Engagement is an exciting time; not only for the bride-to-be but also for family and friends. With all the stress that goes in to wedding planning, the bridal shower is a great time to pamper the bride and surround her with love and support before her nuptials. Bridal parties have become increasingly more elaborate in recent years and now include themes, decor, custom cocktails and more. If you’re ready to throw an unforgettable bridal shower that your bride-to-be will talk about for weeks, keep on reading. 

Bridal showers are typically held two months to two weeks before the actual wedding. However, wedding that fall during holiday season or especially busy times of year can absolutely be held farther out. Showers are typically held on Saturdays and Sundays, in order to give out of town guests ample travel time. 

As far as time goes, afternoon showers are most popular, but a morning or evening shower can be equally lovely. Coordinate showers around meal times to ensure convenience for guests and make sure they’re given a meal or bite to eat during the shower.

As the host, it’s up to you to set the party size you’re comfortable with. If the shower isn’t a surprise, ask the bride to compile a guest list with emails (for evites) or addresses. If the shower is a surprise, work with the mother of the bride/groom or the maid of honor to determine guest list. 

Showers can either be more family-based or friend-based depending on the location of the shower. Traditionally, both the groom’s family and bride’s family will throw bridal showers and invite their respective halves of the family. If your families are small or you’re pretty busy, throwing one larger bridal shower is a great option to make everyone feel welcome. 

You have two main options for invitations: evites and mailed invitations. Evites are more affordable but invitations are more upscale. There are plenty of designs to choose from for either option. Include the date, time, dress code, registry link and menu, if applicable. 

Be sure to send invitations out at least a month in advance if you’re asking anyone to come from out of town. If a flight is required, the earlier the invitations are sent, the better. You can always shoot someone a text or email letting them know the date you’re planning before you send out the invitations. 

Themes are absolutely optional and by no means necessary for a bridal shower, but they can be really fun. Depending on the time of day, you can do garden party, glam brunch, candy-themed, bohemian, or Parisian, just to name a few. Tie  your theme together with decor, drinks, invitations and food. 

You can create wonderful decorations from things you already own like vases, champagne glasses, holiday decor, tissue paper, string lights or flowers. You can also rent decorations from party suppliers, shop secondhand on Facebook marketplace, or borrow from friends. If you’re looking to purchase brand new decor, make sure to start shopping early and give plenty of time for things to be shipped. 

Beyond eating and gift opening, you’ll want a few activities to keep all guests engaged. These activities could be card games, trivia, karaoke, ring toss, cornhole, bingo or special bridal-specific games. 

As fun as bridal showers are, you can anticipate your guests will be hungry. To really take a bridal shower from good to great, plan an excellent menu guests are sure to love. 

Most bridal showers feature either appetizers or desserts, but you can absolutely do a full meal if you’d like. We’d recommend the following menu items for bridal showers:

Vegetable and Fruit Tray, Stuffed Mushrooms, Sausage and Cheese Tray, Spinach and Artichoke Dip, Chicken Wings, Crab Dip, Gourmet Burger Sliders,

Chicken Parmesan, Fried Chicken, BBQ Pulled Pork, Penne Alfredo, Lasagna, Pasta Primavera, Baked Cod with Butter Sauce

Fresh Garden Salad, Fresh Fruit Salad, Italian Pasta Salad, Cranberry Salad, Spinach Salad, Twice Baked Potatoes, Macaroni and Cheese, Hash Brown Casserole, Glazed Baby Carrots, Corn Casserole, Baked Beans, Fried Apples

Lemon Bars, Strawberry Shortcake, Pineapple Upside Down Cake, Fruit Cobblers, Assorted Pies

Argyle Catering is mid-Missouri’s preferred vendor for all wedding activities including receptions, rehearsal dinners and bridal showers. We’ll get have your catering delivered promptly and serve fresh, hot food to your guests. If you’re interested in learning more about our catering services, please give us a call or send us an email.