Lyla Dejesus
A bridesmaids luncheon is a pre-wedding event that is usually hosted by the bride to thank her bridesmaids and other women in her life for their support and hard work during the wedding planning process. It is often held within the week of the wedding, either the day before or the morning of the wedding. The bridesmaids luncheon can take various forms, from a casual gathering in the bride's home to a more formal event at a restaurant or hotel. It is an opportunity for the bride to spend quality time with her bridesmaids, exchange gifts, and make a short toast to express her gratitude.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| When to host | The day before the wedding, or the morning of the wedding |
| Who hosts | The bride, the mother of the bride, the groom's mother, a close friend, or the maid of honour |
| Who to invite | Bridesmaids, flower girls, mother of the bride, mother-in-law, sisters, and other female family members |
| Location | A restaurant with a private room, a hotel, or at home |
| Food and drink | Light fare, such as fruit, finger sandwiches, cake, or a personalised menu |
| Activities | Gift exchange, cake pull, flower crown station, mini spa session, photo booth, cooking class, wine tasting |
What You'll Learn
Bridesmaids' Luncheon vs. Bridal Shower
A bridal shower is a party held for the bride by her family or bridesmaids to celebrate her upcoming marriage, with gifts given to the bride. A bridesmaids luncheon, on the other hand, is hosted by the bride (or sometimes her mother) to thank her bridesmaids and other supportive women in her life for their participation in the wedding. The bridal shower is all about the bride-to-be, while the bridesmaids luncheon turns the tables and is about the bride showing her gratitude.
The bridal shower is typically held in the days leading up to the wedding, and the bridesmaids luncheon is often held on the day of the wedding or the day before. The bridal shower is usually a more formal affair, with a set menu and gifts for the bride, whereas the bridesmaids luncheon can be more casual and personalised, with the bride giving gifts to her attendants.
The guest list for a bridal shower includes the bride's family and friends, while the bridesmaids luncheon guest list typically includes the bridal party, the mother of the bride and groom, and other female family members and close friends. However, the guest lists for both events may overlap, especially if the bridal shower is on the smaller side.
The bridal shower is a time to celebrate the bride and her upcoming nuptials, while the bridesmaids luncheon is an opportunity for the bride to express her gratitude to her bridesmaids and other supportive women in her life. The bridal shower is a more structured event, while the bridesmaids luncheon is a more relaxed and intimate gathering.
The bridal shower is a well-known tradition, while the bridesmaids luncheon is a lesser-known but equally special event that allows the bride to show her appreciation to those who have supported her throughout the wedding planning process.
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Who Hosts the Luncheon?
The host of a bridesmaids luncheon is typically the bride herself, her mother, or her maid of honour. However, it can also be hosted by a close friend or relative of the bride and her mother. Traditionally, the event is hosted by the bride's attendants, usually organised by the maid or matron of honour.
The bridesmaids luncheon is an opportunity for the bride to thank her bridesmaids and other women in her life for their support and hard work during the wedding planning process. It is also a chance for the bride to exchange gifts with her attendants. Therefore, it is usually hosted by the bride, her mother, or her maid of honour, as a token of appreciation.
In some communities, it is considered against etiquette for the bride to host pre-wedding events. However, the bridesmaids luncheon is an exception to this rule, as it is specifically meant to thank the bridesmaids. This is also a more modern trend, with traditional luncheons being hosted by the bride's attendants.
The host of the luncheon is typically responsible for covering the cost of the event. If the bride's mother or another family member is hosting, they are expected to contribute financially.
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When to Schedule the Luncheon
The bridal luncheon is typically held in the days immediately before the wedding, usually the day before. This is a good way to spread out the celebrations and accommodate those who are travelling for the wedding. The luncheon can also be held on the morning of the wedding, particularly if it's an evening wedding, as a pause from hair and makeup appointments.
If you're hosting the luncheon the day before, consider hosting it in the late morning, followed by a trip to the salon for manicures and pedicures. If you're hosting on the morning of the wedding, an hour to an hour and a half is a good length of time to carve out.
The scheduling of the luncheon is key: if any of your attendees are from out of town, hosting it the day before the wedding allows them to celebrate with you in one trip. The morning or afternoon before the wedding will be busy, but not as hectic as the morning of the big day.
Ideally, the bridesmaid luncheon should be hosted within the week of the wedding, but this isn't always possible depending on your schedule and that of your guests.
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What to Do at the Luncheon
A bridal luncheon is a wonderful opportunity for the bride to express her gratitude and celebrate her bridal party in a more intimate setting before the wedding. Here are some ideas on what to do at the luncheon:
Food and Drinks
The main thing to do at this wedding celebration is to eat! You can offer a selection of salads, sandwiches, and fruit platters for a refreshing and easy-to-eat menu, especially if you are hosting on the day of your wedding while your party is getting ready.
For a heartier meal, set up a buffet with brunch favourites like quiches, pastries, fruit, and mimosas for a relaxed and indulgent meal. Brunch buffets work well for any palate and can be tailored to any theme. For example, a Parisian brunch could include crepes, pastries, and delicious drinks.
If you want to stick to tradition, a classic luncheon could include dishes like sweet corn bisque, nicoise salad with seared tuna, or spinach salad with pecan-crusted chicken for strawberry shortcake.
Gifts
The bridal luncheon is a great time to distribute gifts to your bridesmaids and other attendees. Consider giving personalised keepsakes such as monogrammed jewellery, custom photo frames, or engraved glassware. You could also treat your bridal party to manicures, pedicures, or hair and makeup services as part of the wedding prep.
Activities and Games
To make the bridal luncheon even more memorable, you can organise activities and games. For example, a DIY flower crown station, a mini spa session with manicures or hand massages, or a photo booth with fun props. For something more interactive, arrange a cooking class or a wine-tasting session.
Toasts
Although not necessary, the bride may opt to make a short toast to thank her bridesmaids and other attendees for their support and hard work during the wedding planning process.
Cake Pull
A fun tradition from the original Southern roots of the bridal luncheon is the cake pull. At the end of the meal, bring out a cake with pull strings attached, with each string attached to a charm that signifies something about the future of the person who pulls it. For example, a horseshoe charm means good luck, while an angel means that someone special is looking out for you.
Remember, the bridal luncheon is about celebrating love, friendship, and the joy of impending matrimony, so tailor the event to create a warm and welcoming atmosphere for your guests to enjoy.
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Bridesmaids' Luncheon Activities
A bridesmaids luncheon is a great opportunity for the bride to express her gratitude to her closest friends and family members who have supported her throughout the wedding planning process. Here are some ideas for activities to make the event memorable:
Bridal Speech
The bride can give a speech to thank her bridesmaids, flower girls, and everyone else who helped make her big day possible. This is also a perfect time for the bride to hand out gifts to each person.
Cake Pull
A fun tradition from the original Southern roots of the bridesmaids luncheon is the cake pull. A cake is brought out with strings attached, and at the end of each string is a charm. Depending on what charm is pulled, a prediction is made about the future. For example, a horseshoe charm means good luck, and an angel means that someone special is looking out for you.
DIY Flower Crown Station
Organize a station where guests can create their own floral headpieces. This can be a fun and creative activity for guests to participate in, and it adds a whimsical touch to the event.
Mini Spa Session
Offer a mini spa session with manicures, pedicures, or hand massages. This can be a relaxing and indulgent activity for guests to enjoy, and it ties into the theme of self-care and pampering.
Photo Booth
Set up a photo booth with fun props for guests to enjoy. This will create memorable keepsake photos and add an element of playfulness to the event.
Cooking Class or Wine Tasting
For a more interactive experience, arrange a cooking class or wine-tasting session. This can be a fun and educational activity for guests to participate in, and it can be tailored to the group's interests.
Remember, the key is to create a warm and welcoming atmosphere that celebrates love, friendship, and the joy of the impending matrimony.
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Frequently asked questions
The bridesmaids luncheon is typically held the day before the wedding, but it can also be held the morning of the wedding itself. It's usually a casual event, with brides often choosing to keep things relaxed if their schedule is jam-packed.
The bride usually hosts the luncheon, but it can also be hosted by the mother of the bride, the maid of honour (on behalf of the bridesmaids), or a close friend or relative.
The guest list usually includes the bridesmaids, the bride, the maid or matron of honour, the flower girl(s), the mother of the bride, the mother of the groom, sisters and future sisters-in-law. The bride's and groom's grandmothers, aunts and close female friends can also be invited.
The main focus of the event is for the bride to thank her bridesmaids and other guests for their support and contributions during the wedding planning process. It's also an opportunity for the bride to give gifts to her bridesmaids and for everyone to enjoy a meal together.
