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The Keys To A Successful Wedding Shower

An Al Fresco Wedding reception at the Valley Hunt club, Italian inspired wedding reception, family style table with blue floral patterned tablecloth and fresh citrus, Italian city inspired table names

How To Have A Fun + Memorable Wedding Shower

Whether you’re newly engaged or finally planning your wedding post-pandemic (woo hoo!), part of the wedding planning process involves planning other wedding events. Your engagement party, wedding shower, bachelor(ette) party + even sangeet are exciting events that go hand-in-hand with your wedding! However, just like wedding planning, I believe that planning a wedding shower doesn’t have to be stressful! Below I’m sharing tips to make your wedding shower a memorable one for you + your guests.

Set A Theme

An Al Fresco Wedding reception at the Valley Hunt club, Italian inspired wedding reception, family style table with blue floral patterned tablecloth and fresh citrus, Italian city inspired table names
Photo by: Aurelia D’Amore

We love a good themed party! For your wedding shower, there are so many ways you can approach finding a theme. For example, you can use your wedding shower as an extension of your wedding day. So, if your wedding is a destination soiree in Italy, having an al fresco pasta dinner will really set the mood! Or you can choose to have a completely different vibe that is just about having fun! Whatever you choose, a great way to let guests know the theme is with the invitations. We personally love Basic Invite for their incredible variety of wedding shower invites available for you to choose from. Just head to https://www.basicinvite.com/ to start designing, and don’t forget friends, you can use the code FeatheredArrow20 to get a discount on your order.

Plan Your Menu

Photo by: Cheers Babe Photography

One benefit of introducing a theme to your event is that it can really help you with the menu. Not only dinner but a theme can also influence drinks or specialty desserts. Earlier this year, we helped plan an Italian-inspired co-ed wedding shower that included an espresso/coffee cart for guests. It was incredible! I mean, seriously the best coffee I have ever had. Not only was it very on theme, furthermore, I love that it was a treat guests weren’t expecting! (Speaking of coffee, check out this coffee themed bridal shower we did a few years ago!)

Great Entertainment

A colorful and vibrant wedding reception at Triunfo Creek Vineyards, live portrait artist
Photo by: Dear Lovers

If you ask us, great entertainment is a key element to any party! Whether it’s a live band, DJ, or even a live-show type of entertainment. The sky is the limit! Bonus if the entertainment can include your guests. For example, I love this wedding that had an artist paint live portraits of the guests. So clever and a great favor for guests to take home. 

Allow Speeches

guest holding up glass to cheers during wedding
Photo by: Cheers Babe Photography

I always mention to my clients that one thing that can affect your wedding timeline is too many speeches at dinner. Don’t get me wrong, I love wedding toasts. I truly do. However, there is a limit that keeps guests entertained and things on track for your wedding day. That’s why I love when couples use wedding showers + wedding rehearsals as opportunities for guests to give speeches. This gives those special people in your life a chance to share their love for you + your partner while also giving space to immediate family members to give speeches on the wedding day. It can also help some of your friends and/or family that are uncomfortable with public speaking to use this opportunity to give a toast instead of at the wedding. 

There you have it, friends! I hope this helps you in the planning of all of your wedding events. If you’re ready to start planning your wedding shower, contact me on my homepage here and let’s chat!  

**Quick disclaimer friends, this post contains affiliate links. If you use these links, we do take a commission from each purchase and it helps support our small business! All thoughts and opinions on these services are my own!

Feathered Arrow Signature Kari Dirksen

LATTE OBSESSED, OVERACHIEVER, Outdoor Lover, Sucker for Live Music, Donut fanatic, Life Long Grey's Anatomy Fan, DOG MOM + now mom to my girl Rye. 

Hi, I'm Kari.
Wedding Planner, Podcaster, & Creative Entrepreneur.

The founder and lead planner behind Feathered Arrow Studio. Over the past 11 years, I’ve designed and executed more than 175 weddings throughout Southern California, helping couples create celebrations that feel deeply personal and beautiful.

My approach blends thoughtful design with genuine hospitality. I care deeply about how a wedding feels not just how it looks. I want every detail to be intentional and every guest to feel taken care of. Together we take your inspiration, your story, and your priorities and turn them into a celebration that feels effortless, welcoming, and unmistakably yours.

Not every couple needs full-service planning, which is why I also offer wedding consults and planning guides for those navigating the process on their own. I’m also the co-host of Just Another Biz Podcast, where we have honest conversations about the wedding industry with fellow creatives behind the scenes.

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