Tips for Planning a Bridal Shower

Published on:
February 25, 2025
Bridal shower photo props

A wedding is a milestone event for many couples and needs to be planned as a once-in-a-lifetime event. Planning a bridal shower is an exciting opportunity to celebrate the bride-to-be with loved ones. 

Whether it’s an intimate gathering or a grand affair, we have bridal shower rentals that can take your event a level higher. Learn what creative touches can make the event truly special, and some essential tips that will make the planning process easier.

Choose a Location

The first step in planning an event is knowing where you’re going to host it. Many brides-to-be choose to host their bridal showers in different cities, but ultimately, their personalities should determine the venue. If the bride-to-be is shy and has a small group of friends, a cozy and intimate gathering might just be what’s right for her. 

If she likes food and formal gatherings, consider hosting afternoon tea, brunch, or even lunch at one of her favorite spots. And if the weather and season are just right, there’s nothing better than a park or garden to create the perfect backdrop. 

If you’re hosting an outdoor event, you may need to rent tents and furniture to accommodate the guests and make them feel comfortable. You can rent tables for parties in Nashville with Ultimate Party Rentals and find other bridal shower rentals as well. 

Decide on A Theme

When planning a bridal shower, a theme is probably the most crucial element of the whole experience. As a maid of honor, along with the bridesmaids, there are very few people who know the bride better than you. So why not take this opportunity to show exactly how well you know the bride? The theme can help tie in the decor, food, invitations, furniture, and more. 

If you’re in a bind and can’t decide what the theme should be, here are a few options to help you find inspiration:

Plan Activities and Entertainment

When planning a bridal shower, consider adding activities to make the event more interesting. You can find rentals for your bridal shower such as dance floors, gaming chips, giant Jenga, dance floors, and more to make the bridal shower an event no one’s bound to forget. If you’re looking for activities specifically for the bridal shower and for the bride-to-be, there are plenty of options available for that, too! 

Bridal trivia will challenge the guests’ knowledge of the bride-to-be. DIY craft stations on the other hand will allow guests to create personalized keepsakes to keep even after the event is over. You can also set up a photo booth with fun props for memorable photos that allow guests to remember the event fondly. 

Set Up The Event

Once you’ve decided on the theme, activities, and venue, it’s time to set up! Here are some key elements you should focus on:

Rent Essentials

When you’re planning a bridal shower, you’ll realize there are a number of things that you need to buy like decorations and food. But when you’re looking for bigger items you’ll only use once, there is more sense in renting them. Some must-have bridal shower rentals can include:

Bridal shower bar rental

Create Invitations and Guest List

There is no point in planning a bridal shower when you don’t have guests to appreciate it! Creating a guest list and sending invitations out early guarantees that the turnout will be amazing. You can go for traditional paper invitations since they’re always classic, especially if you’re planning on a vintage theme. If you’re looking for something that’s both cost and eco-friendly, e-vites never disappoint. It would be best to stay away from a social media event as this can garner unwanted attention and might ruin the surprise for the bride-to-be.

Don’t Forget Party Favors

What’s planning a bridal shower without the party favors? Show appreciation to all those who come to celebrate the bride-to-be and her impending wedding by having memorable party favors. You can have these favors match the party theme, and personalized candles or mini succulents can be great options for this. You can also look into customized cookies or balloon arrangements if you know a local business that can help you do this.

Bridal shower party favors

Planning a bridal shower requires all kinds of attention to detail, creativity, and most importantly, organization. From finding the perfect venue to determining a theme, there’s no stone that you can leave unturned. Create a beautiful event for the bride-to-be so that she can cherish it for years to come. Find your perfect party rentals in Nashville with Ultimate Party Rentals.

Whether you’re selecting the venue or looking for tent rentals, here’s your guide to planning a fundraiser that’s both successful and memorable:

Define Fundraiser Purpose

Before diving into the details, establish clear goals for your fundraiser. What is your target amount? What specific cause or project will the funds support? Who are you targeting? These questions aren’t just for your personal understanding, but also to shape the event’s cause and guide all the decisions regarding planning.

Fundraisers can come in all shapes and sizes, and each one is suitable for different audiences and causes. But if you’re looking for popular options when planning a fundraiser, they can include:

If you’re looking to have the perfect event, you need to think about the audience you’re catering to first.  

Have A Budget

A detailed budget helps you allocate resources effectively and avoid overspending when planning a fundraiser. These costs can include:

If you have additional funding from other sources, it’s important to consider them when you’re planning your budget. You can also enlist the help of a professional if you’re planning a big fundraiser, as this can help things go more smoothly and be more cohesive.

Select the Right Location

Your venue sets the stage for the fundraiser’s atmosphere. When scouting locations, consider the capacity, accessibility, and amenities. You have to make sure that the venue can accommodate your expected number of guests. The location has to be easy to reach and accommodate all attendees, including those with special needs. Look for venues with essentials like parking and restrooms.

For outdoor events, parks or gardens can be charming, while banquet halls or community centers work well for formal gatherings. If you’re working on a tight budget, think about reaching out to schools, churches, or local businesses that may offer free or discounted spaces.

Plan Unique Fundraiser Activities

hand holding orange raffle tickets

Fundraising events rely on engagement, and you have to make sure that you’re planning activities that people can enjoy and connect with. Keep attendees entertained with a mix of fundraiser activities tailored to the event’s theme, with ideas including:

Interactive activities not only enhance the guest experience but also end up boosting contributions for your fundraiser.

Secure Your Rentals

Creating the right ambiance and ensuring smooth operations often requires additional equipment and rentals. There are many essentials that you will need to rent, as buying them can eat away from your budget, and it’s not necessary for a one-time event. Finding party rentals in Nashville is not difficult as long as you know what you need to rent.

You will need to look for tent rentals when planning a fundraiser that’s set to happen outdoors. Ensure ample seating for dining and registration with table and chair rentals. Rent concession stands so you can cater to your audience’s taste for food as well as include another fun activities for your fundraiser. Rent party games to enhance engagement, or rent dance floors to create focal points for performances.

Promote Your Fundraiser

In the midst of planning your fundraiser, you can’t forget about promoting it. Hosting a fundraiser goes beyond just planning it, there has to be a strategy for promoting it. You have to attract attendees and sponsors alike, and the best way to do this can be through social media. Create an event page and share updates regularly, but don’t forget to add hashtags!

Send personalized invites to your mailing list for a more personal touch. You can enlist the help of a designer or a design app to create your invite in minutes. Encourage supporters to share event details with their networks. All of this has to be done while you’re planning a fundraiser to generate hype about the event.

Organize Volunteers and Staff

a man holding volunteers needed sign

Planning a fundraiser, and executing it requires a dedicated team. You have to identify what roles you would require for fundraiser activities and who is capable of fulfilling them. You will need event coordinators who can oversee planning and execution. You will also need to have a registration team at the event responsible for managing guest check-ins and ticketing. Activity facilitators can run games, auctions, or workshops.

Host training sessions to familiarize volunteers with their tasks and ensure smooth coordination during the event. When planning a fundraiser, these are important components you can’t miss out on.

Maximize Fundraising Opportunities

Optimize your event’s fundraising potential with good strategies. Partner with local businesses to cover costs or donate prizes. Set up visible areas for attendees to contribute. When hosting a fundraiser, you can also encourage recurring donations for long-term support.

Express gratitude to everyone who’s contributed to the event’s success by sending thank-you notes. This can also increase fundraising opportunities for the future, if you plan to host other events.

Make Your Fundraiser A Success with Ultimate Party Rentals

Planning a fundraiser can seem daunting, but Ultimate Party Rentals in Nashville is here to help you simplify the process. Find all your event rentals, from tents to china at one destination. You can schedule a pick-up or get your rentals delivered, with pick-up allotted for when you want it. Ensure that your fundraiser is a resounding success when you choose a partner like Ultimate Party Rentals to help you through the process.

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A wedding is a milestone event for many couples and needs to be planned as a once-in-a-lifetime event. Planning a bridal shower is an exciting opportunity to celebrate the bride-to-be with loved ones. 

Whether it’s an intimate gathering or a grand affair, we have bridal shower rentals that can take your event a level higher. Learn what creative touches can make the event truly special, and some essential tips that will make the planning process easier.

Choose a Location

The first step in planning an event is knowing where you’re going to host it. Many brides-to-be choose to host their bridal showers in different cities, but ultimately, their personalities should determine the venue. If the bride-to-be is shy and has a small group of friends, a cozy and intimate gathering might just be what’s right for her. 

If she likes food and formal gatherings, consider hosting afternoon tea, brunch, or even lunch at one of her favorite spots. And if the weather and season are just right, there’s nothing better than a park or garden to create the perfect backdrop. 

If you’re hosting an outdoor event, you may need to rent tents and furniture to accommodate the guests and make them feel comfortable. You can rent tables for parties in Nashville with Ultimate Party Rentals and find other bridal shower rentals as well. 

Decide on A Theme

When planning a bridal shower, a theme is probably the most crucial element of the whole experience. As a maid of honor, along with the bridesmaids, there are very few people who know the bride better than you. So why not take this opportunity to show exactly how well you know the bride? The theme can help tie in the decor, food, invitations, furniture, and more. 

If you’re in a bind and can’t decide what the theme should be, here are a few options to help you find inspiration:

Plan Activities and Entertainment

When planning a bridal shower, consider adding activities to make the event more interesting. You can find rentals for your bridal shower such as dance floors, gaming chips, giant Jenga, dance floors, and more to make the bridal shower an event no one’s bound to forget. If you’re looking for activities specifically for the bridal shower and for the bride-to-be, there are plenty of options available for that, too! 

Bridal trivia will challenge the guests’ knowledge of the bride-to-be. DIY craft stations on the other hand will allow guests to create personalized keepsakes to keep even after the event is over. You can also set up a photo booth with fun props for memorable photos that allow guests to remember the event fondly. 

Set Up The Event

Once you’ve decided on the theme, activities, and venue, it’s time to set up! Here are some key elements you should focus on:

Rent Essentials

When you’re planning a bridal shower, you’ll realize there are a number of things that you need to buy like decorations and food. But when you’re looking for bigger items you’ll only use once, there is more sense in renting them. Some must-have bridal shower rentals can include:

Bridal shower bar rental

Create Invitations and Guest List

There is no point in planning a bridal shower when you don’t have guests to appreciate it! Creating a guest list and sending invitations out early guarantees that the turnout will be amazing. You can go for traditional paper invitations since they’re always classic, especially if you’re planning on a vintage theme. If you’re looking for something that’s both cost and eco-friendly, e-vites never disappoint. It would be best to stay away from a social media event as this can garner unwanted attention and might ruin the surprise for the bride-to-be.

Don’t Forget Party Favors

What’s planning a bridal shower without the party favors? Show appreciation to all those who come to celebrate the bride-to-be and her impending wedding by having memorable party favors. You can have these favors match the party theme, and personalized candles or mini succulents can be great options for this. You can also look into customized cookies or balloon arrangements if you know a local business that can help you do this.

Bridal shower party favors

Planning a bridal shower requires all kinds of attention to detail, creativity, and most importantly, organization. From finding the perfect venue to determining a theme, there’s no stone that you can leave unturned. Create a beautiful event for the bride-to-be so that she can cherish it for years to come. Find your perfect party rentals in Nashville with Ultimate Party Rentals.


Michelle Fuqua

Michelle has been in the event rentals business since 2008 when she started The Ultimate Party Store to provide affordable and high-quality party decorations for any event. After dabbling in providing table and chair rentals, Michelle opened Ultimate Party Tents and Events, fully committing to providing everything anyone would need for an event in the Nashville-Hendersonville area. As a local business owner, she gives back to her community by volunteering her time to local organizations and events.