How to Plan the Best Bridal Shower: 5 Easy Steps

As the big day approaches, one of the most exciting pre-wedding events is the bridal shower – a celebration of the bride-to-be with her closest friends and family members. Whether you’re a trusted friend planning the shower, or the mother of the bride, we have plenty of top tips that will make your party-planning a breeze!

1. Choose Your Bridal Shower Theme

After choosing a guest list that the bride will approve of, the next step in planning a successful bridal shower is choosing a time and place that works for everyone. Send out a poll or group text asking which dates will work best, offering a few flexible options that coincide with the pre-wedding timeline. Generally, the bridal shower should be held anytime between three weeks to three months before the big day itself.

Once the date has been picked, choosing a location will depend on the bridal shower theme – if it’s a casual garden party, hosting in a backyard during the summer might be best, but if it’s a dressy brunch then this could be done in a restaurant or your home. Here are some bridal shower themes that we love:

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Tea Party

Replete with mini sandwiches, sweet treats, and beautiful tableware, this elegant theme is perfect for a bride who would prefer a more refined celebration.

An Enchanted Evening

For a more intimate affair, this candlelight soiree is perfect. Using earth-toned tableware, floral displays, and plenty of table candles, this bridal shower will be casual yet joyous.

Vineyard Delights

If the bride is a wine connoisseur, then why not try a wine tasting event? This can take place on a vineyard or in a restaurant, and with an elevated tablescape, this tasteful theme is sure to be a hit!

Take Me to Paris!

Transport the bride to the streets of Paris with a French-inspired bridal shower. We recommend using Ladurée décor, flowers, and plenty of pastries for an oh-so-chic event.

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2. Send the Bridal Shower Invites

Ensure guests have plenty of notice before the bridal shower by sending them an invitation six to eight weeks ahead of the event. Meri Meri has a range of beautiful invitation designs with Paperless Post.

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3. Prepare The Menu

As with every big celebration, the little details can’t be forgotten. A perfected menu, whether it consists of finger food or a three-course meal, alongside a gorgeous tablescape are crucial for a successful bridal shower. Depending on the theme, a dinner table set with table candles and Linen Napkins could be the best option, or perhaps multiple tables featuring floral displays and Ditsy Floral tableware could be the way to go. Either way, co-ordinate your table décor with the decorations used in the space where the bridal shower is being held.

If you’re unsure of the best way to set the table for your event, discover our How To Set The Table blog, detailing etiquette, decorating, and more!

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4. Host In Style

Creating a beautiful bridal shower can be hard work, but your efforts will all be worth it when the bride-to-be walks in and sees the shower of her dreams. Accessorizing the chosen venue correctly is therefore the foundation of creating a triumphant bridal shower. Decorating will depend on the theme; if it’s a garden party held at dusk amongst glittering fairy lights, then pair with Mushroom Lanterns and plain tableware, but if it’s an afternoon tea party, decorate with Floral Garlands alongside a Floral Chandelier. If you’re planning a wedding shower which celebrates both members of the happy couple, then consider a color scheme and decorations that they will both love – earth-toned décor or classic colors such as gold and silver will work for most wedding shower themes.

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5. Show Your Appreciation

As the shower draws to a close, send guests home with a thoughtful memento from the event. We love classic bridal shower party favors such as candles (which can be personalized with a note addressed to each guest) or little gifts such as matchboxes, flowers, and chocolates. Or why not try our bow hair accessories, crafted from exquisite Liberty fabrics, or our sumptuous hair slides that look great with every hairstyle?

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We would love to see how your bridal showers turn out! Send pictures of your event to @merimeriparty on Instagram.