How to Keep Bridal Shower Thank You Notes from Being Such a Chore

After the bridal shower is all over, here comes the wedding stress. Does the bride to be really have time to send out thank you notes to all of her bridal shower guests? She probably does not but the guests need to be thanked. Thank you notes need to be done in a timely matter and must be done in a way that shows sincerity. The thank you notes may seem like a huge chore but it s a requirement that must be met. In this article some tips on how to keep bridal shower thank you notes form being such a chore will be given. These ideas are practical and some are very creative. The thank you note process can be fun and should be made to be fun so as to eliminate the feeling of a chore.

If the hostess has included you in the plans for the bridal shower, as she should, you could maybe ask her if she could make duplicate envelopes when writing up the envelopes for the invitations. This would save you time when the time comes to send out the thank you notes. You would only have to write a little note in the thank you card and put it in the pre-addressed envelopes. If you do not want to impose on the wonderful person throwing the bridal shower then offer to help with the invitations and do the duplicate envelopes yourself. If you have a home computer or know someone who does you could also print up mailing labels for the guests who will be attending the shower, the labels can be saved on your computer and may come in handy with the wedding gift thank you notes. If you do not have access to a computer then you could order return address labels and it would save half the time by allowing you to only add the recipient’s address. The envelopes are probably the most tedious part of the thank you no te and invitation process.

Another option if you have a home computer is to use a template or greeting card program and design your own thank you notes. You could then save time and energy by typing a custom message to each person you need to thank and print the thank you note out and mail it away! There are many free templates out on the internet that are quite easy to use. Investing in a card design computer program may be a wise investment if you have not done so already as you could use it for the wedding thank you notes too. The convenience of a computer also offers up the opportunity to send electronic thank you notes via email. Of course this would require the guests to give you an email address and the email method of delivery is less personal.

At the wedding shower you could use a game to make the thank you note process less of a chore. For example, you could hold a drawing for a prize or two. As the guests arrive ask them to write their name and address on the thank you note envelopes. Let them know that you will be drawing one or two of the envelopes at the end of the party and the names drawn will receive a special surprise. Not only does it save you time addressing envelopes but the guests have fun with it as well. This method will also assure you that you have your guests addresses correct since they are the one providing the information.

If you have a large bridal shower with a lot of guests you may want to consider creating general thank you notes. A general thank you note could simply thank the guest for attending the bridal shower and state that any gift received was more than you could have ever wanted. These general thank you notes can be made creative by making them into place cards for the guests it you are having a meal. You could also have the thank you note printed on candy bar wrappers and hand them out as the guests leave the bridal shower.

So as you can see writing out your bridal shower thank you notes will not be a chore if you get creative and use your imagination. Make it fun and enjoy your day with your guests!

Ten Thoughtful and Fun Bridal Shower Party Favors

Your bridal shower party favors are meant to be special reminders of your bridal shower celebration to all of your guests. In addition, your bridal shower favors can add or compliment the theme of your shower, helping to make it more enjoyable to all that attends. Therefore, the best bridal shower party favors are those that are both fun and decorative, yet are thoughtful and will be enjoyed by your guests for years to come.

Cookie Cutters

One of the best types of bridal shower party favors you can provide is a cookie cutter or two. There are a wide variety of cookie cutters available online and in stores. Therefore, it should be no problem choosing one that fits easily within your theme. Or, simply purchase cookie cutters in the shape of a heart and add your own message saying, “Cut out for Love.” Your cookie cutters will be sure to be a hit – and every time your guests bake cookies, they will think of you!

Photo Albums

Mini photo albums also make great bridal shower favors. You can purchase plain ones and add your own design, or find ones with a cover design that suits your bridal shower theme or the general theme of love and togetherness. Your guests can later use their mini photo albums to keep pictures from your wedding safe and easy to flip through over and over again!

Disposable Camera

To help encourage your guests to take pictures of your shower and of your future wedding, provide them with disposable cameras at your bridal shower favor. You can even include your own special message, such as “Picture Perfect Couple” on each camera.

Potpourri Sachets

Potpourri sachets can provide your guests with a lovely scent and can be decorated in any way you desire. Many different types of potpourri sachets are commercially available, or you can even make your own – including your own homemade potpourri to place inside. Your guests can place these sachets inside dresser drawers to keep their clothes smelling fresh and lovely!

Sewing Kit

Giving your guests miniature sewing kits is another thoughtful and fun idea for your bridal shower favors. Include a message stating, “Sew in Love” on the outside of your kits and your guests will certainly think of you each time they repair a button!

Photo Frame

A small photo frame with a special printed message or poem inside makes a lovely bridal shower gift. Then, your shower guests can place a photo from your wedding over the poem insert after your big day is over.

Recipe Card Holder

A recipe cardholder can help you send the perfect message during your bridal shower, while lending itself to practicality. There are many different types of recipe cardholders available both online and off. There are even some shaped like kitchen items, such as a rolling pin. Recipe holders are excellent for a kitchen themed bridal shower. In addition, you can add your own “recipe for love” to the recipe holder or include a special poem or phrase on the card. Every time one of your guests cooks her favorite recipe, she will think of you!

Cheese Grater

A cheese grater can be an adorable bridal shower favor. Add some ribbon to the handle or some other decorative flair to create a unique and attractive decoration. Include a note saying, “Love is Grate.” Each time your bridal shower guest grates some cheese, vegetables, or fruit, she will remember the great times she had at your shower, as well as your special sentiment.

Manicure Set and Compact Mirror

Give your guests something to remember by giving them a heart shaped manicure set. Many are available at both online and offline bridal specialty stores. You can also purchase a heart shaped compact mirror and include a message saying, “Love into the eyes of love.” Depending on your bridal shower theme, you might look for a different shape for your manicure set and compact mirror. No matter the theme, however, hearts will always work.

Key Chain

A key chain can make a fabulous bridal shower favor. Many different key chains can found in a variety of designs, colors, and styles. Therefore, it should be easy to find one matching your shower theme. If not, you can purchase clear plastic ones and insert something such as a photo, poem, or special saying inside, such as “The key to love is ____. (You fill in the blank!)”

Bridal Shower Present Protocols - Just a Few Things You Should Know and Do

Planning a bridal shower can be a big event for the bride-to-be. It is the job of the hostess to make sure that the bride has a pleasant time and that they guests are taken care of. Wedding etiquette can be confusing and some of that applies to the bridal shower, as well. If you are responsible for planning a bridal shower or are invited to a shower and are not sure of proper gift etiquette, there are a few things you should know when it comes to dealing with gifts.

Bridal showers are traditionally given to “shower” a bride-to-be with gifts for her new married life. In the past, it was tradition to give gifts that would help a woman with her new home. Now, things are changing. Showers are given to include the men and gifts are becoming less traditional. Some hostess may choose to set a theme and ask guests to bring a gift that relates to the theme. Some brides may not need a lot of items for their home and ask that gifts not be given. If you are hosting a bridal shower, it is always a good idea to seek the opinion of your bride before sending out invitations.

Wedding gifts and bridal shower gifts are not the same thing. Wedding gifts are given at the wedding and shower gifts are given at the shower. Generally, wedding guests who do not attend the bridal shower will bring a gift to the wedding. Guests who do attend the shower are not expected to bring a gift to the wedding. In addition, it is not proper wedding etiquette to ask for or mention gifts in the invitation to the wedding. It is improper to put the bride and groom’s registry location on the wedding invitation, but it is proper to include that information on the shower invitation.

When attending a bridal shower, it is important to know that gifts can be elaborate or casual. This might depend on the type of shower that is being given. As a host, you will set the tone of the shower and the wishes of the bride and groom will be included on the invitation.

If the bride and groom need many items for a new home, then guests may choose to buy gifts off the couple’s registry list. A registry list is a list of items that are pre-selected by the bride and groom. Generally, large department stores and retail stores have registry options. The list will give guests a detailed list of what they couple needs and the price. When the item is purchased, it will be taken off the list. It is not necessary for a guest to purchase off the registry list to attend a shower. Guest may choose to give gift cards, money, or other items that they know will be appreciated by the bride and groom.

In addition, it is perfectly acceptable for bridal shower guests to chip in to purchase a larger and more expensive item, such as a washer or dryer or even a television. Large gift purchases are a perfect way for guests to give the amount they feel is appropriate while still buying the couple a gift that is needed. If you are a hostess and chose to buy a large item, include that information on the invitation. You might want to give the couple a gift card so they can pick out the item. If this is the case, have each person send you the money before the shower and sign a card at the shower. You might find that you are low on the donations. If this happens you can call those you feel might be willing to donate more money, such as the bride’s relatives. If you have more money than you need to for the item, use the leftover money to purchase items that relate to the big-ticket item.

When you are the hostess, it will also be your job to make sure the gifts are opened at the appropriate time during the shower. Usually this is done as the last activity. Also, appoint someone to write down each guest and the gift they give the bride while she is opening the presents. Make a copy for her so she can make her thank you cards. You might even consider giving her a list of all of the addresses so she will not be pressed for time right before the wedding.

Throwing a Bridal Shower for the Young and Old - Easy Boredom-Free Ideas

Let’s face it, if you are a woman there is a good chance that at one point or another you have been invited to a bridal shower that left you scratching your head or ready to gnaw off your arm just to get out of the room. Do you remember the dreaded bridal shower game of dressing up one or more of the ladies in the room with a mock wedding dress made from toilet paper? Perhaps you are more familiar with the embarrassing questionnaire that the guests were to fill out, only then to have to stand up and read answers to questions you wouldn’t even spell out in the Sunday confessional. Perhaps it is for this reason that bridal showers have become a bit of a bad reputation, and why so many invitees are sending their regrets and a gift certificate.

Fortunately there is a movement underfoot to breathe some new life into the borderline dead tradition of the bridal shower that has so many women roll their eyes at the thought of actually attending. The times of embarrassing games and activities are coming to an end and instead new and improved activities ensure that the bride still receives her shower, guests still bring lots of presents to help the new couple start out their life together in style, and games are still being played - but with new twists! Follow these easy tips and you too will be able to throw a bridal shower for a young or more seasoned bride with easy boredom-free ideas!

Decide on a theme and run with it. Just because presents are involved, this should not make everything else about the occasion melt into the background. Instead, you may wish to contact your local jewelry sales lady, candle gal, or make up aficionado and see if their companies offer some kind of party package. Most of them do, and this will go a long way to allow the girls to sample some make up, try on some jewelry, and sniff the soothing smells of sweet candle wax. You may want to serve some finger foods so that nobody will be stuck in the kitchen, and everyone will be able to participate. Maybe a student masseuse could be hired for a couple of hours to give foot massages or a student cosmetologist for manicures and pedicures.

Food should be kept simple if at all possible. Nobody should be in the kitchen cooking, heating up, or assembling, while at the same time a mess for the hostess should be avoided altogether. A good idea is the potluck, or if you have the funds, have some finger foods catered. Gourmet cheeses and crackers, some wine, canapés, petit fours, crab cakes and grilled vegetable foccacias make for a wonderful spread that is easily put together and does not require much in terms of reheating.

Advice is a big part of the party. Especially if the bride is walking down the isle for the first time, many well-meaning ladies have oodles of ideas and tips on how to keep the marriage blissful. Usually a book is sent around to capture those pearls of wisdom, but how about trying a new twist? Instead of putting together a book, why not all each guest to write out their advice on a piece of parchment paper and then affix it to a bottle of wine. Both the wine and the advice can then be enjoyed together by the married couple and make for great conversation starters. If the bride or groom happens to be teetotalers, the paper can easily be affixed to chocolate bars or any other food or drink item the couple will be able to enjoy together.

So go ahead and allow yourself to enjoy the celebration of the bridal shower again. Revel in the changes, and allow your ideas to roam free, and no longer feel the obligation to follow in the footsteps of boring old games that are long past their prime. Have fun with the shower and during the shower! The bride will thank you for years to come for the thoughtful afternoon or evening you put together for her.

Why Have Your Own Bridal Shower Website? Why Not!

Technology today makes so many things possible. Instant messaging keeps us in contact with loved ones, email does the same. Instantly, it all saves us time and money. No stamps to buy, no phone bills, no waiting for a response for days on end. People have websites for all kinds of reasons, selling stuff, sharing photos, telling stories and just about any other reason out there you can think of. So why not start a website for your bridal shower? There are so many possibilities as to what you could include on a personal bridal shower website it is amazing. This article will give you some ideas and tips for creating your very own personal bridal shower website.

A personal bridal shower website can be very useful and convenient for any bride to be. It could be personalized with just about anything the bride desires. She could upload pictures of herself and her soon to be husband. If she chose to she could put pictures of her wedding plans on it, such as, the bridesmaid’s dresses, flower girl dress, and tuxedo choices. The possibilities are endless with pictures. She could also put up pictures of the chosen wedding party or the parents of the bride and groom. The engagement announcement may be placed on a website for distribution to family located around the world. To direct the website more towards a bridal shower the bride could post the invitation and she then could send it out to anyone with access to the internet. The bride to be can also place lists of stores or even better links to the store’s website where she has registered for gifts. The theme of the bridal shower could be described on the website along with a link to a website giving directions to the l ocation of the bridal shower.

Bridal shower websites are not only convenient for the bride to be but also for the hostess of the bridal shower. The website could be set up with a link to the hostess’ email and potential guests could ask questions, get gift suggestions, and ask about the theme of the bridal shower. The hostess could also request on the website that guests RSVP by email. Websites can be set up to accommodate a message board format and that may also be a great addition where the guests could interact with each other regarding the bride to be and the bridal shower. Of course if this were something the hostess would want to do it would be best to keep it separate from a site that the bride to be can use.

Another asset to using a personal bridal shower website is that it is a great way to get the information out to potential guests without the worry of lost mail. If the guests miss it, you can just refer them back to the site address and they can review the invitation again. If a change to the party agenda or theme is made you can instantly post the change to the website and send out a mass email letting everyone know that the site has been updated.

There are so many websites that offer free website hosting for people that have little to no experience in web design. A bride to be or hostess of a bridal shower could easily create a beautiful and useful website in no time. The internet is full of resources that assist people in creating professional looking websites for free using website templates that you simply upload pictures too and input the desired text. Of course if you want a truly professional site you can also pay a professional to design one for you. When you are done using the website for your bridal shower needs you can easily convert it to your personal wedding website and then into your honeymoon website, the possibilities are endless!