When you think of bridal shower guest lists, you immediately think of women.  All of the bride’s friends, family, coworkers, etc.  However, it is perfectly acceptable to invite the groom to the shower as well.  If you are worried that the groom will feel uncomfortable or out of place in a roomful of women, consider throwing a couple’s shower, inviting other husbands or boyfriends.  If you’re planning games, be sure to adapt them to your couple’s shower as well as the bridal shower favors.

 Bridal shower guest lists need to be created with several things in mind.  First of all, you don’t want to invite the same people over and over to showers for the same bride-to-be.  Other than the bride’s mother, the groom’s mother and the bride’s attendants, no one should be expected to attend more than one shower for the same person.

In addition, you want to be sure that they people you invite to a bridal shower have also been invited to the wedding.  Double check the guest list with the bride in order to make sure that this oversight does not occur.  The only exception to this rule would be if the couple are planning a very small, exclusive wedding, inviting only immediate family.

Bridal shower guest list should be kept small.  Don’t go to the extreme and rent a large reception hall and invite every female on the wedding guest list.  Smaller parties are more intimate and special. 

Games are a fun addition to any bridal shower, but coming up with new games can be quite a challenge.  Here are a few ideas for bridal showers, however with a few adjustments, they can also be used for couple’s showers, anniversary parties, or even baby showers:

♥  Wedding Memory Game ~ Place 15 or so wedding-related items on a table & cover with a sheet until the game begins.  Remove the sheet for 15 - 20 seconds & then recover the items.  Give your guests 1 minute to write down as many of the items as they remember.  Items may include:  garter, wedding rice, corsage, bridal hankie, wedding invitation, bridal shower favor, engagement ring, wedding napkin, etc.  Whoever remembers the most items, WINS.

♥  Wedding Word Scramble ~ Think of approximately 10-15 wedding-related words and mix up the letters.  Give your guests 1 minute to unscramble the letters.  Whoever correctly figures out the most words, WINS.

♥  Chocolate Wishes ~ Purchase a large decorative clear glass container & fill with the bride’s favorite small chocolate candies (chocolate kisses work great).  Be sure to count & write down how many candies are in the jar before the shower begins.  Set the container in the center of the room & have guests write down their guess as to how many candies are in the jar.  Whoever guesses closest to the correct number, WINS.

♥  Communication Game ~ This works especially well for a couple’s shower.  Have two guests sit back to back in chairs.  Give one person a blank piece of paper & a pencil  Give the other person a hand-drawn picture (this could be of a house, bird, flower, animal, etc.)  The person with the picture must describe as best they can how to draw their picture.  Using only their verbal instructions, the other person must try to duplicate the picture on their piece of paper.  No peeking!  The best duplication, WINS.

Don’t forget prizes for the shower games.  Individual wedding favors make excellent and unique prizes.  I like to purchase two prizes for each game - one for the winner and one for the bride.  That way the bride always wins!