Co-Ed Bridal/Wedding Shower?

I had a girls only shower and a coed after-party. We did it this way to save money and to appease my mom. One of my cool relatives asked why we didn't do a coed shower, as she thought the men in the family really would have liked it, but my mom was worried it wouldn't work, so I let it be. Ultimately, we all decided that the coed after-party was where it's at. I would highly suggest a coed, and just make it more of a pizza or tacos or chili or even potluck and beer type thing, with maybe a toilet paper dress contest. That game went over well. I would also suggest doing an ice breaker. My mom and I didn't like the games, and she really didn't like the ice breakers, so we didn't do one, but it would have helped get the guests mingling and some guests asked for introductions during the point when I was opening my presents, which was super-awkward (I don't like being the center of attention). I hope that helps.

When my sister did hers only my BIL and my brother went and it seemed to go fine. I'm sure mine will be the same, we couldn't really tell the difference

We had a co-ed wedding shower and then a girls only bridal show/bachelorette party. My ex (this was obvs for my first wedding) really wanted to be involved with as much as possible. I thought it was a blast and I think all the families enjoyed themselves.

I've never understood confining the shower to just the bride, and inviting only women. It's the groom's wedding as much as the bride's. The household that they are forming is both of theirs. And I have about as many male friends as female ones, so a party to which I could invite only half my friends would not be a lot of fun.

That being said, a) we didn't want a shower at all, and b) since a shower must be given by someone who offers (not by you), you can't really dictate what kind of party they hold.

We kinda had a co-ed. The males that were there: my FH and both our fathers. (Also my sister's boyfriend, but he was bartending).

I loved it - two of us opening gifts made it go quicker and he was able to thank people as I was able to in person (we sent thank you cards later on as well).

Mine will be bride only because FH has no interest in having a shower. He thinks it's an important tradition for the women family and friends to be able to have that moment with the bride which I'm perfectly fine with.

Before you decide which theme you prefer please check with your bridal shower hosts to see if they are ok with it. When I was a MOH the bride and groom had two couples showers. One in the groom's hometown and another in the brides. The bridesmaids and I were hosting in the brides town and we really wanted to give the bride a very chic girly shower (her personality) and do all the fun games but then her FH got upset because "He wanted to open gifts too.".So then we were forced to throw a couples shower. We had to completely change the theme and the groom didn't want to do games because he thought they were silly. The bride of course backed him up the whole time even though when it was just her shower she was all for games. Just a suggestion

I haven't had mine yet and I would never have a Co-ed shower... During my shower, FH and his friends will be off golfing or doing whatever it is that men do together.

Over the summer I attended a co-ed shower for my friend that I was BM for. Her fiancé got drunk at the shower and she was so annoyed that they fought and ruined the entire day for themselves and the friends of theirs that travelled to spend time with them.

You have the rest of your life to spend with your husband, treat yourself to some girl time and have your own shower. I'm sure your FH will be more than happy to show up after the shower and take home your gifts or help clean up. He doesn't need to be there for the entire thing.

Technically, there were guys at mine (uncles, fiancé, briefly my dad) but they all went down into the basement where they had their own event and watched hockey, drank a bit and hung out. It was nice because, while he didn't open gifts or do any of that, my fiancé still came up to thank everyone and look at it and got to spend some time with his mom who flew in.

Personally, I like the idea of girls only showers just because (in my family) it's a little bit of a rite of passage and it's nice to spend time with all my aunts and talk about the wedding and marriage and other things that my husband probably doesn't want to spend an afternoon talking about.

I think it depends on you and your FH. If it's something he is in to, and he thinks his guys would come, then do it! I've been to both kinds and had fun at both.

@Tiara ~ I've really enjoyed attending co-ed wedding showers as a guest, if that helps!

I could attend with my SO, and talk with both the bride and groom, mingle with both the groomsmen and the bridesmaids, etc. It's a different vibe, sure, but I enjoyed the inclusive atmosphere. We didn't play any games or things like that, it was more of a cocktail party ~ can't hate that!

We did mine with women only largely because my DH didn't want it co-ed. I asked him if he would want to have guys included and he looked miserable just at the thought (and he is SOO far from a guys guy). He just was not interested and plus I had my heart set on having games which I know the guys wouldn't have wanted to play. That was my one request at my shower, to have shower games! I LOVE them and wanted to be sure that was part of the day.

I think they tend to be girly and that's what makes them fun. Guys don't really care about toilet paper dresses or ribbon hats lol.

You can include your FH if that's your thing but its a totally different vibe.

I had a traditional bridal shower and a couples shower (which was during the LSU/Auburn game so had a football theme) and it was fun! My DH got to hang out with his guy friends and I got to hang out with mine.

Honestly mine hasn't been planned yet but I think I want just girls. FH would probably care less about it and just want to know what we got and how it went after. Plus, I would really enjoy a casual "girls day" with all ages.

We're having a co-ed, mostly because it's a family friend of FH who is hosting it and we both just feel more comfortable if he is there (since the host knows him better than me). FH has been very involved in the whole process, though, so I think we'll both enjoy having both of us there! My work is also throwing one for just me, but my male co-workers will also be there so it's also kind of co-ed.