Tell me about your shower

[basil]

Where is it? What type of food are they serving? How many guests are you having? Who is hosting it?

February2003bride''s post got me thinking about it. I definitely would not want to ask anyone to throw a big fancy shower for me. My cousin has been hinting about wanting to "do something" for the wedding and asking my mom if I am going to have a shower, so my mom is thinking that maybe she would like to have one. Probably just with close local family members, since all my friends and bridesmaids are out of town at this point, and homemade potluck food and cake or something.

 

[janinegirly]

well i''ve been pretty involved in mine (which is probably weird) b/c my sister is MOH and she''s young and kind of clueless as to what to do.
i really want to keep costs down..because to me it''s more about getting together, and ok the gifts are nice too. I''ve been to nice showers which cost $50 p/person and I gotta say taht I probably ate 2 stale sandwiches and cookies..so how that comes up to $50 is beyond me!

So I''ve suggested using my building (no room rental fee) and catering from a reasonable place which, yes I found. I''m going for an "engish garden tea party" feel even though it''ll be in my buildign towering over a major city, but there''s always decorations! I think the costs should be about $100 per girl (totalling $400). I think some champagne would be a nice touch too.

No idea on theme or all that other stuff. really hoping my bm''s can pick up the slack on that. i''m kinda not into cheesy games, but maybe little ones so everyone can get to know each other. i already am exhausted from wedding planning..not much energy left for shower...

 

[tanyak]

My shower was fairly low key and I loved it. It was a co-ed shower with about 30 people. My friend held it at her home and we had heavy appetizers - ham biscuits (my fave!), pasta salad and some other yummy things that she like to make. No games (blech) - it was mostly friends who already knew each other, so we just sat around and talked.

The type of shower February2003bride is throwing (very generous of her!) never even entered my mind, but the thing I''ve learned since being on wedding boards is that people grow up with certain customs and traditions, so big showers like that aren''t unusual among certain circles.

 

[Jaders731]

I had a lingerie shower two days before the wedding and it was fantastic.

My mom''s close friend threw it for me at her beach condo.. and had dinner and a cake catered... while I must say it was probably more expensive than I want to imagine.. it was really special and beautiful.. there were about 20 people there!

While I think that regular showers are fun.. where you get things off of your registry.. I loved that I had a lingerie shower... it allowed me to receive very personal things that my now husband and I get to enjoy.. not just throw in a kitchen cabinet.. you know?

The perk to having it so close to the wedding too, was that everyone who was in town for the wedding got to come to another wedding event... and their dinner meal was provided.. which for a DW was very important. With all of our events.. meals were taken care of thursday night, friday night at the Rehearsal dinner and then saturday at the reception. It really helped out the people who had traveled so far to be a part of the wedding.

We did play bridal bingo.. gifts were given.. and then my bridesmaid made advice cards where everyone wrote a piece of advice and then we placed the cards into a photo album.. which I treasure.. I think it is priceless...

I have been to lingerie showers that have been rather raunchy..while fun.. I loved that I received very beautiful and classy nightgowns... it was sooo much fun! it was such a classy evening.

In fact.. some highlights:
1. the biggest hit of the night.. and not so subtle hint from my mom.. she gave me baby clothes...one for a boy and one for a girl... LOL.. talk about a hint.. huh? what a riot.
2. My mom had promised me a vera wang gown for my wedding since I was old enough to say "vera wang" and well.. I fell in love with a Rivini.. so.. true to her word.. she bought me a Vera Wang nightgown.. with a Vera Wang robe... just beautiful.. and very touching.

 

[BigSista]

Just had mine. Luckly my future MIL friends threw it for me at a beautiful home, and they did a beautiful job. Rented tables/linens/flowers galore and great healthy food! A+ job, but really I would have been fine with a potluck style lunch as well. To me it''s about the time spent with the ladies. Not about how much money they spent.

 

[njc]

I had 3 for various reasons, one being no one place could hold a lot of people and #1 was in another state. The only thing I provided for the hosts were possible guest lists... everything else was up to them and I think they did a great job! In no way shape or form did I expect or want a lavish party. All were right up my alley! We only played games at #2, although all kept a close eye on me breaking ribbons!

#1 - Thrown by MIL and SIL in MILs fabulous backyard/garden. They rented round tables and MIL, SIL and I fixed some food and the rest was bought at the grocery store. It was regular picnic/summer type food. I'd say there was about 25 people there, mostly DHs family (aunts, grandmother, cousins) and MILs friends. Received registry gifts.

#2 - Thrown by MOH, her mom and her SIL at her mom's house. They made/bought finger foods. I say about 15 people... my BMs, a few other friends and really close friends of my mom that I consider my "Other Mothers". This was my favorite because it was all my close friends and family. Received a few registry gifts and lots of lingerie.

#3 - Thrown by a cousin of mine at her home. I'm pretty sure she made/bought stuff as well, food was similar to #1. This probably had closer to 30 people. All my aunts and cousins and a few other family friends that were unable to go to shower #2. Received registry gifts.

My mom was at all three showers and my BMs were invited to all but I told them by no means did they have to attend #1 and #3 and if they did, PLEASE dont bring gifts.

I hope that helps!

 

[FireGoddess]

My shower (and coincidentally all the ones I''ve thrown as well) was at someone''s house. The MOH and BMs got the decorations, sent out invitations, and made various hot finger foods. They also ordered a cake. There were also games, prizes for the games, and favors. Every shower I''ve thrown has cost under $500 and looked like someone catered it. Average attendee number was 30-40. But I like to do that kind of stuff.

 

[february2003bride]

Oye! The bridal shower I''m throwing won''t be "big and fancy". It''s being held at my home but I''m doing it all myself, no extra help. The costs added up in part because 1) I''ve been planning and ordering things since February, not all at once. So I''m sure I''ve purchased more than I would have if I saw the dollar amount in one hit. 2) I''m doing this alone, none of the other bridesmaids are helping and making sure the food and drinks keep flowing for 35 will be difficult. So I''ve hired two servers to help me (they will also help with the set up and clean up). 3) I want the shower to have a very personal feel to it. I want M (the bride) to walk in and go "Oh my gosh! The chivari chairs I love!" or for her to love the personalized napkins and ribbons. I want M (who is like a sister to me) to think about her bridal shower in 5 years and feel like she was had a bridal shower that she loved. And I want all of the guests to have fun! And 4) I can''t cook for anyone but my family (who tolerates my cooking, lol). I''m no Mara! so yes, I had to order food. And wine isn''t cheap!

Anyway, to answer the original question- my bridal shower was small (15 guests) and my BM held it at her beautiful home. It was a lot of fun and I loved that it wasn''t huge. I''m not a center of attention person (hence why we had a small-mediumish wedding as well) so for me, it was perfect! We had yummy food, wine, 2 cakes, played 2 games and I opened all of the gifts.

Musey- I didn''t want a bridal shower, bachelorette party or a baby shower when I was preggo, but my friends convinced me otherwise. Looking back, I''m so glad they did! I don''t feel like I missed out on anything but the events were kept small and personal. Just convey what you would like to whoever is hosting (the same way M did to for her bridal shower).

 

[labbielove]

I am currently very very torn on this subject, so probably good to have me think about it.

My original shower was to be in June, at a beautiful community room with adjoining outdoor patio at my Mom''s apartment complex. It was going to be a picnic theme- red/white checked tablecloths, lots of white daisies in tin buckets for centerpieces(my fave flower) and i was going to make the favors myself- little potted herbs with some corny saying that "friends are the flowers in the garden of life". Food- casual barbecue style.

My mom passed away about 4 weeks ago, and part of me doesn''t want a shower anymore, but one of my best friends really wants to have one for me, and I know I should- I mean we are going to be celebrating at the wedding in 5 months, and we can''t wait. But something about the shower is making me even more sad than thinking of her not being at the wedding- maybe because the tradition is that it''s the important women in the bride''s life gathering- which is what i was so looking forward to, yet the most important woman to me won''t be physically there.
The wedding of course is all about loved ones surrounding us as well, but something different about the shower.
So- I am considering still gathering with friends, but maybe at a few smaller gatherings, not focused on gifts, but just celebrating being with each other- and either lingerie, or gag gifts, etc. ..... something to keep it light.

Sorry if I rambled and brought anyone down- but this is weighing heavily on my mind right now- interesting timing of this topic!

 

[sumbride]

I''m having two, plus a work shower.

Bridesmaids'' shower: I don''t know much about this one... I gave a few date options and a suggested guest list, and all I know at this point is when it is and the general area it''s in. I heard they rented a townhouse in DC to host it in (because they all live in apartments) or are out of town, but I''m really excited because both of my out of town girls are coming! It should be lots of fun! I trust them to make it special!

Hometown shower: This one is being thrown by 5 of my mom''s friends and last I heard they were trying to borrow a house that used to belong to another family friend... she died a few years ago, but her house (looks like a Southern mansion) is where I spent much of my youth... I had my 1st birthday party there! So it would be really cool to go back! The new owners have fixed it up, and they are also friends of the family, so hopefully they''ll oblige! It would be awesome! I''ve also asked that it be co-ed, but I don''t know if that will happen. M is ok either way.

work shower: This one is pretty standard... conference room around 3:30. All Staff, plus my fiance. Sheet cake and chex mix and maybe punch and fruit. Stupid games... and we get yelled at for talking during the games! But people are pretty into life events (almost all women) so the gifts should be decent. I''ve given enough of my own that I hope are reciprocated!