If you're anything like me, you're reaching the point in your life where several of your friends have started getting engaged, which means a wedding is in the works. And with a wedding comes the picking of bridesmaids, engagement photos, wedding planning, dress purchasing, bridal showers, gift buying, and the wedding itself.
I've been to my fair share of weddings, but I haven't been in the wedding party since I was four and was a flower girl for my mom's friend's wedding (which was at the Grand Floridian at Walt Disney World!), and I have had the great honor of being selected to be my cousin's bridesmaid for her wedding in July.
Since I haven't been a part of a wedding party for 14 years (granted the last time I was in it, I didn't have much control, naturally) I'm learning a lot of new things about being (kind of) a big part of a wedding, one of which includes being in attendance at a bridal shower. Since I didn't know much about bridal showers, I thought I'd create my own "Dummy's Guide" to help anyone out who has never been to a bridal shower before.
1. Bring a gift.
This should be a no-brainer. The couple register for items they want, so all you have to do is order something and it's super easy. My mom and I got a gift together for my cousin, and we wanted to do something different so we got her a bunch of Disney cooking utensils. There is also an old tradition that my mom told me about, that the number of ribbons the bride breaks while opening gifts will tell how many children she will have. I had never heard of that, and no one else seemed to have heard of it, so it must be more of an uncommon tradition. Needless to say, after hearing it, my cousin made sure not to break too many ribbons.
2. There are games.
This kind of surprised me. I figured it would just be a social event that you went to and talked and the bride would open gifts, but there was so much more. A couple of bridesmaids who live in the same state as my cousin made up a couple of games that were actually pretty entertaining. One game, the couple had been interviewed, and there were quotes that we had to guess who said what. The top two who got the most correct answers got prizes. Another game that we played was couples Jeopardy to which the categories were Bride, Groom, Couple, Wedding Date, and General Wedding Trivia. We separated into teams and all competed to win the most points. Throughout the entire shower, as well, there was a game going on. Everyone started out with a fake ring, and if you caught anyone saying "bride" or "wedding" you could take their ring. There were a couple of people walking around with like eight rings on their hands.
3. Dress decently.
This is a formal event, and chances are you will take photos. Maybe it's just my family, but there were constantly photos being taken. Everyone always looks classy, carrying glasses of wine and wearing heels, so make sure you're able to fit in with the crowd. If you show up in jeans and a nice shirt, you may just stick out.
4. The maid of honor plans the bridal shower.
I'm very thankful to have the experience of having been to a bridal shower now because if I happen to be a maid of honor, I now know what a bridal shower entails. The maid of honor for this wedding, my other cousin, had never planned one before, but she did a really great job. Typically the maid of honor hosts the event at their own house, or somewhere else, and has to decorate the place and plan all the games and the food and organize everything. It's a big responsibility.
5. THERE IS FOOD.
I think this may just be the most important part. It's a world of grazing. Cheese, sandwiches, fruit, chocolate, you name it. Grazing is my favorite way to eat, and that's what there is. My aunt also brought my cousin's cake, and oh wow, it was the most beautiful cake I have ever seen. I'm not saying every cake at every bridal shower is beautiful, but this one was. It was a strawberry champagne cake (which I had never had and was amazing and light and delicious), with sunflowers. It reminded me of Anna's birthday cake in the "Frozen" short, only it was yellow.
Overall, bridal showers are a lot of fun, and it was a great experience. I can't wait for the rehearsal dinner (what happens there, do we just eat?), wedding rehearsal (is it like rehearsing for a show?), and the wedding itself (what if I fall?!). So many unanswered questions and new experiences. I can't wait.
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