The next step, of course, is developing a guest list. Typically, the Maid of Honor and/or the bridesmaids host the bridal shower. Ask the bride for a list of people she'd like invited to the shower, with their names, addresses and phone numbers. If someone is not invited to the wedding, they should not be included in the shower invitation list. After all, it's insulting to ask someone to bring a gift to the shower if the assumption is that they are not a close enough friend to invite to the wedding. There are some exceptions, such as in the case of a destination wedding or a small wedding with only immediate family invited. Usually, all female relatives on both sides of the family are invited to the shower, as well as the bride's friends.

The next thing to plan is what you will be serving. Most showers are in the afternoon and feature light snacks, coffee, punch or some other cold non- alcoholic beverage and possibly wine. If you want other people to help with the food, ask only close family. Soliciting other guests to contribute food or drink, as well as a gift, could be considered insulting.

A traditional part of most bridal showers is to play games, usually with some correlation to the impending nuptials. This is a fun way to break the ice and get the guests involved in conversation. Typically, small prizes are offered to the "winner" of the games. There are a variety of games that can be played, everything from an innocent to the slightly naughty. Of course, selecting the appropriate type of games will be dependent in part on the guests invited and their comfort level. Usually, two or three games are enough to break up the ice and the monotony.