Bridal shower tips and questions?

Are gifts normal?

Yes. The whole point of a bridal shower is to "shower" the bride with gifts. That being said, a person who does not bring a gift should not be excluded because she didn't bring anything.

Should she register for gifts for the shower?

Yes. This is the best way to ensure that (a) she gets what she wants, and (b) to guide the guests. Not everyone will follow the registry - some people might give cash/gift cards, others might make something (afghan for example) or pick out their own gift - but the registry will help steer most people in the right direction.

Your sister can pick one or two stores and register for a variety of gifts. Make sure there are lots of options in all price ranges ... items $25 or under (think potholders, small kitchen utensils), plenty of things in the $25-100 range (wine glasses, towels, picture frames) and a few things $100+ (vacuum cleaner, fine china, silverware - usually the mothers or close relatives/friends get the big-ticket items, or bridesmaids/groups of friends may all chip in on a big joint gift). It's normal for a registry to have maybe 75-125 items on it. You want to give people options but also not come across as greedy. Google for some "checklists" to help her decide what she and her fiance should register for.

What are some fun game/entertainment ideas? Many gals will have their children with them, so nothing too adult ;)

You can plan a few games, but keep in mind that games slow the party down. Bingo (Google for "bridal shower bingo") is a good game because the gift opening can keep going without stopping. Or secretly set an egg timer and whoever brought the gift that your sister is holding when it chimes can receive a small prize. A $5 Starbucks gift card, a small candle, or an edible treat (a big cookie in cellophane wrapping, a small box of niec chocolates, a $10 bottle of wine) would be a fine prize. Some people like the game where small groups have to decorate one girl like a bride using only a roll of toilet paper, and then the bride chooses the winner, but that really depends on your crowd. Or Google for the "purse game," where you get points based on what's in your purse.

Any thoughts you want to add on past showers you have thrown or been to would be great, like things you really liked, etc. It is a luncheon and we reserved a private room at a local restaurant.

People want to eat, chat a bit, see the gifts and then get out of there. Schedule it for maybe three hours, four tops.

Serving a nice lunch or some hearty finger foods would be great. Make sure there is cold water, soda, coffee and tea, and something like punch or iced tea. Alcohol is optional but many circles appreciate it ... champagne and wine would be nice, maybe some beer, hard liquor is your call.

Favors are not required, but if you want to offer them then do something edible. Cookies, brownies, M&Ms, mints, homemade vanilla extract, small jars of jam or honey, etc. The majority of people don't want those crappy little keepsake favors like tiny useless photo frames. And do yourself a favor and don't order things from a "wedding/bridal" store or website if you can ... most of the time, the quality is really poor and it's overpriced. Be creative and ask talented bridesmaids if they want to help.

Another point is to get the other bridesmaids' budgets BEFORE you start setting prices for things. Don't just plan something and then say, "Your share is $x." They need to tell you what they're comfortable spending BEFORE you start spending their money. And some girls may not have the money to help but might want to help by making food or invitations or something. And the bridesmaids are not required to help plan (or even attend) the shower, so if someone doesn't want to participate then just let it go and involve those who DO want to help (although if she won't pay or help with something, then she doesn't have to get a say in the plans).

Check out Pinterest or Google or even Etsy.com for ideas.

1. I think an hour and a half is pretty far. That's 3 hours of travel time, and if the shower is 2 or 3 hours, that's 5-6 hours of people's day. I think that's too much to ask. 2. Whoever plans the shower should split the cost. If the bridesmaids are helping to plan or to help out on the day of the shower, they should contribute. If you plan the shower alone, then you should pay for it. 3. I don't like the boat idea. I think you should do the pirate theme somewhere else. The boat may be difficult for any elderly guests, and other guests may get seasick. 4. Get the guest list from the bride. The shower is usually close female friends and family of the bride and groom. Ask the bride if she wants any games to be played or if she wants a theme. I know she likes the pirate ship idea, but I think that's a little complicated. Ask her if she'd be ok with a pirate theme at the shower (although I still think that's weird- isn't the theme 'bridal shower'?). Have some food available... veggies and dip, crackers, cheese and a cake at the very least. You don't have to serve alcohol (it's not the bachelorette party!), but you can have some if you want. Just make sure to have some punch or soda available too. Have a plan for the timing of the shower- for example if the shower is 1-3: 1-1:30- mingling, eating food 1:30-2:00- game, 2-3 present opening.

Yes, gifts are expected. The bride should expect gifts. That is the point of a shower.

She should make a registry. No point in getting a bunch of gifts you don't want/can't use. That's just the practical truth of the matter.

Yes, there should be games. Every bridal shower has games. It is expected, even though people complain about them, they still expect them. My rule of thumb is "don't make the guests get up out of their seats" for games, and only play one or two - prizes are centerpieces or potted flowers. This leaves you with:

Bridal Trivia/How well do you know the bride?

Bridal Bingo (played while she is opening gifts) - the cards have types of gifts on them

Famous Couples - Fill in the blanks - George and Martha, Bill and Hillary

Famous Wedding dresses Quiz (Princess Di, Kate Middleton, Jackie Kennedy, etc.) - Find photos but cut their heads off.

Games are never racy at showers.

Showers are gift giving events, and registering for gifts would be a great idea.

Google wedding shower games. You'll get lots of ideas.

Normally showers are held in someones home or a church basement if there is a lot of guests. Usually finger food and a cake is served. You can have it in a restaurant, but this may cause a hardship for the guests who already have to buy a gift.

For my bridal shower, everyone wrote a piece of advice about marriage on piece of paper, and taped them into a journal. It was a nice keepsake. Everyone who was there did one, even people who have never been married, kids, and even the divorcees. it was fun reading what everyone wrote.

Yes, typically girls always bring a gift to a bridal shower. Your sister should definitely register for things that she needs at at least two stores. For a recent bridal shower that I threw, I gave oven mitts as the game prizes. They fit with the theme of starting a new home together and 'Sex in the City' since this is my sister's favorite show.

1. Yes, gifts are normal when it comes to the shower. Most of the guests at the shower can just look at her registry for the wedding. She doesn't have to make a different registry for the shower.

2. "How well do you know the bride?" game. You can make lists with questions about the bride and hand out 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place prizes for whomever gets the most correct answers. You can add her favorite foods, games, place to go, movies, etc. "Pin the dress/tux on the bride/groom" is another friendly game. Musical chairs, and the loser has to wear a hideous dress (you can go to a thrift store and pick out an array of horrible dresses, LOL), you can get little cakes or back cupcakes and have a decorating station and whoever decorates the best, hand out prizes, and that's all I can think of right now, LOL.

Just have fun with it. :)

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You should have got to know what the event is before offering to host it.

A bridal shower is a gift-giving occasion. Yes, she should register. Guests will be expected to bring gifts. These gifts are opened at the shower; that is what a shower is.

No need for games or alternative entertainment.

Yes gifts are normal, we're showering the bride with gifts, that's why it's called a shower. A gift registry is not required, but most guests are lazy and uncreative and expect a gift registry, so if you want to be helpful you should have the bride and groom make a registry.

Bridal bingo, karaoke, and worse wedding dress costume contest.

The bride should not expect gifts, of course.