2.77 million weddings are set to be held in 2021, which is an increase of 650,000 — up from the usual 2.12 million that happen in the average year. If you’re in the midst of planning a wedding, a lot’s probably changing in your life, but the tight bonds you have with your close friends will endure. Before your big day, arranging some quality time with your friends is a great way to relax and recharge, and celebrate your lifelong friendships.
Bridal shower
As well as being a special event to celebrate the bride-to-be, bridal showers also give you a chance to party with family and friends. If you don’t want your shower to be too expensive, the good news is that there are plenty of cheap yet enjoyable activities that can be arranged. For example, bridal shower bingo is a fun game that just needs some bingo cards — these can be bought online, or even DIYd. Each card features an individual gift that’ll likely be given at the shower, which everyone competes to tick off their card during the gift opening. Alternatively, flower arranging is another creative and wallet-friending activity. You’ll need fresh flowers, ribbon, vases and scissors for all guests. If you’re new to flower arranging, it can also be useful to look up helpful tips online so you’re ready to teach your guests how it’s done.
Take a weekend girl’s trip
A weekend trip is the perfect way to celebrate your friendship with your bestie or group of close friends before your wedding. When planning your getaway, try researching local or nearby destinations that don’t involve a lot of extra expense. After all, you don’t need to book a luxury experience to have a good time together. For example, you could organize a trip to a nearby area in your state that you’ve not yet visited. Or you could look up fun yet cheap or free activities to do together like attending a local class or touring a museum. Simply taking a walking tour of local significant landmarks and tourist attractions can make for a fun and memorable weekend.
Organize a weekly brunch
Not only is brunch with your friends a great bridal shower activity, but you can also turn it into a weekly or monthly tradition. This way, you’ll always be scheduled to spend some quality time together regularly in person, which always beats a text message or video chat. If you want to make the brunch a classy ordeal, book a heritage building or historic location to automatically up the elegance and style. To impress guests at home, you can set up a DIY mimosa bar: jugs of freshly-squeezed orange juice, a cooler of champagne, and fresh fruit to garnish are all you need. Non-alcoholic champagne should also be on-hand to cater to friends who don’t drink.
Taking time to celebrate your friendships before your wedding is an important way to solidify and strengthen your bonds. A bridal shower, weekend trip, or brunch are fun ways to take a break from wedding planning and enjoy each other’s company.
