There is a lot more to bridal shower etiquette than making sure to say thank you to guests that bring gifts, although this is definitely imperative. Bridal shower etiquette should be considered by the bride-to-be, the hostess, and even the guests.
Most bridal showers include food and drinks and sometimes even liquor. Obviously, it is important to ensure that nobody has too much to drink. We all know that nerves run high for the bride, the bridal party, and both the mother of the bride and the mother of the groom. It can be easy to over imbibe and start acting unlike ourselves!
Every guest at the bridal shower should bring a gift, whether it is from the bridal registry, a monetary gift, a sentimental gift, or something entirely unique and different. The purpose is to help celebrate the bride but to also help her set up her new home with her husband. If money is an issue, then there is no shame in giving a card only. However, bringing nothing at all is poor bridal shower etiquette.
It is proper bridal shower etiquette for the bride-to-be to give the hostess of the bridal shower a thank you gift. The hostess gift can be anything that the hostess might enjoy such as flowers, wine, candles, or spa gift certificates.
The bride will spend a good amount of time sitting in front of all her guests and opening her gifts. It is important that she reads the card and loudly says whom the gift is from and then shows the gift to everyone. Then, she thanks each guest. It is important that the bride has someone writing down the gifts she receives and who each gift is from. This is so that she can also send thank you notes. Yes, it is proper bridal shower etiquette to send thank you notes even when a verbal thank you is given.
Have you been to a bridal shower lately? Are you planning a bridal shower? Do you have any etiquette rules to add to our list? Share your views on bridal shower etiquette.