Planning a wedding is an exciting, yet often overwhelming experience for a bride. One of the many pre-wedding events that are usually hosted in honour of the bride-to-be is a bridal shower or a wedding shower. Although these two terms are used interchangeably, they are not exactly synonymous. In this post, we will dive into the differences between a wedding shower and a bridal shower to help you understand which type of celebration is right for you.
Understanding Bridal Showers
A bridal shower is a pre-wedding celebration that’s thrown by the bride’s family and friends. The purpose of a bridal shower is to “shower” the bride with gifts and love before her big day. It is an event that is typically exclusive to women, and involves girlfriends, mothers, sisters, aunts and female cousins.
While it’s a chance for the bride to socialize and have fun, the main focus of a bridal shower is to offer the bride’s family and friends the opportunity to gift her with items she will need in her new home. Bridal showers are often held during the day, and the attendees are given light refreshments such as finger foods, drink, and pastries.
Wedding Showers: What Are They?
Unlike bridal showers, wedding showers are a celebration of both the bride and the groom. It’s a chance for family and friends of the soon-to-be-married couple to shower them with love and gifts. The purpose of a wedding shower is to help the couple get prepared for their new life together.
So, while a bridal shower is exclusively for the bride, a wedding shower is a joint event that is open to guests of both the bride and groom. While bridal showers are typically held during the day, wedding showers can be held at any time. Wedding showers do, however, tend to be more formal.
The Differences Between Bridal Showers and Wedding Showers
Now that we’ve explained what both events are, let’s look more closely at the differences between them.
The Guest List
Bridal showers are typically women-only events, while wedding showers are co-ed events. That’s the main difference in terms of the guest list.
The Focus of the Event
The focus of a bridal shower is on the bride, her friends, and family members. The gifts given at a bridal shower are generally items that the bride will need for her new home. On the other hand, the focus of a wedding shower is on the bride and groom. The gifts given at a wedding shower are generally intended to help the couple start their lives together.
The Nature of the Event
Bridal showers are generally more relaxed and casual events that are often held during the day. They’re usually held at someone’s house where guests can comfortably gather for refreshments. Wedding showers, on the other hand, are typically more formal events that can be held at any time of day or in the evening.
Which Event Should You Have?
Deciding whether to have a bridal shower or a wedding shower is ultimately up to the couple. Some couples like to have both events, while others prefer to have just one or the other.
If the focus is just on the bride and her family and friends, then a bridal shower is the perfect choice. On the other hand, if your partner is also involved and the gifts should be more couples-focussed, then a wedding shower could be the better choice.
In Conclusion
In summary, although the terms “bridal shower” and “wedding shower” are sometimes used interchangeably, they are not the same thing. Bridal showers are exclusive to women and have a focus on the bride, while wedding showers celebrate both the bride and groom. Ultimately, the type of shower you decide to have depends on your personal preferences and what gifts will benefit you most as a couple. Whatever kind of shower you settle on, it’s a wonderful way to celebrate your upcoming nuptials with those you love.
FAQ
Can you do a wedding shower instead of a bridal shower?
Yes, you can certainly choose to have a wedding shower instead of a bridal shower. In fact, a wedding shower is becoming a more popular and inclusive option for couples who are getting married. Traditionally, a bridal shower is a pre-wedding celebration that is exclusively for the bride, where she gets together with her closest female friends and family members to celebrate and receive gifts. However, in today’s society, many couples are choosing to break with tradition and opt for a wedding shower instead.
A wedding shower is a more modern and inclusive take on the time-honored bridal shower. It is a pre-wedding celebration that includes both partners and is open to all friends and family members, regardless of gender. This type of shower allows the couple to celebrate their upcoming nuptials together and provides an opportunity for all of their loved ones to come together to shower them with gifts, love, and support.
One of the benefits of having a wedding shower instead of a bridal shower is that it is more appropriate for same-sex marriages where there is no traditional “bride.” A wedding shower allows same-sex couples to celebrate their partnership and upcoming wedding day together, without leaving anyone out or making anyone feel excluded.
Another benefit of having a wedding shower is that it allows the couple to receive gifts that they can use together in their new home or life together. In a traditional bridal shower, the gifts are typically geared towards the bride and her new life as a wife. With a wedding shower, the couple can receive gifts that they can both enjoy and use together, such as kitchen appliances, household items, or experience gifts like couples massages or a weekend getaway.
While a bridal shower is a lovely tradition, many couples are choosing to break with tradition and opt for a wedding shower instead. A wedding shower is a more modern, inclusive, and egalitarian way to celebrate the upcoming nuptials of a couple, regardless of their gender or other identities.
What is the purpose of wedding shower?
A wedding shower, also known as a bridal shower, is a pre-wedding celebration that typically takes place a few weeks before the wedding day. It is usually organized by the bridesmaids or close female family members and friends of the bride-to-be. The purpose of a wedding shower is to celebrate the upcoming wedding and to shower the bride with gifts, but there is much more to it than that.
One of the main reasons for having a wedding shower is to allow the bride-to-be’s family and friends to meet and mingle before the wedding day. Many guests who may not know each other or have not seen each other in a long time may attend the wedding shower. Consequently, the bridal shower is a great opportunity to bring everyone together to celebrate the bride-to-be, share stories, and get to know each other before they attend the wedding.
Although it is not necessary, many brides use the wedding shower as an opportunity to receive gifts that will be useful in their married life. Typically, the gifts given at a bridal shower are items that the bride has registered for, such as kitchen essentials, linens, or household items. The gifts that guests bring to the wedding shower are intended to help the bride and groom set up their home and start their life together.
Additionally, a wedding shower can be a great way to ease the financial burden for the couple before the wedding. Planning a wedding can be expensive, so any opportunity to receive help with costs is often appreciated. After all, wedding showers often involve lots of food, drinks, and decorations, which can save the couple both time and money.
The purpose of a wedding shower is to celebrate the bride-to-be and to provide a space for her family and friends to get to know each other before the wedding. Beyond that, the gifts given at a bridal shower can help the bride and groom set up their home and ease the financial burden of planning a wedding.
Who should not host a bridal shower?
According to traditional etiquette, there are a few individuals who should not host a bridal shower. Firstly, it is not suitable for the bride’s immediate family members, such as the mother of the bride, to host the bridal shower. Instead, it is considered appropriate for the maid of honor or the bride’s close friends to take on the role of the hostess.
Also, it is essential to keep in mind that the groom’s family or friends should not be excluded from the shower. Therefore, hosting a shower for the bride by the groom’s family or friends is not suggested, as it can raise some questions about the balance of responsibility and expectations between the two parties.
Additionally, it is not unusual for a coworker or a distant relative to show interest in hosting the shower, but this should be discussed with the maid of honor or the bride herself, and if possible, should be coordinated with her. After all, the shower is an event that is meant to celebrate the bride-to-be, and it is crucial to ensure that she feels comfortable with the individuals hosting it.
The maid of honor or the bride’s close friend is the appropriate person to host the bridal shower, while the groom’s family or friends should not host a bridal shower. It is also important to ensure that the bride-to-be is comfortable with the individuals hosting the shower and feels included in the planning process.