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It is always an honor to be invited to be a bridesmaid. That said, there are some responsibilities that come along with the role, often including hosting a bridal shower. While festive and fun, showers can also get expensive very quickly. These are some ideas for throwing fantastic bridal showers on a budget.
One of the best ways to keep the costs of a bridal shower under control is to split the bill. This is especially true when the bride has a large circle of immediate family and friends who will be invited to the party. Hosting a party, even a simple one, for thirty or forty ladies is going to cost a bundle, no matter how carefully you watch the bottom line! Split between five bridesmaids, however, that big shower bill feet a lot more manageable. Typically, the maid of honor will take on the job of organizing the bridesmaids to throw a party for the bride. Keep in mind that when a group is planning the shower, the costs should be tailor to be reasonable for the bridesmaids with the lowest budget. The point is not to throw a more fancy party, but to bring down the expense of hosting a nice shower for each person who is paying.
Something else that bridesmaids can do to keep the cost of throwing a shower under control is to go in together on a gift. When you are in the wedding party, it is natural to want to give the bride an extra-special gift. Pooling resources is a great way to give a more impressive gift without anyone spending more than she can afford. Some popular ideas for group gifts from the bridesmaids include wedding jewelry, a stand mixer, or a set of really good knives (always give a penny with a knife gift for good luck!). Before purchasing the wedding jewelry or other group gift, be sure to get all the girls to agree on how much each one will contribute … otherwise, you may end up paying more than you planned if one bridesmaid only wants to throw in $ 20 when everyone else is contributing $ 40!
Another great way to throw a special bridal shower on a budget is to get the guests involved. A potluck shower can work really well. Each guest is asked to bring her favorite dish, along with a recipe card instructing how to make it. It is even better if the guests can tell a story behind the dish they bought, whether it is romantic, funny, or sentimental. Since food can be a big part of the expense of any party, a potluck will cut costs dramatically; especially helpful when only one bridesmaid is organizing and paying for the shower. Just be sure to coordinate the efforts of the guests beforehand so that you do not end up with duplicates of the same dish.
Choosing the right location can also help to bring down the cost of a bridal shower. Rather than renting a room in a hotel or using a restaurant, have the party at someone's home. Do not worry if you live in a tiny apartment and the guests would never fit in your living room. It is absolutely acceptable to host a bridal shower at another person's home. The chances are that one of the bride's friends or relatives has a large living room or a big back yard that you could turn into bridal shower central. The person throwing the party would still be listed as the host and Rsvp contact, even if the location is at another person's house.
Remember that the point of a bridal shower is not to spend a fortune on decorations or designer party favors, but to fete the bride and help to set up her household. Showers can be fancy or simple; as long as they are based on the spirit of friendship and sisterhood, they will be great events.
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Source by Laura Firenze
