Bridal Shower Questions

[Jenn]

My sister is getting married at Disney in December with only about 15 immediate family members attending. They will be having a reception back home in February, inviting 100 friends, extended family, co-workers, etc.

We want to plan a shower - but is it innappropriate to invite people who are not invited to the wedding but are invited to the reception?

Do you think the bride should be surprised or know of the date and guest list?

Given that we are all planning for a trip and wedding in between Thankgiving and Christmas (already a very hectic time), I'm thinking that knowing when the shower is taking place is a good thing. But, I don't want to spoil her fun of being the bride, either.

I would like to plan a small shower at my home with maybe 25 close friends and family members. Her co-workers already indicated that they would do a little something for her at work, so I wouldn't invite those people. I also wouldn't invite girlfriends/spouses of her fiance's friends - whom my sister doesn't know very well.

Cost is a huge factor as the trip and wedding itself are costing quite a bit, so I can't swing renting out a hall or restaurant.

 

[Kermit]

It's fine to invite people who are invited to the reception. You can't invite people only invited to the wedding but not the reception, but there won't be any people who fit that category in this case. (Personally, I think it would be weird to not invite people to the reception, but that's a whole other topic.)

I'm a fan of not having surprise showers. Brides-to-be have enough stress in their lives. Let her know what she's getting dressed for and have a say in the invite list.

 

[jel0511]

I'm actually planning my sisters shower, which is next week. We are not doing a suprise shower, because my sister didn't want one. All of the other bridal showers I've been involved in, including my own, have been a mix of suprise vs non-suprise. Usually, the suprise ones, get figured out anyway, so personally I ususally don't plan suprise showers. Just don't tell your sister who/what /when, and then note on the invitation that it's a suprise, my SIL did that for my other SIL and it drove me CRAZY!! The fake suprise reaction and everything, just doesn't work in my opinion!!! If you are having a reception, then feel free to invite anybody of those people you feel appropriate. We're having a small shower 25 people also, and we're having it at a local restaurant. The price is per person is reasonable, $15, and takes all the hassles away from me.