Virtual bridal shower attendees?

I think everyone would understand that things are different and maybe a little weird right now.

Considering how small your mom wants to keep it, I'd say do it.

I would say invite anyone that would’ve been invited to your in person shower to your virtual shower as well. Everyone will be understanding of the different circumstances.

I think it's safe to invite anyone who is (reasonably) expecting to be invited to the reception you have in the future, especially if it's only your closest friends and relatives.
We postponed our reception but are getting married this August. I was really trying to stay out of it, but I think the guest list for my shower actually increased when it changed formats because there were some out of town guests who probably wouldn't have been invited to a more typical shower. We chose a new date when we postponed, so we sent new save the date cards to everyone who had gotten one the first time, which meant that everyone at the shower knows they'll be invited to our reception eventually. People seemed really excited to be there though, and were looking forward to our future reception. I think that for the most part right now, people just want something to celebrate. So, even if it's a wedding that they technically won't be attending, it's pretty easy for them to get over the traditional etiquette rules so they can experience something positive and hopeful.

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Thank you! As a guest, I'm definitely in the "things are different and maybe a little weird right now" camp, so it's helpful to hear that's where others are as well.

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That's helpful, thank you!

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This is really helpful to hear - thank you. I know I'm excited about having things to celebrate right now and have basically tossed usual expectations out the window for myself, so it's helpful to hear that that seems to be where people are at in general. I hope your wedding day in August is wonderful, and your reception as well when you're able to have it!

View Quoted Comment Thank you so much! I hope your wedding and shower, in whatever form they take, are wonderful too!

So I do know there can be more costs involved with hosting larger numbers or longer time frames on a virtual meeting platform. My mom & I just put out a google survey to see who would prefer an in-person or online shower. She's definitely still aiming for an in-person shower next month, but I do know I have some friends who I would invite to the in-person that are totally not going to come because of our current health situation. So right now we're leaning towards having a Zoom cocktail shower after the in-person shower. I'd say invite whomever you would normally have invited to your in-person shower. I know I have family and church family who are not tech-savvy and wouldn't be able to join, but they may still want to send a gift.

I'm definitely also in the "things are weird right now - do what you need and everyone should understand" camp! But keeping the shower guest list pretty nuclear with extended family, your bridal party and close friends is also a pretty safe bet. Logistically I'm not sure how many people I'd even want on a zoom call with me - unless you do shifts!

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A Zoom cocktail shower is such a fun idea, thank you!

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My mom and I were just trying to look up how many people you can fit on one screen in gallery view!