Bridal Shower vs Bachelorette vs Engagement Party

Bridesmaids usually run the bachelorette party and it's usually just for you, your maids, and SOMETIMES your mom and your FMIL. It's a chance to let loose and have some fun and relax as the big day gets close. I moved to America from England 4 years ago and don't really see the point in showers. I find baby showers and bridal showers cringy as hell but that's personal opinion because I'm English lol. Showers are usually females only which is weird to me because lots of my friends are male, even one of my bridal party is a guy but according to the 'rules' he wouldn't be able to come to a shower. We are planning the English custom of an engagement party where you invite your friends and siblings of your own age (from both the bride and groom) and just having fun with music and buffet style food nothing fancy and doing it 3-6 months out from the wedding.

Hi there Jessica

This is very sweet of them!

A bridal shower is traditionally an all-female celebration to honor the bride. Guests enjoy some refreshments and often some games. The bride opens her shower gifts in front of everyone at the party. It’s a nice way to gather with a more intimate group of loved ones as you approach your wedding day. It’s definitely not necessary, and many brides choose not to have one.

A shower most often occurs between a few weeks and three months before the wedding. It frequently takes place during the day, over brunch or lunch. Check out this WeddingWire article for more details - Who Hosts a Bridal Shower?.

On the other hand, an engagement party is an event to celebrate your upcoming marriage. It’s traditionally hosted by the parents of the bride, however, it can also be thrown by the groom’s parents, friends of the couple, other relatives, or the couple themselves. The guest list is made up of family, friends, etc. People you plan on inviting to the wedding!

A bachelorette party is a party held for a woman who is about to get married, typically only attended by women only. It’s a big bash to celebrate you! Traditionally it’s planned by the maid of honor and bridesmaids.

The bridesmaid also have more duties! This WeddingWire article explains the duties of a bridesmaid, before, during and after the wedding. It’s super helpful and detailed - The Bridesmaid Duties Checklist Every 'Maid Needs.

It’s important to know that you don’t have to do any of these pre-wedding events if you don’t want. It’s completely up to you

I hope all this information is helpful! Does it make everything clearer?

Engagement Party- It is a was of celebrating your engagement with close family and friends. Usually this is a non-gift giving event. This can be hosted by someone or the bride and groom can host their own. We hosted our own. It was a low key chili & bon fire type thing. We only invited our immediate family and a few close friends.

Bridal Shower- This is a party that is hosted / thrown for the bride. It is a gift giving event where other women "shower" the bride with physical gifts to help her marriage get started. Usually these gifts consist of house hold items. It can be hosted by anyone that offers: mother, MIL, bridesmaid, aunt, friend, etc. My mom threw my bridal shower.

Bachelorette Party- Traditionally this is hosted by the MOH & bridesmaids. This is a non-gift giving event. It can be anything from a night on the town or a weekend getaway. But no matter what, everyone's budget and availability should be considered when making the plans. My MOH planned a weekend getaway to a beach cottage for my bachelorette.

1. I had fun at my shower. I was hesitant about it, but I'm happy my mom threw one! You could have one in January or February.

2. An engagement party is typically thrown for the couple right after they get engaged (traditionally by the parents). It's just a coed get together, gifts usually aren't given (maybe a bottle of champagne or something). A shower (whether you do a bridal shower or couples shower) is usually closer to the wedding (1-3 months out) and is an event to "shower" the bride with gifts. If it's a bridal shower, it's typically women invited to the wedding in the area. There are some games sometimes, food, etc. We didn't have an engagement party, just a bridal shower.

3. My MOH planned my bachelorette & paid for her share and my share. My bridesmaids paid for their share. They all bought their dresses & travel to get to CO for our wedding. My mom threw my shower.