Wedding Etiquette 101: Hosting the Bridal Shower

I want to start posting tidbits of Wedding Etiquette for you but I want to start by saying in no way am I an expert. Weddings are an always changing thing and my etiquette is simply basic etiquette. Always feel free to adapt your own traditions and rules. Now, for today's topic: Who hosts the bridal shower?

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According to tradition, the bridal shower should not be hosted by any of the bride's immediate family. Most hostess include the maid or matron of honor plus bridesmaids. If the bridal party requests the help of other close friends, this is okay but the responsibility relies on the maid or matron of honor. The hostess of the party should always be alongside the bride while greeting guests.

When I was getting married, we had five showers. Yes five! We were incredibly blessed. My bridal party, family and close friends were so kind to us! When having multiple showers, make sure to not duplicate your guests on your guests lists. You can help hostess keep track by providing the guest lists or assisting them while they create it.

When should invitations go out for the shower? All shower invites should be sent out six weeks to a month before the shower. Also an important rule of thumb, your guests at your showers should all be invited to the wedding. You wouldn't want to take a gift from someone and then not send them an invite to the wedding.

What type of invitation should I send? Most brides can help with the invitation design but I would suggest keeping with the brides theme for the wedding. A mailed invitation is proper etiquette and not a email message. Email's are more used for save-the-dates or a fun bachelorette party invite. You can tailor the invite to your theme for the shower. For example, use invitation with kitchen appliances and cooking materials for a kitchen themed shower or pounding.

Shower Traditions: One tradition that I have read about that is so sweet and very old fashioned is the grooming showing up with flowers for the bride right before she opens her gifts. I love this idea! With how busy brides and grooms are during the months leading up to the wedding this may not be possible. Another tradition that I have been apart of is keeping the bows from gifts to create a bouquet for the bride to use during the wedding rehearsal. You can always create new traditions too! Get creative!

If you have any questions or suggestions on shower etiquette, please email or comment below!