Bridal shower is essentially a gift-giving custom that originated in the late 1800s in the west, and it is gaining popularity in India as well. Your best friend deserves to get pampered at a bridal shower and only you can make it happen. This is a light-hearted event organised by the bridesmaids. So, as the best friend of the bride, it is your fundamental duty to give her the best bridal shower that she could have ever imagined. And, here are some pointers for you to organise a bridal shower worth remembering!
First thing first, decide when you are going to schedule the bridal shower. It is usually organised a month prior to the wedding, as the wedding month is really hectic for the bride. So, before you pick a date, make sure that it does not upset the schedule of the wedding preparations and is convenient for the guests too.
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It seems easy, but it is actually the most tricky part. There will always be friends and frenemies, cousins and 'oh!no cousins'. Avoid the ones that your bride-cum-best friend totally hates, and do not forget the ones she loves. You can surprise her by inviting some of her long lost friends or a distant cousin, and she will adore you for this throughout her life.
The shower is all about the bride, so considering her taste and giving it utmost importance is the best choice. If she is all romantic and dreamy, go for a floral-themed shower. If she is into reading and fiction, go for the theme that relates to her favourite book. There is another category in the bride's section, 'the wicked ones'. You can have a naughty-themed party for them. If you want to surprise the bride, give her a box of novelty chocolates keeping with the theme of the shower.
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Once you have decided upon the theme of the shower, the decor is what you should focus on next. Make sure that you match the decoration with the theme, not the other way round. You can even DIY the decorations. You can call the other bridesmaids and ask them for some help. You can hang some of your embarrassing yet memorable photos on a string. It will not only save some money, but will be super-fun too!
There are usually some drinks, snacks and a light buffet meal. A bridal shower is more about pampering the bride with lots of gifts rather than the food. Stick to dishes that are simple to arrange or cook, yet do not compromise on taste. You can have some easy-to-eat dishes like mini quiches, mini burgers, cupcakes, cake pops, etc. Consider your bride’s taste palate and plan accordingly.
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Location for the bridal shower mainly rests upon the time of the wedding. If it is a summer or a monsoon wedding, then stick to the indoors. However, if it is a winter, spring or autumn wedding, then explore the outdoors. Just like a destination wedding, why not have a destination bridal shower? Your friend will be getting married soon, so why not give her the most memorable trip of her life and plan a bridal shower there?
So far, you have planned everything according to your best friend's preference, but invitation cards are totally your call. You can send e-invites if you are short on budget, or make some very crazy cards all by yourself. Add a catchy phrase or a naughty line or some self-written poem in it, and it is good to fly.
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What is a bridal shower without some fun and frolic? What you can do is, find a way to include the bride's hobbies. If she is a big foodie, you can have a fondue or barbeque. You can arrange a karaoke with all her favourite songs in the list. You can even arrange for a band or dancers to put on a show for all the girls.
The most important thing in a bridal shower are the gifts! Have a discussion with your close friends about what they will be giving. Do not stick to the basic gifts that the couple might be receiving on their wedding day. It should reflect the bond you share with the bride. "Something old, something new, something borrowed and something blue"- this can be your motto when you pick up a gift for her. You can customise it or make it all by yourself. Remember, it is the thought here that will really count.
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The bridal shower is a crazy and fun-filled event. So, you should think out-of-the-box. Create something unique that your friend would like to treasure forever. Do whatever you want, but make sure that this is all about the bride.