Bridal Shower

The bridal shower is one of the most special of all the pre-wedding events. And if you’re lucky enough to have the honor of hosting the celebration for the bride-to-be, no doubt you want it to be perfect. We’ve got you covered with planning tips from start to finish, including a beautiful lakeside venue with premium catering services for the occasion.

What’s Involved in a Bridal Shower

A bridal shower is essentially a party thrown in the bride-to-be’s honor. Female family members and friends typically gather at the event to play games or other activities, enjoy food and drink, and gift the bride-to-be.

Traditionally, the maid of honor and bridesmaids host the bridal shower. However, it’s acceptable for anyone close to the bride to do so today. And, unless the bridal shower is intended to be a surprise, you’ll want to get the bride-to-be’s input on basic details like the guest list, date, theme, etc.

Bridal Shower Planning Tips

Now it’s time to plan. With all the details involved in hosting a bridal shower, it’s easy to get overwhelmed. However, we recommend taking it one step at a time, following this cadence.

Set your budget

Before you can make any plans, it’s essential to set a budget, as the host traditionally pays for the event, including food, drink, decorations, and venue. Costs can vary, of course, but you can expect to pay between $15 - $45 per person for a bridal shower. Based on this, consider what you’re comfortable spending. There’s no right or wrong, especially if, as a part of the wedding party, you’ll already be spending on attire, travel, gifts, and/or other expenses for the big day.

Set a date

Typically, the bridal shower takes place about two months before the wedding. However, it really depends on the bride-to-be’s schedule and preferences. That said, we recommend starting to plan the event at least six months before the wedding date.

Create the guest list

You’ll definitely want the bride-to-be’s input on this one! Ask her for a list of must-invite people and get their contact information. Keep in mind that anyone invited to the bridal shower should also be on the guest list for the wedding. Typically, the guest list is between 30 and 50 people, but again, there’s no right or wrong number. Plan to send the invitations about six to eight weeks prior to the event to give the guests as much notice as possible.

Select the venue

Traditionally, the bridal shower was held in the host’s home, but more and more of these events take place at venues like Smoke Signals. Our lakeside restaurant and event venue is conveniently located in the heart of Lake Placid, NY, in the beautiful Adirondack mountains. With different venue options, we can accommodate bridal showers of any size and offer an all-in-one option that can make planning a breeze.

Set the menu

Once the venue is selected, you can shift to working on the menu for the bridal shower. Check with the bride-to-be on any preferences and/or food restrictions. Consider whether you want to handle the food yourself, ask guests to bring dishes, or hire a caterer. Smoke Signals offers a variety of catering options, including pick-up or drop-off, off-premise within a certain distance, and of course, onsite catering, all with diverse menus and exceptional hospitality. We even offer bar service!

Choose the theme

When it comes to bridal showers, a theme isn’t a necessity, although it can be fun! You could tie in with the wedding theme or the bride-to-be’s personality and hobbies. Whatever you choose, the team at Smoke Signals can help you personalize the space to bring your vision to life.

Order the decorations

Now that you’ve decided on a theme (or not), you can purchase the decorations. You don’t have to go all out, especially if the bridal shower venue is already a scenic location, such as lakeside at Smoke Signals. We recommend you consider what personal touches could be added for the bride-to-be. Flowers and balloons are always a great choice too! And don’t forget a fun playlist to set the mood!

Activities

Traditional games include toilet paper wedding dress, pin the tail on the groom, two truths and a lie, and bridal bingo. All are sure to entertain and break the ice between guests who may not know each other. But you don’t have to have games at the bridal shower at all. Other activities include a date night idea jar, advice cards for the couple, a recipe box, or well-wishes for the couple to open and read on each anniversary.

Gifts

For a themed bridal shower, consider requesting specific types of gifts that correspond with it. Or, if the bride-to-be already has a wedding registry, include that on the invite. And don’t forget favors for the guests! Again, they could tie in with the theme of the event, the food, the bride, or just something small and fun.

 Explore the ways Smoke Signals can help you create bridal shower perfection today!