How to throw a Fabulous Bridesmaid Luncheon
Sep 20th, 2008 by Jenny Moore
The Bridesmaid Luncheon is a southern tradition, but modern brides have brought it back to modern days. A tea party is a wonderful setting to delegate last minute tasks, introduce out-of-town guests, and present your bridesmaid gifts. This pre-wedding brunch is all about showing your appreciation to the ladies close to you that are in your life. Since they have helped you celebrate your relationship with your soon to be husband with a bridal shower and a bachelorette party, the least you can do is host a lunch in their honor. Here are a few current ideas and traditions on how to throw a fabulous bridesmaid luncheon.
A New Twist on Tea Attire
It doesn’t so much matter, the formality of the affair, but the importance is making everyone feel comfortable and that they have a good time. This is not high-tea at the Plaza. Don’t make her go shopping for another dress, even if you did spring for posh bridesmaid gifts. Whether you host your tea in a fancy hotel or at your home, make formal attire optional. Traditionally, bridesmaid luncheons are held the day before the wedding when everyone feels stressed. Lighten the mood with fun music and finger fare, like tiny sandwiches and chocolate-covered strawberries. A few edible wedding favors are another option. It is also a nice gesture to offer champagne or mimosas for the ladies and adorn the champagne glasses with wedding theme wine charms. This is a perfect touch for the toast and speech that the bride will give to honor her bridesmaids, mom and soon to be mother-in-law.
Tea Traditions of the Past and Present
When planning your bridesmaid luncheon, throw in a few festive tea traditions. One of the most popular traditions is the Victorian wedding cake charm tradition. You can pick out a custom set of individual wedding cake charms for each woman that is close to you. The charms also come in standard sets of 6 or sets of 10 cake pulls. In the Victorian Era, a Bride would place wedding cake charms into the bottom layers of her wedding cake. Each bridesmaid would pull a ribbon from the wedding cake and discover the cake charm dangling from the other end of the ribbon, revealing her fortune. Today, wedding cake charms are used at the Bridesmaid Luncheons, where each bridesmaid pulls one ribbon from the center of a bundt cake to find her cake charm and her fortune is revealed.
Handing out the Bridesmaid Gifts
There is no better time to hand out your bridesmaid gifts than the bridesmaid luncheon. It’s standard etiquette, so if you’re planning a bridesmaid luncheon, take the opportunity to present your bridesmaid gifts. Write a speech and thank your bridesmaids for putting up with you throughout the wedding planning process. If you invited your mother, future mother-in-law or other important ladies to the luncheon, mention them in your champagne toast.
A ladies luncheon is the one last time to get together before the big day. It can be a casual afternoon tea party, spa day, bridesmaid brunch or rocking good time. You don’t have to make it super traditional or stuffy, so long as you find some way to honor your friends.
Jennifer Moore
Sets of Six, Ten or select from 27 Individual Cake Charms
Bridemaid Charms and cake Pulls for the Bridesmaid Luncheon This and other unique content ‘wedding cake charms’ articles are available with free reprint rights.
