Wedding Shower Timeline Help!
Photo Courtesy of Martha Stewart Weddings
When it comes to hosting a Bridal Shower, there are certainly a lot of components that go into making sure the event runs smoothly. We know it can be tough to be juggling the caterer, finding a spot for all of those gifts, and greeting guests! Today we are breaking down a little timeline to help the day run smoothly, for everyone involved!
Once the majority of planning is complete, confirm with all outside vendors on arrival and pick-up times. If food is arriving early, be sure to ask how the items will remain warm, and if the company provides all of the necessary dishes to allow this to happen.
Ensure you have enough tables. This will include a Welcome Table, which may include favours and a guest book or seating chart, and a Gift Table - possibly two tables may be needed here. You may also need tables for vendors who don't come with their own (i.e. music, photo booth etc). In addition, make sure you have linens for these tables if needed.
Before the big event, we highly recommend sitting down and creating a timeline for how you would like the event to run. We have created a mock timeline for a Brunch-styled Shower, just to help move things along, and get your creative juices flowing. Every shower is different, but we hope this will help make things run nice and smooth!
11:00AM - Guest Arrival - Bride to Be Greeting Guests, Thanking them for coming + Mimosas for the Ladies Available
11:30AM - Once Guests have arrived, you can ask everyone to take their seats for brunch + Remind Ladies Bar will remain open. If you are hosting a buffet, be sure to ask tables to go up a couple at a time so it is not pure chaos at the buffet station.
11:45AM - When you notice guests have all received food, and are enjoying the tasty goodness of Brunch, you can begin with a Shower Game if you are partaking in this tradition
12:00PM - If the Bride is choosing to open gifts, you can start this process as guests are finishing up their meal. Alternatively, at this time, if they are choosing against opening gifts in front of everyone, you can open the Sweets Table + Play Another Game. Know in advance who will be helping with gifts - One Person for Handing the Gifts to the Bride, One Person for Writing The Items from each gift, One Person for taking the Gift away and stacking it separately. We recommend having two PENS, Garbage Bags and Scissors Available.
1:00PM - Once the Bride has concluded opening gifts, be sure she says a BIG thank you to everyone for coming + anyone that helped make the day possible. If it is more informal, and the Bride has the opportunity, going around to greet guests and personally thank them makes it even more special!
2:00PM - As things are winding down, be sure to hand out favours as guests are leaving, if they were not already on the tables + have the Bride close to the exit for Goodbye's
Every shower runs a little differently, but make sure you have a game plan ahead of time. Know who in the Wedding Party, or alternatively Family Members will be helping with setup and teardown + who will be needed throughout the event. Creating a timeline is a great place to start!
We know this is not something you lovely ladies do everyday, so we hope this is helpful!