What is a bridal luncheon?
But there is one event that is often forgotten, the bridal luncheon. The bridal luncheon is either skipped or thought of as the bridal shower, but that is wrong. The bridal luncheon may be a small detail, but it is a very important part of the pre wedding events. In this blog post, we will discuss all of the details of a bridal luncheon.
Should you have a bridal luncheon before your wedding?
We’ll take any excuse to celebrate a wedding, from the engagement party and bridal shower to the reception and the morning-after brunch. There’s one pre-wedding party, however, that is often overlooked—but that we think should get added to your calendar ASAP: the bridal luncheon.
When is a bridal shower?
The bridal shower is hosted anywhere from a few weeks to a month or two ahead of the wedding. This is one of the last events before the actual wedding day, and it's often a daytime affair held in the late morning or early afternoon.
What's the difference between a bridal shower and a bachelorette party?
You likely have preconceived notions about what a bridal shower and a bachelorette party look like. For example, you might think a bridal shower is a pearls-and-sundresses event with tea sandwiches and polite conversation, whereas a bachelorette party is a raucous, alcohol-filled bash in Las Vegas. READ MORE
What is the purpose of a bridal luncheon?
The main focus of the event is to acknowledge and thank your bridesmaids for all they've done as you've planned your wedding. This is the perfect time to distribute any gifts you may have gotten your bridesmaids—especially if you hope they'll use them on your wedding day, like jewelry.
Who is supposed to host the bridal luncheon?
Who hosts? The bridesmaids' party or bridal luncheon is traditionally hosted by the bride's attendants and is usually organized by the maid or matron of honor.
Who pays for bridal shower luncheon?
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.
Do you bring a gift to a bridal luncheon?
One notable exception: If you are invited to a bridal tea or luncheon, it is more than likely that gifts are not expected. If you're unsure, you could politely ask the hostess to share the bride's registry information when you RSVP. If she's been instructed to dissuade guests from bringing gifts, she will do just that.
Who pays for bridesmaid luncheon?
Traditionally, this event could be hosted by either the bride in honor of the bridesmaids, or by the bridesmaids in honor of the bride. Today however, the bridesmaids' luncheon is nearly always hosted by the bride, to thank her maids for their efforts.
What can you do instead of a bridal shower?
12 Dreamy Bridal Shower Alternatives For Perfect CelebrationA mingling of your adorable women on a dreamy party is the best-known tradition. ... Master Classes as Bridal Shower Alternatives. ... Cookery Show and Gifts-opening. ... Flower Harmonizing for Your Besties. ... Makeup Master Class or Indoor Salon. ... Outdoorsy Bridal Shower Ideas.More items...•
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.
What is a reasonable budget for a bridal shower?
CostHelper.com, a website that compares the cost of services, reports that a typical bridal shower can run from $15 to $40 per person for a luncheon or party in a private room at a mid-range restaurant. If you're going all out with an elaborate bridal shower, you could be talking $40 to $150 or more (gasp!) per person.
What is the appropriate amount of money to give for a bridal shower?
around $50-$75The standard amount to spend on a bridal shower gift is around $50-$75. If you're invited to a bridal shower but not particularly close with the bride, expect to spend at least $25. Regular friends, co-workers, or distant family members should consider spending up to $75 if they have the budget to spare.
What do you wear to a bridal luncheon?
Lastly, as far as outfits go, a good rule of thumb for guests is to keep it light & bright, don't wear dark colors – it's a midday event and you're celebrating! And if you're not the bride, steer clear of white, that's reserved for the beautiful bride-to-be.
Do you give money if you're in the bridal party?
Even though you're already spending a lot of your money and time as a bridesmaid, wedding etiquette indicates that you're still expected to give a wedding gift to the couple. Bridesmaids are supposed to get the bride a gift for some prewedding events as well.
Do aunts give bridal showers?
Anyone who's close to the bride, including her mother, sister, aunt, cousin, even her grandma, can host.
Who usually throws the bridal party?
The maid of honorWho 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.
Who traditionally hosts bridal shower?
the maid of honorWho Throws a Bridal Shower? The bridal shower is usually hosted by the maid of honor, close friends, bridal attendants, or bridesmaids. No matter who is hosting, be sure to communicate clearly to make sure you aren't planning two separate showers.
Does the mother of the bride host the bridal shower?
Traditional etiquette dictates that the maid of honor—not the mother of the bride—should host the shower.
Who is traditionally in the bridal party?
A bridal party is a group of people chosen by the couple to participate in the wedding. Traditional bridal party roles include the bridesmaids, groomsmen, flower girls, and ring bearers.
What is the difference between the bridal shower and the bridal luncheon?
The difference between the bridal shower and the bridesmaids’s luncheon is exclusivity. The bridal shower allows all of the women wedding guests to take part. The bridal luncheon is smaller and the group is very selective. The bridal luncheon is for the women who will be in the actual wedding.
Who hosts the bridal luncheon?
The bride is typically the host of the bridal luncheon. If not the bride , then usually the mother of the bride.
What to say at a wedding luncheon?
If you are the bride giving the toast. Be sure to tell everyone how much you appreciate and love everyone attending the luncheon. Tell them that you may be a little nervous about what is to come, but you know that in this moment, you are in good hands and feel so loved.
Is bridal luncheon a pre wedding event?
The bridal luncheon is either skipped or thought of as the bridal shower, but that is wrong. The bridal luncheon may be a small detail, but it is a very important part of the pre wedding events. In this blog post, we will discuss all of the details of a bridal luncheon.
What is a bridal luncheon?
Also known as a bridesmaids’ luncheon, a bridal luncheon is an optional daytime celebration for the bride and her attendants (bridesmaids and flower girls). The event is often treated as an opportunity for the bride to thank her bridesmaids for their hard work and support over the course of the wedding planning process.
Where to have luncheon on wedding day?
If you are having the luncheon the day of your wedding, either plan to have the meal set up in the room where you will be getting ready with your bridesmaids or choose a location in the hotel so no one has to go too far (and can attend in curlers if need-be).
What Happens During the Event?
The bride may opt to make a short toast, though this isn’t necessary. Otherwise, use the gathering as an opportunity to relax, enjoy the company of the closest women in your life, and prepare yourself for the celebration to come.
Is there a boy allowed at a bridal shower?
Whether it's a brunch, lunch, afternoon tea, or even a trip to the salon with champagne, it’s feminine and low key—and there are definitely no boys allowed (unless, of course, you opt for a man of honor ). So how exactly is it any different from a bridal shower? Our experts have the answers.
Difference between a bridal tea and bridal shower
What is the difference between a bridal tea and a shower. The ladies at church are giving me a bridal tea soon. I was told that I am supposed to open the gifts the day before, but I have never heard of this. So, what goes on at a tea hosted for the bride versus a shower? What kind of gifts are given? Do I give the hostess a gift?
Rebecca Black, Etiquette By Rebecca
There really is no such thing traditionally. There are pockets of people in various regions that have their own ideas of what this is. For most, this is the bridesmaid’s party where the bride gives her gifts to her bridesmaids. It is usually hosted by the bride and sometimes hosted by the bridesmaids.
Hosts
The first step of planning any shower is choosing the host or hosts. These loved ones will not only plan, but pay for, the majority of the shower. Here's who typically hosts each type of event.
Guests
While the guest lists may differ somewhat between a wedding shower and a bridal shower, one shower etiquette rule remains: Those invited to any shower must be invited to the actual wedding. However, not all wedding guests need to be invited to the shower.
Timing
Wedding showers and bridal showers typically take place within the same timeframe—two weeks to three months before the wedding day, often on a Saturday or Sunday and lasting between two and four hours. However, the time of day when these events take place tends to differ.
Venue
Once you have an idea of the guest count and a general timeframe when the shower will occur, it's time to choose a venue.
Gifts
Gift giving is one of the most important activities that takes place during a shower, whether it's a bridal shower or a wedding shower. However, the gifts tend to differ between the two types of pre-wedding parties.
Activities
Mingling, eating and drinking are mainstays of most bridal and wedding showers, but there are other activities that usually take place, from games to gift opening, and more.
Can you have both a wedding shower and a bridal shower?
A couple can have both a wedding shower and a bridal shower, but there are a few caveats. The events should have different hosts, different guest lists, and be held in different locations.
What do brides wear to bridal showers?
While bridal showers aren't always the same, they're typically dressier events. (If there was ever a time for that Lilly Pulitzer dress, this is it.) The bride often wears a white dress, but you should wear whatever you feel most comfortable in, whether that's a bright blue dress or a floral jumpsuit.
What is a bridal shower gift?
Bridal showers are centered around gift giving. Bridal shower gifts are typically registry items that will help the couple set up their new life (and home) together. However, it's not unusual for people to go off-registry and gift the bride something sentimental.
What is included in a bridal shower guest list?
The bridal shower guest list includes the bridal party, family members on both the bride's side and her partner's side, and close friends who are on the wedding guest list . There can be several bridal showers over the course of an engagement, some of which have larger guests lists and others that are more intimate.
When is a bachelorette party?
A bachelorette party usually occurs a couple stress-free months ahead of the wedding, before the bride is too busy with last-minute details for her big day. The bachelorette party can either be a single night out or a weekend getaway.
Who hosts the bridal shower?
Traditionally, the bridal shower is hosted either by the maid of honor and some members of the wedding party, or a group of the bride's close family members, such as her mother, sister, aunt, grandmother or mother-in-law.
Can you be involved in hosting a wedding?
While you won't be involved in hosting or planning, you can make life easier for your hosts by providing them with guest lists, addresses, wedding registry information and anything else they might need.
Can you host a bachelorette party with a mini shower?
Bachelorette parties aren't always gifting occasions, but they can be a great time to host a mini-shower if attendees are unable to make the bridal shower due to distance or availability.
What is the difference between a bachelorette party and a bridal shower?
And you’re not wrong—the vibes of these two events are as different as night and day! Literally: Bachelorette parties are far more focused on nights out, while bridal showers are more daytime events. For your bach party, imagine clubs, party buses, hotel suites and bar hopping. (Bottle service, anyone?) Meanwhile, for your shower, think more in the lanes of brunches, luncheons, spa days, and backyard affairs. Attire-wise, your bachelorette will call for night out attire and custom lounge outfits (maybe even a dress code, if you opt to go that route!), while your bridal shower will probably lean more toward day dresses or even casual-wear, depending on what’s on the itinerary.
What to expect at a bachelorette party?
At your bachelorette party, you may be expected to provide party ideas and/or a wishlist, play party games, pass out bachelorette party gifts to attendees to thank them for coming, and possibly fork over a bit of cash to cover your way or at least part of your way. At your bridal shower, expectations might be a bit more formal: You'll be expected to open gifts, play games, make your rounds to personally greet and thank every attendee, and, most importantly, send thank you cards to attendee following the event (these are separate from the thank you cards you'll send with your new spouse after the wedding). But no need to shove your wallet into your cute matching clutch: you will likely not be expected to pay for any of the bridal shower.
When do bachelorette parties happen?
Typically, the bachelorette party happens a few months before the wedding (giving you plenty of time to refresh before your big day after all those late nights and tequila shots!).
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).
Should a bridal shower have a theme?
It doesn't have to, but it's a fun way to add some personality to the party. A theme could be as simple as cohesive, rustic décor, or you could go all out with a spa day. Some of our favorite themes include a bridal tea party, a Disney-themed shower, or a Parisian-influenced affair.
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.
Who Hosts It?
Who Is Invited?
- The bridal luncheon guest list is usually limited to women participating in the ceremony. The list should definitely include all of the bridesmaids, the flower girl (and her mother, especially if she is quite young), the mother of the bride, the mother of the groom, and the soon-to-be newlyweds' sisters. If you’d like to have a larger celebration, you might consider inviting other close female fr…
What Is Served?
- This is totally up to you. Your luncheon could be, well, a luncheon, or it could be a brunch or tea. Here are a few of our favorite ideas:
When Is It held?
- The bridal luncheon is most often held in the days immediately before the wedding. If the bridesmaids are all in town, hosting the event the day before the wedding is a good way to spread out the celebrations. Consider hosting it in the late morning, followed by a trip to the salon for manicures and pedicures. The luncheon can also be held the morn...
Where Should It Take place?
- Again, the location is up to you. If you are hosting the luncheon in advance of your wedding, choose a restaurant in town with a private room or host it somewhere in your hotel. If you are renting a suite for the weekend, the room’s common area could be the perfect spot for an intimate gathering. If you are having the luncheon the day of your wedding, either plan to have the meal s…
What Happens During The Event?
- The main focus of the event is to acknowledge and thank your bridesmaids for all they’ve done as you’ve planned your wedding. This is the perfect time to distribute any gifts you may have gotten your bridesmaids—especially if you hope they’ll use them on your wedding day, like jewelry. The bride may opt to make a short toast, though this isn’t necessary. Otherwise, use the gathering a…