Bridal Shower

Your aunt can include whomever she likes in the guest list, but normally the bridesmaids would be included in all shower invitations. There should be no expectation that they will bring gifts though. I would ask my aunt to include the bridesmaids as a favor to you. I would also speak with each of them personally and ask them not to bring gifts.

If the bridesmaids or any of your friends want to host a shower, they will volunteer. You should not ask.

I mean I would hope bridesmaids would be invited since it’s in your honor and they are part of your bridal party! If your Aunt specifically said BM are not invited. I would just let them know what’s going on and just leave it at that and not ask or anything.

Just ask your aunt to at least include your bridesmaids since they are a part of your special day. Did you have a say on who to invite? My MOH and mom are planning mine I just gave them my list of people and they took it from there.

Honestly, I would decline. She’s hosting so she’s dictating the list but I personally don’t like her family only stance as I cherish the time I have with my friends. And you can’t ask them to throw you a shower so chances may be slim that you will get to celebrate with them in this capacity anyways.

I think you should just ask her to invite your bridesmaids but otherwise keep it family only. We are doing this... The only non-family participants will be two of my long-time girlfriends who know my family well and who I consider to be family. Since your aunt is the hostess, it's kind of important to also be considerate of the expense involved with providing drinks and snacks or food, and the more people you add the more expensive it is for her.

My cousin-in-law (who is invited because she's "family") said it was weird - that we should also invite our other friends. But after talking it over with my MOH (who is my cousin), I feel like I'm perfectly happy to have a family shower and if anyone else thinks it's weird then they are free to throw one themselves. All of the other girls who would be invited to a "friend" shower are invited to the bachelorette party which I feel is something they'd probably rather do anyway. *shrug*

My family has always had family only showers and not included friends/bridesmaids with the thought that friends and bridesmaids can throw their own. I wouldn't ask someone hosting a shower for me to increase their guest list / costs.