Bridal shower: purpose?

Well as I understand it, it was for the females in your life to 'shower' you with gifts and advice to help you prepare for this next phase of your life but I say it's 2011 - make it whatever you want it to be. Time for some new traditions to be added to the list (all traditions had to start somewhere right?)

Because showers are traditionally seen as gift-giving occasions, it's generally a faux pas to invite anyone who isn't invited to the wedding.

In your grandmother's case, it sounds like she's invited to the wedding but unable to attend, so it's perfectly proper to invite her to the shower.

Purpose=Presents!

lol what the other ladies said for you to get gifts to prepare for you lives together

instead of having people bring gifts you can always ask for recipe cards or letters of advice. That would be something different and easy to pack home.

OOo love the recipe and advice idea...I'll go with that I think. We already own a home together and have NO room for anything until we get a house (own a 2 bedroom condo right now...CRAMPED). We don't really need money either so that's a very cool idea.

my FH's entire family is invited (aunts, uncles, cousins etc)..So I'd probably invite everyone who is local and then my nonna.

I want to have a reception in town after the wedding too..but again no gifts...just an excuse to PARRTTYYY. again.

Anywho, thanks for the great advice ladies! Will let my mom know if she wants to do it then have at 'er...haha

Another thing you could possibly instead of gifts is put on you invite or tell your guest in stead of bringing a gift they can give a donation to which ever charity you choose in your name.

Ah! Another good one...probably do the local SPCA that would be awesome too!

Lol well good luck. Hope it all goes well.