Gone are bridal showers of yesteryear. Traditionally, these pre-wedding celebrations thrown in honor of the bride, during which guests “shower” her with gifts, usually took place during the day, were women-only and thrown by a friend close with the bride.
Today, brides are hands-on in the planning of such fêtes, which are becoming more hyper-curated, co-ed, engaging and social-media-ready than ever before.
“The sit-down luncheon my mother had 30 years ago has evolved into an immersive, Instagrammable experience that prioritizes personalization, interactivity and memorable moments you can post,” said Cameron Forbes, CEO and founder of Forbes Functions, a boutique NYC-based event-planning firm. “Brides want to do something rather than sit there and sip.”
For example, “We’ve done cocktail, mocktail and Champagne bars, private mixology classes, custom perfume and candle-making stations, and live illustrators to do fashion sketches of guests which double as favors they can bring home — all super fun,” said Forbes.
Brides also do luxury spa days or treatments at a venue, according to the event expert. “We’ve seen aura readers and sound baths,” she said. “Fitness-forward showers include private yoga and Pilates classes, often followed by a boozy brunch. We’re also seeing Jack and Jill parties, celebrating both brides and grooms with male and female guests.”
Forbes’ bridal shower events cost $15,000 to over $50,000, for which her luxury agency handles everything from ideation, theme and venue selection to execution. She recommends that any bride set priorities and a budget as preparations begin.
“Maybe you have a favorite restaurant in Brooklyn as a base, a special photographer in mind to capture imagery, or a fun activity to include. Who’s on your guest list? Is the party for your bridal party, family and closest friends or more inclusive? We ask our brides how important social media is, so we can curate a beautiful event,” said Forbes.
And you need not break the bank to host a fabulous occasion.
“I’ve seen people have elevated, budget-friendly showers at home,” she said. “They’ve included DIY mimosa and spritz bars, flower bouquet making, craft store finds for affordable, interactive activities, printed out signage and menus, customized Spotify playlists, all designed to bring in personal touches without costing a fortune.”
Many weddings have become a weekend experience, so there’s been a rise in travel and destination showers for brides who want to combine a weekend getaway with celebrating, said Forbes.
“It can be stressful if you’re not used to planning things. If it’s not for you, just worry about your wedding. That’s why you have bridesmaids. But if you want to be involved, don’t be afraid to say so.”
Self-shower organizer Jessica Bucceri-Tietjen
“They’re turning their shower into a luxe stay- cation, renting out suites at a boutique hotel in New York City, or a house in the Hamptons,” she said.
Bruce Seigel, general manager at the Colony Hotel in Palm Beach, Fla., is seeing this trend.
“What may have once been a single-day event has evolved into a full weekend or even multiday experience,” he said. “It often includes interactive activations like bracelet-making, floral-arranging classes and embroidery workshops. The hotel’s on-site events team collaborates with a curated list of preferred vendors.”
Closer to home, at Wave Resort in Long Branch, NJ, shower prices start at $50 per person, overnight stays at $125 (low season) to $1,250.
“Guests here enjoy spa treatments, poolside cabanas and finish the night at the Carousel Bar for a seamless, luxury experience,” said Allison Mercer, director of sales and catering for the property. “Such get-togethers are evolving into celebrations with DJs, live entertainment and curated playlists, shifting the vibe from traditional brunches to lively, party-like atmospheres.”
For Jessica Bucceri-Tietjen, holding her shower here last March was a piece of cake, literally. As owner of nearby JB Couture Cupcakes, a bakery, event cakes, dessert bars and favors shop, she was familiar with the venue.
“I knew the Wave’s deck looked over the ocean and Pier Village — a gorgeous view,” she said. Further inspiration came from Homegoods hot pink, iridescent glass goblets.
“Pink is the color of my business, my bakery and boxes. It is my favorite color — bright and happy,” she said. “I based my shower off it. It’s the one day that everyone is celebrating just you and should resemble you in a way.”
To this end, “I did pink in a modern way, with color-blocking, in different shades, from hot pinks to tone on tone. I chose the linens and had an amazing florist. My napkins said, ‘Ms. to Mrs.’ I had custom stirrers and pink glitter in the champagne. Little touches are what people remember,” she said.
After charcuterie, apps and cocktails, “We played games, like how well do you know the bride and groom, and cute Etsy scratch-off cards. A sit-down meal followed, and I had sugar cookies decorated with each guest’s name on it at each place setting,” said Bucceri-Tietjen, who also hired an ice-cream sandwich cart.
Overall, when shower planning, Bucceri-Tietjen advised, “How involved do you want to be? Do you want to plan the entire shower or show up and know nothing? It can be stressful if you’re not used to planning things. If it’s not for you, just worry about your wedding. That’s why you have bridesmaids. But if you want to be involved, don’t be afraid to say so,” she said.
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