Everything to Know About Bridal Showers

What is a Bridal Shower? Everything You Need to Know

A bridal shower is a party for a bride, held in the weeks or months leading up to her wedding. Often hosted as a lunch or brunch, it’s typically a female-only event, as opposed to a wedding shower, which involves the bride and groom and their friends. The bridal shower typically includes games and activities and has a theme. The bride usually opens her gifts at the shower, though some brides opt to save the gifts for later. This event should be fun, lighthearted, and free from stress, arranged to suit the bride’s preferences.

Who Hosts and Who’s Invited?

Who hosts a shower? Traditionally, it’s the bridal party, but not always. Anyone close to the bride can throw a shower, including friends and family members. Some brides have more than one shower, especially if the bride lives far from family and wants to have a hometown shower as well as one where she currently lives. Often, a group of people host, sharing the cost of the event. Who should be invited? Invite close friends and family members of the bride, as well as family members of the groom. This can vary, depending on whether more than one shower is being held. Bridal shower hosts typically invite 30 to 40 guests, but some invitees may be unable to attend.

When and Where to Host a Bridal Shower: Shopping Bridal Shower Venues

Equipped with a guest list, before you send the invitations, find a venue and nail down the date — usually three weeks to three months before the wedding. Where and how you host it depends largely on your budget and the bride’s style. Discuss the vision of this event with your co-planners, the bridal party, and maybe the bride, to get ideas. Bridal showers can be hosted in someone’s home, in a restaurant, or even in a park, depending on the desired ambiance. One of the easiest ways to host a large bridal shower is in an event venue, where the catering, décor, and entertainment can be customized to fit the theme and your budget. Consider whether you want to use vendors or have a DIY bridal shower venue, and this will give you more insight into the type of event you want to host.

Bridal Shower Themes and Choosing Bridal Shower Decorations

Choose your theme early in the process, as it will inform the food, the décor, and, sometimes, even the venue. The theme can be anything that reflects the bride’s personality and interests. If the shower is a DIY event, choose decorations to go with the theme. If your bridal shower venue provides décor, plan to bring some extra decorations to make it uniquely yours. Consider items like floral arrangements, balloons, and soft lighting, and pull in personal touches.

Sending Bridal Shower Invitations

Send invitations at least four to six weeks before the event. This allows guests to make arrangements to attend, which is especially important for out-of-towners. Typically, physical invitations are sent, which is a lovely tradition, though some choose to send digital invitations, instead. The most important thing is not how they are sent, but the information the invitations contain. The location, date, time, dress code, and gift registry should be included, as well as the theme if you have one. It’s smart to ask for dietary restrictions with the RSVP, to help with planning the menu.

Bridal Shower Games and Activities

Many bridal showers feature games, though some do not, at the bride’s request. There’s no right or wrong answer to this, but games do tend to fill the time during the shower, taking the pressure off of people who are not very good at small talk. The games can be silly, like making bridal gowns from toilet paper, or useful, like having the guests write down date night suggestions. You can also engage the guests with a craft, like painting ceramic items to give to the bride, or with a challenge, like writing a poem about marriage. You’ll find tons of activities online, and you can brainstorm even more, to help create a fun and friendly atmosphere. Be sure to bring prizes to award the winners of any competitive games.

Food, Drink, Desserts, and Bridal Shower Favors

Planning the menu is one of the most important parts of throwing a bridal shower. This can vary widely, based on your theme, time of day, and other factors. Generally, there should be several appetizers, followed by a meal, either a buffet or multi-course seated service. Offer a selection of wines and non-alcoholic drinks, and consider a specialty cocktail in honor of the bride. Finding a venue with food, staffing, and décor can be a great way to make all of this easy on the hosts, memorable for the bride, and fun for the guests. After a delicious meal, serve a scrumptious dessert, and send your guests home with a party favor that reflects the shower theme, the wedding colors, or the bride’s interests. A candle, trinket box, heart-shaped kitchen item, or personalized seed packets are all examples of appropriate, whimsical favors.

Bridal Shower Gift Ideas and Registry Tips

The point of a bridal shower is to shower the bride with attention, but also with gifts. The shower gift needn’t be as expensive as the wedding gift, but you don’t show up empty handed. If you are the event organizer, offer the guests wedding registry information, or recommend tailoring gifts to go with the theme. Some showers are lingerie showers, some are cookware showers, but whatever your theme, you can think of creative ways to incorporate it into the gift suggestions. The gifts should be personalized to the bride, and while it isn’t necessary to shop from the registry, that’s a good way to make sure guests find something the bride needs. The gifts should be wrapped and brought to the shower, and if the bride unwraps them at the shower, it’s traditional for the maid of honor to collect the bows and create a “bouquet” for the bride by attaching them to a paper plate.

Bridal Shower Thank You Cards and Other Etiquette Niceties

The bride will need to send thank you cards after the shower, but you can make this task a little bit easier. Assign someone to keep a list of gifts as the bride unwraps them, so that she doesn’t have to try to remember which guest gave which gift. Additionally, bring thank you notes to the shower, and have the guests address the envelopes to themselves. That way, the bride can go down the list of gifts, writing thank you notes and slipping them into the pre-addressed envelopes, which simplifies the process significantly.

Bridal Shower Dresses? What to Wear to a Bridal Shower

It’s helpful for the hosts to include dress code advice with the invitation. If the dress code isn’t specified, the theme, vibe, and venue can offer a hint. In general, bridal showers are feminine affairs, and a dress or dressy outfit is a safe bet. The only firm rule is that no one should wear white, unless it’s requested. When in doubt, ask the host or the bride for suggestions.

Choosing Between Bridal Shower Venues? Contact La Princesa for More Information

There are plenty of venues where you could hold a bridal shower, but we invite you to learn all about what La Princesa has to offer. For over 10 years, we have been hosting events in Phoenix, AZ, providing planning services that take care of everything, so that the event runs smoothly and fits your vision.

Our goal is to make your event as stress-free as possible, and whether it’s a bridal shower, corporate event, wedding, quinceañera, or some other special event, you can be confident that it will be memorable. At each of our three locations, we provide all the amenities necessary to make your event exactly as you envision. From premier amenities to stunning venues, La Princesa stands out from the crowd, and we’re here to help you host the perfect bridal shower. To learn more or visit one of our facilities, contact us today!

Tips for Planning a Stress-Free Quinceañera

Tips for Planning a Stress-Free Quinceañera

A Quinceañera is an exciting milestone filled with dreams, traditions, and unforgettable moments, but without a clear strategy, the process can quickly become overwhelming. From choosing the perfect dress to coordinating vendors and guest lists, there are many moving parts to manage. That’s where La Princesa comes in. As Arizona’s premier banquet hall for Quinceañeras, we understand how important it is to honor this cultural tradition with elegance, style, and personal meaning—without the added stress. With years of experience hosting spectacular events, our team is here to make your journey smoother and more enjoyable. Whether you’re just beginning to map out your celebration or putting the finishing touches on your big day, the following tips will help you navigate the planning process.

1. Start Early and Stay Organized

One of the most important pieces of advice when it comes to how to start planning a Quinceañera is to begin well in advance. Ideally, give yourself 12 to 18 months of lead time. This allows for better vendor availability and more flexibility in decision-making. A Quinceañera planning book or digital planner can help you stay on top of deadlines.

2. Create a Realistic Budget

Set a clear budget early and stick to it. Account for venue, catering, attire, decorations, entertainment, photography, and extras like transportation or party favors. Use a Quinceañera planning checklist to ensure you’re covering all categories. This helps avoid overspending and ensures you prioritize what matters most.

3. Choose the Perfect Venue

Booking your venue early is crucial to avoid last-minute stress. Look for a space that offers full-service support like catering, setup, and décor. Venues that specialize in Quinceañera party planning, like La Princesa, can offer packages tailored to your event’s needs.

4. Prioritize Your Guest List

Before finalizing anything else, create your guest list. Knowing how many people you’re inviting affects your choice of venue, catering budget, and seating plan. Planning a Quinceañera is easier when you’re not scrambling to accommodate unexpected guests.

5. Build a Timeline With Milestones

Break the process into smaller goals using a Quinceañera planning guide or checklist. Set target dates for tasks like booking vendors, dress shopping, and sending invitations. A well-structured timeline prevents tasks from piling up and reduces overall stress.

6. Delegate Responsibilities

You don’t have to do everything alone. Assign specific tasks to trusted family members or members of your court. For example, someone can handle music playlists, while another takes care of transportation arrangements. Having a support system makes Quinceañera planning more manageable.

7. Book Trusted Vendors Early

Good vendors get booked months in advance. Once your date and venue are confirmed, secure your photographer, caterer, DJ or band, and other key professionals. Use reviews and referrals to choose vendors that align with your vision and budget.

8. Focus on Meaningful Traditions

While it’s easy to get caught up in trends, staying connected to the event’s cultural significance can make it more memorable. Choose traditions and elements that are meaningful to your family, whether that’s the changing of the shoes or the last doll presentation. Cultural traditions to consider include a father-daughter dance, crowning of the Quinceañera, and a Mass or blessing ceremony.

9. Plan for the Unexpected

Build flexibility into your schedule and budget for surprises. Whether it’s weather-related changes or minor wardrobe malfunctions, a backup plan will give you peace of mind. A thorough Quinceañera planning list can help identify areas that need contingency plans.

10. Enjoy the Process

At the heart of it all, this celebration marks a major milestone. Don’t let stress overshadow the joy. Take moments throughout the process to reflect, have fun, and celebrate the journey. Planning a Quinceañera should be about creating cherished memories, not just checking boxes.

Call La Princesa for Quinceañera Planning Help

Ready to make your dream Quinceañera a reality? At La Princesa, we specialize in turning once-in-a-lifetime celebrations into unforgettable memories. Our all-inclusive venue packages are designed to take the stress out of planning, offering everything from elegant décor and professional catering to entertainment and expert coordination. With a dedicated team experienced in Quinceañeras, we’ll guide you through every step from the big ideas to the smallest details. Contact us today and let us help bring your vision to life.