Can One of the Bride's Relative Host the Bridal Shower? (2024)

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Can One of the Bride's Relative Host the Bridal Shower? (1)

Some etiquette rules were meant to fade away into oblivion, like the one about family members of the bride not hosting her bridal shower. That's right: Every shower you've 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 we're here to tell you there's nothing tacky about loved ones hosting a shower. Anyone who's close to the bride, including her mother, sister, aunt, cousin, even her grandma, can host. Here, we explore the choices.

Mom

For years, while the maid of honor and maybe even the bridesmaids were acting as hosts and getting all the glory, the mothers of the bride were, in fact, the shower's silent partner—banker, really—and were responsible for making all of the party arrangements and paying most, if not all, of the bills. Let her step into the spotlight she deserves. Now, many mothers of the bride plan their daughter's shower and list themselves as the host on the invitations.

Sister

She's most likely the maid of honor or a bridesmaid, so she fits right in as part of the group that most often hosts a bridal shower. Plus, having the bride's sister host means she'll be able to manage the bulk of the guest list on her own—she already know which family members should be involved.

Aunt

Everyone's got a favorite aunt, and the bride's happens to be more than thrilled to be hosting her niece's bridal shower. Expect a few extended family members to be added to the guest list, though.

Cousin

Many brides are so close to a cousin that they consider her more like a sister. If she finds out that the bridesmaids can't handle planning a bridal shower, either financially or because of other commitments, she's the one to come to the rescue and prepare for hosting duties.

Grandma

She may have to be talked into the hosting role—she's only familiar with the no-relative rule—but once she's been convinced no one will be outraged, she'll be happy to create a memorable shower for her beloved granddaughter.

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Can One of the Bride's Relative Host the Bridal Shower? (2024)

FAQs

Can One of the Bride's Relative Host the Bridal Shower? ›

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

Who is supposed to host a bridal shower for the bride? ›

The maid of honor traditionally takes on the role of chief shower planner. But she isn't a one-woman show: She relies on the bridesmaids to help her with planning logistics. On the day of, the girls run the party, making sure everything goes smoothly and that guests are taken care of.

Should an aunt host a bridal shower? ›

According to tradition, a shower shouldn't be thrown by the bride's immediate relatives, such as her mother, future mother-in-law, or sister, since it may leave an impression that they're asking for gifts. But this is changing and it's perfectly acceptable for a family member to host a shower these days.

Who not to invite to a bridal shower? ›

Don't Invite Anyone to the Bridal Shower If They're Not Also Invited to the Wedding. 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.

Does the mother of the bride speak at the bridal shower? ›

As the mother of the bride, you've likely been tasked with giving a speech not only at your daughter's wedding, but also at her bridal shower. This is a great opportunity to truly highlight your daughter and speak about the relationship you two share.

Can a sister host a bridal shower? ›

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

Who should not throw a bridal shower? ›

Answer: Tradition says that a shower shouldn't be thrown by the bride's immediate relatives, including future in-laws, because it might give the impression that you're asking for gifts.

Can family host a bridal shower? ›

Today, while it's still a faux pas for an engaged couple to throw their own shower, pretty much anyone else can host one. Family members frequently step in to host showers, especially when common sense dictates such a solution.

How much should an aunt give for a bridal shower? ›

The standard amount to spend on a bridal shower gift is around $50-$75. If you're invited to a bridal shower but not particularly close with the bride, expect to spend at least $25. Regular friends, co-workers, or distant family members should consider spending up to $75 if they have the budget to spare.

Is it appropriate for the mother of the bride to host a shower? ›

Today, it's extremely common and perfectly acceptable for anyone—including the bride's mom—to host this celebration.

Does the mother of the bride pay for the bridal shower? ›

In most cases, it's the mother of the bride's duty to help plan and pay for the bridal shower. Similar to the wedding budget, the to-be-weds' parents should expect to contribute financially if they want a say in the bridal shower details, like the guest list and venue.

Is it rude to put registry on bridal shower invitation? ›

The bridal or couple's shower invitation is the exception to the registry rule. It is acceptable to directly list where a couple is registered, as long as this appears at the bottom of the shower invitation.

What is the difference between a wedding shower and a bridal shower? ›

“The wedding shower is co-ed and inclusive of anyone the couple wants to include in the celebrations,” says Martens. “Simply put, a wedding shower is for the couple and a bridal shower is for the bride.”

Who walks out the mother of the bride? ›

The bride's walk down the aisle can take up to one minute of that time. Who escorts the mother of the bride down the aisle? If the mother of the bride is taking part in the wedding processional, she is traditionally escorted by a close male relative like a son or brother or may enter alone.

What does the mother of the bride give her daughter? ›

Jewellery has always been a timeless and cherished gift for weddings. Consider gifting your daughter a piece of personalised jewellery, such as a necklace, bracelet, or ring, with her name, initials, or wedding date engraved on it.

Should a mother give her daughter a bridal shower? ›

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.

Who typically throws a bridal shower for the bride? ›

Today, it's 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 bride's family can all pitch in if necessary. Another modern trend is to make bridal showers gender inclusive.

Should the groom's mother host a bridal shower? ›

The Mother of the Groom Can Co-Host the Bridal Shower

Tombs says this event is generally hosted by the mother of the bride or the bride's closest friends. If the mother of the groom is very close with the bride, then she may feel as though it's her duty to pitch in, too.

Who typically pays for a bridal shower? ›

In short, the host is the one who pays for the bridal shower—or at least some of it. Most commonly, this is the maid of honor, but the couple's relatives, friends or even the to-be-weds themselves can all pitch in to cover the cost of the wedding shower.

What is etiquette for a bridal shower? ›

A shower should be an intimate party—not a gathering that rivals the wedding—so the guest list is usually made up of the couple's close friends, family, and attendants. The host usually consults the bride to be sure that shower guests are wedding guests.

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