Planning your big day is no easy feat. Now add planning bridal and bachelorette parties to your busy schedule — when will you ever have time for anything else?! Luckily, there are a bevy of bridal vendors out there who want to make your planning process a whole lot easier. We attended the Something Blue [1] wedding event this year; the theme was bridal and bachelorette parties. We asked Something Blue's vendors to dish out their best advice on planning the fun girls' nights, and they did not disappoint. Keep reading to check out some cute photos from the event and score some excellent parry tips.
What are some creative ideas for table settings and dessert bars?
Think outside the box! You don't just need cake stands or plates to display food. Use jars, racks, furniture, and anything that will allow you to stack up or out to create a dessert bar. Books also make a great centerpiece and dessert bar tool. . . . You can stack horizontally and vertically, display items on top of them, and they add a discussion point for guests if you collect interesting titles or books themed to your wedding or interests.
Vintage toolboxes, picnic baskets, and sewing containers/drawers can also make for very interesting display cases or settings if styled with flowers, name cards, or even desserts. We've used a real or fake topiary plant to pin jeweled hair pins for female guests to take as a favor but placed them as centerpieces on the table — visually beautiful with the jewels sparkling around a green plant and another discussion point for guests who loved selecting their pin at the end of the night.
— Erin from SwagPie Design [2]
What are your best tips for planning an engagement party?
- Find out what the bride and groom's favorite appetizers and drinks are.
- Invite people who are special to them but who they may not be expecting.
- Create a memory album or video to show during the party.
— Monina from SwagPie Design [3]
What are some of your favorite bachelorette and bridal shower themes?
A few themes I love are nautical, sexy suit and tie, and shine bright like a diamond.
— Denise from The Linen Bar [4]
What are the modern etiquette rules for invitations to these prewedding parties?
Invitation is a must as it sets the tone for your event. Some of the key elements in the invitation suite you should include aside from the main invitation is a direction and/or information card. This card allows you to list out what activities might be scheduled and directions to the destination. When it comes to making a guest list and who to invite to these celebrations, just keep in mind . . . would you prefer Grandma to be at your crazy bachelorette party or a lovely tea party bridal shower? It’s really up to you, but typically bachelorette parties are geared for evening entertainment and a bridal shower and/or engagement party is an afternoon family affair.
— Karla from Bella Carta Studio [5]
What are some nontraditional ideas for a bachelorette party?
I love the idea of a bridal party getting glammed up; crack open a bottle of Champagne and do a photo shoot. It's so fun and you'll have the memories forever!
— Jen from A Girl and a Camera Photography [6]