What do you need to know about bridal shower etiquette?
- What happens in a bridal shower?
- Who plans the bridal shower?
- Who gets invited to the bridal shower?
- Where should you hold the bridal shower?
- How about the gifts?
Getting married is a once-in-a-lifetime event, so it’s normal to hold parties not just on the day of the wedding. One of the important gatherings before this special day is the bridal shower — a pre-wedding event to celebrate the bride’s marriage. If it’s your first time planning one, you might have questions in your mind regarding this event. To help you, here is a simple guide to bridal shower etiquette. Keep on reading.
What Happens In A Bridal Shower?
A bridal shower is an event where the bride is showered with gifts. Normally, the outline of the party is to have some food, drinks, and then have time to open the gifts in front of everyone. It’s also a great opportunity to play fun games, but you could also skip it if the bride wants.
If you want to just have a good time over some good food, consider hiring a caterer for your party. This way, there’s less effort needed for preparing the food and more time on enjoying the event itself!
Who Plans The Bridal Shower?
Typically, the bridal shower is hosted by the maid of honor, bridesmaids, and close friends of the bride. In the past, it was a violation of etiquette for the bride’s family members to host the shower because it could appear that the family is asking for gifts. But nowadays, it has become acceptable for anyone to host this special event. By having multiple people host it, it also means the cost can be split multiple ways.
The guest of honor at the shower, who is also the bride, can provide an idea of what they’d like to do on this occasion. But it could be a surprise event, too.
Who Gets Invited To The Bridal Shower?
The general rule of thumb is to invite guests that are also invited to the wedding. This usually includes the bridal party, some close friends, and family members. It’s best to send out the invitations at least as early as a month in advance to ensure that every guest can attend. This way, they will also have time to pick an appropriate gift.
Feel free to have more than one bridal shower if needed. A bride can have one for family members and one for friends.
Where Should You Hold The Bridal Shower?
The good news is, bridal showers can be held almost anywhere. The setting will depend on the style of the event and the budget of the hosts. You also need to consider the size of the guest list.
For example, if you want the event to be simple and low-key you can host it at someone’s home. You can also book a restaurant or an event venue that fits the theme. For a rustic bridal shower theme, consider a farm or barn setting just like the Forest Barn in Cavite or the Mango Farm in Rizal.
Garden settings are also romantic and a great location for picture taking! Take a look at Hill Creek Gardens in Tagaytay and Sampaguita Gardens in Quezon City.
How About The Gifts?
It’s good etiquette for guests who are invited to a bridal shower to bring a gift to congratulate the bride. Fortunately, bridal shower gifts are more modest than wedding gifts. Presents can be given according to the theme of the shower or according to the needs and wants of the bride.
How much to spend on the gift will depend on personal choice, as there is no required amount. It’s also not obligatory to send a gift if a guest can’t attend, but it’s nice to send one, especially if close to the bride.
Key Takeaway
One of the most important pre-wedding events is the bridal shower, and it’s most often hosted by the bridal party and close friends. You can keep it as low-key or as grand as you want because there are many venue options for you to choose from. The important thing here is to congratulate the bride on this momentous occasion with gifts, good food, and a great time together.
Now that you’ve learned more about bridal shower etiquette, feel free to send us a message if you have questions about catering. We can offer you a long list of menu options and also provide help when it comes to decorating. With our years of experience catering to famous clients, you won’t be disappointed after booking a tasting appointment with us.
