Planning a Bridal Shower for Best Friend?!
Planning a Bridal Shower for Best Friend?
Should I have it at my house to save money, or is it best to have it at a restaurant or other location? Any ideas/Advice?
Answers:
I always liked bridal showers in the home. It is more personal, you can stay as long as you want and you get to plan the menu and festivities.
if your budget is low, then do it at your house or if anyone else has volunteered, use their house. If money is not an option i would rent a hall or use a restaurant. It works either way. We threw our friend a baby shower at my house and she loved it.
I'd have it at your home. Just please don't make everyone sit in a circle and ooh and ahh over the gifts. Or stupid games. Have a bunch of champagne and food.
(I hated my bridal shower.)
If you have enough space, then a bridal shower at home would be great. But there's nothing worse than being shoulder-to-shoulder and then not having enough room to even see the gift-opening or not being able to get to the food.
I'd rather do it my house just so is more intimate for the bride and friends plus I wouldn't have to watch or "worry" about the "dirty silly funny jokes" or be all embarrassed because someone forgot we're in public and said or did something silly...
Plus you could be more creative since it's you house!
Have fun
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Good Luck!
I've always enjoyed both. But, if you go for the restaurant, don't have the waiter present the entire menu. You select four affordable entres. The restaurant will work with you on this, and it's one way to keep the cost down. Also, one drink is on you... subsequent drinks on the guests . One nice thing about the restaurant is you don't have to decorate your own home and have clean up or prep work. That can save some time and money. Either way, it will make a very nice memory for the bride.
I live in a neighborhood with a "club house" and they rent it for $50.00. It is really nice and has a full kitchen, etc. I always throw showers there to make sure everyone has plenty of room. And, since my house is right down the street it is easy to run home if I need to.
I do think having it at the house seems a little more personal than a restaurant. But I think that the wedding shower should be catered more to the bride's personal taste (with accomodating the guests as well). One bridal shower I participated in throwing we went to the lake and hung out all day then had out whole group meet up for dinner at our favorite restaurant. It was great because it was something she loved to do and it made her day! So I would suggest thinking of the things she likes, also taking into consideration how many will be on the guest list and what is feesible money wise and space wise. If you lean towards her preference with the games (if any) and activities it will be sure to be a hit! Good luck!
if you have a house big enough and you dont mind the cleaning... Go for it. Otherwise... Spend your money on someone that can cook and clean and have it at a restaurant.
I think it would be nice to have it at your home and it will save money. I had all of my showers at friends homes and it was wonderful. My fave food that was served was tuxedoed strawberries and I learned to make them. You should try them. Also, other small finger foods would be good. You can actually go to Sam's and get different types of small finger foods. They are tasty and not too expensive. I love those little pinwheel sandwiches. I would try to clean my home really good before they came for the shower. You could decorate if you wanted. Mabey in the theme of the wedding. I wouldn't go overboard though. You don't want it to look gaudy or anything. I think it is a good idea to let the bride have some input on it. It is her shower and she can tell you what she would like. It is also a good idea to serve some punch and other various drinks. I would ask the bride if she wants alcohol served though. I worked closely with friends for my showers and they turned out great. That does not mean that the bride has to know everything that is going on though. Try to plan special little surprises for her. I think it is also a good idea to give some tasteful, not tacky party favors as your guests leave. You can use whatever you like. Mabey some small lotion and bubble bath from Bath and Body. Or for the bridesmaid brunch, we used a little basket and placed the nail polish all my bridesmaids were to wear on their toenails and nails the day of the wedding with other foot products. Just use your imagination. I am sure you could come up with something great. I hope this helps and good luck!!!!
Tuxedoed Strawberries
*Makes 24-26 strawberries
24-36 strawberreis (about two 1-pint baskets), stems intact
1-1/2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips
1-1/2 cups white chocolate; chopped
2 T. Crisco all veggie shortening
Line a large baking sheet with waxed paper. Wipe strawberries clean; dry with paper towels. Place semisweet chocolate chips and 1 T. crisco in a microwave safe glass bowl. Cook on 50% power , or defrost, for about 45 seconds. Press finger into chocolate to see if it is melted; if not, heat for another 45 seconds. Repeat process until chiocolate is soft and shortening is melted. Stir until mixture is smooth. Repeat process with white chocolate and remaining 1 T. Crisco. Holding 1 strawberry by its green top, dip 3/4 of berry into the melted white chocolate. Let excess chocolate drip off. Repeat with remaining berries. Place on waxed paper lined sheet. Dip each white chocolate berry, at an angle, into the semisweet chocolate, creating one side of the "lapel". Repeat at an angle on the other side of the berry. Place on waxed paper lined sheet. Place a small amount of the melted semisweet chocolate into a small plastic zipper bag. Cut the tip of the corner, creating a very small opening. Pipe on "buttons" and a "bowtie". Refrigerate until coating is firm, about 1 hour. Can be prepared 8 hours ahead but best eaten the same day.
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Where you have the shower depends on how many people will be there, how much money the bridesmaids want to spend, and how much available time you have to put into preparation.
Possible venues include a park, a private home, the rooftop of an apartment building, a room in a neighborhood community center or in an apartment complex, a party space or an empty loft, a room at a country or social club, a boat, or a restaurant.