ONCE UPON A TIME.....
I have been in a few weddings over the years and I love everything about it. It makes me feel special knowing that I am there to stand next to the bride on her special day as she marries the love of her life! My Best Friend Gretchen is getting Married on July 8, 2012. A few weeks ago we had her Bridal Shower. (May 12,2012).
As the Maid of Honor for this wedding, I want to be sure that things go as smoothly as possible with everyone being included and I want everything to be EXTRA special for her, because well- She's the Bride and she deserves it all! I just came across this list of to do's for the Bridesmaids. We didn't use this as the shower was approaching , but i think we followed it pretty well!. If you are new to being in a wedding, you can follow this list: www.theknot.com has some great tips!
The
bridesmaids are responsible for planning this typically all-female fete, so don’t wait until the last minute to get started on the bridal shower.
Make a Bridal Shower Party Plan
If it’s not a surprise (which is totally up to you), ask the bride what kind of a bridal shower she wants. If she’s not an English tea kind of girl, don’t put on a scones-and-crumpets gathering just because it sounds fun to you.
Determine Your Bridal Shower Budget
Even if all the bridesmaids can’t attend, they should all contribute to the bridal shower budget. Be clear about what everyone owes from the beginning.
Decide On a Bridal Shower Date
A wedding shower can take place anytime between six months to a week before the wedding. Depending on where most of the guests live, you may need to schedule it far in advance so everyone can make travel plans.
Talk To the Bride's Mom..(or Aunt) About the Bridal Shower
Even though she’s not the host of the event, she’ll probably want to pitch in or have siblings or family friends who’d like contribute, whether it’s providing the bridal shower cake or hosting at their house.
Gather the Bridal Shower Guest List
Ask the bride or the mother of the bride for names and mailing addresses. Everyone invited to the shower should also be invited to the wedding.
Order and Send Bridal Shower Invitations
These should go out between six and eight weeks before the event, depending on how many out-of-towners are on the list. Make sure guests RSVP to one person (the maid of honor, for example) to keep numbers organized.
Share the Couple's Wedding Registry Info
Spread the word about where the bride is registered so that guests don’t get frustrated searching. It’s perfectly acceptable to include this information on the bridal shower invite.
Buy the Bride a Bridal Shower Gift
Even though you’re paying for the party, it’s necessary to buy the bride a gift. Consider going in on a group gift from all the bridesmaids -- like a standing mixer or luxury bedding -- to lessen the financial blow.
Have a Gift-Opening Plan
On the day of, create a gift-opening assembly line. Here’s how it works: One person should bring the bride a gift to open (and take the already opened gift to a designated spot); another can dispose of the torn paper; someone can gather ribbons to create the traditional rehearsal bridal bouquet; and most important, one bridesmaid needs to keep track of who gave what gift so the bride does not have to rely on her memory when writing thank-yous.
Attend All Other Bridal Showers (if Possible)
Many brides are showered twice to satisfy two groups of loved ones: one for their mother’s friends, and another for theirs. While you need host only one, you should try to show up at the other too.
I created a group on Facebook that was private. The bride was not included in this group. Just us Bridesmaids and Gretchens Aunt. It was a place where we all got to express our ideas, with links and pictures and words and eventually it all came together. At times, it got rather overwhelming (I'll admit- i posted alot on that page!) but I was excited and as we slowly but surely gathered the appropriate things for the shower, it was great and I loved getting to work with all the bridesmaids.
Each person had a task to do before the shower day. Between the food, deserts, games (Clothes Pin Game- no crossing the legs of you lose a clothes Pin, How well does Gretchen know Ray and Bridal Shower Bingo) extra decorations, note cards, the venu, the gift, you name it- everyone helped and it was perfect!
For those of you who dont know Gretchen, she is a kid at heart. She loves everything that is pink, fluffy, sparkly, pretty, Disney, ect. We had decided to make her shower based on the disney princess side, just not little kid like, more classy. We had decorations that represented things from Disney movies as well as each menu item being named something from disney, (ie: Cinderella Cookies, Sleepy Sangria, Love at First Sight Lasagna). Although Gretchen knew about the party (even though she was not supposed to) everything was so nice and thoughtful and I am sure she had a great time. Here are some pictures from the party:
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| Menu Cards |
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| Gift Wishing Well |
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The awesome chalkboard I made! :) (with Tracy's art)
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| Beauty and the Beast Decor |
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| Lady Bugs- representing Gretchen's Mom who is watching over her in Heaven. |
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| A collage of baby gretchen till now- Made by her sister Risi! |
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| Cinderella's Carriage- Date Night Cards. Instead of Advise for the Bride and Groom, Everyone Listed their favorite Date night. (I think they all kept it clean.... :)) Yes, Disney Pandora is on! |
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| Little Mermaid Card Box |
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| One Side of the Box (just painted) |
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| Other Side (Still wet) |
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| Dessert Table |
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| Buffet Style |
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| The Best Name Ever! |
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| This was super yummy!! |
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| Not only was there a gift wishing well, there was a coin one too! |
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| Party Favors- A donation made in honor of all guest to Susan G Komen Race for the Cure in Memory of Gretchen's Mom. |
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| My True Love Marshmellows |
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| The Bridal Party |
