MAIN Entertaining Wedding Guide Bridal Showers

Bridal showers and pre-wedding parties are not just a chance to give gifts. There is a lot of work involved in planning a wedding, and parties are a good excuse to take a break from organizing the big day and to opt for something casual and fun.

By tradition, the mother of the bride, the bridesmaids or close friends throw the shower in secret, and the busy bride doesn't even have to know that it's been planned!

Of course, the biggest surprise comes when the bridal shower games begin, and no bridal shower would be complete without a few gags and jokes thrown in. Gifts, of course, are the highlight of any wedding shower so check to see if the bride-to-be has already signed up with a bridal registry to make gift giving that much easier.

At party's end, guests are sent home with party favors or goodie bags to remember the special event that is usually held weeks or even months before the wedding day.

Around the Web, find bridal and party sites give you the expert knowledge you need to have a party that every guest will enjoy with advice on great food, games, etiquette, the traditional wishing well, and more...

USA Bride - Hands down the best overall on this topic. A mini site for the shower with pages of games, favors, theme, food and recipe ideas. Start with the tips for the hostess to make the party fun for her as well.

Bridal Showers and Other Pre-Wedding Parties - This site has a nice overview of the shower and the other pre-wedding events that the wedding party are involved in. Tips for the Bridesmaids Lunch can be included in the shower for brides whose maids live out of town and won't be able to come in twice.

Bliss - Lists of sites, games and articles for wedding showers. One of the listings has more than 100 games. That should keep even the most dedicated game players busy for a few dozen showers!

Bridesmaid 101 - This is a great resource for the bridal shower with ideas for themes, a printable guest list and more...also has some good info for the wedding party's general duties.

Wedding Shower Games for Everyone! - Some very different games here. A couple of ice breakers that sound very funny, plus a few "couples" games. Some new uses for toilet paper (no not the one where you drape someone in TP) and the best "wedding dress" wins a prize... these are even better.

Gift Idea Center - This site is totally focused on selling you things, but they have a great list of games to play at the shower - many not repeated on other sites. Well worth a visit if you're looking for ideas for different games.

Lingerie Bridal Shower - A small collection of tips for a classy lingerie or bridal shower party including ideas for the invitation, decorations and gifts. Buy related games and invitations at the online shop.

Wedding Wishing Wells - asking for money instead of gifts - A good discussion on the growing custom with tips on etiquette and more than a dozen examples of invitation wording.

Wishing Well Poems for Bridal Shower - Busy bridal forum with visitor-suggested poems for bridal and baby showers.

Bridal Shower Wishing Well - Unique ideas & quick tips on what to include and how to fashion a wishing well that matches the shower theme.

also see in Wedding & Engagement Party Ideas ->