Bridesmaids Luncheon: Outdated Or Still Relevant?

The bridesmaids' luncheon is a wedding tradition that has its origin in the South. It is a small party held by the bride to honour her bridesmaids and spend quality time with them before the wedding. It is also an opportunity for the bride to thank her bridesmaids and give them gifts. The bridesmaids' luncheon is usually held a day before the wedding, but it is not a required event. The guest list typically includes the bride, maid or matron of honour, bridesmaids, flower girl(s), mothers of the bride and groom, and other close female family members. The bride may also invite other women who have played an important role in her life. The event can be hosted at a restaurant, hotel, or even the bride's home, and the menu can vary from light fare to a more personalised meal.

Who hosts a bridesmaids luncheon?

A bridesmaids luncheon is a pre-wedding celebration for the bride and her attendants, including bridesmaids and flower girls. It is an opportunity for the bride to thank her bridesmaids for their support and hard work during the wedding planning process.

The bridesmaids luncheon is traditionally hosted by the bride herself, but there are a few other options for the hostess. These include:

• The mother of the bride
• The maid of honour (on behalf of the bridesmaids)
• A close friend or relative of the bride
• The bride's parents or the groom's parents, as a gift to the bride

The bridesmaids luncheon is not always included in pre-wedding festivities, so the etiquette is flexible.

Who is invited to a bridesmaids luncheon?

A bridesmaids luncheon is a chance for the bride to express gratitude to her bridesmaids and other women in her life who have supported her through the wedding planning process. It is also an opportunity to give gifts to the bridesmaids, mother and mother-in-law.

The guest list is usually limited to women participating in the ceremony, including all of the bridesmaids, the flower girl (and her mother, if she is young), the bride, maid or matron of honour, the mother of the bride, the mother of the groom, and the soon-to-be newlyweds' sisters and future sisters-in-law.

However, it is up to the bride who she invites, and she may choose to invite other close female friends, grandmothers, aunts, or even the groom and his groomsmen. The bridesmaids luncheon is usually a girls-only gathering, but the guest list can be expanded to include men if desired.

What is served at a bridesmaids luncheon?

A bridesmaids luncheon is a Southern wedding tradition, usually held the day before the wedding, where the bride gets to thank her bridesmaids and other important women in her life for their support and hard work during the wedding planning process. It is also an opportunity for the bride to give gifts to her bridesmaids.

The bridesmaids luncheon is typically a light meal, such as brunch, lunch, or afternoon tea. It can also be a trip to the salon with champagne, or a dinner at a restaurant. The menu is usually filled with lighter fare such as fruit, finger sandwiches, and cake for dessert. However, in recent years, brides have been opting for more personalized menus. For example, a classic luncheon could include:

• Sweet corn bisque
• Nicoise salad with seared tuna or spinach salad with pecan-crusted chicken
• Strawberry shortcake
• Fruit and yogurt parfait
• Quiche Lorraine or lemon ricotta pancakes with blueberry preserves
• Earl Gray tea crème brûlée
• Scones with chive crème fraîche and smoked trout
• Selection of finger sandwiches
• Individual berry pavlovas
• Lemon meringue tarts
• Chocolate mousse cups

If you want to shake things up, you could turn the luncheon into a dinner and serve tacos and margaritas, pizza and red wine, or any other combination of food and drink.

When is a bridesmaids luncheon held?

A bridesmaids luncheon is traditionally held on the day of the wedding or the day before. However, there is no hard-and-fast rule and it can be held at any time. For instance, if the bridesmaids are all in town, hosting the event the day before the wedding is a good way to spread out the celebrations. It can also be held a few days before the wedding, or even the morning of the wedding itself.

The scheduling of the luncheon is key. If any of your attendees are from out of town, hosting it the day before the main festivities allows them to celebrate with you in one trip. The day before the wedding will be busy, but not as hectic as the morning of the big day.

The bridesmaids luncheon is usually one of the last girls-only gatherings before the wedding. It is an opportunity for the bride to thank her bridesmaids and spend time with them. It is also a chance to give bridesmaids their gifts.

Where should a bridesmaids luncheon take place?

A bridesmaids luncheon is a chance for the bride to express gratitude to her bridesmaids, flower girls, and other women who have supported her through the wedding planning process. It is usually a small, intimate gathering, and can take place in a variety of locations.

If you're hosting the luncheon the day before the wedding, you could rent a private room at a local restaurant, book a reservation, or host it at home. A backyard celebration would be intimate and beautiful, and the perfect place to unwind and catch up with friends and family from out of town. If you'd prefer a more 'pampered' experience, a hotel or venue could be a better option.

If you're hosting the luncheon on the morning of the wedding, it's best to choose a location in the hotel where the bridal party is getting ready, so no one has to go too far. You could also have the meal set up in the room where the bridal party is getting ready.

If you're looking for something more informal, you could opt for a happy hour at your favourite bar, or somewhere with a rooftop view.

For a more traditional affair, you could go for a tea luncheon—don't forget to include champagne to make it a true English tea!

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