This blog post is all about a restaurant bridal shower.
Having a wedding shower at a restaurant is an awesome idea! It takes out a lot of the prep work for event planners. A restaurant is a neutral and comfortable environment that is great for holding an abundance of people.
When it comes to a bridal shower, it’s all about the details. Throwing a bridal shower at a restaurant is wonderful for celebrating the bride
There are so many benefits of having a bridal shower at a restaurant. We wrote this article to help you plan a bridal shower for the big day worries! We’ll answer some popular questions you may have and give some tips for hosting a bridal shower at a restaurant.
How to Host a Restaurant Bridal Shower
In order to pick a bridal shower venue, you have to find the right restaurant. Choose a restaurant with a menu that suits different diets and restrictions so everyone can enjoy the food.
Consider the ambiance and decor, making sure it aligns with the bride’s taste and the overall theme of the shower.
Benefits of having a bridal shower at a restaurant
There are so many benefits to having a bridal shower at a restaurant. You do not have to worry about food or drinks. Serving, cooking, and setting up are basically taken care of by the restaurant.
- Variety of meal options
- Not too much to set up or break down
- A neutral place for friends and family. Not too Formal or too personal
- Works just as well as any other location.
Tips for having a bridal shower at a restaurant.
Know Your Numbers
Be sure to plan the guest list. Work with the bride or her chosen person to make the guest list and send out invitations early. Be mindful of the restaurant’s capacity and make a reservation to ensure there’s enough space for all attendees.
It is very important to know how many people are coming to this event. Send out invitations early and have the guest finalized. According to Martha Stewart Weddings, you’d want guests to RSVP three weeks in advance.
Once you have a number you can determine whether you want to choose semi-private rooms or reserve a section of the restaurant
Proper Seating
For the sit-down meal, the proper seating has to be arranged. It’s important to stay organized to make sure guests aren’t jumbled together on the big day.
You could assign seats for a bridal shower at a restaurant. This gives a chance for people to get to meet people they may not know or have people sitting together who know each other and have things in common. This is also a way to organize family-style seating.
Of course, the bride should be seated in the center or at the head of the table.
Never make guests pay for their meal
With the bridal shower taking place at an event venue, it is easy to assume that it will be okay to split the bill or make the guests pay for their meals. This is NOT true. The host is solely responsible for paying the bill. It is improper to ask guests to pay for their meal at a bridal shower.
The host should float around
As the host, you will not spend a lot of time in your seat. You will have to move around and entertain the guests. You are responsible for greeting people, showing guests to their seats, and assisting with gifts.
Play games
Prepare some games for a restaurant bridal shower. Since there may not be a lot of movement or space, have something for the guests to do. Some great games that you could play before the food comes out.
Games are also a great way for people to socialize and work together if they do not know each other. Make sure you have plenty of pencils and a person who will keep score and determine the winner.
Don’t Forget to Assign someone to gifts
This is the reason for this event in the first place! Make sure you have a designated spot for gifts and an area for the bridal to open gifts, if possible.
It would need to be somewhere guests could see right away or you may want to collect them yourself. This will keep track of who bought what for the bridal shower. This will be good information for the bride when she is writing her thank you cards.
Have a spot for pictures
Please be sure there is a special spot for pictures. If the restaurant doesn’t have an ideal spot for pictures, then create one. There could be decorations for a restaurant bridal shower. In this photo, there is a floral backdrop to make the space they have look fabulous.
Prizes for games could complement the restaurant
The prizes that you give out for the bridal shower games could complement the restaurant in some way. For example, prizes could be a signature bottle of wine or a gift card to the restaurant. This will give your guests another experience of the restaurant and it will give you extra points with the owners and they would want to have you back for another event.
Favors are a must
Favors are a must. Since the setup of a restaurant bridal shower may not allow you to get around and talk to everyone, you should make sure that each guest gets a token of gratitude. So that they feel special because they are!
Remember the bride!
That’s easier said than done. It’s so easy to get caught up in the details and demands of a bridal shower. Especially at a fast pace restaurant. Make sure that the bride is comfortable. Help her open her gifts and make sure she has a chance to eat and enjoy herself.
Conclusion
There are benefits of having a bridal shower at a restaurant. There will be peace of mind when it comes to food and location. Remember to use these tips to make it a fabulous event.
I hope I was able to answer most of your questions regarding this topic. If you have any more questions about a restaurant bridal shower, please ask them in the comments below. Happy bridal shower!
Image Credits: McDonald Morgan