Bridal Registry SHOPPING FOR GIFTS At this point, your wedding registry should be available and updated for bridal shower guests to access. We recommend going to at least three different stores to register, but no more than six. Shopping for your home can be an exciting experience to share with your fiancé, but it should be catered to what you need. If you already have new pots and pans and microfiber towels but want a Bluetooth speaker or Wine of the Month subscription, then regis- ter for the items you need and want, not what’s expected of you. Some stores may require a store associate to accompany you to offer ideas and suggestions. Take advantage of their knowledge by asking about quality brands and warranties. It’s considerate to include items of different price ranges on your registry so guests can choose a gift within their budget. If you and your fiancé al- ready live together and have the necessities to build your dream home, you may want to consider having a honeymoon registry. This is a great option where guests can gift you with room en- hancements, excursions, or spending money! PRE-WEDDING PARTIES Share this with your bridesmaids! 134 | TELL VENDORS YOU SAW THEIR AD IN TODAY’S BRIDE BACHELORETTE Party Keep the Bride’s Interests in Mind Bar crawls, jet setting to Vegas, a weekend glamping trip, or a spa get- away – bachelorette party possibili- ties are endless! The Maid-of-Honor and bridal party should ask them- selves one important question when planning the festivities: What would the bride really want? Get the Guest List from the Bride The bride doesn’t have many responsi- bilities when it comes to planning the bachelorette party. Just be sure to get a guest list from her of people she’ll feel comfortable “letting loose” with — so- rority sisters? Yes! Her boss? Probably not. If there are concerns about invit- ing someone, it’s best to leave them off the list and enjoy their presence on the wedding day. If someone is invited to celebrate the bachelorette party, make sure they are invited to the ceremony and reception, too! Timing is Everything The bachelorette party should be on an evening close to the big day, but it definitely should not fall on the night before the wedding. Consider sched- uling it for the weekend before the wedding date. Take Budget into Account Just like it’s important to take the bride’s wishes into account, the host(s) should also consider the budget of the girls who are attending. If you’ll be staying overnight somewhere, going to dinner, and/or renting transportation, be sure to include the price when ex- tending an invite. The Element of Surprise Given all the planning the couple has put into the details of their wedding, it’s safe to say it’d be a welcomed sur- prise to not have to make decisions for another event! Ask the bride to trust you to know her expectations and then take the reins!