When to plan a shower?

Ok, my mom asked me to ask this, It's been years since she's been in a bridal party, and I've chosen to only have family members in the BP, and they've never been in any weddings, so it's like they are all clueless, so here it goes.
How soon should my bridal party start planning my shower? I'm getting married next july, so I'm guessing the shower would be next Apr-may-junish? Should they start scouting a place now? Should they have already started? Should they wait a month or two? Ack! With the year mark quickly approaching, I suddenly feel like I'm going to have a nervous breakdown!
Thanks ladies!

What I did to help my BP out was I gave them each a book on being a bridesmaid when I asked them to be in my BP. That way I was sure that they would know what to do and if they had any questions - they could refer back to the handbook.

You could always pick one of those up and it should give you guidelines for what to do and when to do it!

I'd help you out more specifically, but I havent' been in a BP since 4th grade when I was my uncle's flower girl - so I dont' even know!

Thanks!

I would tell them to start planning now....start looking around at places and get an idea around when they want to do it. Make a list of who you would want to invite so when they go to the places they can give them a rough estimate. Plus around april, may and june is communion, confirmation and graduation time and place book fast so it's hard to get the date you want....believe me I went through it last year for my friends wedding and i know my MOH had problems with mine because she waited too long(which is next saturday!!!). Also it takes time because you have to go to all the places and check them out and that is time consuming.

I think only good things can come from doing things early if you wait you may miss out on what you really wanted. Good Luck!

Good point about the spring being prime time for communions and graduations. I guess they better get moving.
Thanks!