Bridal inspiration: 8 easy ways to plan a best friend or sister’s bridal shower

1. First, pick a date that you are sure is comfortable for the bride. It must not clash with any of her personal activities as regards the wedding.
2. Determine if you want it as a surprise or not. If yes, get all the information you would need from her months before. Also determine what theme you would go with (remember, it’s about her and so, should be one you know she would totally rock).
3. Invite at least one other close friend to plan with you. You need other ideas and you will be amazed by how much information they have about your best friend that you didn’t know.
4. Get a venue that makes sense, can it accommodate all her girls without breaking the bank? Can it be decorated to suit the theme? Is it a place she will love? You get the drift.
5. Speak to all vendors (food and drinks at the minimum and maybe an activity coordinator?) needed and narrow down based on preferences and budget. Agree and communicate date and time to vendors at least four months to the event and check in with them twice a month.
6. Draft a list of friends and family that would be attending. If they have to contribute financially, communicate to each of them personally (most effectively via email) explaining what the plan is and how you need their contributions to make this happen. Don’t involve the bride on the finance journey; work with what you have.
7. Make sure the invites go out to all at least two months before the event day to give invitees the time to prepare and also clear their schedule for that day. (Invitees are those you know the bride wants to attend and not those you think should attend. A safer method will be to get the list from the bride almost after she is engaged if you don’t want any spoilers just in case you want it as a surprise party).
8. Finally, remember to send ‘thank you’ emails or text messages to all attendees; it couldn’t have happened without them.

Good luck!