Lingerie showers are notorious among bachelorette parties, but we learned that many of you don't exactly know what they are, or how to throw one. We got you girls! Here's everything you ever wanted to know about how to throw your bestie the ultimate lingerie shower.
So, what exactly is a lingerie shower?
Lingerie showers are a pre-wedding party where the bridesmaids can shower the bride with new top-drawer accessories for her newlywed life. Think: slinky robes, sexy teddies, matching bra and panty sets, cute pajamas, and (for the more adventurous brides) bedroom toys like massage oils and candles.
Lingerie showers are intimate affairs reserved only for the bride and her closest friends, so hosting one during the bachelorette party is the perfect time! You can stock her up with new honeymoon outfits and play fun games as you go.
Why have a lingerie shower?
With so many wedding festivities, why should you add a lingerie shower to the list? We have a few reasons we think a lingerie shower is a must for the bride-to-be!
First, throwing a lingerie shower is a great way to help the bride build up her lingerie drawer. Out with the old, and in with the new! Help her makeover her nighttime wardrobe with special and thoughtful gifts from her besties.
Throwing a shower is also a fun way to help the bride try new things that she might not have picked out on her own. You can push the limits with sexy gifts or play it safe with pajama sets. Either way, the bride will appreciate new diverse pieces to add to her repertoire!
Lastly, lingerie showers are a really fun way to bond and break the ice with all of the bridesmaids. You can play games during the shower to really bring everyone together and get a few laughs along the way.
How do I plan a lingerie shower at my BFF's bachelorette party?
Lingerie showers are a great addition to bachelorette parties because they are a fun way to spoil the bride and have fun in the process. Every bride is different, and we have a few ideas and tips to ensure your bride feels comfortable and confident at her bachelorette party lingerie shower!
Step 1: Pick a designated day and time to host the shower during the bachelorette trip
First and foremost, you'll want to decide when you are going to host the lingerie shower and add it to your weekend itinerary. We recommend at least one hour, or a bit longer if you are planning to have some food and drinks or play games while the bride unwraps her gifts.
Step 2: Inform the bride squad
Your next step is to notify the party before the trip so that they have time to shop for a gift. You can include this information on the bachelorette party invitation or simply send a text to the group. We did you a solid and made digital invites you can download, edit and send out, if you want an easy button!
When informing the group about the shower, don't forget to:
- Identify the bride's lingerie tastes
- Provide her sizes
You know your bestie. Does she prefer sweet matching jammies, a sexy slip, a cute corset, or a little bit of everything? This is something you’ll want to carefully consider so that you can ensure all of the attendees are on the same page about the vibe of the party and gifts.
Once you’ve determined her style, you’ll want to text her and ask for her sizes. You’ll need bra size (like 34C) and general size (like size M). This info is crucial to include so that the group can make sure everything will fit her comfortably.
Step 3: Plan fun games and activities
Lingerie showers are meant to be lighthearted and playful. Planning fun games and planning activities is what makes the party a hit! We consider ourselves experts on lingerie showers, and we have a few fool-proof games that will get the crowd going every time.
Lingerie Shower Bingo - Make the lingerie shower even more fun with this totally free Lingerie Shower Bingo download! Guests can play along as the bride-to-be opens gifts. The first guest to get bingo, wins! Each download includes ten versions of the bingo card.
Honeymoon Menu - After opening each gift, the group comes up with a name for the outfit. Example: A sexy black corset could be called something funny like “Midnight Magic” or “Naughty Nightcap”. The bride writes down the names and each night of the honeymoon she lets the groom select an outfit based on the “menu.” This is such a silly and sexy way to get things going!
Guess Who Gifted It - As the bride opens each gift, she tries to guess which friend gifted it! This can be really funny because sometimes the person you least expect gives a naughty nightie and makes everyone giggle.
Two Truths and Lie - Similar to Never Have I Ever, but a little lighter, this game is a fun way to get to know the group and share silly facts about yourself. Each person shares two truths and one lie. The group has to guess which part is the lie. When the bride opens your gift, it’s your town to share your truths and lie!
Seasonal Lingerie - Before the bachelorette party, the maid of honor assigns a different “holiday” to each member of the group. Things like the Bride’s Birthday, the Groom’s Birthday, Valentine’s Day, Anniversary, Christmas, Halloween, etc. Each person purchases their lingerie gift with the specific holiday in mind. Then when the bride opens them the group reveals which holiday she can wear the lingerie for. This is a fun way to diversify the bride’s gifts and play a game while you go!
Musical Lingerie - Make a funny playlist (Pony by Genuine, Bedrock by Lil’ Wayne, Dirty by Christina Aguilerra, you get the gist) and pass a gift around in a circle until the game leader pauses the music. When the music stops, whoever is holding the unopened gift must open it for the bride and then take a drink. This is a funny and playful way to showcase the gifts and get some giggles with your girls.
Free Downloadable Games - We have a whole collection of bachelorette party games you can download for free! If you need more ideas, browse all the options and choose which games suit your squad.
Step 4: Plan a drink and snack menu
When are you hosting the lingerie shower? At your AirBNB after dinner and drinks? If so, opt for a nightcap drink like espresso martinis, or maybe a sweet treat like cookies or brownies to enjoy while the bride opens her gifts.
If you’re hosting the shower in the morning before a day on the town, a mimosa bar and donuts will hit the spot! Either way, consider having a few small snacks and a cute drink to make the shower feel special!
Don’t forget to accessorize your soiree with themed cups, napkins, and plates. This is a great way to fill an empty morning or have a chill night on the bachelorette trip.
Bonus: Party decor and favors
Lingerie shower-specific decor can really make the party memorable for the bride! We love this bra and panty glitter garland and this funny same penis forever veil for the bride. If you want to add drink markers for the whole crew, we have a few funny and cute options to choose from. You don’t have to go all-out, but adding a few thoughtful touches will really take your lingerie shower to the next level!
Party favors are totally optional but they can be a fun way to thank the group for their gifts! It can be something really affordable like a bottle of nail polish with a cheeky card that says “Cheers to a lifetime of getting nailed!” or something like a hangover kit for the weekend, a lip balm, kitty ears, or drinking buddies for their cups! We have a full roundup of party favor ideas (and they’re all under $15!) for every type of bachelorette group!
You now have all the resources to absolutely rock the lingerie shower! If you need any more planning tips, you know the girls at Stag & Hen have you covered. With everything from experience and activity recommendations, to real life itineraries, you’ll find all the tips and tricks for planning the perfect bachelorette party right here. Cheers!