The bridal shower is often the first big gathering of the wedding season, and it usually lands on a bridesmaid, a mom or an aunt who has never planned an event before. The good news is that most of the hard decisions come down to four things: when, who, what you will serve and where.
When to have it
Most bridal showers happen in the last couple of months before the wedding. That gives the bride time to enjoy it without crowding the final weeks, which fill up fast with fittings, vendor calls and the rehearsal.
Book the venue well before you send invitations. Weekend dates during busy wedding seasons go first, and you want the date locked before anyone prints it.
Who to invite
A good rule of thumb is that anyone invited to the shower should also be invited to the wedding. Workplace showers are a common exception. Beyond that, work with the bride and both mothers on the list, since showers often bring together family who have not met yet, some coming in from Covington or Slidell and some from out of state.
The final count decides the room. At Fleur de Lis Event Center in Mandeville, most bridal showers use our Private Restaurant, a completely private space for up to approximately 100 guests. There is no formal guest minimum.
Pick a format
The format sets the tone, the menu and the time of day.
- Luncheon: a sit-down meal that suits a mixed-generation guest list.
- Brunch: relaxed and festive, often with a signature drink.
- Afternoon or evening party: more of a cocktail-party feel, with lighter food and more mingling.
Across our event spaces, a seated meal works best for groups of about 100 or fewer, and servers clear tables throughout the event. Menus and timing vary by event, so ask us for current menus and available times for the format you have in mind.
What it costs
Private Restaurant pricing works differently from our ballrooms and is more per-person driven, so your guest count and menu drive the total. A $500 deposit with a signed contract reserves your date.
Drinks for a mixed crowd
Showers usually mix guests who want a mimosa with guests who are not drinking at all. A signature cocktail named for the bride, paired with a non-alcoholic option, covers both. All alcohol must be provided through Fleur de Lis, and uniformed security is required with an open bar, currently $220. See our event policies for the full bar rules.
Dessert is yours
Outside commercially prepared cakes and desserts are allowed, so bring in the bride’s favorite bakery. The meal itself comes from our kitchen.
Plan for the gifts
Gift opening is the longest part of most showers, so give it a set time in the schedule and seat the bride where everyone can see. Assign one person to keep an eye on the gift table, one to write down who gave what for thank-you notes and one to load the gifts into a car at the end.
Décor and photos
Keep confetti and glitter off the shopping list, and size balloon arches and backdrops to the Restaurant’s approximately 12-foot ceiling. Our event policies cover the full décor rules. The Restaurant’s own front courtyard and covered patio give you a spot for photos with the bride and her bridesmaids.
If the wedding is at Fleur de Lis too
The shower is its own booking, separate from the wedding. Booking a wedding does not automatically reserve the Private Restaurant, so check the shower date early if you want both events here. The same goes for a rehearsal dinner.
Questions to ask any venue
- Is the space fully private, with its own entrance and restrooms?
- Is there a guest minimum?
- Can we bring our own cake and desserts?
- What bar options are available, and is security required?
- What décor is not allowed?
- Is there a good spot outside for photos?
Plan your shower on the Northshore
Tours are normally available Monday through Friday from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM and Saturday mornings, and virtual tours make it easy for a maid of honor planning from another city.
Call 985-626-9118 to check your date.
Related: Private Restaurant | Baby Shower Venue Guide | Rehearsal Dinner | Plan an Event
