Bride’s Guide For Pre Wedding Parties

Bride’s Guide For Pre Wedding Parties
June 25, 20190

The days leading up to your wedding day can be just as memorable as the big day itself. Pre Wedding parties are celebrations that take place before your big day. The main ones are:

  • Engagement Party 
  • Bridal Shower 
  • Hens’ Night (Hen’s Do) 
  • Rehearsal Dinner1. Engagement Party: To celebrate your engagement with family and friends. Often it’s a casual mixer that’s held weeks or months before the wedding.

Planning tips:

  • Have a beachside picnic, a champagne afternoon tea or a backyard barbeque.
  • Not every person invited to the wedding needs to be on the guest list.
  • Dress code: relaxed smart-casual works best.
  • Hosting: parents usually host but so can the couples too! 

    2. Bridal Shower: To show you love, support, and gifts. Traditionally centred around women, but modern ones frequently involve all genders.

Planning tips:

  • Host is usually one or two close friends or relatives.
  • Venue can be at home, café, luncheon room or resto.
  • Games: fun and not too silly. Examples include “Advice for the Bride” or “What’s in the Groom’s Phone?”.
  • Gift ideas: mini potted plants, personalised candles, or cute bath products. 

    3. Hens’ Night (Hen’s Do): It’s your big blowout before wedding calm. Relax, bond and have a laugh with your pals.

Planning tips:

  • It can be formal or casual (a dinner, dance night, or weekend getaway).
  • Start planning early around 3–4 months before wedding.
  • Budget: inform visitors ahead of time of what to anticipate.
  • Activities include spa days, DIY patios, trivia nights, and themed dinners. 

    4. Rehearsal Dinner: To practice the main ceremony and have a meal with your immediate family and wedding party.

Planning tips:

  • Keep it calm as it’s not a party but a relaxed evening.
  • Timing: the night before the wedding is common.
  • Venue can be a restaurant you love or someone’s home.
  • Speeches: short, sweet and sentimental is best.

Etiquette & Gift Tips

  • Decide early if you want formal invitations, e‑invites, or casual texts.
  • Engagement parties usually don’t have gifts. If gifts are expected at a shower or hens, guests love thoughtful ideas, like cookware and self-care stuff

A heartfelt thank you email or card will be appreciated.