Showers & Parties Etiquette
- Question:
- I feel very uncomfortable opening gifts in public. I never know what to say—and that's why I'm dreading my bridal shower. Is there any way to avoid the whole unwrapping ritual?
- Answer:
'Fraid not, since receiving gifts—and opening them—is the main focus of a shower. But don't worry: Even the shyest of brides can sail through the gift-wrap spectacle with a little pre-party planning. Figure out a few gracious stock responses that you can use after unwrapping each gift ("Thank you so much—I love it!" or "Oh, wow—how gorgeous!" are good ones); this will prevent you from fumbling for words. Next, recruit a witty friend who can think on her feet to sit beside you, oooh and ahhh where appropriate, and fill in any dead air in the case of an uncomfortable silence. Sharing the spotlight with someone should help you relax and enjoy raking in the loot.
- This content originally appeared in Brides magazine.
- Can I invite the same friends to more than one shower?
- Should my sisters plan my shower?
- Can the groom's dad attend the bachelor party?
- 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 ask my best friend to change the plans for my bachelorette party?
- Should all of the bridesmaids attend the bachelorette party?
- When should I host my bridesmaids' lunch?
- Should we have an engagement party?
- How formal is rehearsal dinner dress?
- Can a mother-in-law host a shower?
- Are rehearsal dinners mandatory?
Submit Your Own Etiquette Question
Have an etiquette question you'd like our editors to answer?
- Who pays for the shower?
- Do guests expect a morning-after brunch?
- Can I ask shower guests to write their names and addresses down to help me write the thank-you notes?
- Must grandparents be invited to the rehearsal dinner?
- Can I invite friends to a shower but not the wedding?
- 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?
- Can I plan my own bachelorette party?
- Must my shower include the groom's sisters and mother?
- What's a bridal luncheon?
- Can I host my own shower?
- How can I convince my bridesmaids to pay for a bachelorette weekend?
- Must all female guests get shower invites?
- Is a bridesmaids' luncheon a must?
- Who pays for the bachelorette party?
- Do we have to invite my sister's boyfriend to the rehearsal dinner?
- Should I invite my bridesmaids to all of my showers?
