Who is supposed to be invited to a bridal shower?

[SDbeachgirl]

My MOH is throwing me a bridal shower. I believe this is the only one I will have. Who should be invited? Is it expected that all women who are invited to the wedding should be invited to the shower? I'm just not sure what the proper etiquette is.

[debbmach]

With the weddings in my family we only invite family members (including extended family) and close friends, we don't invite all the other wedding guests. We also usually make it a small affair at have it at someone's house. On the other hand, I've been to some showers that are like mini weddings and where all the females that have been invited to the wedding are present. I guess it really depends on what you want. Do you want only those that are close to you present or do you want everyone there?

Good luck with your decision!

[SusieQ]

I disagree... I think anyone that has been has been apart of your life should be given the opportunity to wish you well in your wedding day. This is my second marriage and things are more low keyed, however I had a huge shower at my first wedding. I had a teacher from grade school that came. Showers I think should be more open to people that are not invited.... my 2 cents

[loua4]

Hi I have to agree with SusieQ.

All the women that have been invited to your wedding and all the women who have been close to you while you grew-up should be invited to have the chance to wish you well, and if that means you have to have more than one shower then that is how it should be. Plus those who are not invited but want to share in your happiness may want to go as well.

[Outdoor_girl1010]

I am inviting life long friends that weren't invited to the wedding (we only invited 20), but they will be invited to the AHR. Its all on what you want.

[Jess]

I don't think bridal showers should be that large...if you invited every girl who you invited to your wedding it may be too much for the host. At mine I just had family and close friends

[Erika J]

We invited every female that was invited to the wedding, but we did not have a large guest list.

 

I did not feel comfortable going outside of the females invited to the wedding as I thought it would look as if I were fishing for gifts.

[*Nadine*]

I agree with jesse and erika. If someone is not invited to your wedding than i dont think they should be on the invite list for the shower.. My shower was also small wtih just family and close friends-not every female invited to the wedding.

[Raykel]

I think you go by your wedding guest list and then decide who is closest to you from there. If you google the etiquette all the sites say it is a no no to invite people who are not invited to the wedding. The exceptions to that would be if your co-workers were not invited but decided to have a shower for you, etc. At the end of the day though, I think it is up to you - if you want to invite people not invited to the wedding then that is your call. Good luck and I hope you have fun!

[SDbeachgirl]

Thanks. It is interesting to read everyone's different views. I will probably not invite those who were not invited to the wedding. But I'm wondering if I would invite friends of my FI's mom who I don't know all that well but who are good friends of hers and have known my FI and were invited to the wedding...Also, do I invite all of the women (aunts and cousins) on FI's side? I don't mind inviting them, but feel that this could get quite expensive for my MOH who is throwing the shower. If it is etiquite that you do...then I will certainly do it. Just wanted to know where I draw the line. I would imagine this question would also result in a variety of responses based on everyone's opinions. But that's ok...it is good to read.

 

Thanks everyone!