Wedding Shower, Who’s invited?

 

Tradition says that close friends and family of the bride makes up the guest list of the wedding shower, bridesmaids, her mother, sisters, aunts and grandmother along with any other loved ones and special friends. It is customary to invite the groom’s mothers. A shower can be an intimate gathering or just a few close-nit friends that may include coworkers and members of the extended family.

 

Times have certainly changed and what was once customary may be followed by some, but there are those who wishes to celebrate in a way that suits style. The guest list for some showers may include men. If you are hosting a coed shower it is appropriate to invite the groom’s attendants, his father and siblings and any other dear friend or sibling.

There’s one rule of etiquette that should be followed when it comes to the invitation is DO NOT INVITE guest to the shower if they are not invited to the wedding. It is considered bad form to invite someone to any wedding related festivities and not invite them to the wedding. One exception would be if a shower was being hosted by a coworker.

Note: Traditions are great but they are even better if you are able to do something that will outshine what has previously been practiced.

Photo Credit: Corbin Gurkin via Brides.com

The Wedding Shower

Planning a Wedding Shower

                                            

                                                                    

Planning a happy event such as a wedding shower should be easy and fun for everyone involved. The secret recipe for a successful event is a streamlined process that involves two very important ingredients: inspiration and organization. It is important to allow plenty of time to envision your party mood and then plan coordinate and create all the details that will make it perfect. Whether it’s a ladies only or coed it is important to consider several things.

1) Remember it is all about the bride. Start by thinking about the bride that is being honored and create an event that will suit her style and personality. If it is a coed shower design the event to reflect the couples love and their style

2) Remember to use the theme that is chosen throughout the party. Try and incorporate it in the invitations, color choices and the food and drink that are served. If the is relatively simple and not about having a themed event make the bride and groom the theme of the event. A great idea would be incorporating pictures of the couple from over the years.

3) Never overdo it. Too much of something can be a bad thing. Less is nearly always more. For a perfectly polished look, stick to no more than three colors in your party décor or space. Take for example floral centerpieces. Use a maximum of four variations of flowers in each vase.

4) Be in the clear. Take a look at the space where the shower is being held and ensure that there is ample room for guests to mingle

5) Pack a punch with focused décor: Be sure to select a few key areas to decorate with strong visual effect. A great focal point at a shower could be the buffet table or even the centerpieces that are used to decorate tables.

6) Be prepared: Make sure there is enough of everything needed to execute the shower, ie: food, glasses plates and napkins to name a few.

7) Plan fun activities: Involve the guests, the bride or the couple. Try and find fun creative games that everyone can participate in.

8) Ask for help: Don’t be afraid to ask for help. You might need a few extra hands to help and prepare certain things especially if it’s not being catered.

9) Capture the moment: Ask a friend to take pictures, especially those that might be creative.