Hosting a bridal shower is so much fun! It can be a little nerve-racking too, especially if you haven’t done it before. Hopefully this post will help get your planning on the right track. No idea where to start? Here are the essentials almost every shower needs!

Guest List – You won’t have much of a party without guests! Sit down with the guest of honor (the bride) and compose a list with her. Ask her who she’d like to attend – moms, grandmoms, aunts, cousins, school friends, sorority sisters, whomever she asks for! If you already have a venue picked, keep in mind the number of people that will fit into the designated space.

Venue – This can be anywhere – your home, a park or garden, a church gathering room, even the little cafe down the street. If you have the guest list already, make sure the space is large enough to hold everyone and small enough to keep the party an intimate one.

Invitations – All your guests need to know the event specifics! Who, what, when, and where are all tidbits of need-to-know information. There are SO many options online and in stationary shops, like these unique wedding invitations from invitationsbydawn.com. Or, if you’re the creative type, create something yourself! Whatever you decide on, make sure they coordinate with the shower’s overall theme and/or color scheme.

Food – A shower isn’t a shower without food! There is no need to have a full-on meal during a shower (though if that’s what you want and can afford, go for it!). An array of finger foods should do the trick – mix up fruits, veggies, finger sandwiches – whatever your guests will enjoy. And don’t forget the sweets! Cake, cupcakes, ice cream sundaes, an entire dessert bar – whatever you think the guest of honor would like the most.

Games and Activities – Oooooh yeah. Bridal shower games are the one thing that guests either love or hate. They are notoriously cheesy…but that’s what makes them fun. Find a few games that everyone can participate in – get them ready made from sites like FactoryDirectCraft.com or just pick up supplies for activities like the toilet paper gown race – and feel out the crowd to see how many they can handle. Sometimes two or three is more than enough.

Decorations – There are so many fun ideas when it comes to bridal shower decorations! The decor will ultimately boil down to the event’s theme or color scheme, but that’s the only thing you should keep in mind (well, that and the bride’s personal taste). Pick pastels and lacy touches for a lingerie shower, or Parisian flair for the couple honeymooning in Paris. Can’t find exactly what you’re looking for (or not quite sure what you want yet)? Browse through tons of wedding and event blogs and websites for endless inspiration!

I saw this fabulous post about shower favors on Perfect Bound. I LOVE the teacup candles. There is just something so elegant about good old fashion, girlie teacups! The idea originally comes from the Martha Stewart wedding crew (I won’t lie – I love almost everything they come up with!).
For the DIY bride, this would make a perfect project for a Saturday afternoon. Start collecting tea cups and saucers from thrift stores and yard sales (NOT from Grandma’s cupboards and shelves…even though that’s where all the good ones are!). Practice making a few candles (that wax is HOT) before you produce the “real deals”.

Once the candles have been used, you can turn that tiny treasure into something else that is useful and functional. My favorite idea also comes from Martha and Emily (Eco-Chic Bride): using the cups and saucers as containers to store or display your jewelry!
Like Emily also suggests, whip out that green thumb and put a little plant in it. Or, simply use it for a small centerpiece container full of flowers and/or greenery.
And if you’re really adventurous, perhaps during a post-wedding craft session you could attempt a teacup chandelier! The image below is in fact a teacup chandelier that hangs in Petit Four Cakes in Dallas.

Even though you may be prancing off with your new spouse to live happily ever after, all your guests have to look forward to is the upcoming work week. For the guests that want to linger, or those who just don’t want to throw in the towel, think about having an after party for them! After parties comes in more ways than just one. Here are a few ideas if you’re thinking about doing a little somethin’ somethin’ for your guests.

Late Night Lounge

So, dinner is finished and the toasts have been said. You have made your grand exit but your guests just can’t say goodbye! Creative a club vibe and let your late-night guests dance the night away. Mix it up by creating a completely different style than that of your wedding. Pump the music and let the drinks flow.

Coffee Bar

Maybe your reception will be coming to a close just in time for an evening pot of coffee. Or, perhaps, everyone will have partied so late that the morning will get there before they know it. Help your guests get back into the swing of things by creating a relaxed atmosphere and serving some coffee, tea, and some light snacks. Create the space from scratch, or talk the owner of a coffee shop near to your venue into opening up extra early.

Nighttime Picnic

Do you think your guests would like to just kick back, relax and chill out under the stars? For a less formal event when the weather is perfect and the sky is clear enough to see the stars, lay out some blankets and let your guests gaze. Serve a sweet drink or treat and have some sparklers available.

In the end, your wedding and reception are more than enough. These ideas can all be translated into reception themes as well. Hope these get your ideas flowing!

We are totally seeing spots. We love the idea of using polka dot (and vintage) patterns for a casual summer wedding. If you think the dots are a little much, consider wearing something similar for the rehearsal and dinner instead of as bridesmaids’ dresses. Want to keep the polka dots on the bridesmaids? Consider something like a spotted sash, trim, or accessory.

If you’re absolutely positive that you, the bride, want to wear polka dots on your wedding day, and on your wedding dress (yet you want to stay with the traditional white), look for sheer fabrics with just a hint of polka dot. That way, you can achieve spottedness, without going overboard. Manolo recommends checking out Retro Kitty Kat for some more vintage clothing ideas, and assures you that finding spotted dresses is only a few clicks away! (Look at what we found from DollyDaggar!)

Or perhaps you want to stick to polka dots for post-wedding activities. Say goodbye to guests in this whimsical yet romantic top from Designer Exposure.



Or for your party of two, check out these fun unmentionables from Forever 21 and Elle Macpherson.

Wedding bands look nice on almost anyone, which is why finding the right one before your wedding planning is important. Danforth offers a wide variety of unique wedding bands and other wedding jewelry. They specialize in high quality diamond engagement rings and have a knack for marvelous anniversary jewelry that can make any jewelry fan squeal with joy.