Bridal showers are a new wave of a westernized culture that started in Africa just recently. Brides to be are always expectant of a surprise shower (I also won’t mind one) and close female friends have to host one as stated in the wedding laws.
Bridal showers in the African Traditions context involved older women giving marriage advice to the bride to be. Today, it a daytime women-only event in honor of the bride—a time when all close female friends and relatives spend time together before the big day.
2019 February, I was happy and excited to attend my very close friend's bridal shower. It was my first and hopefully, I will attend more bridal showers. Here are my top tips of planning a bridal shower-;
Hosting
The business of hosting a bridal shower is not yet defined who should plan and organize it. Some wedding blogs mention the bride of honor or the best friend. In a real sense the bridesmaid, close female friends, or relatives come together and organize a surprise bridal shower or an arranged one.
When
A date is to host the party is one of the most important things. You can choose a date that is most convenient for the bride and the guest. Most bridal showers are held between 2 weeks to the day before the wedding. Winnie’s shower took place 1 week before the wedding.
Where
A venue is a vital thing to consider. The venue depends on the type of shower and host budget. It can take place anywhere at a hotel, the bride to be a favorite restaurant, banquet hall, or the host’s house. But since it’s a surprise we won’t want to ruin it by hosting it at the bride’s place. We decided to host ours at Dari restaurant along Ngong Road.
Who pays?
Let’s face it bridal showers, weddings, and baby shower can cost an arm, a leg, and a shoe. Sometimes it is too expensive that the bridal team decides not to host one. Some of the options of who pays the bill are:
The bride can offer to take care of the bill.
The host can offer to cover the costs.
The host can ask everyone to chip in. It is appropriate for all guests to pick up a portion.
The guests can pay for their bills as we did.
Invitation
A bridal shower mostly consists of the bridal party, sisters, female cousins, and close friends. The organizer might find it hard to choose who to invite and who not to invite. But with the help of the girls and her fiancée you can pull out a great guest list that the bride to be will be happy.
Theme
Themes are certainly a must. You can choose any theme that you think the bride to be will be happy with. Mostly, themes are centered on colors. We decided to go for a black outfit with colored masquerades.
What happens?
This is the best part of the bridal shower. This is when ladies come together and chaos begins- just kidding—in honor of the bride to share stories and advice while sharing eating and drinking and of course gossiping. Bridal games take place here. The cake is cut—did I mention the cake was sweet. Photos are taken. I remember we sang our lungs out for the bride since there was a live band and a certain musician came to our table and sung. It is also an opportunity for the bride to open the gifts surrounded by her guests. The bride can also opt to open the gift beside his fiancée.
Games
There are loads of bridal games to be played. They are fun and a great way to keep the party moving. If you have no idea what games should be played check the internet.
Ckenna’s top tips
Budget- Consider all aspects from logistics to the actual event.
Date- Take six months to plan and set a date between 3 months to 1 week before the wedding.
Location- Pick a location that is convenient for the bride and her guests
Theme- Don’t be restricted to one theme. There are plenty of themes--get creative.
Bridal shower items and gifts - Search online shops.
Games- Silly and entertaining.
Happiness and Light,
Ckenna.