Congrats on Being Maid of Honor! Here's How to Plan a Fab Bridal Shower

Because every bride needs a situation-savvy MOH by her side.

You’d do anything for your best friend, so when she asked you to be her maid of honor, you obviously said yes! While it’s a privilege to be the bride's right-hand lady, it’s also a great responsibility.

Wedding bouquet of peach roses by David Austin

Blushing Bridal Bouquet

Wedding bouquet of peach roses by David Austin

Photo by: ©iStockphoto.com/IG_Royal

©iStockphoto.com/IG_Royal

You’ll need to accompany the bride to dress fittings and appointments with vendors, organize and inform the maids, make a speech at the reception, keep track of the bouquet and generally ensure that your bestie is blushing and blissful on her big day.

Traditionally speaking, the maid of honor is also responsible for hosting the bridal shower. To save you some stress, we’ve already broken down the basics — and remember, you can delegate any of these tasks to the rest of the bride tribe as well!

Get the Bride's Two-Cents

Not that you need an excuse to grab coffee and gab with your bestie, but this seems like as good a time as any. Months beforehand, sit down with the bride and see what she envisions. Does she want a formal affair with Champagne and finger sandwiches, or would your country-chic bestie prefer something more casual, like beer and a BBQ buffet? Does she have an opinion on party games?

Wedding Scrapbook With Red, Green, Pink

Wedding Theme: Retro Garden Party

"I would like [my wedding] to be like a 1950s garden party!" says Facebook fan Esther Garnier.

Photo by: Courtesy of BHLDN

Courtesy of BHLDN

Keep in mind, though, that you are the host. While it's good to get the bride's input, she likely has a lot on her plate preparing for the wedding, so it's totally okay for you to take the reigns on this one.

Set The Guest List

Bridal Shower Guest List

Photo by: ©iStockphoto.com/iprogressman

©iStockphoto.com/iprogressman

While the bridal shower is typically reserved for close friends and family, you should still ask the bride for a list of people she wants to see. And whatever you do, don't forget to include the groom's (or second bride-to-be's) mother!

Send Invitations

This is an important one, ladies. To make sure that everyone has enough time to respond, send the invitations out at least four to six weeks prior to the event. List your contact information so the recipients can RSVP, and include a link to the happy couple's wedding registry.

CI-Kori-Clark_Stock-the-Bar-Wedding-Shower-Invite

To ensure that the stationery sparkles as much as the bride-to-be, add colorful DIY envelope liners, or address each invitation in beautiful calligraphy.

Design + Decorate

To make party planning a breeze, choose a theme that reflects the bride’s personality. If she knows every line to a particular John Hughes flick, layer the room with pink banners and garlands for a pretty-in-pink look that would impress Molly Ringwald herself.

Pink and Gold Party Decor

Pink and Gold Party Decor

These party decorations combine two beautiful colors and use minimal decorations to create a big impact. Big, bold balloons and tissue garland add symmetry to the party table.

Has your free-spirited best friend trekked across the world a time or two? Decorate the room with globes, maps and vintage postcards that lead directly to pics of her sweetheart.

Original_Michelle-Edgemont-DIY-Cork-Wall-Map-Beauty_h
DIY Map Floral Vessel & Votives

Original_Michelle-Edgemont-DIY-Cork-Wall-Map-Beauty_h

DIY Map Floral Vessel & Votives

Colorful maps add a classic touch to glass vessels and votives. You'll need the following materials for this project: an assortment of glass votive candle holders and vases, scissors, maps, a pencil, a ruler or straight edge and double-sided tape.

Or, if your lady's more of a Moroccan-inspired maiden, layer the party space with ornate tapestries, boho-chic pillows and gold accents. Guests can take a seat on the sofa, or kick off their shoes and get comfortable on the floor.

Eclectic Dining Room With Layered Rugs
Mieke Tacken
Colorful Throw Pillows Add Multi-Cultural Details
Haris Kenjar

Eclectic Dining Room With Layered Rugs

Layered rugs in deep, opulent blues and reds line this dining room floor, giving the space an eclectic feel. A rustic wood table with contemporary acrylic chairs completes the boho chic look.

Photo By: Mieke Tacken

Colorful Throw Pillows Add Multi-Cultural Details

This young couple loves to travel, and their travel has shaped their world view. Brio Interior Design wanted to incorporate this world view into the Mid-Century design they added to this couple's first home by placing throw pillows that use different shapes, colors, textures and fabrics throughout the living space. This way, the couple can feel the influence of their travels, even in the details of their home.

For a woman who tends to navigate her own course, choose a nautical-approach. We love this “Down the Hatch” theme for an adventurous bride-to-be. Add a white backdrop, captain hats and paper anchors for a DIY photobooth that will entertain guests.

Nautical Stock the Bar Wedding Shower

Stock-the-Bar Wedding Shower With Nautical Theme

As if a stock the bar party wasn't enough, a nautical theme takes this wedding shower over the top.

Photo by: Kim Daniels

Refresh The Menu

Sweet tea and cookies are classic, but nothing says you have to have them at the bridal shower. In fact, we think it makes more sense to coordinate the menu with the time of the event.

Buffet Table with Colorful Napkins and Paper Cups

13 Tips for Setting Up a Crowd-Pleasing Buffet

Simple tricks to keep guests happy and fed at your next buffet-style brunch, lunch or dinner.

Photo by: Flynnside Out Productions

Flynnside Out Productions

Hosting a brunch shower? Break out the mimosas and french toast, or set up a DIY-smoothie bar with fruit prepped in jars. If you’re celebrating later in the afternoon, substitute with sangria, fruit salad, sandwiches or sliders.

Whatever you choose, definitely make sure to have a big-batch cocktail on hand that everyone can enjoy. Here are 15 of our favorites:

15 Cocktails That Serve a Crowd

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Shop This Look

Distinguish the Bride

Completed Floral Headband for Fairy Princess Costume.

CI-Jess-Abbott_Fairy-Princess-costume-floral-headband-complete_h

Completed Floral Headband for Fairy Princess Costume.

Photo by: Brian Patrick Flynn

Brian Patrick Flynn

While we’re not saying you need to buy that hot pink sash just yet (save that one for the bach-bash), you should distinguish the bride from the rest of the guests. Depending on her tastes, you could choose a vintage broach, cheeky birdcage veil or a blushing flower crown.

Make This: DIY Flower Crown

Include Ice-Breakers

Wedding Catch Phrase Wedding Shower Game

Wedding Catch Phrase Wedding Shower Game

Guests will need to think quickly on their feet as they try to get through as many wedding words as possible before time runs out. The team with the most words at the end of two minutes wins. Before the shower, download, print and cut out the wedding catch-phrase cards.

It’s likely that many of the bride’s guests will be visiting from out of town. To help everyone break the ice, have a few activities prepared that will get people talking, laughing and smiling from ear-to-ear. Some of our favorite games include trivia about the bride and groom, as well as purse-style scavenger hunts.

Keep a Written Record

CI-Michelle-Kim_garden-baby-shower-thank-you-cards5_h

©Michelle Kim Photography

Michelle Kim Photography

Before the bride-to-be unwraps her gifts, make sure you have a copy of the guest list or a notebook on hand. As she goes through each present, jot down who brought what, which will help the bride keep track later while sending thank-you notes.

Polish With Party Favors

Infused Sugars With Lemon, Lime and Lavender
Rosemary Apple Tea

Infused Sugars With Lemon, Lime and Lavender

For something really sweet, consider giving infused sugars like the ones shown here by Eden Passante of Sugar and Charm. Just layer sugar and the dry ingredient of your choice in a sealed container for a few days to let the flavor set. Try dried fruit, vanilla beans, coffee beans, lavender — or all of the above!

Rosemary Apple Tea

This recipe combines the sweet flavor of apple pie with a hint of rosemary for a truly unique tea. Mix 2 teaspoons of white tea leaves, 4 teaspoons of dried apples, 2 teaspoons of crushed cinnamon stick, 1 teaspoon dried lemon verbena or lemon balm, 1 teaspoon crushed vanilla bean with half a teaspoon of rosemary. Distribute between 5 tea bags.

Chalk it up to a strong sense of southern hospitality, but we think that a good hostess should thank her guests for coming. Set up a small table by the door where guests can grab a party favor on their way out. Nail polish, DIY facial scrubs and tea bags tied with ribbon are all simple yet thoughtful tokens to show your appreciation.

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