It’s become an essential part of the wedding activities: Prior to any formal wedding, the maid of honor will customarily host a bridal shower party for the bride. In some rare occasions, some other person besides the maid of honor will host the event…Perhaps a close friend or her mother. Regardless of who hosts it, there are some other important people who will be attending the event besides the host and the bride herself. We’re talking, of course, about the guests. A wedding shower cannot be truly successful if the bride’s closest friends and family are not there. Therefore, to make these guests feel that they’re truly appreciated, proper etiquette demands that you provide them with memorable wedding shower party favors.

What kinds of bridal shower party favors should you have at the event? There are almost an infinite number of possibilities: candles, key rings,candy, flowers, picture frames,satin purses, and more. Whatever you select, if possible, try to make them coordinate with the overall shower theme (and in many cases, the shower theme also ties in with the wedding theme). Also, it’s best if they suggest the wedding couple themselves so that the item becomes truly memorable. Remember that the best wedding shower party favors are items the guests will want to keep, and in addition, items that will point them back to the wedding and people that the item commemorated.

How then are the wedding shower party favors given away? How do you decide who gets them and when? There are many ways of doing this. Many shower hosts have a series of games and offer the favors as prizes during those games. Other people want to make sure that every guest gets a favor, so they’ll perhaps hand them out either as the guests are arriving or when they’re about to leave. Probably the most common approach is to make sure everyone gets something, but saving a couple of really nice bridal shower party favors as game prizes.

What, then, should you expect to pay for good quality wedding shower party favors? Some people will try to overcharge you for extravagant gifts you don’t need. In reality, you shouldn’t need to spend more than a couple of dollars per guest. The best online resources for bridal showewr party favors normally offer decent gifts that the ladies will enjoy for no more than two or three dollars apiece–some substantially less than that. You’ll be amazed at how much good will and good memories a little bit of money can buy.

Finally, how do you decide what sorts of gifts to get? What will work best with your particular setting, people and budget? One suggestion is to ask anyone who’s ever attended a bridal shower what kinds of favors were offered. While this doesn’t mean you have to be a copycat, this will at least provide you with some inspiration that you can customize to your own situation. And of course, do an Internet search and you’ll be overwhelmed with suggestions.

The Internet can also be a great place to order your bridal shower party favors. Just remember, as always, shop around and don’t be afraid to be a penny pincher.