How to Plan the Best Bridal Shower: Five Stylish Steps

As the big day approaches, one of the most exciting pre-wedding events is the bridal shower – a celebration of the bride-to-be with her closest friends and family members. Whether you’re a trusted friend planning the shower, or the mother of the bride, follow our top tips that will make your party-planning a breeze.

1. Choose Your Bridal Shower Theme

After choosing a guest list that the bride will approve of, the next step in planning a successful bridal shower is choosing a time and place that works for everyone. Send out a poll or group text asking which dates will work best, offering a few flexible options that coincide with the pre-wedding timeline. Ideally, the bridal shower should be held anytime between three weeks to three months before the big day itself.

Once the date has been picked, choosing a location will depend on the theme – if it’s a casual garden party, hosting in a backyard during the summer might be best, but if it’s a smart brunch then this could be done in a restaurant or your home.

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Chic Bridal Shower Themes

• Garden Party - Celebrate the bride in the great outdoors with a floral-filled garden party. Think botanical table settings, pastel decorations and refreshing drinks served in vintage glassware for a charming gathering. Our pretty new Meri Meri x Liberty collection is perfect for this theme.

• Tea Party - Complete with mini sandwiches, sweet treats and beautiful tableware, this elegant theme is perfect for a bride who would prefer a more refined celebration

• Take Me to Paris - Transport the bride to the streets of Paris with a French-inspired bridal shower. We recommend using Ladurée decor, flowers and plenty of pastries for a très chic event.

• Vineyard Delights - If the bride is a wine connoisseur, why not try a wine tasting event? This can take place on a vineyard or in a restaurant, and with an elevated tablescape, this tasteful theme is sure to be a hit!

• An Enchanted Evening - For a more intimate affair, this candlelit soirée is perfect. Using earth-toned tableware, floral displays and plenty of table candles, this bridal shower will be casual yet joyous.

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2. Send the Bridal Shower Invitations

Ensure guests have plenty of notice before the bridal shower by sending them an invitation six to eight weeks ahead of the event. Whether you would like to print your invitations and send them in the mail, or send them digitally, Meri Meri has created a range of customisable stylish invitation designs to select from.

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3. Prepare the Menu

As with every big celebration, focus on the details. A perfected menu, whether it consists of snack food or a three-course meal, alongside a pretty tablescape, are crucial. Depending on the theme, a dinner table set with table candles and linen napkins could be the best option, or perhaps multiple tables featuring floral displays and floral tableware floral tableware could be the way to go. For more inspiration, read our How to Set the Table blog, detailing etiquette, decorating and more!

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4. Host in Style

Accessorising the chosen venue beautifully is the foundation of creating a triumphant bridal shower. Decorating will depend on the theme; if it’s a garden party held at dusk among glittering fairy lights, then pair with Meri Meri x Liberty Paper Pinwheel Decorations and simple tableware, but if it’s an afternoon tea party, decorate with floral garlands like the Meri Meri x Liberty Paper Flower Garland.

If you’re planning a wedding shower which celebrates both members of the couple, consider a colour scheme and decorations that they will both love – earth-toned decor or classic colours such as gold and silver will work for most wedding shower themes.

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5. Show Your Appreciation

As the shower draws to a close, send guests home with a thoughtful memento from the event. We love classic bridal shower party favors such as candles (which can be personalized with a note addressed to each guest) or pretty coasters, accessories, flowers and chocolates.

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