Bride’s Guide: 3 Mistakes to Avoid When Hosting Your Own Bridal Shower

Hosting your own bridal shower has many advantages, like choosing the venue and time. However, it thrusts you into the role of hostess – meaning you have to plan for your guests’ comfort and enjoyment.

What should you ensure you don’t forget? Here are three mistakes to avoid when hosting your own bridal shower.

1. Skimping on the Prep

A backyard shower takes advantage of the beautiful early summer weather while saving you cash. However, your guests won’t have an enjoyable time if they slip and slide all over a moldy, mildewy deck. If you haven’t done your spring cleaning yet, it’s time to get the power washer and refresh your outdoor living space – no paintbrush necessary.

Furthermore, there’s no reason you can’t get more creative than “come to my bridal shower.” Give your party a fun theme that your guests won’t soon forget. For example, if you and your friends are comic convention fans, why not have a costume party? If nothing else, summer is perfect for a beach-themed backdrop complete with shells and perhaps some sand volleyball.

2. Forgetting to Accommodate Special Needs

Food allergies are no joke and many people have other dietary restrictions. It’s no fun to have people standing around your shower hungry but unable to eat. Instead, include a spot on your invitations for asking about what your guests can safely consume so you don’t make the mistake of cooking steaks for vegans.

Furthermore, please keep in mind your friends who use mobility aids or might get sick from the heat. Not everyone can attend an outdoor event comfortably if they can’t maneuver or feel dizzy and nauseous from too much sun. Ensure you provide adequate shade if you’re hosting outdoors, and be sure guests with wheelchairs and walkers can easily enter through the garage, not park on a sloped driveway.

3. Leaving the Kids to Run Wild

Unless your entire invitation list is childless, you’ll likely include the littles in your event. If nothing else, it allows more people to attend without finding a sitter. That said, you don’t want a bunch of bored toddlers making their parents’ time miserable.

Instead, plan some activities for the youngest set. You don’t have to necessarily hire a clown, although having a few sitters on hand lets your friends relax a bit instead of constantly minding their children. You can also set up a simple obstacle course with pool noodles and other tools from your local dollar store for much less than you’d think. If possible, provide an enclosed area so tiny tots don’t dash away.

Mistakes to Avoid When Hosting Your Own Bridal Shower

Hosting your own bridal shower puts you in the driver’s seat. It also leaves you with a hostess’s full set of responsibilities. Avoid the mistakes above when hosting your own bridal shower. You can ensure a safe, fun time for all.