For a limited time only leading suit designer, Charles Tyrwhitt, is offering 50% of all suits for American Express holders! Many of our grooms prefer to purchase a special suit so if you’re in that same mind set then act quick as it’s only valid until April 30th. Have fun!
Your guide to the American bridal shower and bridal shower etiquette. Come on ladies, let’s bring this fabulous tradition into the UK!
What
The ultimate girl event where the ladies play silly games that date back many generations, and shower the bride-to-be with gifts. More and more bridal showers are involving the grooms to make a “Jack and Jill” party.
Host
Anyone can play host for the bridal shower except the bride! It’s often someone other than the maid-of-honour or bridesmaids and can be a parent, aunt, sister, or groom’s mother.
Traditions
Themes
Around the world: Assign each guest a country and have them bring a gift representing that destination.
Time: Assign each guest a time of the day and have them bring a gift that would be useful for that time.
Location
On some occasions the bridal shower may be a surprise to the bride, but if it’s not, it’s always best to get her opinions and advice when planning the shower. Favourite restaurants are always a popular choice, as are bridal showers inside the home. As with a wedding, they can take place during the day or in the evening but do consider your guests social lives.
Gifts
Gifts are a big part of the bridal shower and the gift-giving options are endless. The host might ask you to bring a gift around a theme, or possibly visit the registry. If not, think about the interest of the bride or something she may need from kitchen utensils to lingerie, or even a couple of gift cards to her favourite spots. If there isn’t a gift theme or gift registry then many guests purchase a negligee for the bride.
It’s a good idea to have a seating plan at your wedding- especially if your guest list is over 15. Many couples stress about the seating plan as they’re afraid they might upset family and friends. As long as everyone gets a seat, no real disasters are likely to occur. The seating plan should be finalised when you submit final numbers to your caterer however, the reality is that seating plans will not be completely finalised until the actual wedding day. Guests fall ill, unexpected guests show and Uncle Joe insists on sitting at table 8.
You may have heard or seen the words “Escort Cards” thrown around but what exactly are these and what’s the difference between Escort Cards and Table Plans? The escort card is a more modern approach to assigning a table to your guests, the trend starting in American weddings. These are generally handed out at the cocktail reception and assign guests to a specific table for the meal. Once they find their table they will have a place card and seat waiting for them. Escort cards are a great ice breaker as guests tend to walk around with a card in hand asking other guests what table they’re sitting at! They make beautiful decorations as well- see below.
Event lighting is the true mood setter for any event. A well thought out lighting plan can re-create the room and change the entire ambiance. You have many lighting choices when it comes to lighting your venue so it’s best to work with a lighting professional as they’ll have the expertise and technical know-how. Event lighting can take you back into time, it can take you into the future, it can create any type of atmosphere you may wish to achieve. It’s a very important element to a big celebration and one that shouldn’t be overlooked.. You may wish to have your guests enter the venue through a tunnel of fairy lights leading to the grand ballroom or you may wish to have amber lit walls for a magical evening. Your dance floor can have a customised stencil with your monogram lit in the centre, also known as a gobo. Lighting options are endless, so speak to the experts!
You're the best thing to ever happen to me. Leanne - 2010 Bride
