Showers & Parties Etiquette
- Question:
- What, exactly, is the bridal luncheon, and who hosts it?
- Answer:
Traditionally, the bridal luncheon is a party that's hosted by the bride for her attendants. It usually takes place a day or two before the wedding, but it doesn't have to be an actual lunch—you could invite your bridesmaids to an at-home brunch or a champagne gathering at your favorite restaurant. The mother of the bride, as well as other close female relatives, often attend. It's the perfect time to distribute the bridesmaids' gifts.
- Should all of the bridesmaids attend the bachelorette party?
- How can I convince my bridesmaids to pay for a bachelorette weekend?
- Should my sisters plan my shower?
- When should I host my bridesmaids' lunch?
- Should we invite out-of-town family to the shower?
- Can I invite male friends to my bridal shower?
- Can I ask the best man to organize a bachelor party for my fiancé?
- Do I have to open gifts at the shower?
- Can I invite the same friends to more than one shower?
- Can I plan my own bachelorette party?
- Must my shower include the groom's sisters and mother?
- Can a mother-in-law host a shower?
- What's a bridal luncheon?
- Can I host my own shower?
- Must grandparents be invited to the rehearsal dinner?
- Can I invite friends to a shower but not the wedding?
- How formal is rehearsal dinner dress?
- Is a bridesmaids' luncheon a must?
Submit Your Own Etiquette Question
Have an etiquette question you'd like our editors to answer?
- Should we have an engagement party?
- Do guests expect a morning-after brunch?
- Are rehearsal dinners mandatory?
- Must all female guests get shower invites?
- Who pays for the shower?
- Can I ask my best friend to change the plans for my bachelorette party?
- Can the groom's dad attend the bachelor party?
- Should my fiancé treat his groomsmen to a pre-wedding baseball game and dinner?
- How do I tell my fiancé that I'm unhappy with his bachelor party plans?
- Should I invite my bridesmaids to all of my showers?
- Do I need to give a shower gift if I am hosting the bridal shower?
- Who pays for the bachelorette party?
- Can I ask shower guests to write their names and addresses down to help me write the thank-you notes?
- Do we have to invite my sister's boyfriend to the rehearsal dinner?
- Does my broke bridesmaid need to help pay for the shower?
- Should my man of honor plan my shower?
- Do I have to send a gift if I'm not attending the shower?
- Can I have shower guests fill out their addresses on the thank-you note envelopes?
- Do you have to have a shower theme? What is a wishing well?
- Do we have to invite shower guests to the wedding?
