Wedding Shower Planning Guide
The minute that a couple pulls the trigger on their wedding planning, there’s an awful lot to organise, whether it’s a normal or a micro-wedding, including the all-important wedding shower. In this article, we’re sharing our comprehensive guide to wedding shower planning in 2024.
What is a wedding shower ?
Largely an American tradition, the wedding shower is a party which is thrown ahead of the wedding to celebrate the betrothed couple. Usually organised by family and / or friends, the wedding shower will include food, drink, speeches, gifts and activities such as team games.
Explore the charm of the cocktail hour as well!
A comprehensive guide to wedding shower planning
Planning a wedding shower takes a fair amount of time and effort and failing to get yourself properly organised can result in the event falling flat. In this section, we’re taking you through our step by step guide to planning the perfect wedding shower:
Save the date
Choosing the right day / date for the shower can mean the difference between success and failure. Consult with the betrothed couple to get an idea of their guests’ working schedules – for example; do most guests work Monday to Friday ? In many cases, a Saturday will be the most appropriate day for a wedding shower and many prefer an afternoon event rather than an evening one.
The guest list
While some couples would like a full-on party, others would prefer a more intimate affair so it’s important to know which of these is appropriate and then put together the guest list based on this information.
The venue
Next up, it’s time to choose a venue. This will generally depend on budget and availability as well as the size of the guest list. Whether the shower is being held in somebody’s home or in a grand hotel, this is possibly the most important part of your planning.
An important aspect of your planning will be decor and, so, if you are hiring a venue, you will want to arrange a meeting with the coordinator in order to discuss your decor arrangements. Similarly, if the shower is being held in a private home, you’ll need to agree on decor with the homeowner.
Invitations
Another important part of your wedding shower planning is the invitations. These days people have busy lives; both professionally and socially and so invites for the shower should be sent out as early as possible to avoid disappointment. Invitations can be bought online fairly cheaply or, if you’re a bit crafty, you might fancy having a go at making them yourself. Include a clear RSVP deadline with contact details to allow you to plan more effectively.
Catering
Food and drink is, of course, a vital part of any successful wedding shower however fancy or simple. Getting the right balance on refreshments can be tricky however, with food, always err on the side of caution and order slightly more than you think you might need. When it comes to alcohol, try to find a company which will allow you to return any unused bottles in order to avoid wasting money.
Entertainment
Wedding shower planning includes sorting out entertainment and activities and this can include a band or DJ or just some simple games. If you are hiring a band or DJ, ask around for recommendations and shop around for the best price.
In terms of games, there are lots of options to choose from – however, do bear in mind the ages of the guests (i.e. avoid anything too racy if children or elderly people are going to be involved).
A recipe for success
Planning a wedding shower does involve a certain level of commitment therefore you should never agree to take this on if you don’t feel that you will have the time and / or focus to get the job done properly. When done correctly, a wedding shower is an event that will create memories that last a lifetime so, as the planner, the pressure is on. Don’t worry though, by following the tips in this article, you should be able to plan the perfect wedding shower without breaking a sweat – or the bank.