1. Talk to the Bride or Mama First

Before you begin planning the shower, check with the bride-to-be or mama-to-be first to see if they have any special requests or wishes. Maybe they don’t want a traditional shower and instead would prefer a casual get together instead. 

2. Pick a Date

When planning a shower, pick a date early on. Depending on where guests live, they may need an ample amount of time to schedule travel arrangements. Save yourself the headache and pick a date that works best for the Very Important Individuals (VIPs): the bride-to-be or mama-to-be, the maid of honor, the bridesmaids and immediate family members.

3. Plan the Guest List

Before making the guest list, ask the bride or soon-to-be new mom, for a list of guests or ask her to make guest suggestions.  Don’t forget - everyone who is invited to the bridal shower should also be invited to the wedding!

4. Create Shower Invitations

Once you have the main details determined, it’s time to invite! If guests are traveling from out of town, send shower invitations at least two months prior to the event, but if all of the guests are local, 4-6 weeks will suffice. Get creative with these DIY bridal shower invitations or paperless baby shower evites,.

5. Make the Menu

The time of day you are hosting the shower will determine what type of food should be served at the event, but no matter what time the event is scheduled food is a must.. Some of our favorite recipes include Spring Green Kale and Dill Hummus and Whipped Goat Cheese with Oven Roasted Cranberries and Prosciutto Bites.  Don’t forget a few decadent desserts too like these Happily-Ever-After Wedding Shower Cupcakes or these Naturally-Dyed Baby Shower Cupcakes.

6. Get Your Game On

Before choosing which games you want to play at the shower, refer to step #1 and check with the bride-to-be or mama-to-be first to understand what she wants. Looking for some shower game ideas? Check out this easy bridal shower game or use this printable baby shower game.

7. Plan on Presents

For this portion of the event, enlist some helpers to organize the gifts, manage the ribbons and wrapping paper and keep a list of each gift given. If you are hosting a bridal shower, be sure to gather up all of the bows and ribbons to create a bow bouquet for the bride-to-be.

8. Say Thank You

Put together a small thank you gift for all of the guests to take home, like this homemade cupcake in a jar. Don’t forget the bride-to-be or soon-to-be mama! She will need thank you notes to write her own words of gratitude, so do her a favor and print these bridal shower or baby shower thank you notes ahead of time. 

Remember, hosting a springtime shower doesn’t have to be complicated. Keep it simple and remember the real reason for the event - to celebrate the bride-to-be or the mama-to-be as she enters the next chapter of her life.