How to Host a Couple's Wedding Shower, Blaisdell Manor, Minneapolis Wedding Photographer

Jeannine Marie Photography and Casey with Belle Noelle Events & Design teamed up to write the ultimate guide to hosting a shower! We worked together with other Twin Cities wedding vendors to create this styled couple’s shower shoot inspired by a hunter’s lodge theme at Blaisdell Manor in Minneapolis, MN. When planning a shower, allow yourself at least 6 weeks to plan the shower. This will give you enough time to order invitations, send out the invitations, and choose a theme, menu, and games. When planning a shower, here are a few guidelines: Determine who will help host the shower and split up tasks. Bridesmaids, mother of the bride, sister(s) of the bride may all want to be part of the planning process. Choose certain people to be in charge of decorations, food, drinks, and games. Don’t forget to assign at least one person to be in charge on the day of the shower. This person will make sure the shower sticks to a schedule so there’s time for food, gift opening, and games. Set a budget for the shower. If there are multiple hosts, find out how much each person is willing to contribute. Then plan a budget for the venue, food, dessert, beverages, decorations, favors, and any other items. Decide on a bridal shower or a couple’s shower. Ask the couple for their input on which type of shower they would prefer. While a bridal shower is traditional and a way to honor the bride, a couple’s shower can be different, unique, and fun. It’s also a great way to let the groom and the guys be involved. Choose a date, time, and location. Coordinate schedules with the bride (or couple), the bride’s mother, the groom’s mother, bridesmaids, and any other important guests. Pick a date that’s a few months before the wedding and a location that will be convenient for everyone. Pick a theme. Use the bride (or couple’s) hobbies and interests to inspire the perfect theme. Throw a garden tea-party for the bride that loves gardening. Or a Breakfast at Tiffany’s theme for the bride that’s a Audrey Hepburn fanatic. If you can’t decide on a theme, use the bride’s favorite colors or favorite flower as inspiration. For couple themes, focus on what they both enjoy. Have an “around the world” theme for the couple that loves to travel. For the couple that loves going to the cabin together, have a hunter’s lodge theme. You could also always use the wedding’s theme for the shower! Create a guest list. Ask the bride (or the couple) for a guest list and also ask for a list of anyone that should NOT be invited. Include the bride’s mother in this process and ask for input on which family members should be invited. Order and send out invitations. Send the invitations 4 weeks prior to the date of the shower to give guests enough time to plan ahead. Don’t forget to include the couple’s wedding registry on the invitations! Choose a menu. Use the theme to inspire the food, drinks, and desserts. If you still can’t decide what to serve, think about the bride’s (or groom’s) favorites. If you know the bride hates cake but loves Aunt Helen’s homemade apple pie, then skip the cupcake bar and ask the bride’s mom to request a few pies. Decide on guest favors. Edible favors are always a hit! Again, use your theme to come up with the perfect favor! Have individually wrapped macaroons for each guest as a Parisian themed shower. Or individual cannolis for an Italian theme! Pick a few games (but not too many!) Games are not always a must-have at a bridal shower, but if you choose to have a few games to help entertain guests, make sure they don’t drag on. A few fun shower games include: the Shoe game, the newlywed game, and Jeopardy! Buy a gift! Have a gift opening plan. Pick one person to keep track of who gave what gift to the bride/couple. If you have extra time before the shower, pre-address and stamp thank you notes so it’s one less thing for the bride to worry about! When in doubt about an idea, always remember that the shower is to honor the bride (or couple) so focus on her/them! For those Twin Cities bridal shower hosts that are still looking for an elegant, fun venue, here are a few ideas: Blaisdell Manor, The Aster Cafe, The Grand Cafe, and Semple Mansion. Vendors Coordination and Styling: Belle Noelle Events & Design Photography: Jeannine Marie Photography Venue: Blaisdell Manor Catering: Three Sons Signature Cuisine Desserts: Sara’s Tipsy Pies Florist: Artemisia Studios Make-Up Artist: Sarah Elizabeth Artistry Hair Stylist: Jen Santoro Rotty Stationery: Lauren Kracht Design Event Rentals: Apres Party and Tent Rental Furniture Rentals: Rustic Elegance Bartending: With a Twist Bartending Female Models’ Clothing: Kisa Boutique Male Models’ Clothing: Atmosfere Fashion Stylist: Svetlana Colville Pottery: Matthew Krousey Ceramics Jewelry: Tess & Tricia and Litany Jewelry Models: Niki Forst, Abbie Burgess, Zoe Yvette Abdel-Moneim, Helen polling, Sheree Bochenek, Chris Bettis, Sean Bjork, Denis Kostyrin ]]>