What Is a Bridal Shower? All the Planning and Etiquette Advice You Need to Know

There are a number of pre-wedding events that happen before the big day, but few are more exciting than the bridal shower. A time when female family members and friends gather to celebrate the bride-to-be and help prepare her for married life, the bridal shower is a chance for the woman of the hour to spend quality time with the most important ladies in her life and prepare for her future as a newlywed. And though bridal showers have been happening for a very long time, the etiquette for these affairs has certainly changed over time. To help you understand exactly what to expect from these events—whether you're the hostess or an attendee—we talked to etiquette expert Diane Gottsman and asked her to share exactly what happens at a bridal shower and how to plan the perfect party.

At the end of the day, it's important to remember that this is meant to be a fun, lighthearted celebration. "A bridal shower is designed to shower the bride with good wishes, congratulations, and some gifts," Gottsman says. That doesn't mean it can be thrown together in a flash, though, or that guests should treat it as an ultra-casual event. If you need help demystify any aspect of the bridal shower—from finding a location and choosing decorations to selecting a gift the woman of honor will love—this guide has got you covered.

Ahead, everything you need to know to plan the perfect bridal shower. 

What Is a Bridal Shower?

A bridal shower is a party thrown in honor of a bride-to-be, and it's generally held anywhere from a few months to a few weeks before the wedding. Female family members and friends gather to celebrate the bride ahead of her nuptials, play games, give advice, and gift her the essentials she'll need to start married life. The origin of the bridal shower dates back to 16th-century Holland, when a young girl's father refused to provide a dowry for a marriage he disapproved of. The town got together and offered small gifts to help her start her home without the dowry money. The core of the tradition has somewhat held up over the years, and today, we typically shower couples with gifts for the home.

It's important to note that bridal showers and wedding showers are not the same. The latter have gained popularity as a more inclusive iteration of the bridal shower. Whereas a bridal shower is traditionally a pre-wedding event saved for the bride and her crew of female friends and family, a wedding shower is a co-ed festivity.

Bridal Shower Etiquette

Technically, there's no right or wrong way to throw a bridal shower, but this doesn't mean there aren't generally established etiquette guidelines. Here, we've answered the biggest etiquette questions so you can avoid a bridal shower faux pas as either a hostess or a guest.

What Happens at a Bridal Shower?

"Depending on the taste of the bride, the host can have some entertaining games for the guests to play or skip the games altogether," says Gottsman. The general outline is usually the same: food, drinks, and an opportunity for the bride to open gifts surrounded by guests. You can stick to bridal shower traditions like gift bingo or designing wedding dresses using rolls of toilet paper, or you could plan an activity-oriented shower like a spa day or a calligraphy lesson. Don't love the idea of opening gifts in front of everyone? Speak up! Those gifts could be set aside so you can open them at home with your future spouse.

What Does the Groom Do?

Speaking of your partner, they often arrive toward the end of the shower (with flowers in tow) to quickly greet the guests before they depart. It's a sweet way to include them in your celebration as well as guarantee help getting those gifts home.

When Should a Bridal Shower Take Place?

The bridal shower should take place at some point before the wedding; while there's no set rule on when it has to happen (some women like to have it the week of the wedding so that guests don't have to travel twice), bridal showers generally occur anywhere from a few weeks to a few months before the wedding. If you're hosting, choose a date that is convenient for both the bride and the most important guests of choice. To accommodate everyone's schedules, that might mean hosting something a little further in advance or planning it to coincide with a trip home or another get-together, such as a bachelorette party in the evening following an afternoon shower.

Who Throws a Bridal Shower?

Traditionally, the bridal shower was hosted by the maid of honor and bridesmaids, not the mother of the bride or her future mother-in-law. Why? Because an event being hosted by a bride's mother, mother-in-law, or any relatives made it appear as if the woman of honor and her family members were asking for gifts. Luckily, times have changed. Today, it's extremely common and perfectly acceptable for anyone—including the bride's mom—to host this celebration. Ultimately, anyone who is close to the bride and feels up to the task should feel empowered to organize this event; just be sure to communicate your plans to the bride and any other key players early on to ensure that two events aren't being planned.

Should the Bride Be Involved in the Planning Process?

Unless it's a total surprise, the person being showered will generally provide some basics that they'd like at their event. The host will ask about preferred themes, guest list details, date, time, location, activities, and other ideas to get a sense of where to start. It's up to the host or hosts to use that input to bring the shower to life.

Who Gets Invited to a Bridal Shower?

As with other pre-wedding events, the guest list should be limited to people who are also invited to the wedding. "You can invite whomever you would like from the wedding guest list. Keep the guest list small and manageable, don’t have too many showers, and don’t invite the same people to multiple showers," says Gottsman. "If someone is not invited to the wedding, they should not be invited to the shower."

For the bridal shower, this usually includes the bridal party and the couple's family and close friends. The number of people invited depends on how large the event is intended to be. If the shower is going to be a surprise, the maid of honor and the bride's mother should work together to come up with a guest list they think the bride will be happy with. Otherwise, they can have the bride assist them with the guest list and then keep the rest of the planning a secret.

When Should Bridal Shower Invitations Be Mailed Out?

Ideally, the invitations should be mailed out four to six weeks before the bridal shower, either by post or email. Make sure to include the bride's name, the date, the time, the location, registry information, a way to RSVP, and the names of whoever is hosting.

What's the Dress Code at a Bridal Shower?

A bridal shower can be as formal or casual as you want it to be, but it's best to at least include some sort of guide in the invitation. "There's not one particular dress code," says Gottsman. "But it's always better to dress up than down." If there's no indication of the event's formality, it may be more comfortable to show up overdressed than underdressed. If cohesion in your shower photos is important to you, it's a good idea to think about what the guests will be wearing and make a note somewhere within the invitation.

Where Should a Bridal Shower Take Place?

If the bride still lives relatively close to home, the shower can be held in their hometown. Does the bride live in another state? It may still be more convenient for them to travel to the shower if most of the guests live locally instead of asking the entire guest list to hop on an airplane. The specific location depends on the type of shower and the host's budget. It could be in a friend's or family member's home or backyard, at a local restaurant, or somewhere more specific if the shower has a theme (such as a cooking school or a wine-tasting room).

Should a Bridal Shower Have a Theme?

It doesn't have to, but it's a fun way to add some personality to the party. A theme could be as simple as cohesive, rustic décor, or you could go all out with a spa day. Some of our favorite themes include a bridal tea party, a Disney-themed shower, or a Parisian-influenced affair.

Does the Bride Need a Registry for a Bridal Shower?

Not necessarily. The actual wedding registry can also function for the bridal shower. If, however, it's a lingerie shower, that would require a separate registry should the bride want to register for specific lingerie. As a bridal shower guest, it is in good etiquette to purchase a shower gift from the registry.

How to Plan a Bridal Shower

Have you been tasked with organizing a shower for the bride-to-be? Here, we break down exactly how to plan a bridal shower in ten simple steps.

Create a Bridal Shower Budget

The first step in planning a bridal shower is to create a budget for the entire process. This includes food, drinks, decorations, venue, rentals, event design, photography, videography, and any other vendors or expenses. Depending on the type of shower and what the bride wants, a typical bridal shower can cost anywhere from $10 to over $100 per person. These costs are covered by whoever is hosting the bridal shower, though sometimes bridesmaids or family members may offer to chip in.

Pick a Date

Consult with the bride to choose a date that works for them and fits the wedding timeline. Aim for a minimum of a couple of months before the wedding. Keep in mind other events of the wedding, like the bachelor/bachelorette party, which some couples plan for the evening of the shower day.

Create the Guest List

Get a must-invite list from the bride and work with that as you create the full party guest list. Have the bride double-check and approve the list before you send out invites.

Select a Theme

You may decide to opt out of a bridal shower theme, but if the bride is a wine lover or a cooking connoisseur, you might consider choosing a theme that follows suit. This will guide your planning decisions for the rest of the process.

Choose a Location

Often, the host will offer their home to hold the bridal shower. If this isn't an option, see if another guest or co-planner has an available space. You can also choose a venue that correlates with the theme, like a spa or a winery; host at a restaurant or hotel; or rent an Airbnb.

Send Invitations

Give guests as much notice as possible so they'll be able to attend the shower and purchase gifts. This should be done about four to six weeks before the shower date, which means you should start looking for and purchasing invitations at least a few weeks prior to then. It's also a good idea to include a line on the RSVPs for guests to note any dietary restrictions.

Set the Menu

The food will depend on the shower's theme and time of day. Hosting a brunch affair? Stock up on mimosas and breakfast foods. Whatever the menu, make sure it's something you know the bride will like and includes options for any food restrictions the guests note on their RSVPs.

Find Shower Décor

If you've hired a professional event designer, this part will be pretty easy for you. If you're decorating yourself, this is arguably one of the most fun steps in planning a bridal shower. Whether you're following a theme or not, think about what kinds of personal touches you can include for the bride. We love pretty floral and balloon installations—and don't forget a picture-perfect photo backdrop.

Plan Games and Activities

Games are a great way to break the ice when guests first arrive, especially if they are not already acquainted with one another. With a lot of traditional shower games, there is no purchase necessary—just a bit of creativity! If your budget allows, there are also tons of super fun shower games we love that are available on sites like Etsy.

Create a Playlist

Get everyone in the party mood with a fun selection of music. Ask the bride to send some must-have favorites to be included, and mix in a few love songs and upbeat tunes for background music.