This weekend I hosted a bridal shower for my best friend, because I’m the Maid Of Honor in her wedding (that would be me up there on the right, and Leslie on the left, for those of you that still don’t even know what I look like). And it just so happened to be the BEST, bridal shower ever. You may not know this, but I host like A LOT of showers. In part because I’m really good at it, and in part because I do have a lot of friends. Annnnnnnnd, I’m kind of a control freak. So you know what, I just go on and take over. And look, no one ever complains.
So the goal was for this to be a fun girls night out. I tried to keep that in mind with every bit of planning. It all came together so perfectly. I couldn’t have been happier, and neither could she.
Some highlights:
-It was an evening shower. I mean why not?? I don’t know why more people don’t do this. Totally changed the vibe and made for such a fun evening, and allowed everyone to get dressed up cute!
-My most FAVORITE flower shop in Seal Beach, Petals and Pop, designed all of the arrangements. And of course made them stunning as usual. Oh my goodness they completed each table and made everything gorgeous.
-A good friend of mine usually caters my events for me. But she was attending as a guest, so I had to have someone else do it. SCARY. But it worked out perfect. I decided to order food from Spin! Pizza. The food was soooooo good. Mmmmmmm. Good choice, and everyone was full and happy.
-I did something I’d never done before, and hired help for the event. With all of these events I give, I’m always exhausted and never really get to enjoy the time. But I wanted it to be different this time. It was a bridal shower for my best friend, and I wanted to have fun too! So I did some research last minute (and by last minute, I mean two days before the shower), and found a company called Hostess Helpers out of Orange County. They arrived, helped with every detail, refilled guest’s drinks, served desserts, cleaned up, and the list goes on. YOU GUYS. Hire them for your events!! Worth. Every. Penny. I was the least tired I’d ever been, and had so much fun, for once! I highly recommend this company.
We played pin the mustache on Brad (Leslie’s fiance). That was pretty funny.
And finally friends, the BEST BRIDAL SHOWER GAME EVER!!!!!
Bridal Catch Phrase.
So there’s no actual bridal catch phrase game. There is a game called Catch Phrase, and it’s always a hit. So we played off that, and came up with a ton of words related to all things weddings. It got all of the guests all riled up and having a hoot.
How To Play:
-Use the actual Catch Phrase game for the timer.
-Come up with a list of words related to everything wedding/honeymoon/engagement/movies, etc. I came up with about 125 words. (Since so many of you have asked, you can download my list by visiting the link below. Enjoy!)
-Divide guests into two teams, by counting them off 1-2, 1-2, etc. Then have all the ones on one side of the room, twos on the other side of the room.
-Instead of passing the timer circle around to everyone, have one person from each team be the representative for a whole round. So just the two of them pass it back and forth to each other.
-Cut the words onto small strips (make sure the font is big enough to read, I used size 14). You may want to print them onto cardstock, so they’re easy to grab. I folded each word strip in half and put them in a small box. The two reps passed the box back and forth to each other.
-Someone sitting right next to the two reps started each round using the catch phrase timer. That was the only downside. So you know what this means right? SOMEONE NEEDS TO INVENT BRIDAL SHOWER CATCH PHRASE!
Seriously such a fun game and it made everything exciting. Much different than your typical bridal shower game. Give it a try! And leave me a comment if you’re confused with that explanation, and I’ll clarify. Because I want EVERYONE in the whole world to get to play this game! :) Hehe.
There ya have it folks. The best bridal shower ever. I wish you could have been there to have a hoot too!
My hand made Catch Phrase list can be found right here.
*All images taken on my iPhone.
emily says
we use an app called “heads up” – check it out! its $0.99 and then you can buy additional “decks” to play with, one of which is “build your own deck” so you could modify it depending on the occasion :)
Jen says
Hi Emily!! Oooooo never heard of this, will definetly check it out because I want to play this game at every event ever. :) Thank you!
Tracy says
what did you have in the boxes at each setting, did you have a theme drink and did you have a theme for gift giving for the bride or did guests bring what they wanted. Your decor is beautiful.
Jen says
Hi Tracy! Great question! :) I had heart sugar cookies made with navy & coral frosting that said L + B. I put two cookies in a clear plastic bag, and then in the box!
Lauren McLean says
Any chance you can share the 125 words you came up with for the Bridal Catch Phrase?
I’m doing up cards for my sisters shower on Sunday and have about 90 but would like to see what other ones you had as well
Thanks!
Jen says
Hi Lauren! Sure, I just emailed you the spreadsheet of words that I printed out (on cardstock) and cut and actually used for the game. :)
Gemma Bacas says
Hi Jen! Could you email me the spreadsheet, too? Hoping to play this tomorrow :). Thanks!,
Gemma
Jen says
Hi Gemma, sure just emailed you! :)
KRISTI GIBSON says
Sounds like you put together an amazing Bridal Shower! I am planning for my sister currently. Would you be willing to share your list of words?
Jen says
Sure Kristi, just emailed you! :)
Jennifer says
Will you email me the list as well? Sounds like so much fun! Thanks for the ideas
Jen says
Hi Jennifer! I actually updated this post to include the download! :)
Patti Sampson says
I would love a copy of your Catch Phrase list of words for an upcoming bridal shower. Unfortunately, I’m not able to locate where or how to download them. Love your ideas.
Kelli says
Can i have the list of phrases as well? My bride will LOVE this as she is very into games. Love that she can be apart of this one as well.
Macie M says
Hello, may I please have the shared excel list/sheet? I would love to use this!! Thank you! Catch phrase is my brides FAVORITE game :)
Jen says
Hi Macie. You can find the shared list linked within the post. Just click on the link and it will open a file within Dropbox.