| When your best gal pals put together
a fun-filled bridal shower for you, it’s your job to show
them how much you appreciate all their hard work. Contrary to popular
belief, your friends are not required to give you a shower. With
that in mind, it’s only fair that you show your appreciation
by putting time and effort into a heartfelt thanks.
You’ll want to give the fabulous person who organized your
shower more than just a “Hey, thanks a lot,” or even
a fancy store-bought thank you card. A lovely gift with a personal
note in your own handwriting will really show her how much you appreciate
everything she’s done.
It is considered tacky to organize your own bridal shower. The purpose
of the shower is for you to be “showered” with gifts
by your friends and family. A gift-giving event like this should
never be thrown by the gift recipient. It’s also not a good
idea to request that your friends give you a shower.
You should never ask your guests to bring gifts. The polite thing
to do is create a registry at a local store. Your registry shouldn’t
be listed in the shower invitations, but written on a separate card
or slip of paper and included in the envelope. These days, many
registries can be viewed online. If that is the case, be sure to
list the web address for your registry to give your friends easy
access.
It is important to thank all of your guests for attending your shower.
Thank you cards are always a good idea, but you should also thank
each and every one of your guests in person at the shower.
Your shower guests should only be those whom you plan to invite
to your wedding. Otherwise, it looks like you’re only inviting
them so you can receive more gifts, which would be considered rude
and very tacky. For your co-workers and colleagues, a separate party
at the office is acceptable, but whomever you invite to your official
shower should also be invited to your wedding.
Bachelor/Bachelorette Parties
A bachelorette party is a fun last fling for the bride-to-be and
her female friends. The groom traditionally has a bachelor party,
while the bride has either a bachelorette party or a shower (not
both). In recent years, it has become trendy to merge both the bride’s
party and the groom’s party into one event known as a “Jack
and Jill Shower.” These parties involve all of the happy couple’s
friends, both male and female. When planning a Jack and Jill Shower,
you must remember to include activities that both the guys and the
girls will enjoy. This means that you will have to leave the raunchy
party games for another girls’ night out. These would not
be appropriate at a co-ed shower.
Whichever type of event you choose to celebrate your wedding, follow
these few simple guidelines and your party will be a blast for you
and your guests.
|
