Bridal Shower Etiquette

Image by Ari Blackthorne

Let’s discuss bridal shower etiquette. Generally, the showers should last between three and four hours, any longer than that the guests may feel restless. 

It is the hostess responsibility to keep the afternoon or evening moving smoothly.

If you have planned a surprise shower, you should ask the guests to arrive a least half an hour before the bride is expected so that they can all yell “Surprise” and welcome her. When the bride has arrived, she should mingle with her guests.

By the time this is done it should be time to have the meal served. When everyone has finished eating, the bride should be seated at the front end of the room where everyone can see her as she opens her gifts.

The bridesmaids can help her by passing the gifts to the bride and recording each gift and who gave it. A bridesmaid can be designated to collect the bows and ribbons from the gifts and makes them into a “bouquet” by attaching them to a paper plate.

The bride can then carry this at the wedding rehearsal. While the bride is opening her gifts the dessert and coffee and tea are served. Once the dessert and the gift-opening are completed the guests will then begin to leave.

The bride can have input into who will be invited to her bridal shower, but because the Matron of Honor/Bridesmaids (or other persons) pay for the bridal shower, the budget and number of guests is ultimately up to them.

If you are the guest of honor (and the shower is not a surprise) it is polite to give your hosts a small gift of thanks. This could be done in advance (you may like to send her some flowers before the shower), or bring a small gift with you on the day. Also, send a hand written thank you note to your hosts