You’ve sent the invitations, decided on a theme, decor, food, and even party favors, but what should the actual day of the shower look like? You want to ensure that your event does not go on for hours and bore your guests to tears. Whether it’s a baby or a bridal shower, it’s essential to have a timeline to help the day flow seamlessly.
Here’s a two-hour timeline template that you can use to make it an event to remember! I set the time from 12:00 – 2:00, but you can personalize it for whatever time fits your shower!
12:00 – 12:15 | Greet Guests and Get the Party Started
Greet your guests with a warm welcome and a cheerful atmosphere! No matter the venue, the entrance should greet the guests with a vibe that matches the theme of your bridal or baby shower. I love entrance décor, whether it’s a sign detailing the event or an extravagant balloon arch. Think about adding a photo op leading into the venue to help ensure a good flow at the door, and as a bonus, you’ll get a photo of every guest! Play some light background music to add to the ambiance, and have light snacks and drinks out that guests can nibble on while waiting for things to kick off!
12:00 – 12:30 | Activities and Mingling
As guests begin to arrive, it’s a good idea to have an icebreaker game to get people mingling. I like a Find the Guest game, which encourages guests to talk and mingle with others that they may not even know in an easy, lighthearted way. This is also time to introduce any activities that will last throughout the duration of the shower, like a bouquet bar or onesie decorating station!
12:30 – 1:15 | Sip, Savor & Share
Whether you’re doing a plated meal or buffet style, it’s the perfect time for guests to chit-chat and for the mom-to-be or bride-to-be to make the rounds. Encourage her to take the time to visit each table or group of guests to say thank you and take a quick photo. This is also the perfect time for special guests (mother of the bride or mama-to-be, bridesmaids, best friends, etc.) to make a speech or give a toast.
1:15 -1:45 | Open the Presents
Give the guest of honor a comfy chair to sit in and gather the guests all around. And as much as guests tend to like seeing their own gift opened, it could get a little dull, so it’s fun to have a game or two going to keep guests interested. My favorite is Gift Opening Bingo! “Set the Alarm” is another fun game. Set a timer (use the wedding or due date to pick the amount of time!), and when it rings, whoever’s present is being opened receives a little gift. I recommend playing both games and having various winners throughout the entire gift-opening time!
Also, don’t forget to have someone who keeps the flow of gifts moving, and make sure to have someone record who purchased each gift. After all the gifts are opened is the perfect time to have your mama-to-be or bride-to-be say a quick thank you to the whole group for celebrating such a special day.
1:45 – 2:00 | Treat Time and Goodbyes
Finish off the day with some tasty desserts and thoughtful favors. Serve up a sweet treat such as mini cupcakes, cookies, or cake pops, as well as tea and coffee for the guests to enjoy. Also, remind guests to take their party favors with them as you say goodbyes and thank them for coming.
And that’s it!
With this timeline, you’re all set to throw the perfect bridal or baby shower for your loved ones. Be sure to include RegistryFinder.com on your invitations so guests can easily find all of the guest of honor’s registries in one place! And don’t forget to visit the RegistryFinder Give It blog for more tips and tricks for throwing an amazing shower!
