Who Should Host Typically, the bridesmaids and Maid- of-Honor plan and host the bridal shower, but duties can be taken over by other friends or family members, too. Location It is common to hold the bridal shower at a restaurant, winery, park, the host's house, or a banquet hall. If you plan on hosting the bridal shower somewhere other than your house, make the res- ervations as soon as possible. The last thing you want is to pick the perfect venue and find out it’s booked. Timeline Bridal showers are typically held about three months prior to the wedding. However, confer with the bride so she can make sure there are no scheduling conflicts. Guest list You never want to send an invite to the bridal shower if that person won’t be invited to the wedding. Be sure to double check your final list against the bride’s wedding guest list before send- ing the invitations. Menu Consider the time of day the shower will be held and your budget. If you are on a tight budget and the party is mid-afternoon, you may want to serve appetizers only. If you’re throwing an early evening bash, you could simply serve a spread of desserts. Be careful of hosting the party around meal times – like lunch or dinner – as guests may expect there to be a full meal rather than snacks. Games Shower games can really liven up the party and can be a great way for guests to find out more about the couple. Re- member, not all games have to have a winner or encourage competition. The more fun you have planning it, the more fun the games will be! Your Passthisguide ontoyour Maid-of-Honor orbridesmaids! * Bridal Shower TELL VENDORS YOU SAW THEIR AD IN TODAY’S BRIDE | 131 BRIDAL SHOWERS