A bridal shower for your close girlfriend is like a girl’s afternoon/night out except that it comes with a program and requires a bit more planning.
In essence, the occasion is a gift-giving party for the bride and the tradition is often celebrated in the western countries. But it’s a custom that is gaining popularity with local brides and most take it as an opportunity to have a good time with the bride-to-be before her big day, and also to gift her wedding presents beyond the traditional ang pow.
Unlike the hen’s night, which is more a raucous affair held to honor to a bride-to-be’s last days of singlehood, the bridal shower is a more civilized and genteel affair.
Real bride Belinda and her beautiful bridesmaids. See the rest of Belinda’s tropical-themed wedding here.
Some points to note:
- Anyone can organize a bridal shower for the bride-to-be. There may be more than one bridal shower organized by the bride’s other pals for different groups of friends. The only members who should be invited to all these events should be the bride’s close family members.
- Anyone who is invited to the bridal shower should also be invited to the wedding celebrations. Exceptions could include people who, for some reason or other, are unable to make it for the weddings but are close to the bride.
- Some bridal showers could be events that are focused on a particular group of people. For example, you could organise an ‘office-only’ bridal shower where the close colleagues of the bride-to-be are are invited.
- Bridal showers should not take place too near the wedding; have it at least 1-2 months before the big day. Find out when is a good day for the bride and plan it at a time when she is not so stressed by wedding prep deadlines. Send out the invites to the shower at least 2 weeks in advance.
- Besides the usual bridal shower brunch or tea, you can plan a thematic event that includes activities as well – it could be a group manicure/pedicure session, a picnic outing or even a wedding decor DIY event where everyone at the shower can have fun together. The gift giving is only a part of the event and it usually happens at the end.
- Decide on the budget for the event. The organiser and co-organisers for the event will bear the cost of the shower. If you are feeling particularly generous, you could offer to bear the cost of the entire event but you can ask guests to contribute something to the occasion – whether its helping to plan the event, or preparing the food and drinks.
- Gifts for the bride-to-be can range from useful items to fun presents. If you like to be pragmatic about it, get the bride to compile a wish list of gifts she would like to have. Guests can choose to buy a gift personally, or they can combine with others to get a pricey gift.
Here are some places you can have a fun and unique bridal shower:
- The nail spa that offers pampering sessions for your girls, and gives back to society at the same time.
- Indulge in a spa, like g.Spa (don’t miss our comprehensive coverage on its services and more in Her World Brides December 2015 – February 2016) that offers pampering massage treatments and lounge around after!
- Pick up a new skill! We made our own bouquet and centrepieces, but you can also consider baking classes, creating your own perfume (perfume profiler Prachi Saini, www.jetaime-singapore.com, holds classes for bridal showers, personalised perfume consultations and does bespoke fragrance favours), helping out a cause that’s close to your heart, or simply picking up something you’ve always wanted to learn.