celebrations | Planning Tips THE SHOWER THE EXPERT: LAURA DAVIS, LAURA DAVIS & CO. 2-3 months before wedding When to Celebrate Davis says with wedding showers, it is usually safe to host them two to three months before the big day, so the couple has time to sort their new presents and send out thank you cards without becoming overwhelmed with last-minute wedding details. I love planning wedding showers. They are such an exciting time, when the reality of the future is just then truly sinking in for most couples. Many people think that the shower theme should match the wedding, but honestly it isn’t necessary at all. You don’t want to host a mini-wedding before the big day, so it can be a fun challenge to think outside the box to make the shower unique and memorable in its own way (without outdoing the actual wedding, of course!). 1 LAURA’S PLANNING TIPS don’t want to step on any toes or make anyone feel like they can’t be involved when they may have been dreaming about this for years. Get creative with your theme. The bridal shower does not need to have the same theme or colors as the wedding, so feel free to bring in ideas that the bride might love but didn’t know how to execute herself. This is also a good time to tie in the bride’s hobbies into a fun and thoughtful party, specifi c to her style. Make sure everyone who wants to be involved (moms, aunts, bridal party, sisters, etc.) knows that they are able to participate in the planning. You might consider having one “head hostess” to provide some structure, someone to divide up tasks fairly and make sure everyone is on the same page. Ultimately, the bridal shower can be an emotional event for the people close to the couple, so it’s a good idea to be inclusive. You 2 3 Make sure that the bride and groom have registered for their wedding gifts before the invitations go out, and include a note alerting guests of their selected stores. Know your crowd. Games and prizes have long been a staple at bridal showers, but some brides and their guests prefer to leave this tradition out. If you do decide to include games, try not to over-pack the shower with activities.You don’t want to have so many games that guests feel overwhelmed or miss the opportunity to visit and mingle. 4 5 Choose favors that the majority of your guests will actually enjoy, not just stuff into a drawer. A good “go-to” is anything edible! 80 Metro Detroit Weddings | Winter -Spring 2017
Metro Detroit Weddings Winter 2017: Page 80
