Who All Hosts A Bridal Shower For The Bride?

The traditional host of a bridal shower is usually the maid of honor, who is responsible for planning the event from choosing a venue to sending out invitations and planning games. However, the entire bridal party should be involved in planning and celebration. Bridal showers are typically held between two weeks to two months before the wedding, with invitations sent six to eight weeks before the event.

The host is responsible for paying for the bridal shower, but anyone who offers can host it. A lingerie shower involves the bride-to-be’s closest friends coming together to gift sexy undies, cute sleepwear, and naughty toys. Fun games, girly giggling, delicious drinks, and tasty treats can liven up the event.

A bridal shower is a pre-wedding gathering where close family and friends of the bride “shower” her with affection, advice, amusement, and support. Traditionally, guests give the bride gifts that will help establish her newly married life. However, the responsibility of hosting and paying for the bridal shower now tends to fall on the maid of honor and bridal party.

If no one has offered to host the shower, the bride can ask someone to host it. However, she should consider the circumstances, relationships, and who volunteers to host a shower. The traditional bridal shower was traditionally hosted by the bride’s friends, not the mother of the bride or her future mother-in-law. Nowadays, couples are leaning away from surprise showers and instead host showers for both the bride and groom.

Who hosts bridal shower for bride?

The maid of honor Traditional etiquette dictates that the maid of honor—not the mother of the bride—should host the shower. Nancy is a freelance writer for MarthaStewart.com. Some etiquette rules were meant to fade away into oblivion, like the one about family members of the bride not hosting her bridal shower.

Traditional etiquette dictates that the maid of honor—not the mother of the bride—should host the shower.

Some etiquette rules were meant to fade away into oblivion, like the one about family members of the bride not hosting her bridal shower. Thats right: Every shower youve attended that was hosted by the mother of the bride actually broke with traditional etiquette—who knew? The concern with having a familial host was that, since the party is all about people bringing, or showering, the bride with gifts, it was considered tacky for her family to be asking for presents.

In modern times, however, many people other than the maid of honor have taken on the role of bridal party host. And were here to tell you theres nothing tacky about loved ones hosting a shower. Anyone whos close to the bride, including her mother, sister, aunt, cousin, even her grandma, can host. Here, we explore the choices.

Does the mother of the bride do the bridal shower?

Who Should Host The Bridal Shower?. Wondering whose responsibility it is to host the shower? Gottsman says the bridal party. Under optimum circumstances, the attendants in the bridal party would host the shower, said Gottsman.

According to Gottsman, the mother of the bride (MOB) should be a guest, but should not participate. There are some circumstances where the MOB would discreetly offer financial assistance, but request to keep her name off the invitation, said Gottsman. Another circumstance where the mother of the bride or mother of the groom may host the shower is when grandparents cant visit due to health or illness, and the family wants to hold a small celebration they can be a part of as well.

Who Is Responsible For Paying For The Shower?. Those who are hosting the shower are responsible for paying for the shower costs. This might include venue costs, the hosts gifts, decorations, food, beverages, and other event expenses.

Can The Bride Ask Someone To Host If No One Has Offered To Host?. Yes, the bride can ask someone to host her bridal shower if no one has offered to host yet, but there are a few things she should consider before doing so. Sometimes, hosts will surprise the bride with a shower. So the bride should make sure that no surprise showers are in the works before asking someone to host.

Should the mother of the groom host a bridal shower?

The bride should also give close friends and family time to offer to host before asking to avoid an awkward conversation. If there are no plans for a shower two months in advance of the wedding, it is safe for the bride to go ahead and ask her maid of honor to host a shower for her.

If the bridal party is not able to host the shower for financial reasons, the bride may ask her mother or the mother of the groom to host the shower.

Is It Acceptable For A Bride to Turn Down a Host?. Yes. If the bride has several showers already organized on her behalf, she can politely let her friend know that she appreciates her offer, but would prefer her friend attend one of the multiple showers already in progress, said Gottsman. She can also suggest her friend join in as a host at one of the showers already being planned on her behalf.

What If Someone Who Wasnt Originally Invited To The Wedding Offers To Host?. The bride would have to be honest and let her know. She could say something like, I appreciate your kind offer, but unfortunately, we are not able to invite everyone we would like to our wedding. I would feel uncomfortable allowing you to throw me a shower when I cant include you on the guest list. Please know that I plan on having you over to dinner once we are settled in our new home. The bottom line is there just is no way around some of these uncomfortable situations except to tell the truth, said Gottsman.

Does the groom’s family host a bridal shower?

Bridal Shower Etiquette. Bridal showers are typically thrown by the brides side of the family or the bridal party. The mother of the groom, along with the grooms side of the family, are typically also invited to the bridal shower. Couples showers are becoming more popular, though its also common for the groom to not attend these events.

Typically, as per tradition, the mother of the groom will bring a gift for the bride to the bridal shower. It can be something small and thoughtful. However, if she cannot attend the shower the brides side of the family hosts, maybe because of distance, she can host her own. Just run it by the bride to see if shell be okay with this.

Final Takeaway. Remember, as the mother of the groom, the best way to help your loving son on his big day is to ask how you can be the most helpful.

Who typically throws a bridal shower for the bride?

Today, its common for the maid of honor or matron of honor — sometimes in conjunction with the mother of the bride — to plan the shower. However, the bridesmaids, wedding party, and the brides family can all pitch in if necessary.

Another modern trend is to make bridal showers gender inclusive. This is what we call a “wedding shower,” a celebration where everyone is welcome and invited to partake in the festivities.

Key Takeaway: Many bridal showers are a collaboration between the maid of honor (or plural maid of honors) and the mother of the bride. Yet, no “rules” prohibit close family members, the wedding party, and friends from helping.

How Much Does a Typical Bridal Shower Cost?. Photo: Bella Bridesmaids Oklahoma City/Shelbi Jo.

How many hosts for a bridal shower?

Typically, the bridal shower is hosted by the mother of the bride, the maid of honor or the matron of honor, Swann says. Alternatively, the bridal party may come together to host the bridal shower for their friend. Theres also the possibility of another close family member or friend hosting the shower (think: a stepmom, an aunt or a mentor). One more practical consideration for the shower hosting duty is location—especially with loved ones in multiple regions.

Heres a quick rundown of who plans the bridal shower, but keep in mind that its different for every couple—and these days, you should do whatever works best for your own relationship.

Maid of Honor or Wedding Party. If the wedding party includes a maid of honor, shes usually the one to kickstart the conversation about planning the bridal shower (including how much the bridal shower costs). The maid of honor should initiate the process by first checking with the bride or couple to see what their preferences are. Next, they should reach out to the brides mother or close family to understand those expectations, followed by the wedding party members.

Should a sister-in-law host a bridal shower?

Answer: Tradition says that a shower shouldnt be thrown by the brides immediate relatives, including future in-laws, because it might give the impression that youre asking for gifts.

Whose bridal shower?

A bridal shower is typically planned by the mother of the bride, the maid (or matron) of honor, the bridal party, or another close relative or friend of the bride. In all cases, whoever plans and hosts the event often pays for it.

While the bride-to-be does not plan all of the logistics of her bridal shower, she may weigh in on the guest list, location, and any games and activities she does (or does not) want at her shower.

The bridal shower guests mainly include the brides closest friends and family. There can also be guests from her future spouses side if she is close to them as well, but its not required. Though bridal showers are traditionally women-only events, many brides-to-be now prefer a more gender-inclusive guest list. The party planners may also denote in the invitation whether or not guests may bring their children.

Does the mother of the bride throw the bridal shower?

Traditionally, the mother of the bride doesnt host the bridal shower (the maid of honor typically assumes the chief shower-planning role), however, your daughter will likely want you to be a part of the celebration.

Mother Of The Bride Etiquette & Duties. A step-by-step guide to whats expected of the mother of the bride.

Now that you’ve shared in the joy of your daughter’s engagement, it’s time to start preparing for her big day. Not sure what responsibilities come with being the mother of the bride? This comprehensive guide to mother-of-the-bride duties and etiquette outlines your key role in the wedding, from how to lend your daughter a hand before the wedding, to what you should expect on the wedding day.

Photo credit: @facibenifotografia via @vogueweddings.

Do mothers of bride host a bridal shower?

Traditionally, the mother of the bride doesnt host the bridal shower (the maid of honor typically assumes the chief shower-planning role), however, your daughter will likely want you to be a part of the celebration.

Mother Of The Bride Etiquette & Duties. A step-by-step guide to whats expected of the mother of the bride.

Now that you’ve shared in the joy of your daughter’s engagement, it’s time to start preparing for her big day. Not sure what responsibilities come with being the mother of the bride? This comprehensive guide to mother-of-the-bride duties and etiquette outlines your key role in the wedding, from how to lend your daughter a hand before the wedding, to what you should expect on the wedding day.

Photo credit: @facibenifotografia via @vogueweddings.

Does the mother of the bride host the bridal shower?

Traditionally, the mother of the bride doesnt host the bridal shower (the maid of honor typically assumes the chief shower-planning role), however, your daughter will likely want you to be a part of the celebration.

Mother Of The Bride Etiquette & Duties. A step-by-step guide to whats expected of the mother of the bride.

Now that you’ve shared in the joy of your daughter’s engagement, it’s time to start preparing for her big day. Not sure what responsibilities come with being the mother of the bride? This comprehensive guide to mother-of-the-bride duties and etiquette outlines your key role in the wedding, from how to lend your daughter a hand before the wedding, to what you should expect on the wedding day.

Photo credit: @facibenifotografia via @vogueweddings.

Should the mother of the bride host a bridal shower?

Traditionally, the mother of the bride doesnt host the bridal shower (the maid of honor typically assumes the chief shower-planning role), however, your daughter will likely want you to be a part of the celebration.

Mother Of The Bride Etiquette & Duties. A step-by-step guide to whats expected of the mother of the bride.

Now that you’ve shared in the joy of your daughter’s engagement, it’s time to start preparing for her big day. Not sure what responsibilities come with being the mother of the bride? This comprehensive guide to mother-of-the-bride duties and etiquette outlines your key role in the wedding, from how to lend your daughter a hand before the wedding, to what you should expect on the wedding day.

Photo credit: @facibenifotografia via @vogueweddings.