shower date. Once the theme and date are set, send invitations to the guest list. Purchase the invitations at a stationery or paper store eight weeks before the event. If you are printing the invitations yourself, buy stamps, ink for your printer and a pre-made invitation kit that includes the envelopes and card stock for the invitations. Purchase these items eight weeks before the event. Send the invitations four to six weeks before the event's date, after you finalize the guest list.

   Games and Activities

   • Games and activities are almost as customary as throwing the bouquet at the wedding, and there are plenty of games to choose from. Some bridal shower games include: The Purse Scavenger Hunt, Who Knows the Bride Best? or A Wedding Word Scramble. To create the best bridal shower experience, have a variety of activities suitable for party participants of all ages.

   Purchase Gifts &- Notebook to Record Gifts

   • Purchase small gifts for each winner of the bridal shower games. For the tea party theme, wrap homemade cookies in cellophane tied with a bow. Or buy an inexpensive tea and saucer set for each individual winner. Write down the name of the gift giver in a notebook to help the bride write the customary bridal shower thank-you notes later.

Source: www.ehow.com

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