What is the purpose of a bridal shower?

I also never had an engagement party... FH went on a year long deployment right after we were engaged so we never got a chance to. Though that is something I would have likely done if the situation had permitted.

Its to give any guests who won't be able to attend the wedding a chance to give you gifts. Also not everyone will bring a gift to the wedding. Some people do but at majority of weddings I've been to not many people bring gifts. That's my take on it anyway. FH and I haven't had an engagement party yet... not so sure we will in all honesty.

Is it the MOH's "job" to plan both the shower and the bach party?

Like chelsea said, it's DEFINITELY a chance to get all of your gifts on your registry from a good bit of people. if you didn't have one, just imagine having all those gifts at your wedding. then you would be worrying about them, hoping they don't get "lost". you also would have to designate a couple of people to be responsible for getting of them to your house or some other place.

i'm going to use mine for the gifts, but also as a chance to knock out some long "thank yous" to people i won't have time to really talk to at the wedding.

Okay, so if people bring a gift to your shower it would be standard for them not to bring one to the wedding? That makes me feel a bit better about it.

Charlotte, some people will probably get you two gifts, or a gift and money, esp. if they are invited to the shower and come to the wedding! i wouldn't expect it from everyone, but i've done it a few times, and i know of people who get the bride and groom a shower gift and money at the wedding.

I won't be having a bridal shower but just because we have lived together for over a year and this is a second marriage for both of us. My daughter who is marrying before us will need a bridal shower. In our family it will just be close female friends and family to shower her with things for her new home. I have already explained to her how much fun it is to "open a toaster", and to show excitement in doing so.

Lol @ Stephanie

Thanks for the help, ladies

The Bridal Shower is for YOU. Its the moment that you celebrate YOU. People give you gifts like lingerie, spa gift certificates, etc. It's a time to celebrate you becoming a bride. I didn't want one either because I am older...at 41 I really could care less, and this is my 2nd marriage so it's not like I havne't been a bride before. But my mom and MOH wanted to do one for me so I told them they could. It ended up being fun. Not alot of people but I did get a bunch of lingerie and gift cards to Victoria Secret that I was glad to use. Just like a baby shower is a time to celebrate you becoming a new mom, a bridal shower is to celebrate you becoming a bride. Not mandatory though.

Get cute panties!

I haven't had one and probably won't. I'm not registering for anything except a honeymoon fund and charitable donations, so there's nothing to give.

However, I know at work my co-workers throw showers for anyone getting married, so I'm wondering where they're going to go with this one....

But it's up to you if you want to have one or not. No pressure.