Image by Tova Studios. See more of this real wedding here.
From engagement parties to bachelor and bachelorette parties, the wedding planning season is full of events that shower the soon-to-be couple with love. Certainly one of our favorites is the marriage shower. Typically going down two to 3 months prior to the marriage day, this pre-wedding party gets everyone excited for what’s to return. And now that your family members are officially engaged, it’s time to get the planning began.
When you’re the lucky one which gets to plan the marriage shower, we’re here to assist. This ultimate guide has all the pieces you want to know–from timelines to creative ideas the couple is bound to like!
FAQs For Planning A Wedding Shower
1. Who’s liable for planning a marriage shower?
There are such a lot of events that happen while planning a marriage. It will probably easily get confusing as to who’s presupposed to take responsibility for the planning of every event. With regards to the marriage party, we typically see parents or members of the marriage party taking on the planning duties. This offers the newly engaged couple somewhat break from the stresses of planning.
2. Who should cover the prices?
Traditionally, those hosting the event will cover the prices. But we understand this isn’t at all times the case, and we’re all about doing things the non-traditional way. . Perhaps the newly engaged couple desires to care for the bill, or perhaps their relations are willing to pitch in some money. Regardless of the situation, it’s essential to recollect this doesn’t should be an over-the-top affair. A marriage shower should simply be a time to rejoice the couple and gather everyone before the massive day.
Image by Lauren Apel. See more of this real wedding here.
3. When do you have to host a marriage shower?
Wedding showers typically occur two to 3 months before the marriage day. It’s close enough to get the couple and guests excited for what’s to return. But, it’s also far enough from the massive day, allowing everyone to make arrangements to suit each events into their schedules. You’ll need to make sure that to announce the date a minimum of two months upfront so everyone can plan accordingly.
4. Who must be included on the guestlist?
Regardless of who takes on the planning responsibilities, you’ll need to seek the advice of the couple on the ultimate guest list. While you would possibly have idea of who they’ll need to attend, it’s essential to make sure the couple gets the ultimate say.
A very good rule of thumb is to increase an invite to all relations on each side, along together with your closest family and friends. Remember that if the couple is eloping or planning an intimate celebration, it’s an awesome event to ask people who may not have made the ultimate wedding day guest list.
5. Are guests required to bring gifts?
Gifts are welcomed at a marriage shower but are usually not needed. If you would like to shower the newly engaged couple with gifts, you’ll want to think about something that is beneficial for each since it is a joint celebration.
Image by Jordan Jankun Photography.
Wedding Shower Planning Timeline
The important thing to a stress free planning season is having a solid timeline to guide you along the best way. If you would like to plan the proper wedding shower, use this timeline as a reference.
3 to 4 Months Before the Wedding Shower
- Compile a guest list with contact information
- Discuss all ideas, dates, etc. with the couple
- Finalize a date and time
- Establish a budget
- Reserve location (as needed)
1 to 2 Months Before the Wedding Shower
- Order and send invitations
- Purchase decor, party favors, etc.
- Prepare games and activities
- Finalize the foods and drinks menus
- Delegate a team to assist with clear responsibilities (as needed)
2 to three Weeks Before the Wedding Shower
- Make follow-up calls to guests and make sure their attendance
- Confirm any vendor arrival times
- Touch base together with your foods and drinks team or make a grocery list on your shopping trip
- Buy a notepad or book to record gifts received for the couple
Wedding Shower Day
- Arrive early to the marriage shower location to forestall rushing (you must enjoy today, too)
- Decorate the venue space
- Prep any food or drink items
- Welcome guests
- Help write down and record gifts (as needed)
- ENJOY!
Image by Ash Gabes Photo.
Creative Wedding Shower Ideas
Now that your questions have been answered and you’ve gotten a rough planning timeline, the true fun begins. Hosting something somewhat different on your newly engaged friends will certainly make them feel loved. And when you’re trying to plan a novel wedding shower, these creative ideas will help kickstart the planning process.
Take Over A Coffee Shop
As a substitute of hosting a backyard celebration, consider hosting a morning party at an area coffee shop. Guests are sure to like the experience of getting their very own personal barista. Bonus points in the event that they could make personalized designs on friends’ and families’ lattes.
Host A Movie Night
In case your couple loves movies and snuggling on the couch, they’ll love the thought of hosting a movie night surrounded by all of their family members. Order some pizzas, play a couple of wedding party games, after which let the movie-watching begin.
Schedule A Wine or Cocktail Tasting
When you’re in search of an unforgettable wedding shower idea, a wine or cocktail tasting is perhaps the move. It makes for a novel strategy to toast to the upcoming wedding day. Plus, it makes planning easy for you—say goodbye to the set-up and clean-up duties.
Plan A Themed Party
You’ll be able to’t go incorrect with hosting a more traditional backyard wedding shower. And by adding a themed twist, you possibly can pack the party with personality. Listed below are a couple of of our favourite wedding shower themes to get your creative juices flowing:
- Fiesta
- Garden tea party
- Luau
- A long time theme (think roaring 20s or hippie 70s)
- Sitcom (ex: The Office, Friends, Parks & Rec, Seinfeld)
- Charity (animal shelter visit, anyone?)
Image by Tova Studios. See more of this real wedding here.
Lawn Games Tournament
There’s nothing more fun—for some couples—than somewhat healthy competition. When you’re hosting an event at home, a lawn games tournament might be an awesome strategy to create memories and re-live your favorite childhood games.
Wedding Shower Games
Cheesy (in the easiest way) games are a classic a part of every sort of shower. While they could appear silly to some, they’re great icebreakers and a strategy to lighten the mood. Listed below are a couple of of our favourite wedding shower games:
The Shoe Game
See if the couple is “on the identical page” with silly questions via The Shoe Game. With this game, you’ll seat each partners back-to-back, have them hold one in all each of their shoes, after which the MC will ask questions while the couple raises the shoe of who they consider matches the query.
Find the Guest Bingo
When you’re bringing together loads of strangers, a game of Find the Guest Bingo could also be an awesome idea to get everyone mingling and learning somewhat more about one another. Everybody may have a Bingo card that requires them to seek out one other guest with certain qualities like being left-handed, being a bridesmaid, being engaged, etc. We all know it may possibly be a bit intimidating to plan a marriage shower, but this game will get everyone having fun with one another’s company!
Couple Trivia
Discover who knows the couple best by playing a round of couple trivia. Before the event, provide you with 10 to twenty questions on the couple and have them answered upfront. Whichever guest has essentially the most correct answers gets a prize and bragging rights at the marriage.
Date Ideas Jar
For something somewhat more subtle, have every guest put a date idea right into a jar or basket after they arrive. By the top of the event, the couple may have a ton of creative date ideas for his or her first yr of marriage.
With the following pointers on planning a marriage shower, we’re sure you’ll be in your strategy to creating essentially the most memorable celebration on your newly engaged family members. Already dreaming of your wedding-day outfit? You’re sure to fall head over heels for these wedding guest dresses fit for each type of celebration.
Image by Lauren Apel. See more of this real wedding here.
