Bridal Shower Etiquette

Everyone does it differently.

In our family, the groom is there for the entire event. Often the groomsmen too (they are good about getting drinks for the ladies).

Also the father of the bride for good measure. Heck, we have had an entire table of uncles in the back.

So do it how you and fi want (with pre approval from your hostess(es).

Yep - pretty much any way is acceptable these days. Men are not at bridal showers in our circle, and I don't expect them to be at my daughter's except at the end to say a quick thank you and help load gifts.

My DH came and watched me open, but he didn't want to help. He just showed up after work.

It's really a personal thing.

I've seen it done so many ways. Mine was last weekend and my FH showed up when I was about halfway through opening gifts. He said hi to everyone, hung out for a bit then helped load the truck.

We are being thrown a joint couple shower so both of us will be in attendance. I raised this issue with other brides on WW on what to expect and they said something similar to cocktail party.

In my social circle it is a ladies only event, with rare exception. Sometimes the groom will come at the very end to say thanks and help load up gifts. In my case, my bridal shower was in my home state, about 3 hours from where we currently live, so DH didn't even come home with me the weekend of my shower because I was planning to spend the entire weekend doing wedding related things with my MOH (who flew in from out west) and mom.

couples showers are obviously totally different. the guys are just as involved and welcome as the girls.

I think this is something you should decide with your hostess(es)

In all of the bridal showers I've ever gone to, the groom was never involved in opening the gifts.

Co-ed showers are a thing though, and maybe that's how it is done for those.

I think you can really do what you want; I've never heard of a groom coming except at the end.

Just had my bridal shower two weekends ago, and I just opened them myself. FH wasn't there for any of it.

I think this is less etiquette, and more what you're used to doing and seeing!

At most of the showers I've attended the groom has not come at all (and sometimes he on his bachelor party that weekend). I'd actually only seen the groom come to a shower once, and he came to say a quick hi and help load things into the car but the shower was running behind so he had to sit and open presents as well

I asked DH to come for the last 20 minutes or so to say hi to my family and to bring the car for gifts. My family all lives out of town and we only see them a few times a year so I knew they all wanted to see DH!

Mine came in the beginning to say hello and I'm so glad he did! He left and then meant to come back at the end for thank you's but came a bit too late so he just helped load the car.

I'm so glad he came in the beginning and would totally recommend it!

I think that's kinda weird for the groom to show up right at gift opening....kind of looks like "ooh what did we get?" attitude. Like it's all about the gifts or something. My personal opinion though, I'm sure most don't see it that way.

AndyJ - the way I see it, most bridal showers are just for the bride, so no men allowed. But some of the gifts are for them as a couple, not just gifts for her (although I did get some cute bride tanks, robes, etc.). I asked my H to come at the end as his way of saying thank you, and also because some of his family members were there. I also asked him to come because who the hell was going to pack up all that stuff in the car? Certainly not me lol.

eta: re: "it's all about the gifts". I mean, that's partially true. It IS a gift giving event ("shower" the bride), but it's not the sole focus of the party, IMO.

I actually posted about this months ago and got a mix of responses. In the end FH didn't show up at all lol. I've actually only been to one bridal shower where the groom came at the end to watch the bride open presents., she says its 'tradition' in her family so to each their own!

We're having a couple's shower so FH will be there for the whole thing. I don't think there is really an etiquette rule for this, it's just sort of a combination of what works for you and what is typically done in your circle. I have never been to a couple's shower before, but mine is going to be a small family thing and since FH and I live out of town, I wanted my extended family to get the chance to spend more time with him before we get married (many of them have only met him once, if at all).

My FH and all of his groosmen stayed for the entire shower. He opened gifts with me as well. It was nice having him by my side and enjoying the fun.

I had 2 showers. I had a typical women only bridal shower which my husband did not attend at any point. We also had a couples shower.

It's really up to you. I prefer co-ed showers. Sitting in a room full of woman is not my idea of a good time. No offense!! I'm just more of a guys girl. My shower was woman only but luckily it was small and quick. Over in 2 hours. FH showed up at the end to pack the car- although most of my gifts were wine and cash so there wasn't much to pack. HaHa!

It'll really be up to the host unless you openly talk about it and decide you would like it done a certain way.

I go to a lot of weddings/bridal showers... I've never been to one where the groom was there.

Gymrat - re: packing gifts in the car/coming to say thank you at the very end, I get that and I don't see a problem with that at all Heck I might even have my FH coming to do that at mine in a few weeks. I just don't really want him there for the gift opening, lol.