Bridal Shower Etiquette

When you are preparing to get married, a bridal shower is a way to help the bride transition into her new role as a wife; the gifts are intended to help her set up her new home. It can provide an exciting, memorable and joyful experience, but nothing that can spoil it quite like a ghastly faux pas. However, it is possible to avoid them by learning about bridal shower etiquette.

Invitations and payment

Because the invitations usually contain registry information, the bride should never send the invitations for the bridal shower; that responsibility belongs to the hostess. Where money is concerned, a hostess can ask friends to share the costs; a bride should never have to pay for her own shower. In addition, everyone invited to the shower must also get an invitation to the wedding. It is usually customary to invite only women, but more and more couples these days are having wedding showers for both the bride and groom.

The bridal registry

This is one of the most delicate areas of etiquette. The bridal registry gifts are intended to help the bride set up her new home; therefore it is considered tacky to ask for personal gifts like a new pair of shoes. The hostess and the bride set up the registry; the invitation should state whether or not guests should bring gifts. The bride should never expect gifts as a right, only as a token of congratulations.

The date

It is usually customary to hold the bridal shower about two to three months before the actual date so that the bride has time to worry about other things as the date approaches.

A bridal shower is a display of elegance while close friends and family offer congratulations. There is nothing more important than proper etiquette before, during and after a bridal shower.