Wedding-Related Parties and Showers
Written by Katie on July 9, 2008 – 8:00 am -Your engagement and wedding should be a fabulous part of your life, filled with happiness, tears of joy, and lots of parties! Aside from the “main event” (aka wedding ceremony and reception) there are a good deal of traditional events that surround engagements and weddings as well as a few more modern ones. Read below to check them out!
Engagement Party
What: a celebration of the engagement
When to have it: soon after the engagement, within a couple months
Who to invite: parents, grandparents, close family friends, and members of your bridal party. if a person is invited to this even they should be invited to the wedding itself!
Who hosts: usually either the parents of the bride or groom, or both
Bridal Shower
What: An event held to shower the bride with gifts for her new life with her new husband
When to have it: Within a month of the wedding
Who to invite: This is a ladies-only shindig! Moms, grandmas, all the girlfriends are welcome! For themes like a “lingerie shower”, you may want to be selective about the guest list.
Who hosts: Often the maid or matron of honor, along with the bridesmaids. Sometimes, family friends will host. No one directly related to the bride should host a bridal shower (mom, sisters (unless they are part of the wedding party), etc).
Couple’s Shower
What: A more modern-day approach of a bridal shower, the concept is similar but includes the bride and the groom.
When to have it: Within a month of the wedding
Who to invite: Close family and friends.
Who hosts: Often members of the wedding party
Bachelor Party
What: Celebrating the “last night” of the groom’s single life
When to have it: traditionally within the week before the wedding
Who to invite: male members of the wedding party and close male friends
Who hosts: usually the best man and/or groomsmen
Bachelorette Party
What: celebrating the bride’s “last night” of single life
When to have it: within the week before the wedding
Who to invite: ladies of the wedding party and other close female friends
Who hosts: usually the MOH and/or the bridesmaids
Rehearsal Dinner
What: a dinner held after practicing the ceremony
When to have it: directly after the wedding rehearsal
Who to invite: wedding party, parents of the flower girl and ring bearer, the officiant (and usually his significant other), and often out of town guests
Who hosts: traditionally, the parents of the groom
Check this out for more information on KC rehearsal dinners and KC officiants.
Bridesmaids Luncheon
What: an opportunity to celebrate the friendship the bride has with her ‘maids and a way of saying thanks
When to have it: around lunch time the day before or the day of the wedding
Who to invite: the bridesmaids
Who hosts: the bride
Groomsmen “Gathering”
What: a get-together of the groom and his men, often a game of golf, poker night, etc.
When to have it: week before or morning of the wedding
Who to invite: the groomsmen
Who hosts: the groom
After Party
What: a post wedding reception event
When to have it: directly following the reception
Who to invite: guests that like to party or don’t want to leave
Who hosts: usually the same individuals hosting the wedding and reception
Post-Wedding Breakfast, Brunch, or Lunch
What: a usually informal, relaxed meal
When to have it: the day following the wedding festivities
Who to invite: parents, family members, and out of town guests
Who hosts: the family of the bride or groom, or both
Posted in Parties & Showers |
