Bridal Shower Planning Checklist: Host's Guide + Timeline

Bridal showers are usually hosted by the maid of honour, mother of the bride, or a group of close friends. Set a total budget and split if multiple hosts. $30-$60 AUD per guest is typical including food + drinks + decor.

4-8 weeks before the wedding is the sweet spot. Avoid the final 2 weeks before the wedding — bride is flat-out. Saturday afternoon is the most common slot.

Everyone invited to the shower must be invited to the wedding. 15-30 guests is typical. Mix family, close friends, and bridal party.

Garden tea party, brunch, cocktail hour, bottomless mimosas, picnic, paint-and-sip, spa day. Theme drives venue + food + decor decisions. A simple "afternoon tea" works.

Home, restaurant, garden bar, hired private room, or function space. Restaurants often have shower packages. 4-hour bookings are standard.

Digital (Paperless Post, Greenvelope, Canva) is fastest and lets you collect RSVPs in one place. Set RSVP deadline 2 weeks before the shower.

Traditional bridal showers involve gifts. Ask the bride if she has a registry, prefers cash, charity donation, or no gifts. Communicate this in the invitation.

Match the time slot — afternoon tea = scones + sandwiches + cake; brunch = mimosas + grazing platter + pastries; cocktail = canapes + signature drinks. Confirm dietary requirements.

Florist (if not DIY), photographer (optional but lovely), or activity providers (cocktail-making, painting class, henna).

2-3 light games — "how well do you know the bride", advice cards, "shoe game", or scrapbook page assembly. Skip games that embarrass the bride. Activity-based showers (paint-and-sip, cocktail class) skip games entirely.

Final headcount goes to caterer or restaurant 1 week out.

Florals, balloons, signage, banners. Stick to a tight palette — overdone decor looks chaotic in photos.

Arrival 15 min, food + drinks 60-90 min, games or activity 30-45 min, gifts 30 min, cake + farewell 15-30 min. Total: 3-4 hours.

If gifts are physical, plan how to get them to the bride's house at the end. A bridesmaid usually drives the haul home.

Who handles food, who handles drinks, who runs games, who manages gifts, who pays vendors. Avoid surprises on the day.

Set up decor, food, drinks, music. Last-minute touches always take longer than expected.

Have a drink ready as guests arrive. Music + chatter low-key for the first 20 minutes.

After most guests have arrived + had a drink. Keep games short (10-15 minutes each) and skippable for guests who hate them.

Bride opens gifts in a relaxed circle. Designate a bridesmaid to take notes for thank-you cards. 30-45 minutes for 20 gifts.

Cut the cake. Take a group photo. Begin gentle wind-down.

Co-host coordinates loading gifts into a car. Bride goes home with her gifts (or someone delivers them).