Planning A Baby Shower And Wedding Shower: A Step-By-Step Guide

Planning a baby shower or a wedding shower can be a daunting task, but with the right tools and a bit of creativity, you can make it a memorable celebration for the guest of honor. Whether you're planning a baby shower for a mom-to-be or a bridal shower for a bride-to-be, the key is to keep the preferences and personality of the guest of honor in mind. Here's a step-by-step guide to help you plan and host a shower that will be talked about for years to come!

1. Choose a Theme:

Decide on a theme that reflects the guest of honor's style and interests. For a baby shower, you could go with a Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star theme, a Baby Animal theme, or even a Storybook theme. For a wedding shower, consider themes like Boho Chic, Vintage Romance, or Garden Party. The theme will help you with the decorations, food, and overall atmosphere of the shower.

2. Select a Venue:

The venue depends on the number of guests and the desired atmosphere. You could host the shower at someone's home, a restaurant, a party venue, or even outdoors in a park or beach. Consider the guest of honor's comfort and convenience when making this decision.

3. Send Out Invitations:

Finalise the guest list in consultation with the guest of honor. Send out invitations 4-6 weeks before the shower. Include details about the theme, date, time, venue, and any special instructions. If there is a gift registry, be sure to include that information as well.

4. Plan the Menu:

Discuss food options with the guest of honor. It could be a simple spread of desserts, a potluck, or a catered meal. Consider any dietary restrictions and offer a variety of options to accommodate everyone. Don't forget to plan some fun, themed drinks as well!

5. Decorate the Venue:

Balloons, streamers, and themed decorations will help set the mood. You can go all out with a professional event planner or keep it simple and DIY. Don't forget to set up a gift table and a designated space for any games or activities.

6. Plan Games and Activities:

Games and activities are a fun way to break the ice and create lasting memories. For a baby shower, consider games like Guess the Baby Food, Diaper Change Relay Race, or Baby Bingo. For a wedding shower, try The Newlywed Game, Bridal Shower Quiz, or a Scavenger Hunt. These activities will get everyone involved and create a fun, interactive atmosphere.

7. Finalise the Details:

Don't forget the little things! Create a playlist that fits the theme and atmosphere of the shower. Prepare some party favors for the guests as a token of appreciation. If there are any special rituals or traditions, incorporate them into the schedule. And finally, assign someone to be the official photographer to capture all the special moments.

Planning a baby shower or a wedding shower is all about celebrating the guest of honor and creating a joyful, memorable experience. With these steps, you'll be well on your way to hosting an unforgettable shower that everyone will enjoy!

Choose a theme and decorations

The theme of your baby shower or wedding shower can be based on the season, the honoree's interests, or a colour scheme. For example, if you're celebrating the arrival of a winter baby, you could opt for a winter-themed party. Alternatively, you could base the theme on the parent-to-be's interests. If they love Paris, try a French theme, or if they're a fan of Winnie the Pooh, you could incorporate this into the decorations.

If you're hosting a wedding shower, you could opt for a co-ed barbecue or a not-so-boozy brunch.

A theme will help you decide on decorations, food, and games. For example, if you're throwing a safari-themed baby shower, you could decorate with stuffed animals and opt for jungle-themed food and games.

If you're hosting a virtual baby shower, you can use a video call platform that allows you to customise your background, such as Zoom. This will enable you to incorporate the theme into your virtual background.

If you're hosting an in-person baby shower, you could create a backdrop that guests can pose in front of for photos. This could be as simple as taping balloons to a wall and adding some string lights. You could also add a custom sign and photo props.

Banners, balloons, streamers, tablecloths, confetti, and floral arrangements can all add to the festive feel of your party. You could also create a DIY diaper bouquet centerpiece or opt for classic teddy bear centerpieces.

Plan food and drinks

Planning food and drinks for a baby shower or wedding shower can be a daunting task, but it's also a lot of fun! Here are some tips to help you plan the perfect menu for your celebration:

Baby Showers:

Consider the Size and Style:

Think about whether you want a formal sit-down meal or a more casual gathering. Will your guests be seated at a table or standing and eating on their laps? You can offer finger foods or a full meal that requires forks and knives.

Offer a Variety of Options:

Pregnant people are advised to avoid certain foods, so it's important to check with the mom-to-be and other guests about any specific allergies, intolerances, or special diets. Offer a variety of colours, textures, temperatures, and spiciness levels to cater to different tastes.

Keep Food Safety in Mind:

Wash fruits and vegetables thoroughly and use separate cutting surfaces for raw foods. Ensure all meat is well-cooked, and keep hot foods at safe temperatures.

Label the Foods:

Labelling dishes is helpful for guests with food allergies or special diets. You can use little tags or cards on a buffet table or print menus to frame and place on dining tables.

Use Sturdy Tableware:

If using disposable plates and cutlery, opt for quality paper or plastic plates that can withstand sauces and dressings without soaking through.

Set up a Creative and Practical Food Table:

Consider setting up two food tables, one for savouries and one for desserts. Pull the tables away from the wall to allow guests to easily move around and access the food. Use stands of different heights to add interest and make the display more accessible.

Opt for Make-Ahead Dishes:

Prepare dishes in advance to reduce stress on the day of the shower. Many dishes, such as crudités platters, cookies, cupcakes, and meatballs, can be made ahead of time and simply heated up before serving.

Choose Mess-Free Foods:

Avoid messy foods like Buffalo wings or baby back ribs. Stick to easier-to-eat options like cookies, cake pops, and cupcakes. You can also assemble desserts like tiramisu or trifle in individual glasses or cups to make them mess-free.

Offer Refreshing Drinks:

Serve non-alcoholic drinks like mocktails, iced tea, seasonal favourites such as lemonade or hot chocolate, and flavoured sodas with different syrups. You can also set up a Mimosa Bar with sparkling wine and fruit juices for a fun, interactive option.

Wedding Showers:

Time of Day:

Consider the time of day when planning your menu. For morning or early afternoon showers, opt for buffet-style or cocktail services with lighter fare and finger foods. For evening celebrations, a heavier, more nourishing meal is more appropriate.

Unique Twist on Classics:

Elevate classic dishes by adding a unique twist. For example, if serving tacos, try using Korean-style short ribs with pickled vegetables instead of traditional ground beef.

Savoury Options:

While sweets are tempting, be sure to include savoury, hearty options, especially for lunchtime or dinnertime showers.

Creative Presentation:

Instead of a traditional food table, opt for a food truck, themed cart, or interactive stations like a make-your-own ice cream sundae bar to encourage conversation and engagement among guests.

Crowd-Pleasers:

While you can be creative and adventurous with your menu, include a crowd-pleaser or two to ensure there's something for everyone's taste.

Seasonal Ingredients:

Using seasonal ingredients is a great way to create a fresh, flavorful menu. For example, use peas in the spring for a smashed pea crostini or grilled cheese and tomato soup in the fall or winter.

Bridal Shower Themes:

You can tailor your menu to the bridal shower theme. For an Amalfi-inspired affair, serve Caprese skewers. Or, if the bride-to-be has a favourite restaurant, recreate one of their signature dishes or appetizers.

Brunch Options:

For a bridal shower brunch, offer breakfast foods like mini pancakes on skewers with maple syrup, or mini avocado sandwiches with toppings like lox, feta, or tomatoes.

Tea Party:

For a tea party-themed shower, offer mini open-faced sandwiches with cucumbers, cream cheese, tuna salad, or egg salad. Display these on a tiered stand with floral-printed china for added charm.

Seafood Options:

Seafood is a popular choice for bridal showers, especially during the summer or for nautical-themed parties. Offer a raw bar with oysters, clams, shrimp, and lobster tails, or serve a refreshing shrimp salad with mango and cucumbers.

Prepare games and activities

Baby Shower Games

• Guess the number of candies: Get a big baby bottle and add jellybeans or wrapped mini chocolates inside. Have guests write down their guess of how many are inside. The winner gets to take it home.
• Diaper raffle: Give a raffle to guests who bring a pack of diapers for the baby-to-be. Whoever wins the raffle at the end of the event gets a gift.
• Onesie decorating station: Have a small section where guests can decorate a baby onesie with markers. If your venue doesn't have space for that, this can also be done wherever guests are sitting.
• Guess the candy bar: Melt different kinds of chocolate bars separately and pour one type in a baby diaper. Label each diaper with a number that matches each specific candy bar. Offer a prize for the person who guesses the most candy bars correctly.
• Wishes for the baby: Have a section where guests can write down wishes for the baby-to-be on paper and hang them on a clothesline. Make it cute by getting paper that fits the baby shower theme.
• Advice cards: Pass around cards where guests can write their best advice for the parent-to-be. These will be fun (and helpful!) for the parent to read before and even after the baby arrives.
• Baby trivia: You can create your own trivia card, or download and print one from the internet. The guest that guesses the most answers correctly wins a prize.

Wedding Shower Games

• The Lingerie Bridal Shower Game: On your invites, ask each guest to bring an item of lingerie that matches their personality and style. Blindfold the bride and hang the items on a makeshift clothesline using cute decorative hangers. Once everything is set up, have the bride go around the room and guess who each gift is from. At the end of the day, she gets to take them all home.
• "Where in the World is the Couple?": Dig up a handful of pictures of the couple at different locations. Print them out and hang them up using clothespins and twine. Number each picture and print out a sheet of paper. Have guests write down their guesses for the location of each photo and then score their answers against the master list from the bride. Whoever gets the most correct guesses wins.
• Wedding Movie Charades: Label note cards with wedding movies (include classics, chick flicks and obscure picks for a good challenge). Divide the group into two teams. Players pick a card from the pile and act out a scene from that film without speaking a word while their team members try to guess the answers within a three-minute time limit.
• Boho "Guess How Many Candies": Fill a jar or vase with pieces of the bride's favourite candy and ask everyone to write down their guesses on note cards. Reward the winner with the jar of candy as a take-home prize.
• Pass the Bouquet: This game is a fun twist on musical chairs, using a floral bouquet instead of seats. You'll need a bouquet, a playlist and speakers. Ask your guests to sit or stand in a circle. Start the music and have them pass the bouquet around. When the music stops, the person holding the bouquet is eliminated. The last person standing wins.
• Wedding Trivia: Look up interesting wedding facts and figures and write them on pieces of paper. Split guests into teams or keep it simple and give points to each individual who yells the answer. The host asks all the questions, and the team or person who gets the most answers correct is the winner.

Baby Shower Activities (that aren't games)

• One-of-a-Kind Baby Shower Onesies: If you’re looking for creative baby shower activities for your group, this one is bound to yield some unique results. Provide plain onesies and other articles of clothing in various colours, tacks, thick cardboard sheets, fabric markers, stencils and iron-on letters and graphics. Make the onesies (with attached cardboard) and decorating items available during the shower for everyone to use.
• Craft a Blanket for Mom: Provide craft paint and washcloths. Have each guest use craft paint and write a message or draw something on a baby washcloth. Then, have all the washcloths made into a blanket that can be framed.
• Decorated Diapers: Have your guests write funny or encouraging messages on diapers for you to read during those late-night changes.
• Baby Shower Memory Book: Have your guests write notes for the future to you and baby. You can buy the Dr. Seuss book Oh, Baby! Go, Baby! and ask everyone to write a note to the parents on a different page.

Wedding Shower Activities (that aren't games)

• Taste the Cake: Set up a cake bar (or individual plates) with bite-size cakes, cupcakes or cookies in various flavours. Each player is blindfolded and samples one flavour at a time, sharing their guess for each. Whoever guesses the most flavours correctly wins.
• Make a Wedding Dress: You'll need lots of rolls of toilet paper. Spice it up by purchasing markers, stickers or glitter. Divide guests into teams of at least three people. One team member will be the model. The other team members will make a wedding dress from toilet paper and other decorating supplies. Set a timer for 15 minutes—when time's up, the bride-to-be chooses her winner.
• Memory Lane Game: Hand out index cards and have each guest write a description of their favourite memory with the bride—the more adventurous and unique, the better. After collecting the cards, the host reads each memory out loud and guests guess who did what with the bride.

Finalise the guest list and send invitations

Finalising the guest list and sending out invitations is a crucial step in the baby shower or wedding shower planning process. Here are some detailed instructions to help you with this task:

Finalise the Guest List:

• If you are planning your own baby shower, making the guest list will be relatively straightforward. Include your favourite people and, if you are planning a co-ed baby shower, consult your partner as well.
• If you are a close friend or family member of the expecting parent(s), ensure your guest list includes the guest of honour's nearest and dearest. Consult the mother- or father-to-be to make sure you don't leave out any important guests.
• For a surprise baby shower, you have two options: keep the guest list small and include only your group of friends or family, or team up with someone from another group in the expecting parent(s) life to ensure a more comprehensive guest list.
• For a wedding shower, consider including close friends and family members of the bride or groom, as well as other important people in their lives.

Send Out Invitations:

• It is recommended to send out invitations 4-6 weeks before the baby shower or wedding shower to give guests ample time to RSVP and make necessary arrangements.
• You can send out invitations by email for a more casual shower, or opt for paper invitations if it is a more formal event.
• Include the date, time, and location of the shower.
• If there is a theme, mention it in the invitation so guests can dress accordingly if needed.
• Include registry information or gift suggestions in the invitation. For baby showers, guests often like to know the baby's gender or the parent's colour palette preferences to choose appropriate gifts.
• For online baby showers, use digital invitations and include the link to the video call platform you will be using.
• If you are sending paper invitations, mail them or hand-deliver them to each guest.
• Don't forget to include yourself as the point of contact for RSVPs to take the stress off the guest(s) of honour.

Buy/make gifts and favours

Gifts and favours are a great way to show appreciation to your guests for attending the baby or wedding shower. Here are some ideas for gifts and favours that you can buy or make:

• Mini plants: Small succulents or cacti are a lovely, affordable gift that your guests can take home and will remind them of the special day.
• Edible treats: Everyone loves food, so why not send your guests home with something sweet like mini jars of honey or jam, heart-shaped hand pies, or gourmet snacks? You could even include a recipe card so they can recreate the treats at home.
• Personalised items: Gifts like customised candles, jewellery boxes, or keychains with the guest's name or a special message are sure to be cherished. If you're feeling creative, you could even make your own candles or soaps with personalised labels.
• Beauty and self-care items: Nail polish, hand creams, bath bombs, or small bottles of lotion are useful and budget-friendly gifts that your guests can use to relax and pamper themselves.
• Practical items: Think about what your guests might need and use in their daily lives. Items like hand sanitiser, lip balm, or a compact mirror are always handy to have, especially if they're personalised or beautifully packaged.
• Entertainment: For guests who love games and entertainment, consider favours like a deck of cards, a small puzzle, or a fun bottle opener. These items will add a playful touch to your event and keep your guests entertained long after the shower is over.
• Seasonal items: If your baby or wedding shower is close to a holiday, incorporate festive items like ornaments, stockings, or themed treats into your favours.
• Themed gifts: Choose gifts that fit the theme of your baby or wedding shower. For example, if you're having a "Baby to Bee" shower, you could give small jars of honey as favours.
• Handmade crafts: If you're crafty, consider making your own gifts or favours. Knitted items, painted artwork, or personalised crafts will surely be appreciated by your guests.
• Experience gifts: Instead of a physical gift, you could treat your guests to an experience. This could be something like a spa treatment, a cooking class, or a fun activity that aligns with the interests of your guests.
• Donation in their honour: If your guests already have everything they need, consider making a donation to a charity or cause that's close to their hearts. This thoughtful gesture will not only honour your guests but also make a positive impact.

Frequently asked questions