What is a bridal shower and how does it work?
A bridal shower is a pre-wedding gathering where close family and friends of the bride “shower” her with affection, advice, amusement, and support. Showers are usually daytime parties that involve food, drinks, and wedding-themed games or activities. Traditionally guests give the bride gifts that will help establish her newly married life.
What is a groom's shower?
Just like a bridal shower, a groom's party is a themed opportunity for guests to give gifts that are more specific to the groom-to-be. Here are 12 bro-dal shower ideas to help your partner get in on the fun.
Does the groom say thank you at a bridal shower?
While not expected, it has been known for the groom to arrive at the end to say thank you for the gifts. Alternatively, some couples choose to throw a ‘Jack and Jill’ party instead, where both the bride and groom are in attendance. While the gifts could be for the soon to be wed, a bridal shower has consistently about and to celebrate the bride.
Who attends a bridal shower?
Who Attends A Bridal Shower? Bridal showers are typically attended by the closest people to the bride, primarily family and friends. Although, the groom’s family, mother, and other female relatives, may be invited too. Sometimes the groom will show his face at the end.
What is the difference between a wedding shower and a bridal shower?
A wedding shower is a more modern and inclusive take on the time-honored shower for the bride. Wedding showers are also more appropriate for same-sex marriages where there is no traditional "bride." The bridal shower is traditionally hosted by the maid of honor.
What is a couple's shower?
So, What is a Couples Wedding Shower Exactly? Essentially, it's your chance to throw a giant, coed party before the wedding. A bridal shower typically involves only the bride and her girlfriends, whereas a couples shower involves both sets of family and friends. Invite any and everyone!
Who should host a couples shower?
Traditional etiquette dictates that the maid of honor—not the mother of the bride—should host the shower. Some etiquette rules were meant to fade away into oblivion, like the one about family members of the bride not hosting her bridal shower.
Who throws a couples shower?
Who hosts? The maid of honor traditionally takes on the role of chief planner. But she isn't a one-woman shower machine: She relies on the bridesmaids to help her with planning logistics. On the day-of, the girls run the show, making sure everything goes smoothly and guests are taken care of.
What is a groom shower called?
Man-showers or bro-dal showers, events that celebrate a man's first step into marriage, are increasing in popularity. If the future bride can have a shower, why not the groom, too? But do not mistake these for bachelor parties.
Are couples bridal showers a thing?
Bridal showers traditionally have a female-only guests list, but many of today's brides are tossing aside that outdated etiquette and hosting a co-ed event instead. The decision to mix sexes allows a bride to share the shower with her husband as well as female and male relatives and close friends.
Who pays for a joint wedding shower?
Standard etiquette dictates the person hosting the shower would be the one who pays for it. However, if multiple people are hosting the shower (or if multiple people want to contribute to the event), that's absolutely fine too.
Who typically pays for a wedding shower?
Often, the maid of honor and her fellow bridesmaids throw the bridal shower and pay for it, and the mother of the bride contributes. With this model, the bridal party pays for the bridal shower for the most part and split the price, but the parents of the bride may contribute some part of the expenses.
How do you word a couples shower invitation?
More traditional gatherings may want to open with bridal shower invitation wording like: "Please join us for a bridal shower honoring [bride]." "Help us shower [bride] with love." "Come celebrate [bride] before she ties the knot."
Who should not host a bridal shower?
No matter who is hosting, be sure to communicate clearly to make sure you aren't planning two separate showers. Traditional etiquette says the mother or mother-in-law (or any relatives, for that matter) should steer clear from hosting as it can appear that they are directly asking for gifts.
How long should a couples shower last?
between two and four hoursWeichelt says bridal showers should ideally last between two and four hours. Anything shorter and guests will feel like they didn't have a chance to spend time with the bride; anything longer and they'll be itching to head home. Three hours might just be the sweet spot, then.
What do you call a bridal shower after the wedding?
Call it a celebration of your new marriage, or a post-wedding breakfast, or whatever you like. You could also combine it with the groom, so that you have a joint party, or make it a housewarming if you're moving into a new home.
What do you do at a couples wedding shower?
A couple shower is closer to a cocktail or dinner party than it is to a bridal shower. Female and male relatives, as well as close friends, are invited. The party still revolves around gifts, but they're presented to both the bride and the groom, and generally they are a mix of home goods and guy-friendly gadgets.
Why is it called a couples shower?
A couples shower allows both the man and the woman to be “showered” with gifts. When hosting a couples shower, give guests small, commemorative gifts to take home. Since this type of shower involves both male and female guests, the theme of this type of shower may vary from some of the traditional shower themes.
What do I wear to a couples shower?
What to Wear. Attire for a couple's shower is whatever you want it to be. If you choose to go with a dinner party style and want everyone to dress in their very best, that's your choice. You can also be extremely casual with everyone wearing whatever they choose to wear.
What happens at a wedding shower?
It's a pre-wedding party to gather the bride's closest family members and friends for an afternoon in her honor. Guests will enjoy food and drink together, bring gifts, play games, and socialize before she ties the knot.
Who Hosts and Pays For The Bridal Shower?
The bridal shower is usually hosted by the bridesmaids, the bride or groom's mother, or other close female relatives. If family members aren't avai...
Who Should Be Invited to The Bridal Shower?
As with other pre-wedding events, the guest list should be limited to people who are also invited to the wedding. For the bridal shower, this usual...
When Should You Hold The Bridal Shower?
Usually the bridal shower is held between three months and two weeks before the wedding. Choose a date that is convenient for both the bride and he...
When Should Bridal Shower Invitations Be Mailed out?
Ideally, the invitations should be mailed out four to six weeks before the bridal shower, either by post or email. Make sure to include the bride's...
Where Should You Hold The Bridal Shower?
If the bride still lives relatively close to home, the shower can be held in her hometown. Does she live in another state? It may still be more con...
What Happens at A Bridal Shower? How Do Bridal Showers Work?
The general outline is usually the same: Food, drinks, a few games, and an opportunity for the bride to open gifts surrounded by her guests. You ca...
Should The Bridal Shower Have A Theme?
It doesn't have to, but it certainly can! Some of our favorite themes include a bridal tea party, a Disney-themed shower, or a Parisian-influenced...
Does The Bride Need A Registry For The Bridal Shower?
Not necessarily. The actual wedding registry can also function as a bridal shower registry. If, however, it's a lingerie shower, that would require...
What is a shower for a bride?
Regardless of whether it’s traditional or not, showers are a chance for friends and family of the bride and/or groom to get to know each other and match names with faces before the actual wedding.
What Is a Bridal Shower?
A bridal shower is a pre-wedding gathering where close family and friends of the bride “shower” her with affection, advice, amusement, and support.
How many people are in a bridal shower?
An intimate bridal shower for 15 people is perfectly normal, as is a 50-person coed shower that feels more like a cocktail party. A variety of factors can influence the size of the guest list, such as: the shower location. whether it’s the only shower being thrown. whether it’s a couples, coed, or all-female shower.
Why are games important in a shower?
Games facilitate interaction and conversation between people who might not know each other. Games can liven up an unengaged group of party guests. Socially awkward strangers can focus on an activity, rather than making small talk. Thoughtfully chosen shower games (that fit your personality) can actually be fun.
When is a coed shower?
A coed shower has a greater chance of occurring in the late afternoon or evening. All-female showers almost always occurs during the daytime. Coed showers might have larger guest lists, as couples and/or whole families will be invited instead of only women.
Is it rude to invite someone to a bridal shower?
It’s traditional etiquette to only invite people to the bridal shower who are also invited to the wedding. Not only does this prevent feelings of exclusion, but since guests typically bring gifts to showers, it would be rude to expect a gift from someone who’s not invited to the wedding. A typical bridal shower guest list should include: ...
Is a shower game fun?
Thoughtfully chosen shower games (that fit your personality) can actually be fun.
Why do brides have showers?
Why? Because the main point of a shower is to give gifts to the bride and it could seem as if her family were asking for gifts. Today, while it's still a faux pas for an engaged couple to throw their own shower, pretty much anyone else can host one. Family members frequently step in to host showers, especially when common sense dictates such a solution. For example, the bride may be visiting her future in-laws and the groom’s mother or sister wants to invite hometown friends and family to meet her. Or, the bridal party is spread around the country and it’s difficult to pinpoint a common geographic location to gather and celebrate. Sometimes several of the bride's friends or relatives may host the shower together, sharing the expenses and the organizing. Let individual circumstances be your guide when determining who should serve as host.
What is the guest list for a shower?
A shower should be an intimate party—not a gathering that rivals the wedding—so the guest list is usually made up of the couple's close friends, family, and attendants . The host usually consults the bride to be sure that shower guests are wedding guests.
What is a Jack and Jill shower?
Showers for both the bride and the groom —called "Jack and Jill" showers—are popular these days, and showers for the groom only are a recent phenomenon. Couples' showers can be themed: examples include room of the house, hour of the day, gourmet cook, and great outdoors showers.
Where is the bridal party spread?
Or, the bridal party is spread around the country and it’s difficult to pinpoint a common geographic location to gather and celebrate. Sometimes several of the bride's friends or relatives may host the shower together, sharing the expenses and the organizing.
Can you have a shower at a wedding?
Yes, normally anyone invited to a shower would be invited to the wedding. One exception: when coworkers wish to throw an office shower for the bride even though they are not being invited to the wedding.
Can you have multiple showers?
Multiple showers are okay, but be sure to invite different guests to each party. Generally, only close family and members of the wedding party may be invited to more than one shower.
Do bridesmaids have to host a shower?
Contrary to popular belief, the maid/matron of honor and the bridesmaids are not required to host a shower as part of their official responsibilities, though they certainly can if they want to.
What is a good shower for a bride and groom?
Backyard Soiree. If the bride and groom are particularly outdoorsy, or if they simply like entertaining in the backyard, a lawn- and garden-centric shower is a good choice. The bride and groom will receive plenty of outdoor tools and equipment, as well as items that elevate backyard entertaining.
What is a co-ed bridal shower?
Bridal showers traditionally have a female-only guests list, but many of today's brides are tossing aside that outdated etiquette and hosting a co-ed event instead. The decision to mix sexes allows a bride to share the shower with her husband as well as female and male relatives and close friends. Like a traditional bridal shower, co-ed wedding showers still incorporate a meal and gift exchange, but they're more reminiscent of a friendly get-together or dinner party. The key to throwing a successful gender-neutral (or Jack and Jill) shower is choosing a theme that everyone will enjoy. Here are seven types of co-ed wedding showers, all of which are guaranteed to please everyone on your guest list.
What do you bring to a co-ed shower?
But a co-ed shower creates the perfect opportunity to break the mold and host a "stock the bar" party instead. At these events, guests are asked to bring booze and barware, so the bride and groom can start their married life with a completely stocked bar. Of course, all stock-the-bar showers should have plenty of cocktails to go around.
How does an around the clock shower work?
Here's how they work: Each guest is assigned an hour of the day, be it 9 A.M. or midnight. The guest then chooses a gift that fits into the specific time frame. For example, a guest assigned to an early morning hour can bring a coffee maker or pancake griddle. Guests assigned to an evening time slot, on the other hand, may bring bed sheets or pajamas. In the event that the guest is closer to either the bride or groom, they have the flexibility to choose a gift that's more specific to either him or her.
Can you bring pajamas to an evening wedding?
Guests assigned to an evening time slot, on the other hand, may bring bed sheets or pajamas. In the event that the guest is closer to either the bride or groom, they have the flexibility to choose a gift that's more specific to either him or her.
What Is a Bridal Shower?
A bridal shower is a daytime event in celebration of the bride's upcoming marriage. Traditionally, it's an opportunity for guests to give the couple gifts for the home.
Who gets invited to a bridal shower?
As with other pre-wedding events, the guest list should be limited to people who are also invited to the wedding. "You can invite whomever you would like from the wedding guest list. Keep the guest list small and manageable, don’t have too many showers, and don’t invite the same people to multiple showers," says Gottsman. "If someone is not invited to the wedding, they should not be invited to the shower."
When should bridal shower invitations be mailed out?
Ideally, the invitations should be mailed out four to six weeks before the bridal shower, either by post or email. Make sure to include the bride's name, the date, the time, the location, registry information, a way to RSVP, and the names of whoever is hosting.
Where should you throw a bridal shower?
If the bride still lives relatively close to home, the shower can be held in her hometown. Does she live in another state? It may still be more convenient for the bride to travel to her shower if most of the guests live locally, instead of asking the entire guest list to hop on an airplane. The specific location depends on the type of shower and the host's budget. It could be in a friend or family member's home or backyard, at a local restaurant, or somewhere more specific if the shower has a theme (such as a cooking school or a wine-tasting room).
Does the bride need a registry for a bridal shower?
Not necessarily . The actual wedding registry can also function as a bridal shower registry. If, however, it's a lingerie shower, that would require a separate registry should the bride want to register for specific lingerie. As a bridal shower guest, it is in good etiquette to purchase a shower gift off the registry.
How to dress for a bridal shower?
A bridal shower can be as formal or casual as you want it to be, but it's best to at least include some sort of guide in the invitation. "There's not one particular dress code," says Gottsman. "But it's always better the dress up than down." If there's no indication of the event's formality, it may be more comfortable to show up overdressed than underdressed. If cohesion in your shower photos is important to you, it's a good idea to think about what the guests will be wearing and make a note somewhere within the invitation.
What is the first step in planning a bridal shower?
The very first step to plan a bridal shower is to create a budget for the entire process. This includes food, drinks, décor, venue, rentals, event design, photography, videography, and any other vendors or expenses incurred while planning.
What is groom shower?
Instead of the debauchery that bachelor parties might include, a groom shower is a little more family-friendly, meaning your groom can invite their dad, uncles, and even grandfather to attend without worrying.
How to remind everyone the groom is getting married?
To remind everyone the groom is getting married, ask each guest to bring their favorite tool for marriage—tried-and-true advice—along with their gift.
Why should brides have all the fun?
Jaimie Mackey was the real weddings editor at Brides from 2013 to 2015. She also worked as a luxury wedding planner and produced over 100 high-end weddings and events in Colorado
What to do on a fishing trip for groom?
If it's the right season, your groom and their guests can go out on the lake or ocean and try to reel 'em in. The best part about a fishing trip is that it's appropriate for all ages, and it doesn't lend itself to hard-partying. At the day's end, the groom's best man can host a fish fry with all the attendees.
How to plan a groom's game night?
Everyone has a competitive side, so why not take advantage of it and plan the ultimate groom’s game night? Gather up the groom’s favorite group games (we love Scategories, Pictionary, and Cards Against Humanity) and invite over a crowd. Split into teams for a round of intense trivia, or make it an every-man-for-himself evening. Set up a scoreboard (as well as a bar and lots of finger food) to track points, and don’t forget to have a few prizes for the winners.
Can a groom's best friend host a poker party?
Nothing says "male bonding" like a poker night! One of the groom's best friends can host a poker party, which can be as family-friendly or adults-only as they please. Of course, all their favorite food and beverages will be served, and some hand-rolled cigars wouldn't hurt either.
What is a bridal shower?
Bridal showers are usually reserved for the ladies of each side to get to know one another. Family and friends come together to get to know one another over punch and cake. This same idea should be extended to the groom. The groom’s shower should be a bonding experience between the groom, his groomsmen, wedding attendants and male family members from both sides.
How to give a groom a great party?
With a little imagination and some thought you can give the groom a great party he won’t forget. Buy disposable cameras for the guest to use , or better yet hire a photographer/videographer and capture all the memorable moments. Keep in mind that you can find many sources for party supplies at flower shops, party supply stores, and other sources. For help with your groom’s shower check out the many vendors at Wedding And Party Network.
Can the bride give the groom a shower?
The bride can even give the groom a groom’s shower. After the tuxedos fitting, the bride arranges for the groom, best man and the other groomsmen to go to a day spa. The groom’s party will be greeted with their favorite drinks along with some finger food while relaxing with a day of pampering. Groom is not into spas, how about renting a karaoke bar. The groom party moves to the karaoke bar after getting fitted and the rest of the bridal party can meet them there. What brings people together more than singing your heart out?
Who Attends A Bridal Shower?
Bridal showers are typically attended by the closest people to the bride, primarily family and friends. Although, the groom’s family, mother, and other female relatives, may be invited too. Sometimes the groom will show his face at the end.
What does the groom say to the bride at a bridal party?
Or, the bride can have her moment opening the gifts, and the groom can come a few minutes before everyone starts to leave to say thank you. This is the most common role for the groom during a traditional bridal party. The bride can keep her celebration but allow the groom to offer his appreciation and gratitude.
How long before a wedding is a bridal shower?
A Traditional Bridal Shower. A traditional bridal shower will be typically a women-only party, three weeks to three months before the wedding. It is thrown in honor of the bride hence the name bridal shower. Having said that, times are changing, and the pink everything theme isn’t always the desired path.
What does a bride and groom not need to deal with when it comes to these parties?
Something that a bride and or groom does not need to deal with when it comes to these parties is feeling bad for who is not invited.
Why does the groom show up for the Jack and Jill shower?
It’s more common nowadays for the groom to show up because it signifies support and is, in all honesty, a nice thing to do after receiving gifts. Having said that, no one is going to fault the groom for staying away – it’s not expected. If it is a Jack and Jill shower, the groom needs to be there for the whole time.
Why do you have to be there for Jack and Jill shower?
If it is a Jack and Jill shower, the groom needs to be there for the whole time. That’s because the focus is on the couple and no longer a party just for the bride. Also, the groom’s family and friends would be there to support him.
What is a wedding party?
Instead, it’s a party that is designed to celebrate both the bride and groom.
What is the purpose of a bridal shower?
The whole purpose of a bridal shower, or couples' shower, is to celebrate the joining of you and your fiancé. It's a time for the people you love to spend quality time together, showering you with gifts, well wishes, and a lot of love.
How long should a couple shower run?
Thirty minutes to an hour is usually considered a good amount of time, as most showers run for two to three hours.
Can same sex couples have a wedding shower?
Most same-sex couples opt to have their wedding shower together, as the traditional gender roles need not apply to their celebrations. It's your call. If you have totally different sets of friends or you're worried your shower will be too big, you can always split it into two showers.
