Turkey's Shower Tips

Don't worry, I'm not going to tell you how to wash. These are bridal shower tips.

As I mentioned, I am a two shower bride. The next shower is in my hometown in upstate NY in March, so I have some time to prepare. And there are some things I need to change adjust for the next time around.

I'm not going to share things that I knew before (and you likely do too) - like ensure you share with everyone who the gift is from when opening it, have someone keep track of who gives you what gift (in case cards get replaced), greet all your guests, thank your hostess(es) at the end publicly, etc. etc.

These tips are some that I haven't seen shared around these parts (not that they haven't been...). To make my point, I'm going to be sharing the good, the bad and even some ugly with you all. Get ready.

Vintage-y photos with rounded edges courtesy of Cousin E; other photos by Mom.

Tip #1: Wear something comfortable / long enough

I'm going to get real with you right away, ladies. Sitting and opening presents can be awkward. You don't know how to sit, tape / edges can snag your tights and, let's be honest, some gifts can't be opened with crossed legs.

I loved my dress for the shower, but I'm going to come out and say it here, it was a little short for an event where I'd be sitting a lot.

Don't believe me? In the below picture you can see, on the left side, a hint of my skirt riding up just a tad too far. It's just the edge of my tights, but still, a bit embarrassing. I'm sharing this with you so you know better! Granted, it's possible no one noticed, but I did when I saw these photos!

The only thing I'm paying attention to here is the cake. Little did I know....

Now, if I didn't have tights on, I would have been in the clear, but alas...

Tip #2: Learn to cut a cake (or get someone else to cut it)

I realize that on the wedding day I'll have Mr. Turkey to assist, but at the shower, I was flying solo.

I look like a total pro. Fooled you.

This was a failed mission from the start. Cousin O tried to help, but we ended up abandoning all attempts and walking away with a knife sticking straight out of the cake. FMIL Turkey had to take over and salvage my hack job.

See face in mirror to illustrate the failure

Apparently you're NOT supposed to cut from the middle?!?!

I need a lesson before May because it would be pretty awful to ruin the wedding cake.

Tip #3: Be aware of your facial expressions (or just be prepared for awkward pictures)

I did not realize beforehand that I make some FUNNY faces. Part of this could be due to the fact that I don't love candid shots and am often the photographer (thus controlling the camera), but either way, I know now.

I'm sharing these with you voluntarily, but just imagine how you'd feel if these showed up on Facebook without any editing. Believe it or not, these are not the most incriminating ones. 

A fun game to play with these pictures? Guess what Miss Turkey is saying / thinking...

Awkward face photo #1
Looks like I'm making a 'ch' sound...so, maybe "Mr. Turkey chose this bowl"

Awkward face photo #2
I just look angry - no idea what this box did to me, but it wasn't nice
Oh, and there are the tights again - sweet.

Awkward face photo #3
Just a goofy smile. "Gee whiz I'm excited for these platters!"

Awkward face photo #4
There are no words.

Tip #4: Be prepared to be nervous

I knew that, when in certain settings, I get nervous when I'm the center of attention. However, I thought that I'd be just fine (why? I don't know) and didn't prepare. See, my nerves go right to my stomach and so, that day, my butterflies turned into nausea. And then the nausea turned into a VERY red face. I really could have used some Tums or Sprite to calm my stomach.

Not cute.

Next shower, I'm going to be prepared (I have already requested Mom have Sprite as a drink option).

Tip #5: Make a photo list

This wasn't something I had ever thought of. 

Sure, you have a list of photos you want on the day of your wedding, but there are going to be photos you want on the day of your shower too. I'd recommend asking a bridesmaid or relative to help you with this.

Luckily there were a lot of pictures of the wonderful shower details, but I was disappointed that I did not get a picture with my Mom (who had traveled all the way down for this) or FMIL Turkey. I also didn't get a photo with Mr. Turkey when he came to pick all the stuff me up afterwards.

We visited my college campus before the shower, so I did get at least one picture with Mom that day

So, there you have it, Miss Turkey's bridal shower tips. I hope they're helpful for you. When I recap my March shower I'll make sure to let you all know if I lived by my own rules!

Do you have any tips from your own bridal shower? Please share your advice!!