The wedding is approaching dangerously fast, and the stress levels are mounting. As a bride-to-be, you are undoubtedly feeling the pressure regarding your big day, and rightfully so. With the anticipation, expense, and effort of planning a wedding, it can be easy to forget one very important aspect of your big day: the bridal shower.
A luxury bridal shower is a perfect opportunity to unwind and reward yourself for all the hard work leading up to your wedding. Your girlfriends will also ease your woes by offering gifts and support you can lean on in the months and years to come.
With the proper planning and attention to detail, you can create a genuinely luxurious bridal shower that your guests will never forget.
“Note that someone close to the bride should be in charge of planning this event, like a bridesmaid or the maid of honor. However, the bride can naturally still have input and guidance regarding the overall look, feel, and style of her event.”
Bridal Shower Checklist
A bridal shower is a fairly loose and informal affair, but a few key elements should be included in any luxury bridal shower. To ensure that your event is memorable, follow this checklist as you plan:
Theme & Decor
The theme of your bridal shower will set the tone for your entire event. Consider a romantic or elegant theme that pairs well with your wedding decor. Or go bold and choose something fun and unexpected. Once you have decided on a theme, choose decor that matches your vision and complements your chosen venue.
Decor can be one of the most important aspects of a luxury bridal shower. Careful thought should be put into choosing everything from table settings to centerpieces.
“For instance, a flower wall would be the perfect way to add drama and elegance to your event. Likewise, a string of twinkling lights would set the mood for a romantic evening.”
If you don’t want to buy all these accents for your bridal shower, you can rent them from a high-end event rental company like Curated Events. Our wide selection of beautiful decor allows you to create the perfect atmosphere for your special day.
Food & Drinks
“A luxurious bridal shower is not complete without delicious food and beverages to match. Take the time to find a catering company or caterer specializing in upscale cuisine, and be sure to serve a variety of delectable options for your guests.”
Once again, you can rent all the catering equipment you need for the night. It makes much more sense financially to rent the necessary equipment than to buy it outright. Plus, you’ll leverage the expertise of a highly-trained and experienced event team, ensuring that your bridal shower is truly spectacular.
Date & Guestlist
Setting a date for your bridal shower is one of the essential steps in planning. Ideally, choose a day that works well with your schedule while allowing guests plenty of time to RSVP and prepare.
“Most brides hold their showers about a month or two before the wedding, giving their guests plenty of time to plan for both events.”
When creating your guest list, choose carefully and consider who will be most helpful and supportive in the months leading up to your big day. A bridal shower should mainly be attended by those closest to you, so don’t feel compelled to invite everyone you know. Bridesmaids, family members, and close friends should definitely be included on your list.
Venue
Finally, you’ll need a pristine location to host your friends. Traditionally, bridal showers are hosted in the maid of honor’s home, but there are plenty of other options to consider. A beautiful park or restaurant can also be a wonderful setting for a bridal shower, and you’ll likely have more flexibility in terms of your decor and catering choices.
“Whatever venue you choose, ensure it is accessible and comfortable for all your guests.”
Ideas For A Luxury Bridal Shower
Now that you have a good idea of the key elements that go into planning a luxury bridal shower, here are some other ideas to help you get started. Each of these activities goes hand in hand with the gift-giving tradition of the bridal shower.
Vintage Tea Party
A vintage tea party is perfect for bringing elegance and charm to your bridal shower. Serve a selection of delicious finger sandwiches, scones, pastries, and various teas or coffee. You can also set up a DIY station where guests can make their own tea infusers or create place cards using beautiful pressed flowers.
“Bonus points if you can find old-fashioned tea cups and saucers to serve your guests.”
Sommelier-Led Wine Tasting
Do your friends love wine? Hiring a sommelier to lead a wine tasting at your bridal shower can be an excellent way to entertain and educate guests.
You can pair different wines with different foods or let your guests enjoy some delicious varietals. To take the experience to the next level, consider offering high-end cheese and charcuterie plates for guests to enjoy alongside their wine.
Wellness Day
Take a page from the wellness trend by planning a luxury bridal shower centered around health, fitness, and overall well-being.
“Yoga and meditation classes are an excellent way to start the day, followed by healthy and nourishing meals.”
To pamper yourself, you can also consider getting the complete spa treatment, with a manicure, pedicure, and massage. For a fun twist on the day, set up a station to create natural candles and make-your-own effervescent bath bombs.
Makeovers
“Get a sneak peek of how pretty you’ll look on your wedding day by hosting a beauty and makeup makeover for all your friends at the bridal shower.”
A professional makeup artist can work their magic to give each guest a gorgeous and flawless look for the big day. You can also set up stations where guests can choose their own outfits and accessories or have a hairstylist on hand to help each guest get a stunning new ‘do. Complete the event with a photo booth to immortalize your glamorous looks!
DIY Floral Arrangements
Since the wedding day will most likely require tons of flowers, a bridal shower can be used as an excuse to get your hands dirty and work on some DIY floral arrangements. Gather your friends and family together to practice your floral arranging skills. You may choose to have a professional instructor to help you create stunning centerpieces, boutonnieres, or bouquets.
“Talk the night away as you make beautiful and functional arrangements that you can take home to decorate your space or help set the mood for the wedding day.”
Mixology Class
If you’re in the mood to party, consider hosting a mixology class to teach your friends and family some fun and creative cocktails they can serve at the wedding. You’ll be tasting lots of delicious drinks, so make sure everyone has a way to get home after a long and fun day.
You’ll need to have plenty of high-end barware, glassware, and other cocktail accessories to ensure your guests can fully appreciate the experience. A mixologist is also possible to hire. They will lead the class and offer tips and tricks to create unforgettable cocktails.
Fancy Dinner
Some brides just want to treat their friends and family to a decadent, fancy meal they’ll never forget. If you love hosting elegant and upscale parties, consider planning a luxury bridal shower with high-end cuisine, beautiful table settings, and plenty of sophistication.
“Depending on your venue, you can host a sit-down dinner, buffet, or cocktail party with passed hors d’oeuvres. You’ll also want to have plenty of elegant decors, such as candles, vases, flowers, and table linens.”
A live band or DJ will complete the experience and help keep the party going all night long!
Paint Day
This bridal shower is ideal for the group of artists at heart. Painting is all the rage right now, and it’s a fun way to spend an evening with your friends. There are plenty of paint night studios across the country where you can gather a group and learn to create beautiful art pieces.
“Some prefer to paint on coffee mugs or canvases, while others want more intricate and creative projects. Make sure you have plenty of art supplies, including paints, brushes, and other tools.”
Note that you can turn any art form into a bridal shower theme. If painting isn’t your thing, you can host a cookie-decorating class, a flower-arranging workshop, or even a karaoke night! The possibilities are endless, so let your creativity shine.
Game Night
Finally, if you’re looking for a more low-key bridal shower, host a game night! You and your guests can play fun card games or board games. This activity is also a great chance to get to know each other and share some laughs. Trivia games and charades are also fun options for a game night bridal shower.
Renting The Right Equipment
At a luxury bridal shower, it’s all about looking your best and enjoying the finer things in life. Whatever type of bridal shower you choose to host, ensure you have high-end rental equipment and supplies on hand.
“From the linens to the barware, and everything in between, be sure to work with a reputable rental company with the highest quality products at a fair price. “
At Curated Events, we have decades of experience providing rental equipment for luxury bridal showers, cocktail parties, weddings, and more. Whether you’re planning an elegant sit-down dinner or a casual game night, we have everything you need to make your event a success.
Contact us today to learn more about our products and services!
FAQs
Who is supposed to plan the bridal shower?
The bride has a lot on her plate leading up to her big day, so it’s usually best to let someone else plan the bridal shower. It could be a close family member or friend with the bride. Bridesmaids or the maid of honor are also great options.
Is a bridal shower the same as a bachelorette party?
While both events can involve getting dressed up and celebrating the bride, they are not the same. The term “shower” typically refers to showering the bride with gifts. In contrast, a bachelorette party typically involves spending time together and/or doing fun activities as a group.
How do you ensure your bridal shower isn’t boring?
Music, dancing, and delicious food are all great ways to keep the party going. You don’t want to sit awkwardly waiting to open gifts for hours, so you must plan fun activities and games that your guests can enjoy. Lastly, your guestlist is key; try to invite a mix of people you know well to make the event more intimate and memorable.