How to Throw a Bridal Shower for Your Co-Worker

Hosting a bridal shower for a co-worker is a nice gesture.

Throwing a bridal shower for a co-worker is a sweet gesture that is sure to be appreciated by the bride to be. When hosting a work bridal shower, there are a few things you will want to consider that you may not need to for a friend or family bridal shower. You should invite all the ladies (or the office if coed) in your department or on the office floor and be sure to consult with the bride to be. Some bridal shower activities are inappropriate for a work shower so use discretion and take the time to give your co-worker the perfect shower.

Things You'll Need

• Food
• Drinks
• Invitations
• Decorations
• Game prizes

Instructions

1. Decide on a date and time. Co-worker showers are typically held on a lunch break either in a conference room or a nearby restaurant. Talk to your boss about timing to make sure you aren't throwing the shower during a busy workday.

2. Send invitations. Even for a bridal shower with co-workers, it is still nice to send out physical invitations. You can simply deliver the invitations to each person's office mailbox, rather than put them in the post to save time, however.

3. Purchase food and drinks. Since the party is most likely to be at work, or at the very least during the workday, you should only offer nonalcoholic beverages. Coffee and tea are perfect for cold months and you can make an easy and tasty punch by mixing lemon-lime soda with orange juice concentrate. Serve simple finger foods such as sandwiches, cheese and crackers and crudite trays. For a dessert, you can offer a traditional bridal shower cake, cupcakes or a selection of cookies.

4. Decorate the venue simply. Conference rooms will be used the rest of the day so a few balloons, flowers and a banner can help celebrate without adding too much mess.

5. Plan activities. A co-worker bridal shower doesn't lend itself to too many traditional bridal games but a few ice breaker games or contests can be fun. Try freezing a couple of small plastic bridal toys in ice cubes before the party. When the ice melts in the drink, the toy is revealed. Give prizes to the guests who find a toy in their drink. Other simple games like this allow guests to mingle and keeps the party moving.

6. Provide a table for gifts. Because of the time constraints, gifts should be opened after the shower and the guests have left by the bride to be. This is also a good way to prevent hurt feelings since some guests may have only gotten a small trinket for the bride if they don't know her very well. Set up a table in a corner of the room where guests can place gifts. As an added gesture, give the bride a set of thank you notes with names and addresses pre-printed for ease.

References

• "The Ultimate Bridal Shower Idea Book: How to Have a Fun, Fabulous, and Memorable Party"; Sharon Naylor; 2003
• Simple Stunning Wedding Showers"; Karen Bussen and William Geddes; 2007
• The Everything Wedding Shower Book: Thrill the Bride and Amaze the Guests With a Celebration to Remember"; Jennifer Jenkins; 2001