Your Ultimate Bridal Shower Checklist: Timeline & List Items
Four beautiful guests enjoy their friend’s bridal shower. Photo credit: @capturethevibephotobooth via Instagram.
Bridal showers are so exciting! They are a huge highlight of the bride’s journey to the altar. It gives her a well-deserved rest as she plans one of the most important days of her life.
A special person in her life, like someone like you, will step up to plan her shower and make it an event she will always remember.
Whether you are planning solo or working with others to give the bride the shower of her dreams, it’s never too late to get your ducks in a row. You’ll need to get organized to guarantee everything goes just right.
Fortunately, help is on the way! We’ve got the perfect bridal shower checklist you can use to streamline your planning timeline! That way, your bridal party will go off without a hitch.
Bridal Shower Checklist Timeline
A bridal shower checklist template listing activities to do courtesy of Wedbuddy on Pinterest.
12 Weeks Before
Set a Date & Make a Budget
A good chunk of bridal showers take place between three weeks and three months before the wedding day. Work with the bride to choose several dates that would work for her so you have some flexibility when booking the venue.
Next, set a realistic budget. Talk with those who are going to be contributing to the shower planning. It’s important to know your parameters before you begin to make decisions.
Otherwise, you’ll easily bust the budget and scramble for funds to bridge the gap.
Outlining a Guest List
With a budget in hand, turn your attention to the guest list. Ask for the bride’s input.
Make a list of the people she wants to be there and those who she’d like to celebrate with if there’s room. Don’t forget to ask the groom too so his family can share in the joy!
If it’s a surprise shower, ask others who are close to her for their suggestions. The amount of guests will determine what venue options you’ll have.
Choose a Venue
The next step is to research locations and choose the right venue. Narrow down options that fit within your budget. Then, consider the bride’s aesthetic.
The space you choose should reflect her style and your bridal shower theme. You can opt for a unique bridal shower space that is fully customizable or pre-decorated.
If you choose to host an at-home bridal shower, ask around to see who is willing to lend their space. This will save you big money, allowing you to put that budget towards catering, decor, and gifts.
Begin Planning Your Registry
Ask the bride to create bridal shower registry ideas for her guests to shop from. They should be stores she enjoys and include gifts at a variety of price points.
She can also get creative and ask for unusual gifts, such as additions to her honeymoon fund, pantry items to stock her kitchen cupboards, or even lingerie to impress her honey.
These types of registries are growing in popularity because guests enjoy giving functional gifts they know will benefit the happy couple.
8 Weeks Before
Peach and white bridal shower decorations on a table. Photo by Kate Aspen.
Choose a Bridal Shower Theme
Pick a theme to anchor your event. Bridal shower themes are a great way to elevate the celebration, tie everything together, and really personalize your bride-to-be’s special day!
As you brainstorm themes, think about her favorite shows, movies, and colors. Browse popular summer bridal shower themes for a sunny party or choose a spring bridal shower theme filled with pastels, flowers, and aesthetic gardens.
Also, consider how formal or casual the event will be. What vibe are you going for? This will guide you to the right theme.
Begin Searching for Vendors
Unless you are DIYing the shower, you’ll need to rely on vendors to help you arrange the party. So start looking for vendors who will provide food, flowers, and cake for the shower. You c
Send Out Invitations
Design bridal shower invitations that fit your chosen theme. Find the perfect bridal shower invitation wording to make the invite stand out and memorable to guests!
You can choose to print paper invitations and drop them in the mail or send a digital invite to all potential guests. Either way, don’t forget to set an RSVP-by date!
Pick Out Decor & Flowers
While it’s still a bit early to purchase decor and flowers, sit down with the bride and decide what items would fit her vision. You can also start making a list at this point.
That way, if you spot items between now and the shower, you can pick them up. Search online retailers to build shopping lists. Take a few thrifting trips to see if you can find items on the cheap that will be both functional and on-theme.
You can also share a Pinterest board with the bride-to-be and have her add inspo pics to help guide your choices!
4-6 Weeks Before
Plan Your Menu
Next, decide what food and beverages you’ll be serving. Consider your budget and decide if you want to DIY certain aspects to cut costs.
Don’t be afraid to reach out to the bride-to-be’s friends and family to see if they would be willing to bring a dish or dessert. For lighter finger foods, consider choosing a charcuterie board theme multiple members of the party can contribute to.
If you have booked a restaurant or caterer, reach out to plan what will be served. The experts can give you the available options and work with your budget to produce a mouthwatering spread.
Choose Games & Activities
Take some time to plan what wedding shower games and activities you’ll offer during the bridal shower. You can go with some classic, low-prep games or plan an activity like a craft or bridal jeopardy!
Don’t forget to plan some fun bridal shower prizes to sweeten the pot and entice guests to get a little competitive.
1-2 Weeks Before
A planner with a cup of coffee and laptop courtesy of Hannah Ashton at The Daily Planner.
Finalize Venue, Vendor, & Guest List Details
Review your RSVP list and follow up with guests who haven’t given you an answer. This is also a good time to reach out to your vendors and venue to confirm details.
Make sure you coordinate deliveries and pay any outstanding balances to prevent a gap in service.
Create a Playlist
Every party needs the right playlist. Sit down with your computer or phone and begin curating the perfect bridal shower playlist for your upcoming event.
Make a Shopping List & Decor Checklist
Put together a list of everything you’ll need to purchase for the event. You can keep a running list on your phone so you can add items as you think of them.
Designate a bin or reusable shopping bag to store items as you pick them up.
The Day Before
Shop for Alcohol & Any Last-Minute Items
Go shopping for alcohol, beverages, and any items you still need. Triple-check your list to make sure you have everything you’ll need.
Shop for what’s missing and place it with the rest of your items.
Decorate the Venue
If you have access to the venue, take this opportunity to start placing decor. Carefully set up tablescapes, hang wall decor, and designate a special spot for gifts. Don’t forget a comfy chair for the guest of honor!
It will be a bit stressful to do it the day of the event, but if you aren’t able to set up ahead of time, you can always enlist others to help!
Finish Setting Up
Use this time to finish setting up favors and arranging furniture to maximize the flow of the event. Put all the items you need in one spot. That way, you can grab them on your way out the door.
Set your alarm and lay out your outfit. Then, take a deep breath! You’re nearing the finish line! Good job!
The Day Of
Arrive Early to Coordinate Vendors
Give yourself plenty of time to meet with vendors and oversee the final setup. Greet guests as they arrive and help them find their seats and place their gifts. Make sure everything is in place before the bride arrives.
Assist the Bride
When the bride arrives, welcome her with open arms! If you chose a specific theme, this is a good time to present her form a fun accessory to wear that helps her stand out as the guest of honor.
Make sure she has everything she needs every step of the way. She should be focused solely on enjoying her bridal shower. Be ready to step in just in case.
Keep Track of the Gifts
It’s no secret that cards and gifts often become separated. And with the hustle and bustle of a bridal shower, your bride won’t remember the giver of each gift.
As the bride opens her shower gifts, keep a list of who gave what gift. That way, the bride can write detailed thank-you notes afterward.
She will be relieved that you took yet another thing off of her very full plate! Bonus points if you add mailing or email info to each line so she can easily check this box.
Enjoy Yourself
Don’t forget to enjoy the event you so carefully planned! At this point, the guests will be mingling and admiring the guest of honor. So eat some of the delicious food, enjoy a beverage, and take in the results of your labor of love!
Building Your Checklist: What to Include
A champagne toast over a beautiful bridal shower tablescape with tulle and pearls. Photo Credit: Marie Medina.
Invitations & Signage
Printed or digital invitation templates
Envelopes or email-list
Stamps (if mailing invitations)
Guest book
Photo display of the bride and groom
Welcome signs
Nameplates
Themed banners
Decor & Table Settings
Balloons/balloon arch
Flowers for centerpieces and decor
Tablecloths
Garlands
Candles
Fairy lights for tables
Food & Drink Items
Serving trays and platters
Beverages
Water station
Silverware
Cake stand or cupcake display
Serving utensils
Plates and glasses
Entertainment Items
Activity supplies
Low prep games
Back up activities
Photo props
Photo booth backdrop
Themed accessories
Gifts & Registry Items
Gift table decor (tablecloth, signage)
Guest favors
Photo-ready backdrop
Chair for the bride to open gifts in
Extra tote bags to transport gifts home
Themed thank you cards for the bride to fill out after the event
Wrapping Up Your Bridal Shower Checklist
Planning a bridal shower is a lot of work, but it’s all worth it in the end. Checklists are a great way to ensure you leave no stone unturned. They also help prevent bumps in the road that could bring on major stress for you and the bride-to-be.
Remember this day is all about her, so always ask for her opinion or do your research so that every detail reflects her unique personality and love story.
Start the planning process early on, build checklists as you go, and soon you’ll find yourself enjoying the perfect bridal shower that YOU created!