The bride may be glowing for another reason other than being the center of attention at her bridal shower. If the bride is expecting, then you may or may not be hosting a specialty shower with the pregnancy itself playing a part. I say ‘may or may not’ simply because you don’t have to make the bride’s impending motherhood a part of this particular shower. You can host this as a straight-out bridal shower, and then leave the baby shower for another day! This is a completely individual choice, made by yourself or as a group with the bride’s mother and other loved ones. Decide what’s best for the situation and for the bride’s schedule (and due date!) to decide if you want to add the specialty angle to this party.

The bride might appreciate having the shower be all about her upcoming wedding – the other blessed event! – and take a little break from Baby World and the accompanying nerves and pressures of motherhood.

If it wouldn’t seem right to leave the baby angle out of the mix, or if time constraints mean that one party would be better than the bride having to attend two separate ones, then you can split the party. The first half is the bridal shower, with full bridal theme and gifts…and the second half serves as a baby shower with a game or two, some cake, and then the baby-focused gifts opened at the end of the party. It’s unusual, but many hosts say it’s a great time- and money-saver and it gives the bride twice the celebration with all her loved ones having to make only one trip!

Of course, you or the bride and groom might be sensitive to the idea of requiring two gifts from the shower guests – one for the bridal part and one for the baby part – so consider giving guests the option of bringing either a baby or a bridal gift…or both. On the invitation or through word of mouth, you can list the bride and groom’s bridal registries, and then any baby boutiques or toy stores the couple might sign up with (like Babies R Us, for instance). It’s all in how you word the invitation that gives guests their freedom to choose.

Keep the bride’s health in mind. Of course, all smoking should take place outside and alcohol and coffee might be best left off the menu completely…especially if the bride is really struggling with not being able to have caffeine!

When choosing the menu for this party, check to see what the bride’s favorite foods are and – more importantly – what she can’t stand the sight or smell of. Some brides have an extreme sensory reaction to some foods, spices, or scents, so be sure that she won’t turn green when she walks near the buffet table.

Don’t forget that baby-theme soundtrack to play during the baby portion of the party. “Be My Baby,” “Baby Love,” “Having My Baby”….these songs are great tributes for both the wedding portion and the parenthood portion of the bride’s new life! The theme can work for both!

In advance of the party, you might send all the shower guests an index card with a baby-themed sticker on one side and a bridal-themed sticker on the other side, asking the guests to record their best marriage and parenting advice where appropriate. These little advice cards will be a terrific extra-gift for the bride and groom.

As one of the bridal/baby shower games, you might choose to read out loud to the entire gathering notable and inspirational quotes on marriage or parenting every half hour. Or place a quote under one plate on each table…and then at game time, the guests look to see who’s gotten the quote and has to read it to all. Consult a great quote book or quotes Web site (like www.BrainyQuotes.com) for inspiration, or get fabulous greeting cards with just the right sentiments on them and use those instead!

And of course, top the cake with a cute toy version of a bride, groom, and baby….or babies if it’s going to be twins or triplets!!

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Sharon Naylor is the author of The Ultimate Bridal Shower Idea Book and The Bridesmaid Handbook, among other wedding planning books at www.sharonnaylor.net.