How to Host a Work-Related Wedding Shower

If a bride-to-be has plenty of friends in the office, you may want to consider holding a shower that will include her colleagues. The office bridal shower can be tricky to pull off, though, and it should always conform to the decorum of the office.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• Wedding Shower Invitations
• Bridal Registries
• Guest Lists
• Candles
• Flower Bouquets
• Champagne
• Sparkling Cider
• Champagne Glasses
• Champagne Buckets
• Gift Or Gift Certificates
• Postage Stamps
• Personal Organizers

1. Check with the office manager or boss before you start planning, especially if you intend to hold the party in the office.
2. Tell the boss the proposed location and time of the party.
3. Decide what to serve. The less fuss the better with an office party, so you might want to order box lunches; bring rolls, meats and cheese; or simply serve cake and coffee.
4. Choose decorations. You won't want to go overboard with decorations in the office, so perhaps a bunch of balloons or a bouquet of flowers would be appropriate.
5. Figure out how to handle gift giving. A group gift is often the best approach, allowing everyone to contribute what they can toward a large gift on the bridal registry list.
6. Invite people. Formal invitations are not always necessary in an office environment. You can simply talk to people or send an invitation by e-mail.
7. Coordinate the gift purchase for a group gift. Collect money, purchase and wrap the gift and have everyone sign a card.
8. Set up the area where the party will take place. Set out paper goods, cups, forks and napkins.

Tips & Warnings

• If the boss isn't too excited about an office shower, consider holding the shower outside the office, perhaps at a restaurant during the lunch hour.
• You might want to omit the traditional shower games, especially if time is limited.
• If you are holding the shower in the office, avoid serving alcohol, especially if you are not providing a lot of food.
• The trickiest part of hosting a work-related shower is making the guest list. Co-workers who aren't close to the bride may not want to put out money for a gift. Others might feel slighted if they are left out. Balancing the bride's wishes with a dash of diplomacy is the best approach.
• Avoid giving risqué gifts unless everyone at the shower knows everyone else and you are sure that no one will be embarrassed.