We don’t know about you, but it seems like June is the perfect time to host a baby or bridal shower. Really, at Piguet’s Prime Time, we think any time is a great time to celebrate a new marriage or a new baby!
Our expertise lies in food, but with hosting numerous events over the last three years, we’ve also gained valuable experience in event planning. So, we thought we’d give a few tips on planning a shower, whether it’s a bridal or a baby shower.
Keep it Simple
We recommend keeping the event as simple as possible, as the honoree will remember more the people who were there and the time she was able to spend with family and friends more than, say, the decorations. That’s not to say that the details are unimportant, but we encourage you not to stress about perfection!
Start As Early As Possible
Give yourself at least 4–6 weeks to plan, if possible. Our restaurant’s calendar and our catering calendar are rapidly filling up for the summer and even fall, and we’re sure we’re not alone.
Set a Clear Budget
Decide how much you’re able to spend and stick to it. This helps guide decisions on venue, catering, décor, and favors. Hosting your event at a restaurant like ours, which also offers customized catering, can save you both money and time.
Designate Event Roles
This is one that we sometimes see event planners fail to do, and it’s a missed opportunity. Designate ahead of time someone to greet guests and point them to the gift area, a photographer to get pictures of the event (this might be worth hiring a professional if the budget allows), and the person who will be in charge of recording the gifts as they are opened.
Keep the Menu Simple but Special
Brunch, light lunch, or themed finger foods are perfect. Include vegetarian or gluten-free options if needed. You might be tempted to make the event potluck style or even have the planning committee make all the food yourselves, but trust us … it will save you time and money to hire a caterer. Our team can create a customized menu that will fit any budget and event. Our bartender can even create a signature drink or mocktail for the event that complements your theme!
Entertainment
Remember that guests will want to spend time chatting together and with the guest of honor, but there should also be some activities as part of the fun. We suggest curating a playlist of event-appropriate, family-friendly songs to play softly in the background, especially as people arrive and get food.
Shower games have the potential to be either embarrassing or a lot of fun! Check with your honoree to determine their preferences and be prepared with several ideas. Stick with simple and fun for all ages that will be there!
Another fun idea we’ve seen is to plan a photo booth with a fun background that will be easy to purchase or make. This will allow guests to curate their own memories of the event and possibly share on social media. If your honoree is OK with pictures being shared, it would be fun for everyone to use the same hashtag so you can all view each other’s photos.
What special day are you celebrating this summer or fall? We would love to help you host it! Give us a call today.