Wedding Shower Checklist

Wedding Shower Checklist

Talk to the bride about theme, location, guests

• Would she like it to be co-ed or all women
• Should the shower correlate to the wedding’s theme or is
• there a specific theme that she would like
• Would she like it to be a morning, afternoon, or night event
• Who would she like to invite
1. Remind her that whoever is invited to the shower should also be invited to the wedding

Set up a date for the shower

• Give yourself about 3-4 months for planning
• Plan the shower about 6-8 weeks prior to the wedding

Determine the budget

• Next to having the bride’s input, this is one of the most important steps
• Where is the money for the shower coming from
1. Usually, the maid of honor is the one who pays for the shower but it is not always the case
2. Don’t forget about your gift for the bride

Decide on a location

• Depending on the number of guests, decide where it would be appropriate to host the event.
• If the shower is going to be hosted at someone’s house, make sure it will accommodate all guests comfortably.
• Decide if you need to rent chairs and tables and if so reserve them as soon as possible.
• Otherwise, keeping the budget, make reservations well in advance. (Banquet hall, spa, restaurant, hotel, nightclub, etc.)

Select a theme

• Keep the bride’s suggestions in mind, and pick something that would be fun for everyone.
• Determine how the location is going to be decorated and start buying decorations early.

Send out invitations ( 2 months prior to the shower)

• Finalize guest list and check with the bride one more time.
• Make a spreadsheet for each guest’ name, phone number and email address.
• Send an informal email invitation to keep date in mind. Invitations should include:
1. Co-ed or female only
2. Bride’s wedding registry information
3. Theme of the shower
4. Directions to the location of the shower
5. Phone number where you can be reached the day of the shower
6. RSVP options (phone, email, mail) and deadline

Optional:

7. Supplies needed for activities/ games
8. Pot luck option (appetizer, dessert, soda, etc)

Food

• Decide if the event will be catered or if each guest will bring something.
• Decide on appetizers, main course, and desserts
• Buy plates, napkins, and cups that coordinate with the theme.
• Order the cake
• Consult with the bride whether she would like to have alcoholic beverages at the shower and plan accordingly

Entertainment

• Select games to have at the shower that are theme appropriate
• Buy all the supplies needed for each game (toilet paper, scissors, tape, glitter, balloons, pens, pencils, etc)
• Select prices for each game
• Hire a DJ or create a playlist for the event

Decorations

• Get all the decorations ready about 1 week before the shower (balloons, banners, pictures, guestbook, center pieces, etc)
• Decide on party favors – are you making them yourself, or ordering them, or not having any?
• Decorate the chair where the bride (and groom) will be seating

Finishing Touches

• Call people who have not RSVPd and get a final count
• Confirm reservations, caterer, dishes, cake, etc.
• Ask for help with decorating the location and setting up before the party
• Assign someone to keep a record of the gifts while they are being opened
• Have someone in charge of taking pictures

The day before the shower:

• Create a timeline for the shower
• When will the food be served
• What games are going to be played and when
• When is dessert going to be served
• When are the gifts going to be opened

The day of the shower:

• Set up decorations, the gift table, the cake table, etc.
• Welcome everyone as they arrive
• Have fun and enjoy yourself!!

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