Bridal vs Wedding shower

I personally would do a wedding shower, i never understood why there was a party for the bride & not the groom. I like it together. You are accepting the gifts as a married couple, its not just stuff for just the bride. Cute idea! I will be doing this!

I was thrown a bridal shower but almost all the gifts were for both of us. I think co-ed showers are more fun and if people are buying from your registry then those are his gifts too. I always found it odd to open gifts without the FH present unless they are specific to the bride. I did it of course and then just had to show him everything when I got home.

Co-Ed showers should be more like a big party. Lots of food and drinks. No silly games and usually not a lot of decorations. All the co-ed showers (wedding and baby) I've been to were just big parties where there happened to be gifts.

You're correct about the difference being female only and being in honor of the bride vs being mixed gender and in honor of the couple. Without knowing how your circle usually handles mixed gender showers, it's kind of hard to tell you how to proceed.

At a bridal shower, everything is targeted towards what women would enjoy. At a well planned couple's shower, the hosts will take into consideration that the girly games and decor isn't going to be fun for the guys and they plan it differently.

My family threw a surprise shower for me (DH hadn't joined me on that trip), but it was still mixed gender. They made sure there was plenty of alcohol, good food, and lots of mingling. We spent very little time opening the gifts and they made sure all the guys had a fresh drink before that part started. I wish DH could have been there with me because he would have enjoyed that version of a wedding shower.

In my social circle where we live, though, people hosting showers don't have a great grasp on planning couple's showers any differently than bridal showers. It's still super girly and the guys look so bored. When two friends asked me if they could throw me a shower and asked if I wanted a bridal shower or a couple's shower, DH didn't want to put himself or any of our male friends through a couple's shower where they would have nothing to do and everyone would just be uncomfortable, so that shower ended up being a bridal shower.

I'd honestly ask your FH what he wants. If he wants to be there, then go for the wedding shower. If he would prefer not to go to a shower, then let him off the hook and pick the bridal shower.

Hey Date Twin! I am definitely doing a bridal shower.. i honestly think it would be cool to do Co-ed though

I had a bridal shower where half of the gifts were from our registry and the other were gifts for me as the bride. My FH and I had so much fun trying out our new gifts that I'm pretty sure he didn't mind not being at the shower.

I think it depends what you want! I want a bridal shower - brunch and bubbly type (mimosa bar & food)

Hey date twin! Youre the second one I've found haha

Im so indecisive, and my FH is very laidback about it. Im the anal retentive one who likes to plan, so he is just stepping back and letting me take control. I wish he would step up a smidge, but thats a convo for another day. I just can't decide.... I feel like both have their advantages.

First of all, I don't think that is a standard distinction (bridal vs wedding shower.) If you want all genders, I would recommend referring to it as a coed shower to avoid misunderstandings.

I didn't have a shower, but if I had I would have wanted FH to be there. The wedding was about both of us, and it would have felt weird to celebrate it without him. Our friend group(s) also aren't segregated by gender, so it would be super strange and offensive to impose that divide artificially.

My bridesmaids threw me an incredible bridal shower and FH attended. We both agreed that it would be nice for him to be there as it's a celebration for us together, not just for me. Guests didn't know he was going to be there and were thrilled when he showed up!

I am having a Bridal Shower. I wasn't big on having any showers/parties but my sweet MOH really wanted to do something special to celebrate me. I think a coed shower is great too! It just depends on your group of loved ones I guess.

@kissthekochs, i actually LOVE that idea

Picture yourself at both of them. In which fantasy are you having the most fun? Go with that one! I'm not doing either, but I'm a weirdo.

I would prefer a bridal shower, just the girls... FH can make an apperance to thank eveyone in person but I wouldn't expect for him to stay the entire time... unless he wants to... but I highly doubted!.

Ive always thought they were the same thing. FH well be joining us regardless. Everything purchased is for us as a couple to use. We registered and picked the items together, why shouldn't he be there to celebrate.

Plus, I don't cook. So he will be using most of it anyways. lol

We are having a bridal shower. FH didn't want a couple shower. I let him off the hook.

We are doing a bridal shower, but he is coming at the end of the shower to help load things up, say hello's and thank you's! I just know he would be bored out of his mind if he attended the whole thing.

I have 3 bridal showers planned, one was this past Saturday. The bridal showers are to help women get ready for a home which is why it is usually registry items that are for your home. I think women get more invested into the wedding and my aunt went all out for mine. It was beautiful and I think it is fun for others to celebrate the upcoming wedding.

I totally had no idea there was a difference. My FH will be there but it's not co-ed. I'll subject him to being bored but no need to make other guys suffer. We're still calling it a bridal shower. Maybe that's why people kept getting confused when I would specify that he's tagging along? Psh, whatevs.