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Bridal showers (and bachelorette parties, for that matter) are notoriously girls-only soirees. When a bride counts several men among her closest friends, that equation changes a bit. Are male friends ever allowed at a bridal shower? Our wedding etiquette experts are here to answer your bridal party questions in our daily post.

Is it okay to invite my best male friends to my bridal shower?

Of course. But even men who are super in touch with their feminine sides would probably run screaming from the room if forced to endure a traditional shower, complete with girly games and an abundance of pink ribbon. A hipper, more inviting option is a coed party where, along with the usual female suspects, the groom, his male buddies, and assorted husbands and boyfriends congregate for a meal. Serve grown-up drinks like martinis and margaritas, and lose the lingerie in favor of fun presents with a his-and-hers theme. For example, the groom gets grilling tools; the bride gets a hammock. Another great group gift is a set of luggage for the honeymoon. Crank up the music and make sure someone's got a digital camera on hand. As long as you mix things up, everyone will have a blast at this all-inclusive party.

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While it's usually the maid of honor or bridesmaids' responsibility to organize the bachelorette party, it's less clear who should pay for the festivities. Our wedding etiquette experts are here to answer your party planning questions in our daily post.

Who pays for the bachelorette party?

The bachelorette party is one event where the hosts aren't necessarily expected to foot the bill for everyone. In fact, the hosts are often more "organizers" than traditional hosts; they take charge of getting a group of friends together for a night out. Typically, everyone chips in to cover the cost of the bride's food and any drinks, since she's the one being honored. Any arrangement you come up with for funding the evening is fine—just be sure that everyone knows what to expect before the night begins.

If the event is more of a classic party being hosted by one or a few people at a single venue, then the traditional rules of hosting apply: the hosts covers all of the costs: food, drinks, decorations and any party favors.

While gifts aren't usually given at bachelorette parties, it is popular to give the bride an inexpensive little something to commemorate the evening—usually a token like a T-shirt (or perhaps a more intimate garment) saying "Bride-to be" or "Taken." In this case, the group usually either decides on a gift together and all chip in, or one person takes the initiative and pays for it herself.

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From the rehearsal dinner to the post-wedding brunch, weddings are often whole-weekend affairs—but who should host what? Our wedding etiquette experts are here to answer your entertaining questions in our daily post.

Who is supposed to take care of the post-wedding brunch? My parents assumed his parents would pay for it, but they haven't said a word!

When it comes to any post-wedding festivities, there are no rules. Time is of the essence, though, so you need to address the issue now. If you were expecting his parents to pay, have your fiancé ask them directly. If they decline, you'll have to figure out another plan, and perhaps host the gathering yourselves. And remember, the brunch menu can be as simple and inexpensive as bagels and coffee for your nearest and dearest and the out-of-towners.

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Engagement parties: Wise tradition than a wasteful expense? Our wedding etiquette experts are here to answer your engagement party questions in our daily post.

Do we have to have an engagement party?

You aren't required to have an engagement party, but it isn't a bad idea. Often it's the perfect opportunity to introduce parents and attendants to each other before the wedding. And don't think you're doomed to a stuffy cocktail party. Anything goes when it comes to engagement parties—from backyard barbecues to clam bakes—so make it as laid-back as you want.

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Photo: Style Art Life

Taking the "girls only" sign off of your bridal party can make things a little tricky. Is he invited to the bachelorette party? What does he help plan? Our etiquette experts are here to answer your man of honor-related questions in our daily post.

Instead of a maid of honor, I'm having a man of honor. Is he supposed to plan my shower?

We're assuming all of your attendants are running this part of the show. If so, yes, he should absolutely help plan and attend. (In these cases, the bridal party may opt to host a coed shower.) If he's accepted the man of honor role, he's probably expecting to participate, and if you've given him the leading wedding-party position, you should let him step up.

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Photo: Courtesy of La Prairie

A spa-themed bridal shower is not only a delightfully indulgent way to toast the bride-to-be, it's a great way for the bridal party to bond amid the frenzy of wedding planning. We asked our Beauty Director, Dana Wood, to suggest the best places across America to host a blowout weekend of relaxation, reflexology or anything involving mud. From a wine-themed "vinotherapie" spa in New York to a Napa hotel famous for its mud treatments, here are nine amazing locations to unwind before the wedding.

Browse the best spa locations to host a bridal shower in the full slideshow.

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If you're recently engaged, you're likely daunted by all the events you're expected to plan—and that's not even counting the wedding. We're here to answer all your pressing engagement party, bridal shower, and bachelorette party etiquette questions.

I don't like the plans my Maid of Honor made for my bachelorette party (I'd rather go clubbing than hit the spa). Can I ask her to change them?

You can't, without sounding like a bridezilla. Look forward to all the pampering (trust me, the closer your wedding day gets, the more you'll appreciate that peach-scented foot massage), but let your friend know that you'd like to wind up the day by taking the whole group out for drinks and dancing at a trendy club. (Be prepared to pick up the tab—it's the decent thing to do, since the other girls are shelling out for the spa.) This way, you'll be able to get both your pampering and your partying on.

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If you're recently engaged, you're likely daunted by all the events you're expected to plan—and that's not even counting the wedding. We're here to answer all your pressing engagement party, bridal shower, and bachelorette party etiquette questions.

I want a bachelorette weekend in Vegas, but the bridesmaids say they can't afford it. How do I get them to pony up?

First, this isn't your event to plan—your maid of honor and bridesmaids do that. Second, unless that kind of bachelorette party is routine in your crowd, you're out of line. What you can do is suggest a Vegas-style "getaway" closer to home. You could book a couple of local hotel rooms, get dressed up, rent a limo and go out for drinks and dinner. Vegas is also great for a honeymoon, so put your chips in that basket instead.

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If you're recently engaged, you're likely daunted by all the events you're expected to plan—and that's not even counting the wedding. That's why we're here to answer all your pressing engagement party, bridal shower, and bachelorette party etiquette questions.

Who should plan my bridal shower?

Let's start with who should not do it. Traditionally, close relatives (your mom and sisters) do not host the bridal shower, as this can be perceived as the family asking for gifts. But it doesn't mean that they can't help organize it—just make sure their names aren't on the invitation. Your bridesmaids and sisters should join forces, choosing one person to spearhead the shower effort. Enlist your mom to nudge the proceedings along, so that you can retain an air of blissful ignorance.

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Do you have to have an engagement party? Who is supposed to pay for your bachelorette fête? If you're recently engaged, you're likely daunted by all the events you're expected to plan—and that's not even counting the wedding. We're here to answer all your pressing engagement party, bridal shower, and bachelorette party etiquette questions!

Only two of my bridesmaids can go to my girls' weekend in Vegas. Should I say something to the three who are bailing?

This is one of those times when silence is golden. Your maids are probably skipping the Vegas getaway because of financial issues, work obligations or time constraints. Truth is, these kinds of weekends are really difficult to pull off even for the most loyal friends. Talking to them about their decision not to go would only make all of you feel uncomfortable. Instead, schedule some local fun with the girls who can't leave town.

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Just when you think reality TV's skeeviest bachelor can't get any skeevier... he joins the Chippendales all-male revue in Las Vegas. Former Bachelor, Bachelor Pad, and Dancing With The Stars alum Jake Pavelka won't strip down with the tuxedo-collared dancers, but, starting in late February, Pavelka will host the show for four weeks.

"You know, I've always loved the idea of a live audience," Pavelka told The Hollywood Reporter. "I look at this opportunity to stretch my limits as a performer. I don't want to limit myself based on fear of backlash. Hosting a live show is something I have always dreamed of doing and now I get to."

Unfortunately for the hoards of bachelorette parties that will undoubtedly flock to the show, Pavelka is adamant that he's leaving the pec popping and bun locking to the professionals—unlike The Vow star Channing Tatum, whose former exotic dancing career inspired Steven Soderbergh's forthcoming film Magic Mike, in which Tatum co-stars with Matt Bomer and Matthew McConaughey.

We'll be skipping Pavelka's turn as a Chippendale, but any movie with three shirtless A-listers requires our immediate attendance. Like, pre-paid tickets to the midnight screening immediate attendance. See you there!

—Phillip B. Crook

Photos: courtesy of Modnitsa Atelier

Not interested in the same old (read: lame) bachelorette party options? Try a jewelry-design class instead. New York-based image stylist Dina Rudman offers such a class through the jewelry design division of her company Modnitsa Atelier, located in midtown Manhattan. During a one-hour, hands-on workshop, an expert instructor will give a brief overview of color theory, examine elements of design, and guide students through the proper techniques for constructing their own pieces. Then you and your gals will create your own stylish custom earrings or necklaces using semi-precious stones. Perhaps you can treat your gals as a bridesmaid gift—and maybe they can even design their own jewelry for the wedding day. One hour classes cost $85.

We smell a guilt-free shopping spree: During the month of October, whenever you buy lust-worthy goodies (Nina! Jessica Simpson! Delicate Raymond!) via ideeli.com/bride, the site will donate a portion of the proceeds to Operation Smile and Dress for Success, BRIDES' White Hot charity partners. Bonus: All those bridesmaids' tees and gear (hello, bachelorette party!) are priced at up to 80 percent off. Better start browsing—the deal ends soon.

—Jackie Lebowitz, Assistant Managing Editor, BRIDES magazine

Photos: via Gilt City

Sugar junkies will be keen on this alternative bachelorette party idea: Mia Chef Gelateria, a stylish gelato cafe in New York City's Kips Bay neighborhood, offers two-hour gelato-making workshops in their professional kitchen. You and your pals will learn the centuries-old art of making four different flavors of the creamy Italian dessert. (Mia is known for their inventive gelato flavors, like chocolate whiskey, figs-and-tequila, and lemon-raspberry cheesecake.) At the end of the course, everyone gets to take home four pints of the sweet stuff—one of each flavor you've made. Mia Chef Gelateria Academy can accommodate groups of up to ten, and group discounts are given (classes are regularly $120 per person). For more information on booking, visit gelatomia.com or call 212-889-8727. —Lauren Matthews

Photos: Courtesy of Lauren Matthews

One of my very best friends is getting married this weekend, so I thought now might be a good time to share some details from the bachelorette party I planned for her—hopefully it will help spark some ideas for any bridesmaids out there planning a California bachelorette getaway!

We decided to head to Lake Tahoe, where my family owns a vacation home. The whole weekend was kept pretty low-key since my friend is not the tequila-shots-and-male-strippers type, but I wanted to make Saturday night extra special, so I got in touch with the folks at the Hyatt Regency Lake Tahoe Resort. The hotel has its own private lakefront beach and 55-foot catamaran, the Sierra Cloud, which I booked us all on for a two-hour lake cruise ($60 per person). It was a total blast—the front part of the boat is made up of trampoline-like material, so you can see right through to the water below. The staff was super friendly, and kept the fruit, cheese, beer, and wine flowing throughout the cruise.

Afterward, we headed into the Lone Eagle Grille, the hotel's lakeside restaurant, to enjoy cocktails and a decadent dinner while watching the sun set. The whole evening was a fabulous success, if I do say so myself—and not a tequila shot or a male stripper in sight! Mission accomplished. For more information on booking a catamaran cruise and/or dinner at the Lone Eagle Grille, contact the Hyatt Regency Lake Tahoe's concierge at 775-832-1234 ext. 51. —Lauren Matthews

P.S. Want to know what it really costs to be a bridesmaid? We asked five bridesmaids to tabulate their expenses. Click here to read the full story.