There's a whole lineup of exciting pre-wedding events that take place in the lead-up to the big day. Perhaps the most anticipated one is the bridal shower, a celebration entirely dedicated to the bride and her upcoming marriage. The bride's closest female friends and family members get together for a day full of laughs, gifts and socializing. Another big part of the day is entertainment. While typically the bride and her guests play various games at the event, we suggest adding some fun alternatives to the mix. Read on to find out more about bridal showers and ways to keep guests engaged without relying on traditional games!
What is A Bridal Shower?
Let’s start from the basics, shall we? Actually, bridal showers have been around for centuries, tracing their roots back to 1500s Holland. The event honors and celebrates the bride-to-be as she approaches her special day. It's a beautiful time for the bride to connect with her closest friends before starting the new chapter of her life. At the party guests usually play different fun games like bingo or trivia, savor delicious snacks, and, as the name suggests, shower the bride with gifts, love, and attention. To add a personal touch and make it even more enjoyable for everyone, the bridal shower can have a unique theme such as brunch, a tea party, wine tasting, a spa day, or something else that suits the bride's style.
Who Hosts It?
The event is typically hosted by the maid of honor, bridesmaids, or the bride's close friends. But while the traditional etiquette suggests that family members of the bride can't participate in hosting the party, it's becoming more common for anyone to take the task. The only definite no-no is the bride hosting the party herself! Still, it’s completely fine to include her in the planning process and consult with her on preferred locations, themes, guest lists, and activities.
When Should The Bridal Shower Be?
The best timing is anywhere from a few weeks to a few months before the wedding. Firstly, it allows the bride to have more time to prepare for the big day. And secondly, she will feel less overwhelmed and burdened with too many pre-wedding events planned too close together. It’s important to pick a date that works well for the bride and all the guests to be sure that everyone can attend and celebrate. Also, the hosts should consider any travel arrangements guests may need to make and give them enough notice to plan accordingly.
Who Gets Invited?
Just like with other pre-wedding events, the bridal shower guest list should only be limited to people who are invited to the main celebration. Typically, these are the crew of the bride's close female friends and family members, including those from the groom's side. And there's one more important thing to keep in mind! Even though the bride may not be actively involved in planning the party, make sure to coordinate the details of the guest list with her to avoid any stressful situations.
What About Entertainment?
The bridal shower isn't just about the bride unwrapping presents in front of her guests. One of the highlights of the party is entertainment planned to break the ice and bring everybody attending closer, especially those who may be meeting for the first time. If you find traditional bridal shower games boring and want to surprise the bride with unique alternatives, we’ve got quite a few great ideas.
Create Your Signature Perfume
This activity is bound to become the guests' favorite! After all, who wouldn't want to step into the shoes of a perfumer and craft their own signature scent? Simply set up a station with a variety of essential oils and decorative perfume bottles. To ensure the magic happens, provide the guests proper instruction on how to blend everything. A fantastic idea is to bring in a professional perfumer to guide the group and show them how mixing and matching works. Guests will get the best of two worlds: the experience of a lifetime and a unique keepsake!
Get Spiritual
Spiritual practices are super popular at the moment, and experiencing something as unique at the bridal shower would bring such a kaleidoscope of emotions to the guests. Take the bride and her squad out for a tarot reading or palm reading session to get a bit of fascinating insights about your past, present, and future. Or, you may arrange a special magic corner at the bridal shower venue, featuring a hired fortune teller or astrologist. Everyone will queue up for answers! Yes, even the most skeptical guests.
Upgrade Your Style
If the bride is a fashionista, throw a bridal shower at her go-to boutique or fashion hotspot that offers private gatherings. This unique idea works particularly well for parties with smaller guest lists. Just imagine the bride and her guests enjoying glasses of champagne and tasty canapés all while personal shoppers help them take their fashion to the next level. It would be so much fun! And trust us, nobody will be leaving that place empty-handed.
Unleash Your Inner Picasso
Paint & Sip is perfect for both bridal showers and bachelorette parties, as it's a super exciting way to spend time creatively and discover your inner Picasso. Plus, this activity will get guests mingling and having so much fun. Buy all the essential art materials like canvases, acrylic paints, and brushes, and choose an easy picture for everyone to paint. As an alternative, you can let guests have a free hand and paint whatever they like. While everybody is creating their masterpieces, make sure they've got a cocktail in hand and some light snacks to enjoy.
Show Your Rebellious Side
How about setting up a temporary tattoo station for the bride and her squad? Just like with the perfume bar, set up a little tattoo station with various designs for the guests to choose from. It might be something abstract, or wedding-themed like hearts, rings, special dates and romantic phrases. Also, don't forget to prepare all the essentials for applying the tattoos, like sponges and water. Of course, safety first – make sure the tattoos are safe and hypoallergenic.
@biancatuzee, @sarrafleurphoto
Strike a Pose
Photo booths bring so much fun to any event — you won't find anyone bored! They create an atmosphere that's spontaneous, heartwarming and so real. No awkward, stiff smiles — in the arranged photo booth zone, guests can just be themselves and have a good time. You can easily rent one for the party and add some props to make the whole experience (and the photos!) even more enjoyable and memorable.
Spin Like a Pro
Music is the heart and soul of any event! So why not plan a private masterclass with a local DJ? During the workshop guests will be able to learn the basics of turntable, beatmaking and mixing songs. And if there's a dancing segment in the plans, the bride can kick it off with her first "DJ set"!
