Most bridal showers are usually held three weeks to three months before the wedding. The trick is not to plan it too far in advance or too close to the wedding date.
In most cases, hosting the bridal shower between three weeks and five months before the wedding is ideal. With this time frame, guests have plenty of time to make arrangements to attend, and the planners have enough time to set up vendors.
We recommend starting to plan the bridal shower at least six months before the big day, and no less than four months out.
Typically, whoever throws the event is the one must cover the costs. Often, the maid of honor and her fellow bridesmaids throw the bridal shower and pay for it, and the mother of the bride contributes.
1) You don't have to have a shower and 2) Even if you decide not to have one, you won't feel all the FOMO. We all talked about it here, and though the majority of us did have bridal showers, none of us felt like a bridal shower MADE the bride. Like at all.
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.
That works out at $300 to $800 for a 20-person party but can go as high as $150 per person or $3,000 for a 20-person shower. Based on these estimates and an average bridal shower guest list of 35-50 people, a reasonable budget for a bridal shower is between $350 and $7,500.
With that being said, our experience shows us that the average number of guests at a bridal shower is about 25, with 20-30 being the average range. Ultimately, it's up to the bride and bridal shower host to make the final decision.
The budget expectation for a shower gift is less than what you would spend on the couple's wedding present. "Bridal shower gifts are not meant to be big-ticket presents. Think of them as tokens of congratulations," says Tami Claytor, etiquette coach at Always Appropriate. "I would recommend a $50-$75 price point."
A bridal shower is a more intimate gathering than a wedding and the guest list usually consists of the bride-to-be's closest female friends and relatives, including close relatives of the soon-to-be-bride's spouse.
The difference between bridal and wedding showers is pretty simple. The bridal shower is designed for just you and the girls while the wedding shower is a co-ed party where the bride and groom both get showered with gifts and love.
Bridal showers typically last 2-4 hours and are not considered an all-day event. Although, depending on the type of shower you are hosting the time can vary. Most showers will either take place in the morning and serve as a brunch, or in the afternoon served with lunch or finger foods.
Showers typically take place on a Saturday or Sunday anywhere from two months to three weeks before the wedding. The exact time of day will be up to your hosts, but they'll likely plan a brunch, a luncheon or an afternoon tea that lasts three to four hours.
This may seem obvious, but inviting people to the bridal shower if they are not invited to the wedding is inappropriate. It will likely offend them, and it looks very much so like you're pandering for gifts.
It's totally up to you and your fiancé to decide whether he will attend the bridal shower. Modern etiquette suggests that he show up toward the end of the shower to say hello and help stock up the car full of gifts.
The Average Cost of a Bridal Shower Gift
"Many people spend around $50 to $75, whereas closer friends and family may spend upwards of $100," she says. "However, the amount you want to spend is up to you."
Bridal Shower Guest List Size. An intimate bridal shower for 15 people is perfectly normal, as is a 50-person coed shower that feels more like a cocktail party. A variety of factors can influence the size of the guest list, such as: the shower location.
Traditionally, the mother of the bride doesn't 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.
First, keep in mind that bridal shower gifts tend to be less costly than wedding gifts. The average you should spend on a bridal shower gift is around $50 to $75. If you're especially close to the bride, you may spend upwards of $100. But no matter what, the amount you want to spend is up to you!
What does the Maid of Honor Pay for? As the main event planner and bride's right-hand gal or guy, the MOH is often the one who covers some of the bachelorette party expenses — extra fun additions like decorations, a stocked fridge, or first-class upgrade for the bride's flight (if you're feeling extra generous).
The bride's parents should cover venue hire and entertainment if applicable, and the cost of the food. Guests typically pay for their own drinks if there is a bar. Note that the engagement party is entirely separate from the hen night and stag night. The attendants share the cost of these.
Include the bride's faves.
For example, you could serve up her favorite foods and signature drink, decorate in (or wear) her favorite color or reference a film or book she loves in the theme and décor. It's a fun way to make the bride feel extra special on her big day.
A sprinkle is like a shower—but a little “lighter.” What's a Sprinkle? Sprinkles are often hosted for parents-to-be of second or third children, but can also be utilized for the firstborn. Instead of guests bringing large gifts, the gifts are usually on the smaller side—perhaps diapers, wipes or gift cards.
Just because the bride doesn't plan the shower herself doesn't mean that she's not involved in the planning process. Whoever the honor of shower planning falls to, the party planner will usually work with the bride to coordinate ideas, dates, and times for the shower.