After months of morning sickness, spontaneous cravings, and bedrest, there’s no better way to celebrate an expectant Mommy than to shower her with beautiful gifts, lots of laughs, and a fun event with all her closest friends and family.

Before you feel overwhelmed in your event planning, here are 8 baby-brain-proof steps to guide your planning process for a fun and festive celebration!

STEP ONE: LOCK IN YOUR DATE EARLY

Especially during the warmer months, schedules book up quickly, so lock in a date and time as soon as you can. Showers are typically held for the mom-to-be around seven months into her pregnancy to ensure the guest of honour is still feeling comfortable before that little bundle of joy arrives!

STEP TWO: DETERMINE YOUR EVENT SIZE

Are you leaning towards small and intimate, or large and lively? Consult the guest of honour on the invite list and determine a budget to guide the rest of your event-planning decisions. Make a list of priorities and plan accordingly. Depending on the size of your event, booking a large venue can eat up a significant portion of your budget.

STEP THREE: BOOK YOUR VENUE

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When booking your venue, there are a few things you’ll want to consider: party size, budget, and seasonality. For something more intimate consider a backyard, living room, or public park and save on the extensive booking fees. If you’re in need of a larger event space, look into hotels, galleries, distilleries – there are many beautiful public spaces around the city that are open to event bookings. If you’re expecting many little ones on the list, consider some child-friendly options, as well. Some venues book at least a year out, so remember to reach out as soon as possible.

STEP FOUR: SEND OUT THE INVITATIONS

Once all the big details are confirmed, it’s time to send out those invitations. Go the traditional route with an invitation through the mail, or keep it eco-conscious with an evite! There are lots of online tools that make it easy to design an elegant card just the way you like it.

STEP FIVE: PICK YOUR DECOR THEME

With invitations sent and venue booked, it’s time to plan out an extra special theme and start bringing this celebratory event together. You would be surprised how the right decor can completely transform any space! We recommend starting your decor shopping trips 2 to 3 weeks prior to the event for non-perishable details, and 5 to 7 days for the final touches, like plants or floral arrangements.

STEP SIX: PLAN THE PERFECT MENU

Now for our favourite part – the food! If you’ve decided to get the event catered, request a consultation with your caterer early to design the perfect menu. Make note of all dietary restrictions, preferences, and special requests from the guest of honour. We recommend welcoming your partygoers with a special Afternoon Tea spread or selection of tasty canapés, or adding an interactive element to the event with a mini bar or action station.

STEP SEVEN: PUT TOGETHER AN AGENDA

Whether it’s an afternoon of party games, or DIY onesies, make an agenda of activities for guests to enjoy when they arrive. We typically recommend allotting 15 minutes for guests to arrive before moving into the first scheduled activity. Some of our favourite activities we’ve seen in the past include party games, arts and crafts, gift opening, and lots and lots of delicious eats!

STEP EIGHT: ASSEMBLE YOUR PARTY FAVOURS

As a finishing touch, leave your guests with a simple parting gift to thank them for attending and show your appreciation. Get inspired by your party theme, stick with the classics, or find something practical that all your guests will enjoy.

As event professionals, we have experience planning milestone celebrations of all types and sizes.

Reach out to our team today at info@savourycity.com.