| While showers have evolved and become more | | | | to her and see how she feels about having a |
| relaxed in recent years, there are still certain rules | | | | shower in her honor so close to the wedding. She |
| of bridal shower etiquette that should be | | | | may think this is fine if most of her friends will be |
| observed in order to avoid offending anyone. | | | | able to be in attendance at that time. |
| Since there will be a variety of groups there - | | | | There has been an uncomfortable trend in recent |
| friends, family and coworkers in most cases - it's | | | | years for large showers with nearly everyone the |
| important to understand how everyone should | | | | bride knows invited. This is not what the bridal |
| interact. Especially in the case of family, mothers | | | | shower is supposed to be. A bridal shower is |
| and grandmothers can place a great deal of | | | | supposed to be a small, intimate gathering of the |
| importance on proper bridal shower etiquette, so | | | | bride's closest friends and family. Proper bridal |
| make sure you know what the "rules" are! | | | | shower etiquette dictates a group of no more |
| The Maid of Honor is usually the person expected | | | | than ten to twenty guests. |
| to plan and organize the bridal shower. If she lives | | | | The guest list should include the wedding party, |
| out of town, however, it's fine for someone else | | | | the mothers of the bride and groom, sisters of |
| to do the honors. Don't take over without | | | | the bride and groom, and the bride's closest |
| checking with her, though. It is her privilege, and | | | | friends and/or coworkers. It shouldn't include |
| you should always ask her before assuming | | | | every female invited to the wedding. |
| anything. If you are going to do it for her, make | | | | Finally, bridal shower etiquette means being sure |
| sure you keep her as involved as she would like | | | | to include the wedding party and the mothers in |
| to be through frequent emails and phone calls. | | | | the shower itself in some way. Ask each person |
| Bridal shower etiquette traditionally says that a | | | | to take on some responsibility, whether it is |
| shower should be at least four to six weeks | | | | recording a list of the gifts and givers as they are |
| before the wedding. This is for purely practical | | | | opened or organizing the group for games. This |
| reasons - the bride is going to be too busy any | | | | will make everyone feel they've been part of this |
| closer to the ceremony - but if she's coming | | | | special day. |
| home only two weeks before the wedding, talk | | | | |