George Boyle
Planning a bridal shower can be a daunting task, but one of the most important aspects is the guest list. The bridal party, including the maid of honour, bridesmaids, and the bride's mother, sisters, and future in-laws, are typically at the top of the guest list. It is also becoming more common to include close male friends or relatives. However, it is considered rude to invite someone to the bridal shower who is not invited to the wedding. The size of the guest list can vary, but it is generally kept intimate, with an average of 25 guests. The host, usually the maid of honour or bridesmaids, should consult with the bride to ensure her closest friends and family are included and to consider venue and budget constraints.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Who should host a bridal shower? | Traditionally, the bridal shower is hosted by the maid of honour and bridesmaids. However, it has become common and acceptable for anyone close to the bride, including the mother of the bride, to host the bridal shower. |
| Who should be invited to a bridal shower? | The guest list should be limited to people who are also invited to the wedding. The guest list typically includes the bride's close female friends and family members, like her bridesmaids, mother, sisters, and future in-laws. In recent times, bridal showers can also include close male friends or relatives. |
| When should the bridal shower take place? | The bridal shower should take place at some point before the wedding. There is no set rule on when it has to happen, but bridal showers generally occur anywhere from a few weeks to a few months before the wedding. |
| When should invitations be sent out? | Invitations should be sent out four to eight weeks before the bridal shower. |
What You'll Learn
Where should the bridal shower take place?
When deciding on a location for the bridal shower, it's important to consider the bride's preferences, the type of shower, and the host's budget. Here are some factors to keep in mind when choosing a venue:
The Bride's Preferences
The location of the bridal shower should be convenient for the bride and the majority of the guests. If the bride lives in her hometown, the shower can be held there. If she lives elsewhere, it may be more practical to choose a venue that is easily accessible for most guests, rather than expecting the entire guest list to travel.
Type of Shower
The type of bridal shower you plan to host can guide your venue selection. For example, if the bride is a wine enthusiast, you could choose a wine-tasting room. If she enjoys cooking, a cooking school or restaurant would be ideal. A spa or winery could be perfect for a themed bridal shower.
Host's Budget
The host's budget will play a crucial role in determining the venue. Hosting the bridal shower at a friend's or family member's home is a cost-effective option. If that's not feasible, consider venues that align with the bride's interests and fit within your budget.
Size of the Guest List
The number of expected guests will influence the venue choice. Ensure that the venue can comfortably accommodate the number of people on the guest list.
Availability
If you're opting for a venue like a restaurant or event hall, keep in mind that availability may be limited, especially for larger groups. It's advisable to reserve the space at least a month in advance to secure your preferred date.
In summary, when deciding on a location for the bridal shower, consider the bride's convenience, the type of shower, the host's budget, the guest list size, and venue availability. Choose a venue that aligns with the bride's interests, fits within the host's budget, and accommodates the expected number of guests.
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Who should host a bridal shower?
Traditionally, the bridal shower is most often hosted (and paid for) by the maid of honour, although nowadays it's extremely common and acceptable for anyone close to the bride to host, including the mother of the bride. The entire bridal party should be involved with the planning and celebration, and the bride's mother often helps with finances. It's best for the bridal party to communicate with the mother of the bride to figure out who's hosting, or if they can work together.
It used to be considered taboo for family members of the bride to host, as it seemed like a direct plea for gifts. But this is no longer the case, and if family members aren't available to plan, the bridesmaids should step in to take care of the arrangements.
The host makes most of the key decisions about the bridal shower, including the guest list, venue, games, and theme. The average number of guests at a bridal shower is around 25, and the average cost to host is between $2,000 and $4,000.
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Should the bride be involved in the planning process?
While the bride doesn't typically throw her own bridal shower, she is usually involved in the planning process to some extent. The host will often ask the bride for input on themes, guest lists, dates, locations, activities, and other ideas to get a sense of where to start. It's then up to the host to use that input to bring the shower to life.
The bridal shower is traditionally hosted and planned by the maid of honour, but the entire bridal party should get involved with the planning and celebration. Each person can have a delegated task that they're in charge of ahead of the bridal shower, and often the mother of the bride helps with the finances.
If the bridal shower is going to be a surprise, the maid of honour and the bride's mother should work together to come up with a guest list they think the bride will be happy with. Otherwise, the bride can assist with the guest list and then the rest of the planning can be kept a secret.
The bride's preferences will also be taken into account when it comes to the menu. The host will want to stick to foods that the bride will enjoy and choose foods that are easy to serve.
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Who gets invited to a bridal shower?
When it comes to bridal shower guest lists, the most important thing is to invite people who are close to the bride and with whom she shares a meaningful connection. While bridal showers are traditionally intimate, female-only affairs, it is becoming more common to include male guests.
The guest list typically includes the bride's closest friends and family members, such as her bridesmaids, mother, sisters, and future in-laws. However, it is also acceptable to invite close male friends or relatives if the bride wishes.
The average number of guests at a bridal shower is around 25, with 20-30 being the average range. The number of guests will depend on the size of the wedding and the budget available.
It is considered extremely rude to invite someone to the bridal shower if they are not also invited to the wedding. The only exception is if the guest is unable to attend the wedding for personal reasons.
Who Doesn't Get Invited to a Bridal Shower?
- Coworkers, unless the bride socialises with them outside of work or considers them close friends.
- Friends of relatives, unless they are considered family.
- Plus ones or non-family significant others, such as the groomsmen's wedding dates or the bride's brother's new girlfriend.
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What's the dress code?
There is no set dress code for a bridal shower, but it's a good idea to include some guidance on the invitation. This will help guests feel more comfortable and ensure cohesion in photos if desired.
The level of formality can vary depending on the preferences of the host and the bride, as well as the venue and theme of the shower. For example, a dressy look may be more suitable for a bridal shower at a hotel or country club, while a casual outfit might be more appropriate for an informal gathering at home.
The bride-to-be can opt for a little white dress, a floral dress, pastel colours, a cute romper, or a casual sundress. Comfort and confidence are key, as the bride will likely be sitting for several hours, opening gifts, eating, and playing games.
For guests, it's generally better to dress up than down. If no dress code is indicated, it may be more comfortable to arrive overdressed than underdressed.
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