Bridal Shower -- Who should be invited?

As for the people I haven't met... my uncle remarried awhile ago. She had several kids already (as did my uncle). I haven't met hardly any of them, but I've spoken to my uncle's wife several times and she'll be invited. On one hand, I feel strange inviting people I don't know; on the other hand, I don't want to make them feel singled out by being excluded. The other few are spouses of cousins I haven't seen in a long time.

I want to feel comfortable with a small group of people I know, but maybe it's worth sending invites to everyone so I won't have to worry about it.

I haven't included any of FH's aunts or cousins bc they all live out-of-state. If I did though, it would put the number way over the 65 I potentially have now.

Sorry this is so long! Thanks in advance for the advice.

I feel like I should comment just so you know you're not being ignored. Heh. However, I have all the same questions. lol. So I'll be checking in for an answer. =0)

OK - first invite your closest family and friends. considering it's a home,

if you have bridesmaids who usually chip in on the shower, maybe you can rent a hall, and add additional people to your list if you wanted. If you do have it at a hall (you could possibly do a pot luck thing)

The only thing that you should not do is invite anyone to your shower that you do not plan to invite to the wedding (I have known some people that have done this) - and that is an etiquette no no

I agree with Liz's comments. I say do not invite out of state guests. Etiquette says that if someone receives a shower invite, they are to send a gift. So, if they get an invite, you're pretty much obligating them to a gift (not like they wouldn't want to get you something, but they're supposed to get you one in addition to a wedding gift).

I've been to showers at homes that have way too many guests (like 30 people in a not too big room). Then, most people can't see what's going on, and it's really crowded. So, if you don't want to limit your list, try to find a hall. Or, check casual restaurants. I was at one at Cracker Barrel (which I was skeptical about for the location), but they had a private room and they served a nice lunch. So, ask your friends if they've been to any showers (bridal or baby) and find out where they were held.

Good luck!

I love bridal showers!! Such a good topic to start! Based on the location of the party that is what should determine the number of guests you invite. Remember not everyone you invite will be able to attend due to other obligations. I would recommend inviting at least 25-30 people. Bridal showers are a great way for you to get to know your fiance's family as well. It also gets the two families to get to know eachother before the big event. If you are looking for some unique shower invites you have to check out my website. All I need to start is your photos!

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Happy Planning!

I had around 20 people at my shower, realizing afterwards that I forgot to invite a few women that were invited to the wedding (oops!). But I agree with PP-- it's OK to not invite people to the shower but to invite them to the wedding, but not the other way around. I did invite people who were out of state but a) it was so that everyone felt included (the out-of-staters really appreciated the invite even if they couldn't come) and b) we're moving on Saturday, and we needed home stuff (I know that sounds bad but oh well).

My sister once told me that it is "wedding ettiquete" to invite all the women you are inviting to the wedding. I'm not sure how true that is nowadays though!

Since my wedding is small and only one out of state guest all the women invited to wedding will be invited to shower

@ Theresa B-- I think you're right that used to be the case...

With how big weddings can be now though I don' think its practical to invite every woman... cuz you'd be inviting co-workers wives that you don't know and perhaps a bunch of people you don't get along with.

I agree! I am inviting every woman in mine and FH's families that I actually have met. If a male family member chooses to bring a date to the wedding or has a gf that I have never met, I'm not going to invite them to the shower. It's definitely different now than it used to be!

For my sister's Bridal Shower we invited all of our female friends..

I am inviting grandparents, parents (mom), Stepparents (mom), cousins, and aunts.

All of my extended family lives in different states, so my MOH invited my mom, FH's mom, MOH's mom, my 2 bridesmaids, 3 or 4 close friends, and my mom's best friend. We would have invited more, but like I said they live out of town.

I am having four showers to accomidate the large amout of women i have as friends, and on each side of the family. Each of them has a different theme and purpose. The one with my college friends is being put on so my bacholorette party doesnt get to big, its a lingere shower in a martini room, another is work and church ladies, and the other two are family both my FH and my own. I do not think you should invite anyone who is not invited to the wedding. Thats rude to me and i think breaking down in to smaller parites is a great idea that my MOH had because this way i get to spend quailty time with the guests.

I didnt read the other answer b/c I'm too lazy, lol. But here is my answer: You invite only ladies that you are close with. This does not include cousins, unless you have some that you are really close to. You invite women of the immediate family, moms, sisters, grandmothers, aunts. And of course bridal party. And close female friends. That is it. I definitely wouldn't invite cousins or cousin's wifes, unless you're super close. A bridal shower is more of an intimate affair with those who are close to you.

I didnt read the other answer b/c I'm too lazy, lol. But here is my answer: You invite only ladies that you are close with. This does not include cousins, unless you have some that you are really close to. You invite women of the immediate family, moms, sisters, grandmothers, aunts. And of course bridal party. And close female friends. That is it. I definitely wouldn't invite cousins or cousin's wifes, unless you're super close. A bridal shower is more of an intimate affair with those who are close to you.

Wow FM Thim, 4 showers! I don't think I will be getting one. But if I did I would only invite moms, grams, sis/sil, bms and invited girlfriends.

Generally, you invite all the ladies invited to the wedding, that being siad, I asked my MOM and FMIL to give me a list of people that would come to the shower. We didn't invite anyone who would have to travel a long distance for the shower and wedding, so all the aunts, cousins that lived over 2-3 hours away were not invited, unless we knew for a fact that they would come. I would invite only people you know would come (you'll have to ask the mom's on this) and I don't think you're obligated to invite your uncle's new wife's kids.

I actually have a question for the ladies on here. What about if you are having a smaller sized wedding, so you cant invite all of your girlfriends to the actual wedding. Do you still invite them to the shower / bachelorette? My thoughts are not to, but I don't want to offend anyone.

Thanks!

I had my bridal shower at my moms house and invited all of the ladies that were in-state, that were invited to the wedding. we had a 220-250 person wedding and about 50 ladies showed up :]