Do I have to invite FH step-mother and step-sisters to the bridal shower???

If she's paying for the rehearsal dinner I think she needs to be included in the shower.

I think it's great that you want to keep your shower intimate. Is FH close with his step-mom and step-sisters? If so, it would be the polite thing to do to invite them... especially if they've offered to pay for the rehearsal dinner. I don't really think you can take that offer and not have your step-mom and her daughters at your shower. That's just me though.

I would say it would be a slap in the face almost if you didn't, especially if they are contributing financially to the wedding.

His aunts and cousins you could probably get away with not, but his step mom and step sisters, would be pretty crappy of you to exclude them.

You should invite them. You don't want to cause family drama with your wedding and surrounding events. Not worth it.

I say yes to the step-mom and the step-sisters ONLY because the step-mom has offered to pay for the RD. I feel like it would hurt her feelings if you didn't. But I say no to everyone else in FH's family that you are not close to. How many step-sisters are we talking about?

You should these people will be your family and would probably be very insulted if they weren't invited

Personally I know if my shower was local (to them) my FH's female relatives would feel slighted if they weren't invited. Esp his mother, aunt and grandma. Honestly, it looks bad. Almost as if you don't like your FMIL. Although she is his step mother. I would invite her, and she is paying for something which means she is doing a lot more than many step parents. I think the only exception would be if they'd want to invite so many women than it would take over you shower GL than they'd need to volunteer to throw their own shower for you. But just two women, I'd invite them.

Yeah, invite them. They're family too.

A wedding is about 2 families becoming 1. It's not about you adding just FH to your already existing family. You need to invite all of them.

Right, there are two sisters. One is out of state. I don't expect them to attend, but I'll invite them...

Just do it - his step-mom seems kind and supportive of your marriage (it would be different if she was awful, but if she offered and you accepted the RD - I assume there is no bad blood). I would include her and her daughters - out of both respect and unity!

I invited them. Save a face. Drama not worth it

Unless you know that a shower is being planned by his side of the family, too, invite them. They will be your family and you should start connecting with them.