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Planning a Bridal Shower

If you’re asked to host a bridal shower or kitchen tea for your best friend, sister or cousin, where do you start?  Firstly, ask the bride what she wants to do – the event is in

her honour, after all!  But then, let her sit back and relax while you plan the perfect way to shower her with love and affection.

• Who should host the event?  The maid of honour, bridesmaids, or a close family member is the perfect host for the bridal shower or kitchen tea.
• Set the guest list.  Unless it’s a surprise party, discuss the guest list with the bride-to-be. You don’t want to leave anyone important out.  If it is a surprise, consult widely to ensure you don’t miss anyone.  Remember: everyone who is invited to the kitchen tea should also be invited to the wedding.
• Keep it intimate.  20 guests or under is a good number. A shower should be an intimate affair where the bride and the closest women in her life come together to gossip and discuss wedding plans.
• Time it to perfection.  Set a date 3-6 weeks before the big day.
• Theme and scheme.  A traditional kitchen tea in the garden with pretty decorations and vintage tea rituals will charm everyone, or for something a little more contemporary, try a spa party where you all relax together with some well deserved pampering.
• Tie it together.  Link your stationery, decorations, games and catering to the theme. It makes for a much more sensational event for your guest-of-honour. Pink Frosting has some great stationery and theming ideas to give you some inspiration.
• Think outside the square. While showers are traditionally held in the home of the host, you could also hold the event at a restaurant, a park or a day spa.
• Don’t leave your guests in the dark! Ensure you have all of the important information on the stationery including: who the shower is being given for, location including address, time of the shower, host/hosts name, who to RSVP to and a deadline for RSVP, gift registry information. You might wish to give information about dress, the theme of the shower and a map to the party location.
• Organise the catering.  When it comes to catering, you have three options: hire a catering company, cater for the event yourself or ask the guests to all bring a dish. All of these options have advantages, depending on your theme and your budget.  Read our top tips for Bridal Shower food and drinks for great advice.
• The cake takes the cake.  The cake is a centrepiece at any party, and should complement your theme. You can either find a professional cake decorator in your local area or try and make one yourself. There are some great cake ideas in The Magnolia Bakery Cookbook.
• Don’t forget games!  See Pink Frosting’s fabulous suggestions for bridal shower games.

Main image on this page by Samm Blake Photography.

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