Posts

Bridal Shower Do’s and Don’ts

/1 Comment/in /by

One of the most enjoyable and carefree responsibilities for any bride-to-be is attending the numerous bridal showers thrown in your honor. Be a delight to your friends and family by following these simple tips for bridal shower behavior…

Bridal Shower DO’s: As a bride, here are a few of your responsibilities as it pertains to the wedding shower.

DO register for gifts ahead of time to give guests the opportunity to prepare you for your new home with a registry that reflects your needs and desires.

DO register for gifts of all values to give ideas to guests of any budget.

DO provide the guest list for the bridal shower to the hostesses. Remember that all shower guests should also be invited to the wedding.

DO show up to the shower early to greet guests as they arrive.

DO give your opinion when it’s asked for, helping the hostesses with dilemmas about food, drinks, or overall theme.

DO provide information to the shower hostesses about the special needs, dietary restrictions, or allergies of guests.

DO open presents, in front of your guests, so they can see your excitement and gratitude.

DO purchase a hostess gift for the women throwing your shower to express your appreciation.

DO send thank you cards to guests and hostesses within a few days/weeks of the shower.

Bridal Shower DON’Ts: Avoid these breaches of etiquette or bad habits to ensure an enjoyable and fun day for everyone.

DON’T be bossy or demanding when it comes to your shower and dictate how the event should be organized.

DON’T invite anyone to the shower who isn’t also invited to the wedding.

DON’T add on extra guests at the last minute, especially if your hostesses are planning a sit-down meal or an event that is contingent upon the number of guests.

DON’T show up too early and interrupt the last-minute shower preparations.

DON’T show up late and leave your hostesses in an awkward position to welcome guests they may not know.

DON’T try to get out of opening your gifts in front of guests, regardless of how shy you may feel.

DON’T forget to say thanks to all of your guests and your generous hostesses for the thoughtful gesture!

Bridal Shower Etiquette

/1 Comment/in , /by

The bridal shower is one of the few wedding-related events that you don’t have to plan, but that doesn’t mean it doesn’t require any work from you. At the very least your friends and family are probably planning one bridal shower for you, if not several, to equip you with the gadgets and goods you need to stock your new home. As the bride, here are a couple responsibilities that you should fulfill:

1. Register for Gifts: While registering for gifts isn’t absolutely mandatory, it’s a great way to ensure you receive the things you truly need and want for your future home. Your registry should be completed prior to the mailing of bridal shower invitations so your guests have ample time to find and purchase a gift. Here are some great wedding registries. More about wedding registry.

2.      Provide the Guest List: It’s up to you to provide a list of names and addresses for everyone you’d like invited to your shower. Remember, if a person isn’t invited to the wedding, they shouldn’t receive an invitation to the bridal shower. In recent years, it’s become common to include every female who is invited to the wedding on the bridal shower guest list. In reality, it’s totally acceptable and more appropriate to only extend invitations to the wedding party, immediate family members of the bride and groom, and close personal friends or co-workers.

3.      Be Early: There’s nothing more awkward for your shower hostesses than having to entertain a complete stranger (or several) while the guest-of-honor is nowhere to be found. Be sure to arrive to the shower early enough that you’ll beat your guests, but not so early that you’ll interfere with the party preparations beforehand.

4.      Provide Helpful Tips: Nobody wants to deal with a bride who is trying to call all the shots for her own bridal shower, but it is helpful to provide useful information to your hostesses about special needs, dietary restrictions, or allergies of guests. If, for example, you have an aunt who is allergic to nuts, a relative who is handicapped, or a co-worker who is vegan, a simple heads-up is much appreciated so the hostesses can make the necessary arrangements to accommodate everyone.

5.      Open Presents: This seems like a no-brainer, but some brides feel shy or awkward about being the center of attention and unwrapping all of their gifts in front of a roomful of people. It is, however, your responsibility as the guest of honor to open your presents in front of your guests so they can celebrate with you and witness your reaction.

6.      Hostess Gift: A personal card and small gift is the most appropriate way to say thank you to your shower hostesses. You can hand-deliver a gift at the actual shower or mail something a few days later to express your gratitude.

More About Bridal Showers