Question:
What's the difference between a wedding shower and a bridal shower?
Answer:
The terms bridal shower and wedding shower are sometimes used interchangeably, but times have changed. There's the new twist, and that has to do with the growing co-ed shower trend.
Wedding planners generally make a designation between ladies only showers and co-ed showers by referring to one as "bridal" (female only) and the other as "wedding" (men included). Co-ed showers are less intimate and more event- oriented. Themes like "Las Vegas Weekend," or "Indianapolis 500 Mile Race Weekend" (if co-ed takes place over Memorial Day Weekend) bring men and women together in a venue that's comfortable for both sexes.
Bridal Showers are more typically (though not necessarily) more intimate affairs. Along with more traditional kitchen and household gifts, sexy lingerie and honeymoon night negligees can be part of the gift giving. It's more tasteful to give (and open!) such gifts in an intimate, all female setting. Besides, lingerie is a surprise for the groom -- at the time the bride models it for him!
Keep lines of communication clear by letting the invitees know whether the shower is Bridal" (all female) or co-ed (guys included!). Your choice of invitation and theme go a long way towards helping prospective guests in on the ground rules! Don't forget those RSVP's!
Happy Showering!
Susan "The Shower Diva"
Where Fun Reigns!™
