You’ve sent out the invitations, decided on a theme, decor, food, and even party favors, but what should the actual day of the shower look like? You want to make sure your event doesn’t drag on for hours and make your guests cry. Whether it’s a baby or bridal shower, it’s important to have a timeline to help the day flow seamlessly.
Here’s a two-hour timeline template you can use to make it an event to remember! I set the time from 12:00 – 2:00, but you can personalize it for any time that fits your shower!
12:00 – 12:15 | Greet the Guests and Get the Party Started
Greet your guests with a warm welcome and a fun atmosphere! Regardless of the venue, the entrance should greet guests with a vibe that matches the theme of your bridal or baby shower. I love entryway decor, whether it’s a sign detailing the event or an extravagant balloon arch. Think about adding a photo op leading up to the venue to help ensure good flow out the door, and as a bonus, you’ll get a photo of every guest! Play light background music to add to the ambiance, and have light snacks and drinks available for guests to munch on while they wait for things to start!
12:00 – 12:30 | Activities and Mixing
As guests begin to arrive, it’s a good idea to have an icebreaker game to get people socializing. i want a Find the Guest game, which encourages visitors to talk and socialize with others they may not know in an easy, light-hearted way. This is also the time to introduce any activities that will last the entire duration of the shower, like a bouquet bar or a onesie decorating station!
12:30 – 1:15 | Sip, Taste and Share
Whether you’re doing a plated meal or buffet style, this is the perfect time for guests to chit-chat and for the mom-to-be or bride-to-be to make rounds. Encourage him to take the time to visit each table or group of guests to say thank you and take a quick photo. This is also the perfect time for special guests (mother of the bride or mama-to-be, bridesmaids, best friends, etc.) to give a speech or give a toast.
1:15 -1:45 | Open Gifts
Give the guest of honor a comfortable chair to sit on and gather the guests around. And as much as guests love to see their own gift open, it can be dull, so it’s nice to have a game or two to keep guests interested. My favorite is Gift Opening Bingo! “Set the Alarm” is another fun game. Set a timer (use the wedding or due date to choose the time frame!), and when it rings, whoever opens the gift will receive a small gift. I recommend playing the same game and having different winners throughout the gift opening time!
Also, don’t forget to have someone keep the gifts flowing, and make sure someone keeps a record of who bought each gift. After all the presents have been opened is the perfect time for your mom-to-be or bride-to-be to say a quick thank you to the whole group for celebrating such a special day.
1:45 – 2:00 | Treat Time and Farewell
End the day with some delicious desserts and thoughtful favors. Serve sweet treats like mini cupcakes, cookies, or cake pops, as well as tea and coffee to keep guests entertained. Also, remind guests to bring their party favors as you say goodbye and thank them for coming.
And that’s it!
With this timeline, you’re ready to throw the perfect bridal or baby shower for your loved ones. Be sure to include RegistryFinder.com in your invitations so guests can easily find all the guest of honor registries in one place! And don’t forget to visit the RegistryFinder Give It blog for more tips and tricks for throwing an amazing shower!
This post contains affiliate links. We may get paid if you make a purchase by clicking one of the links. Thank you for your support!
