Planning + Design News - Bridal Showers and Parties

A handy guide if you've never gone to this pre-wedding event before.

You open your email or your mailbox to discover you’ve been invited to a bridal shower. While these soirées are not everyone’s cup of tea, it is generally a sign of how close you are to the bride; so that at least should give you warm feelings. However, if you’ve never attended a shower before – or perhaps have throw... More »

What Type of Bachelorette Party Is Right for You?

There are several different styles of this festive fête.

Various types of bachelorette parties find out which one is right for you

Bachelorette parties are a surprisingly recent phenomenon. Though there were soirées – such as bridal showers – thrown in honor of a woman getting married for as long as traditional weddings have existed, it took until the 1980s for proper bachelorette parties to become a major trend. Bachelor parties, on the other hand, had alr... More »

How to Decide if Your Wedding Should Include an After-Party

When the fun doesn't stop after the reception.

does your wedding need an after-party, why to have an after-party for your wedding

Much like a second dress for the reception, after-parties are a wedding trend that have gone from extravagant to nearly commonplace. While certainly not a requirement for your nuptials, deciding to throw a shindig following the reception is also unlikely to be an unheard of concept for your guests. If your venue is rented out until 2AM... More »

11 Mistakes to Avoid for Bachelorette Parties

Don't let the party be memorable for the wrong reasons.

what not to do at a bachelorette party, bachelorette party don'ts

One of the best parts of being someone’s bridesmaid is a guaranteed invitation to the bachelorette party. It’s a great opportunity to let loose and catch up with old friends, especially in a culture where people tend to overwork themselves. The maid of honor, however, is generally tasked with planning the soirée, which can be a ... More »

15 Movies to Watch for a Bridesmaid Slumber Party

Gather round with your besties and enjoy these classic flicks.

Fun movies to watch with your bridesmaids for a get together wedding gathering

There’s nothing quite like getting together with your friends for a movie night. It also happens to be a great way to bond with your bridesmaids before the wedding. If you’re not a big partier or just need a relaxing night during a crazy bachelorette weekend, an old-fashioned slumber party is a classic good time. Or maybe you ju... More »

10 Ways to Have a Great Time Getting Ready

Set the tone for your big day by starting it off right.

what to do the morning of your wedding, how to have fun when getting ready for your wedding

Photo by Vue Photography; Planning & Design by Suzanne Reinhard Events After months, or even years, of planning your wedding, it’s understandable that you might want to rush through the day until you finally get to marry your beloved. But newlyweds often speak of the day going by too quickly and wish they had taken the time to so... More »

5 Ways to Surprise Your Groom at His Bachelor Party

Show your love... without showing up!

Surprise ideas for the groom at his bachelor party

Photo by Bryan Miller Photography; Planning & Design by Victoria Weddings & Events While the engagement period is generally a time for couples to connect, bond, and embrace their love for one another, bachelor and bachelorette parties are another story. Though boundaries are hopefully adhered to, both brides and grooms enjoy using ... More »

Who Should You Invite to Your Bachelorette Party?

How to know if someone should be on the guest list for this pre-wedding event.

Photo by Carrie King Though it is generally the duty of the maid of honor and bridesmaids to plan the bachelorette party, the bride still has influence over the guest list. After all, it’s her night, so she should be able to spend it with those who will make her happy. However, as with seemingly all aspects of wedding plann... More »

4 Planning Tips for the Bachelorette Party

How to get started on organizing the festivities.

The first steps to planning a bachelorette party

Photo by Simone Photography; Planning & Design by Mindy Weiss Party Consultants Though technically speaking the only task maids of honor and bridesmaids have is to wear the selected dress and participate in the ceremony and reception, it is generally accepted that they will often plan a bachelorette party for the bride. For some women ... More »

What Your Bridesmaids Should Know Before Planning Your Shower

It will help them to have a little input from the guest of honor.

How to help your bridesmaids maid of honor or family plan your bridal shower

Common wedding etiquette indicates that a bride should never host or plan her own bridal shower. The reason for this is that, unlike a bachelorette or engagement party, the entire purpose of a bridal shower is to “shower” the host of honor with gifts. As a result, organizing such a soirée for yourself is seen as a gauche way to ... More »

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What You Need to Know Before Attending a Bridal Shower

A handy guide if you've never gone to this pre-wedding event before.