Planning a Bridal Shower on top of a wedding can be a daunting task.  But fear not, Intertwined Events and Becky Hill Photography have some tips and tricks to help you plan the perfect Bridal Shower!

The Bridal Shower should be one to two months prior to the wedding and should be planned well before that to allow for adequate preparation and minimum stress.  The Shower is typically planned by the maid of honor or a bridesmaid, and the bride is typically called upon to help secure details.  The bride-to-be should have input on the location or venue of her shower.  She may have a special place that she would like it such as a hotel, gallery, or picnic area!  She should also assist with the guest list. Beyond that, the bridal party is responsible for treating her to a wonderful day!

One of the first steps to take is establishing a budget.  The budget will set the boundaries for the entire event given that the host typically covers the expenses with a little help from the bride’s family for invitations.

Second, you must decide who to invite, whether it be a ‘girls only,’ family or couple’s shower (tip: Let the bride choose!). Remember that anyone who is invited to the Shower should be invited to the wedding! And keep the activities appropriate if grandma and mother-in-law are present! (Hint: Save the lingerie and penis straws for the bachelorette party!)

The third step is deciding on a theme and decorations.  The theme should speak to the couple; if they are laid back, do a casual beach theme, or if they enjoy the finer things in life, plan a Hollywood Glam day!  After determining the theme, you can decide on invitations, sweets and treats that fit the overall feel for the Bridal Shower!

Fourth, you will need to decide on a menu.  The menu should reflect the theme, location, time of day, and people who will be attending.  The menu does not need to include a full meal, but it can include appetizers and desserts! We think a signature drink is always a fun addition!

Lastly, you should decide on what the guests will do at the Shower.  Whether it is a simple get together or a game-filled event; choose something that the bride and her guests will love! Be creative in your activities, make them interesting, enjoyable and personal. And don’t forget you can always bring in professional help – a mobile spa, photo booth or street artist can definitely add colorful entertainment- if games aren’t on the agenda.

When it comes down to it, if you have any questions while planning the Bridal Shower, you should simply ask the bride.  Chances are that she has been looking forward to her Shower for a while now and has a lot of ideas that can direct you to plan an event she will truly love and cherish!

The Bridal Shower is meant to be a joyous and relaxing time for the bride-to-be and her friends and family.  With that in mind, the main goal for a Bridal Shower should be to get the group excited with anticipation for the up coming Big Day!

Happy Planning!

The Ladies of Intertwined Events and Becky Hill Photography

Not only did Maylin and Michael choose stunning locations to host their wedding, but they really know how to throw a great party!  The cocktail hour on the roof top of The Intercontinental allowed guests to enjoy the breathtaking skyline of Panama City.  The bride and groom joined the party by entering into their first dance with confetti, sparklers, and a fireworks display.

After a classic and refined meal the dancing began with a carnival of dancers and musicians.  This was the point in the night where I smiled at my amazing second shooter, Laura Meyer, and said “are we lucky or what?”  This feeling was not only because we had the opportunity to photograph such a great wedding.  Maylin, Michael, their family and friends welcomed us with open hearts and generous spirits.  We were included in all of the meals, celebrations, and even some dancing.  My sincerest gratitude goes to this couple for allowing me to experience Panama, and to enjoy a wonderful weekend with new friends.

Jessica and Ryan had truly beautiful and joy-filled wedding, and I had the honor of being able to attend as their photographer! The couple took advantage of a current wedding trend and hosted a ceremony, reception and after party, showing different sides of their personality through different elements of the night.

The expertise of Engaging Events by Ali Phillips ensured the reception was an elegant affair. Hosted in the Grand Ballroom of the Palmer House Hilton, the event design was truly breathtaking. The decor echoed the colors of the bridesmaids’ dresses, which were champagne.  The table settings and flowers were tranquil and classic, in champagne and muted pink and white. Heffernan Morgan Designs created the floral and event design for Jessica and Ryan and outfitted The Palmer House beautifully.

After the reception, there was, of course, the after party. Having an after party is a tradition in the making for the big day and is becoming more and more common. Since it’s an up and coming trend, there are really no rules for the after party, except for you have to invite all of your reception guests. Presumably, many guests will not make it to the after party, after enjoying themselves at the reception. For Jessica and Ryan, the after party moved guests from the Grand Ballroom to the Red Lacquer Room of the Palmer House for a festive late-night celebration. The room’s design was about as different from the reception as can be– red fabric draped everywhere, animal print lamps and black and white pillows set a very different mood for the guests who made it to the end of the night! I liked the idea of the after party because it allowed the couple to have a traditional classic reception and a more festive party, giving them the full experience they wanted for their wedding day. Ali Phillips once again did an amazing job coordinating the event so that it was hospitable for guests and memorable for the wedding party.

For help planning an after party for your reception, you can check these resources online. You have options for your after party– An after party can be a spirited late night party for whoever will stay after the reception, or a relaxing and small lounge event for close friends and family who need to wind down after a big day. A well planned after party allows you to extend your night in a way that doesn’t involve picking a bar nearby for everyone to wander to!  The Wedding Bee discusses the pros and cons of an after party– they can be very good for entertaining your guests, especially if many of them are from out of town and aren’t familiar with your city. There are tons of ways to run a reception after party, and it is sure to be a success, as long as your plan it to fit the atmosphere of your wedding and to please your guests!

Other vendors involved in the event with me were Take the Cake, who contributed to the luxurious night with delicious cakes, and Keith from Poetic Productions, who documented the night in video. Judging from our own experience at the wedding, we’re sure the wedding party and guests alike had an amazing evening!