With weddings come all kinds of activity packed events allowing the bride to spend time with a large number of people. At the same time, because of this, and with all of the demands on her schedule, the bride may not have as much time to experience the precious moments a family typically shares prior to a wedding. So it’s a good idea to help her retreat from the intensity of wedding planning with a bridal shower brunch specifically for intimate family and friends.

A bridal shower brunch usually takes place between 10 a.m. and noon, 2-3 days before the wedding. It’s an inexpensive and fun way to allow close family members to bond with the bride and feel like they’re sharing in and contributing to her wedding planning efforts.

First thing in hosting a bridal shower brunch is selecting a serene ambience for the brunch. This could be a banquet hall or a private section of a restaurant. Traditionally though, a bridal shower brunch is normally held at the bride’s home but any calm surrounding will normally do the trick. Decorations for the brunch should be stylish and preferably match to the color theme of the wedding, while reflecting the class and maturity of the bride.

It’s never a bad idea to get ideas from the bridal party, but overall the dcor, theme and colors selected should approach that of a wedding atmosphere. At the same time, the dress code can be set to semi-casual (with a touch of sophistication) to allow for a fun, relaxed atmosphere.

The approach you take to food and drinks should also connect with the theme of the bridal shower brunch and wedding. Consider white serving dishes, white food like mini bagels with cream cheese, white pizza and chicken salad, for example, if the couple is planning a traditional white wedding. Or, if the bride prefers, prepare some home made dishes from among the bride’s family recipes, from close friends, or find a good cook book and make them a creative, tasty mea.

When appropriate, you might want to hire a chef who specializes in slightly more exotic fare, especially if the wedding is going to be a little more exotic. This type of individual will be able to bring a different approach to brunch fare like cheeses, salads and soups. And keep it appropriately light with other items like brioches, croissants, fruits, vegetables, gourmet and more.

When planning drinks, be sure to include non-alcoholic options (if alcohol will be used) and keep the offerings connected to the overall wedding theme. You really can’t go wrong with fruit punch, coffee, tea and soft drinks in terms of the non-alcoholic options, even if the brunch event is very formal or exotic.

It’s also deemed appropriate for the bride to give out gifts to her guests. The gifts should not be too expensive and could even be homemade gifts like sweaters, blankets or bottles of wine, gift vouchers, and chocolates among others. So as you can see, a bridal shower brunch should not be such a difficult event to pull off.

Bridal shower brunch ideas are just the beginning at the BridalShowerMoments blog. Join Janine Moore and our other writers for more on bridal shower decorating, centerpieces, activities and more.

It’s hard to point out a single of the modern wedding favors that would stand out in the crowd. But nevertheless is is pretty special how tehy can do double duty as bridal shower favors or simply decorative fun and lovely appreciated keepsakes. In that regrd they serve as one of the best wedding investments you can ever make.

Imagine a pizza cutter decorated with a special phrase chosen by the bride and groom. Made of stunning porcelain, they’re highly decorative. But with stainless steel blades they will also be used long after the bridal shower is over. It doesn’t get any better than this.

Next let’s take a sewing kit. At first glance maybe nothing to exciting, yet in it’s utilitaran appearance lies also some beauty. It’s not only practical but also is a symbol for home. When combined with a colorful plaid design it will evoke memories of fall while being useful at the same time. In that aspect this bridal shower gift is a winner all around.

How about some personalized personal care items? Monogrammed with the names of the bride and guest, they will long be remembered as a treasured keepsake of the happy event. At the same time, the nail clippers, file, and more will see regular use long after the special occasion has come and gone.

Bath soap is an ever popular bridal shower favor, for reasons not hard to understand. Offering delicate scents and lovely colors, they fit neatly in a clear heart-shaped bridal shower favor box. That allows them to be displayed to provide not only a gift but a fine decoration at the party.

When you go with some coffee scented candles you have beautiful items for the table, especially when set in small glass cups and the aroma given off by these candles is sensational.

Ceramic honey pot bridal shower favors are certainly among the favorite crowd pleasers. They lend themselves to be adorned with images of spring and are therefore perfect for the April bridal shower. Most of your guests will display them later proudly as a decorative item in their home.

If your theme is that of old time elegance why not chose a retro silver teapot timer.It’s a perfect little keepsake to remind everyone of the joyous occasion. It’s like expecting that the love will brew long after the bridal shower has ended.

There are lots of delightful place card holders to choose from for the bridal shower, as well. The tiny grand piano ones are fun, practical, and match perfectly with miniature silk rose decorations. Your guest will ask “Ain’t love grand?” on seeing these.

Laser-cut butterfly place cards are always in season. Normally you have small whimsical creatures in paper lace at the top, while the guest name is written across the center so everyone will know where to sit.

Select the ultimate in elegance with individually monogrammed note cards. Perfect for writing those thank you notes, they can also double as place card holders.