Celebrations & people · 5 subtopics: Bridal & couples showers

Hosting and attending showers: who plans and pays, themes, games people actually enjoy, gifts and thank-yous.

A bridal shower table with cake, flowers and a bride headband

Hosting a shower

Friends, attendants or relatives host, two to six months before the wedding, for two to three hours.

Agree the guest list with the couple
Everyone invited must be invited to the wedding
Send invitations four to six weeks ahead
One or two activities are plenty

Who pays for the shower Work showers

Open hosting a shower

Shower themes and ideas

Brunch, garden party, tea party, cooking class, picnic or a “stock the bar” couples shower.

A theme that fits the couple
Food that matches the time of day
Simple, pretty décor
A photo spot

Open shower themes and ideas

Games and activities

A quiz about the couple, advice cards, a recipe collection or bingo during gift opening — keep it light and inclusive.

A couple quiz recorded ahead
Advice or date-night cards
Recipe card collection
Skip anything embarrassing

Open games and activities

Gifts and thank-yous

Guests usually choose from the registry; someone records who gave what so thank-yous can go out within a few weeks.

Registry gifts are easiest
Record gifts as they’re opened
Thank-you notes within weeks
Shower and wedding gifts are separate

Open gifts and thank-yous

Couples showers

A shower for both partners, with friends from both sides — often an evening party rather than a lunch.

Invite both partners’ friends
Evening drinks or a barbecue
Games for mixed groups
Gifts for the home

Open couples showers

A bride-to-be and her friends in white holding pink balloons

The full guideShowers, parties & weekend: The celebrations around the celebration.Engagement parties, bridal and couples showers, bachelor and bachelorette parties, the rehearsal dinner, welcome parties, after-parties and the morning-after brunch.

Articles on showers.

Showers, parties & weekend3 min read

The bridal shower guide: hosts, guests, games and gifts

Who hosts and pays, who to invite, timing, themes, games people actually enjoy and thank-you etiquette.

Free tools for showers

Thank-you note writer & trackerGuest count & cost calculator

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The Wedding Stationery & Signage Suite cover, shown with product mockups