As maid of honor, it is your resposibility to organize the bridal shower.  I'm sure you already have many questions.  What is a bridal shower?  When do I organize it?  Who comes to it? What do I do  for a bridal shower?  Well, here are the answers...

                                What is a bridal shower?

 A bridal shower is a party thrown for the bride in celebration of her wedding and entrance  into married life.

                                When do I organize it?.

  The shower can take place anywhere from 1 month before the wedding, to the week of the actual ceremony.  This will depend a lot on how many people invited are out of town guests.  For instance, for a bride whose friends and family live close by, a shower one month ahead of the wedding would be an option.  However, many weddings take place in a different city or state than where the bride lives. Or it often happens that friends and family live far away and are only able  to come in town for the weekend of the wedding.  In this case, the bridal shower can take place a  few days before the wedding.  If the rehearsal dinner is on a Saturday night, plan the bridal shower for that Saturday morning.  Take into consideration your guest list when planning the shower.  You should give ample notice, especially if many people will need to make hotel reservations.

                                Who comes to it?

     Traditionally, a bridal shower is for women only.  In the modern days that we live in, many people do decide to have co-ed bridal showers.  However, if you are planning a traditional shower, you are going to invite women that are close with the bride.  You can ask for her input as to what she would like the guest list to look like.  Typically, it will be her bridesmaids, good friends, and close family relatives.

    What do I do for it?
    Although you could throw the bridal shower at a restaurant or tea room, showers tend to be informal gatherings at a person's home.  You want to make sure that this is a fun time for everyone.  There are several things you can do to ensure this.

     Have good food
        -Depending on how gifted and energized you are in the kitchen, you can either try to cook all the food yourself, or you could have a potluck meal.  You could decide on a brunch, lunch, afternoon tea, or a dinner. If you decide to take on feeding a crowd of women, click here for recipes.
    Plan a theme
- Many showers have themes as to what kinds of gifts are going to be given to the bride.  You could decide to have everyone bring lingerie, kitchen, or linen gifts.  Another fun idea would be to have a holiday decorations theme.
    Have Games
-Any games you play should have something to do with weddings.  You could play wedding charades or make up games that have prizes.  A fun arts and crafts idea would be to have everyone help make stand-in bouquets and a veil for the rehearsal.  Use paper plates and bows and make them as funny and embarrassing as possible.

The main thing you want the Bridal Shower to do is make the bride feel relaxed and happy about her wedding. If you follow these steps, the bridal shower is sure to be a hit, and you are sure to have a happy bride.
 

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