Am hosting a come and go shower and have never been to one or had one before.  Just need some pointers on how to handle this particular type of bridal shower.  Have to do it this way because of lack of "funding", very large guest list and limited space in my home.  Thanks......
124103
I am not sure if this is the same thing as a "come and go" event, but we have a very large family and often hold what we call "open houses".  I advise a 2-3 hour time frame for the event.  Refreshments can be very simple, especially if you hold the shower during the afternoon hours of 2-5 or 1-4 since this is after lunch and before dinner.  Use small plates, 6 or 8 inch and provide finger foods - fresh veggies with dip, cut-up fresh fruit, small appetizers such as little quiche or little sausages wrapped around crescent roll dough.  Dessert can be sugar cookies made in hearts with the wedding date or bride and groom's names written on them.  Miniature cupcakes would be cute, too.  Provide something that will "unite" all the guests since they won't all be there at the same time.  Maybe provide a recipe card and a 3x5 card in each guest's invitation.  Have them bring a favorite recipe on the recipe card and some "advice" for the happy couple on the 3x5 card.  Have a pretty basket available to put the card in.  As each guest leaves, give them something small as a momento since you won't be able to do much in the way of games.  Perhaps a small votive candle or a little potpourri wrapped in tulle and ribbon that match the colors of the bride's colors.  After the party, as the bride-to-be unwraps each gift, take a digital or poloroid picture of her with the gift and send it in the thank-you card to the giver.  Make sure everyone has a name tag since the guest list is large.  Another option may be to consider a different venue for the party.  A church social hall, a school gym or cafeteria, a park with a gazebo, someone's back yard, may be possibilities to allow all guests to be there at the same time.  Also, if you have anyone nice enough to ask what they can do to help, be sure to accept their offer and see if they can either help set-up or clean-up or perhaps bring a veggie tray or make cookies.  This will help financially and will be less stress for you.
275288
Start planning the basics now like what hall you have in mind and what church. start looking around at prices and churches might need to book a bit in advance. Just take your time and  check out all the details. Before you know it the big day will be here. And because you have taken your time and planned out everything to go off with out a hitch it will be the best day.\n\n The bridal shower should be 6 months before the wedding date.\n\nStart discussing with your fiancee what you both really want in this wedding and fix a budget. Colours and themes and stuff
135510
first of all you need to decide weather or not you want a big wedding or just a very simple one.  Then you need to decide who is going to perform the wedding, weather you want a church wedding or an outside wedding.  How many people are going to stand up with you.  How many guest you want to invite.  No matter how big or small the wedding it can all be stressful trying to get it all to come together..Good luck in the planning stages...Also be sure to include your groom and really listen to what he wants..Don't ask for his opinion and do the opposite, it just makes him feel unimportant.
151345
You could change the bridal shower to a shiveree--that is a party after your return from your wedding and reception in Hawaii.   It is an old custom - used a lot in the American West and not much used at present.   The advantage is that you and all your friends and your new husband's friends  could meet and have a grand time together celebrating your marriage.  Shiverees are not limited to the brides' female friends.  The object here is not so much to get gifts but to celebrate the newly wed's life together.\n\nI think you are are quite right in not wanting a bridal shower.  Talk shiveree instead.   Best wishes in your marriage.
544713
Unfortunately that's going to happen despite your best intentions.  When planning my reception, we married out of the country and had a reception at home a week later, I had to put a stop to the number of people being included because my then fiance was wanting to invite everyone and their brother!\n\nWe finally settled on immediate family, close relatives (these are the ones you see/talk to more often than at funerals, weddings & family reunions), friends (talk to/see weekly or a couple times a month), parents friends who have known you your entire life, co-workers (that you see socially, not just in the office).  And even those we went over and over.  We too didn't want to leave anyone out but sometimes, it just can't be helped.\n\nAnd a big oversight to watch out for when doing your guest list is partners.  When you invite your friend Jill, don't forget to include her friend Jack as her guest,  married couples and significant others also count as 2 guests not just 1.  You didn't mention if you're including children.  (We didn't because I know several children who are finicky eaters and I wasn't catering to their picky appetites.)  So you could find that by iinviting your Aunt Mary and Uncle John and family you've included 5 people to your total guest list.\n\nI just saw someone else mention the wedding party count as guests too...but don't forget to count their partners, spouses, significant others, etc.
623511
I  don't know where you are from, but some bars advertise for bachlorette parties where you get VIP seating and lots of attention from the staff. I would recommend getting a limo for the bride and all her friends so you can bar hop and not have to worry about a DD. We wore name tags at my friend's bach. party and the bride would pick funny (sometimes raunchy) names for her friends. Have your friend suprised with a big embarrasing penis to carry around, that way EVERYONE will know she is a bachlorette. Also, bring a pen and have her ask strangers to sign her big blow up penis. That always gets a laugh and she may get some drinks bought for her.
270676
Well I think any date you pick is going to be crowded you have plenty of time to plan if you start now so it shouldn't be a problem. I tried very hard to work around people/dates when I got married, You know birthdays anniversary's other weddings funerals etc... I found it is almost impossible especially if you have a big wedding in a good weather season. I would say try not to worry about it but do get started if you want the best!
54707
I just went to a bridal shower and they had some cute activities that were fun -- and not embarrassing for anybody.\n\nBuy some cheap plastic wedding rings (the kind that are sometimes used to decorate favors). Give each woman a ring when they arrive and tell them if someone catches them saying the word "love" during the shower, they get the ring. At the end of the shower, whoever has the most rings wins a prize.\n\nBefore the shower, ask the bride for a word, associated with wedding, that starts with each letter of the alphabet. At the shower, give each woman a piece of paper with the letters printed down the side (and a pencil/pen). They are to write the word that they thought the bride said. Whoever has the most correct words wins.\n\nThis activity was a lot of fun, if you have enough women to participate. Divide them into groups of 4 or 5 and separate them. Then give each group 4 rolls of toilet paper, some ribbon, and some elastic bands (or anything you have handy). Each group is to pick someone to be the "bride" and dress her (using the toilet paper and ribbons) as they think the bride will look on her wedding day. The bride picks the team that she thinks did best and each member of the team gets a small prize. This is a great one as an icebreaker. Lots of fun. Be sure to have a camera ready!
297608
Here is arecent one.  My mother in law has been ranting and raving about throwing me a baby shower since January (Im due at the end of this month)  \n2 weeks ago she tells me that she doesnt have the money anymore and she would rather just take me to the store.  So I was dissapointed, but I had to deal with it.\nSo my sister in law ends up inviting some relatives over from my dads side of the family ( I am not even close with them, she just planned the event so that I would get some seriously needed gifts) She never met Danny's mom so she didnt even think of inviting her.  it was a small get together with under 10 people.. no big deal but a great gesture!\nSo long story short, the monster in law is not speaking to me now.  Mind you this was a surprise shower I didnt know until I walked in... not only is she not speaking to me but neither are his 2 sisters.  I could have the baby any second and I feel like this tension is not only unecessary but really hurt ful and mean. \nThere is my story!
224389
You know I just asked the very same question earlier. I'm with a guy and we have only been dating for two months but have already talked about marriage and what we want out of life. I'm almost certain that soon he is going to pop the question and I wanted everyone's opinion. The only thing I can say to you is that I think you should go with your heart. You can take all the advice you want but at the end of the day you need to do what is best for you. You are 30 years old so I think you are old enough and mature enough to know if you are ready for marriage or not. The only thing I could possibly ask though is if you are living together? I definitely say you should live together first so you can get used to each other's annoying habits. I have been living with my boyfriend for 1 month and I'm starting to finally get used to the fact that he HAS to have 3 showers a day,  has to have the dishes washed as soon as they are used, and has to let gas ten times a day. lol.  Good luck!!!! Oh and if you would like to talk more feel free to contact me. :-) I'd love to trade stories and advice with someone.
300831
Wow, I turned to this question because I have never heard of these "money bags" and I was curious. What a tacky, rude, truly awful idea! Inviting people to a celebration, and then trying to shake them down for cash is unspeakably vile! If what you are is hosting a fundraiser, rather a reception, then word your invitations accordingly. \n\nWhew! And now that I have that off my chest, a short word of advice. Do not allow florists, dressmakers, caterers, printers, magazines, and other purveyors of bridal merchandise to tell you what is "correct" -- these people are interested in selling you goods, not in helping you.\n\nTurn to Miss Manners. Her real name is Judith Martin. Her books are in public libraries and book stores. She will save you HUNDREDS of dollars.
176787
Ask the mommy-2-be what she thinks would be more comfortable for her.  I threw my sister-in-law a baby shower & she chose the date, which was about a 5 weeks before her due date.  But she was not having any complications.  (By the way, her theme were bears...and they had told her one was a girl for sure...and guess what?  They were both boys.  Though they are faternal twins, they almost looked identical for the first 3 years.)\n\nSo the first weekend of AUGUST would be just fine, if she's ok with it.  Usually, twins don't come too early.  Her's were only about a week early.  But like I said, it all depends on the mommy-2-be!!\n\nHope you have lots of fun!  ;o)\n\nFYI:\nTwin Forum\nhttp://forums.twinstore.com/6/ubb.x?a=frm&s=36960974&f=30660829\n\nTwins Magazine (makes a great gift)\nhttp://www.twinsmagazine.com/\n\nTWINS FUN GAME IDEA:\n\nJuggling Twins!\n\nThis game is fun to play at a shower for those moms having multiples! It's like hot potato.\n\nWHAT YOU NEED: 2 baby dolls, music that can be turned off & on, and a person who controls the music.\n\nHOW TO PLAY: Have guests stand in a big circle. Pass two baby dolls (or however many babies mom's expecting) around as the music plays. Whenever the music stops, the person holding a doll is out of the game. \n\nBest to have the dolls apart from each other so the game moves quickly and people are constantly having to pass a baby. When it comes to the last two people, use just one doll or have 2 winners! \n\nThis game gets pretty crazy as people get eliminated! So fun!\n\nhttp://www.baby-shower.com/d-games/index.html
654247
Oh I love parties!!     List every single thing that you  need, even if you think that there is no way that you would forget it.  List food and beverages-exactly what you want to have.   List things that you need to get  plates, forks, napkins, ice etc.   Don't forget to have a camera!!!   Go over what you have to do in order to get the place ready for it.   Ask people to give you a hand with it. Give your self enough time. It's also easier to make sure you get everything if you break it down into different trips, instead of loading up all at once.  If you will be outside at night at all, have citronella candles to keep bugs away..     Party ON
478593
Who are you writing this question for USC??? According to your profile, and wedding website, you are your fiance have been married for a while. Having another wedding in '07??\n\nI would really like to know where you are having your wedding...there are not a lot of places that can hold 500 people for a cocktail hour and a sit down reception. I am always looking to add to my list of reception sites...feel free to email me.
458614
I've never been to a shower that had a wishing well but i found some themes that are cute:\nYou can also personalize the bridal shower wishing well, itself.\n-Kitchen-use a large wicker basket.\n• Bath-a hamper to match bath accessories.\n• Garden-wheel barrow or outside trash can\n• Tea Party-pretty basket decorated with flowers or lined with linens.\n• Travel-suitcase\n• Handyman-storage crate or tool box\n• Crafter-craft box or basket\nBridal shower themes can be fun and useful. Unique shower ideas are: A "round the clock" shower where guests are assigned an hour of day on their invitations and bring the appropriate gifts (for example, a "7:00 a.m. guest" might bring a toaster). A home repair shower for the bride and groom. A lingerie shower. A recipe shower where each guest receives a recipe card and fills in a favorite dish. A "wishing well" shower, where in addition to the gift, the guest brings a tiny present (a wooden spoon, a kitchen sponge etc.). The hostess makes a cardboard replica of a well, and the gifts, wrapped and tied ribbons, are tossed in.  There are no cards attached, though sometimes the guests write a poem. and attach it to the gifts. The bride pulls out the gifts with the ribbons and reads the poems aloud.
479043
Bridal Showers don't typically have themes, but they should fall in line with the overall feeling of the wedding. For example, if it is a formal wedding, it should be a more serious bridal shower. If the wedding is done in pink polka dots, try incorporating that into the look of the shower. \n\nDon't worry about having a theme; just make sure the shower fits the wedding and fits the bride.
501456
Tell the woman that the person who is having the shower was not expecting small children to be attending and to please make other arrangements. I never have been to or hosted a baby shower where young children attended. From reading some of these answers, these are the people who show up with their children in tow. Not everyone enjoys your children at gatherings like this. It is very stressful for everyone that attends.