Planning a bridal shower

By Esther Muchene

One of the many roles the bridesmaids and maid-of honour play is planning a bridal shower for the bride.

This pre-wedding party is an important transition that serves many purposes from being a private celebration of the upcoming wedding to being a preparation for the life to come where all the craziest and outrageous questions get asked and answered amidst laughter.

If you’ve attended one, you know what I mean especially if your bridesmaids decide to go a step further and get a Ssenga who will divulge gruesome details and in some cases stripping down to demonstrate.

As a bridesmaid, it is your duty to plan, pay for and attend the bridal shower. Being one of the bride’s closest friends it is up to you to figure out what she would like. Does she ever joke about strippers or ever talk about how she would love a break to get pampered, say at a spa?

Reaching a final decision may prove daunting but it doesn’t mean you can’t get the bride’s opinion on what she would like — you want to get it right.

To ensure a successful bridal shower, here are answers to some of the most frequently asked questions:

1. Who should plan the bridal shower?

This is the role of the bridal party but the bride’s close friends, co-workers or relatives can plan as well. However, it is not customary for either mums to plan or host but that does not mean they cannot help or contribute.

2. Where should the shower be held?

It depends with what you have planned: Theme, expected guests and budget. Should you want to get yourselves spoilt rotten with body treatments, a spa will do. If your theme is focused upon beauty, then a salon can do. If she’s a fun-loving bride who loves dancing and eating out, then a restaurant or club can do. If she loves indoors then the maid-of-honour’s house can do.

3. When should the bridal shower be held?

Preferably on a weekend (as most people are not working) and one closer to the wedding day. Make sure you set a date early and communicate to all who are to attend. It could be important to consult the bride unless it’s a surprise party.

4. How long should the bridal shower last?

It depends on what you have planned but 4-6 hours should do.

5. Who pays?

Usually, the bridesmaids pay for everything. Set a budget and determine ahead who pays for what and assign one person to handle the finances.

6. Who should be invited?

Will you be having strippers or weird sex aunties revealing gory details? Then maybe you want to leave the mothers and aunties out. Normally, the bride’s closest female friends and relatives make the guest list unless it’s a Jack and Jill shower — for both the groom and bride. Remember it is about making everyone comfortable enough and in certain instances, to get a bit naughty.

You may also decide to invite a guest speaker to cover different topics from sex, marriage to finances.

7. Is there an order of events that should be followed?

It is a good idea to have a list of events to avoid embarrassment and confusion. Guests can be served with light refreshments as they enter before a meal depending on whether that is catered for. Afterwards, a brief introduction can follow then games can be used to help the bride open her gifts. Be sure to have someone take pictures.

Lastly you can have the speaker where guests get to ask their questions.

8. Is it necessary to send out invitations?

An SMS or email should do. Send them out early say four weeks prior, to have the guests RSVP. State the date, time, location, theme and contact details of the person handling the RSVP’s.

9. Are games necessary?

Yes! Not only will they bring in the fun factor but also this is one of the icebreakers you can use to get everyone acquainted. Also, they will have you all rolling in stitches as you can make the bride work hard for her gifts.

10. Should a bridal shower have a theme?

Not necessarily but it wouldn’t hurt. If the bride is a sucker for cooking then you could consider a kitchen-themed bridal shower held in the kitchen and with gifts focused around that.

It all depends with how creative you can get but don’t let it take away the fun and attention on the bride.