There are so many possibilities when it comes to deciding on a venue for a baby shower. But have you ever considered holding this special event at a restaurant?
Restaurants offer an ambient, appealing and often large space with plenty of tasty menu options. All that’s needed is for you to apply your own personal touch, making it a day to remember.
But how exactly do you plan a baby shower at a restaurant? Budgets to balloons, food to friends, there’s lots to prepare. We’ve put together our top tips to help you plan the perfect baby shower at a restaurant.
Top tips for planning a baby shower at a restaurant
Planning a baby shower can seem daunting, which is why we’ve outlined our top tips. We’ve hosted plenty of special occasions here at COSMO, so we know just how important it is to focus on the smaller details.
Set your budget
Before you commence any preparations, it’s always best to set a budget to follow. Whilst it can be hard to pick a figure to stick to, your budget must be realistic.
When deciding on a budget, make sure to include:
- The chosen restaurant venue
- Food and drinks
- Decorations
- Invitations
- Games and prizes
- Thank you notes
- Any extras you may require
Choose the right location
There are countless restaurants out there, but which ones would make the ideal baby shower venue?
First things first, you’ll need to check that the restaurant can be used to host events and that they’d be happy to cater for your baby shower. They’ll often ask how many people will be attending, so you’ll need to have your guest list sorted!
Once you’ve found a list of restaurants that would be happy to cater for your big day, you’ll need to decide which one you like the sound of the most. Which cuisine would your guests most enjoy? Will the restaurant cater for the dietary requirements of friends and family? Is it spacious enough for all of your guests? Do you like the location?
At COSMO, we offer an all-you-can-eat world buffet experience. From the spices of Asia to the comfort of a carvery, we embrace flavours from every corner of the world. With plenty of choice, global buffets offer something for every guest.
Complete your guest list and invitations
The big question. Who to invite? You’ll need to compile a list of all of your guests before you begin writing invites, making sure you don’t miss anyone out!
Once you’ve decided on your list of attendees, it’s time to put together the invites. These could be created yourself using an online tool such as Canva or Adobe, or you could opt for a company to design and print these for you.
If you’re following a set theme for your locations, your invitations could match with this theme too.
Whilst you can design your invites however you like, there are a few key pieces of information to include:
- Name of the host
- Guest of honour
- Date and time
- Location
- RSVP and contact details
- The dress code
- Food options
- A space to provide dietary requirements
Consider dietary restrictions and preferences
Dietary restrictions and personal preferences are an important detail. Whilst the food served at a restaurant may look tasty, will it meet the needs of your guests?
From vegetarian and vegan dishes to gluten-free options, there are a range of dietary requirements to be aware of. An easy way to ensure all guests are catered for is to include a section on your invite for dietary requirements. This could be in the form of a checkbox layout, including standard requirements and a space for additional comments.
If you’re going to offer set menu options, these could also be listed on your invites for ease.
Ensure a smooth flow of events
Before you can relax and enjoy the big day, make sure you have a plan of how the event will flow. Planning this in advance will help you to avoid any awkward moments on the day. For example, who will greet the guests? Do you know what time the food will be served? Who will be paying the bill? Will there be time for games after the meal? You can never be too prepared!
You’ll also need to consider what time the event will finish. Take a look at what time the restaurant closes and decide whether you’ll continue the celebrations elsewhere after the closing time.
As the special day unfolds, relax and immerse yourself in the festive celebrations. To discover more about COSMO and explore our offerings, feel free to reach out to our team or visit any of our restaurant locations, including Edinburgh, Glasgow, and Norwich.