My sister is getting married in September and has asked me to be her maid (matron? I'm not sure which it would be) of honor. So I'm in charge of the bridal shower. But the only one I've attended was many years ago when Rebecca was an infant and I can't remember details from so long ago. What in the world do I do?
Well, how many people? Then decide where you will have it. Will it be in a home, hall, etc. Once you figure that out then food. Centerpieces, games, gifts, etc. Theme and color.....
Hard to help when do not know what kind of shower you are having or what the budget is.
I have no idea how many people. I guess I'll have to ask my sister. I'll need everyone's addresses anyway. The closest I have on a place is the city. My sister's friends and family are spread out all over the country. Even I am a 3 hour drive from her.
That's more information than I had before. I figured I needed a place and time plus people and I already know the colors but I have rarely gone to things like this much less planned anything. I have no idea what is involved in a bridal shower. Is she supposed to have a registry? I'm at just as much a loss as I was when I got married and had no clue what a wedding involved. I ended up offending a lot of people because I just didn't know what was expected. I'd like to avoid that.
Are you having it catered or more like a pot luck kind of shower. It gets $$ if you are doing it alone. There is not much to a shower. You eat, some people play games, open gifts and that is it. I mean there can be a ton of detail or little. It all depends on what you want to spend, how many people are coming, etc.
I'll have a couple others to help but only because they live in the same city she does. They'll find where and get all that set up but I'll be doing everything else. My sister and I are both the do-things-as-cheaply-as-possible types so I don't expect to put more than $100 or so into it.
Thanks for the help. I didn't even know much of what you told me. It gives me enough to go on for now.
If you are trying to do it with a small budget you will probably need to do it at someone's home or if she has a church, you might be able to use their community room or another area for free. You will also probably need to make it around 2 in the afternoon so that you don't need to serve much other than cake, punch, nuts, and candy.
Using the colors from the wedding is a good idea, but not a must. It generally makes things easier to use the same colors. Because your budget is small you might need to get creative for decorations. Use or borrow table clothes you have. Fresh flowers can make a nice centerpiece. Once again, where will make a big difference on what you can do. You are creative. You could make up some banners or string up some hearts.
The internet has lots of ideas for games. If you know someone you feel comfortable assigning this task to, you may want to do that. Depending on the crowd you should probably do at least two or three games. Another things to do is buy thank you cards and have everyone put their names and addresses on the envelopes when they come in. Collect the envelopes and draw a name for a prize. You could even use the centerpiece for a prize. As for prizes, you should at least have two prizes for each game, as often there is a tie. Candles, soaps, dish towels, stationary, and those types of things can be prizes. An introduction game is a good way for people to get to know each other and get the party started.
After games comes food and present opening.
Also, each guest should receive a favor when they leave. You can put together a little bag of candy, a little plant, stationary, candle, homemade cookies, or something else along those lines.
Invitations should be sent out about a month or three weeks prior since you have many people coming from out of town. Generally men are not invited unless you decide to have a couple's shower. Some invite the little girls along with their moms and nursing babies of course.
