Bridal Shower. Who To Invite, Who Not To For A Destination Wedding.

[kfracassi]

I'm in the process of creating my "list" of who will be invited to the wedding and shower. I was wondering what the etiquette is for inviting people to the bridal shower. For a typical wedding in my  family, we invite EVERYONE, my parents cousins and aunts, etc., and then these people would obviously be invited to the wedding. 

 

Now for a destination wedding, we only plan on inviting close relatives, so does that mean these are the only ones I should invite to the bridal shower as well? When we come back we still plan on having a "reception" party, a couple months after the wedding where we will invite anyone and everyone (distant relatives and all). 

 

Any suggestions at all would be greatly appreciated.

[LauraM]

I think it'd be proper and acceptable to invite anyone who is being invited to the AHR 

[acw271011]

Etiquette has changed so much over the years I don't know that there are any hard and fast rules anymore. I would say that standard politeness is still the main concern.

 

Destination weddings are so popular now too that you're into a whole different way of planning and working with family and guests. This is just my opinion but I would think you would invite whoever you want to your shower. If you're used to doing it a certain way within your family, then I would say go ahead and do it your usual way. It can be difficult when you're asking people to spend a fairly large sum of money to attend your wedding to determine if you should invite them to a shower.

 

Having said that, the decision to attend your wedding is your guests personal choice and there is no pressure for them to attend particularly if your'e having an AHR. It does open options up to them. So I would say go ahead and invite them to your shower. Wedding gifts are a whole other story and I'm on the side of the ladies here that say give the attendee guests a break and say no gifts.

[BrideToBeJolie]

Etiquette has changed so much over the years I don't know that there are any hard and fast rules anymore. I would say that standard politeness is still the main concern.

 

Destination weddings are so popular now too that you're into a whole different way of planning and working with family and guests. This is just my opinion but I would think you would invite whoever you want to your shower. If you're used to doing it a certain way within your family, then I would say go ahead and do it your usual way. It can be difficult when you're asking people to spend a fairly large sum of money to attend your wedding to determine if you should invite them to a shower.

 

Having said that, the decision to attend your wedding is your guests personal choice and there is no pressure for them to attend particularly if your'e having an AHR. It does open options up to them. So I would say go ahead and invite them to your shower. Wedding gifts are a whole other story and I'm on the side of the ladies here that say give the attendee guests a break and say no gifts.

Totally agree.  It's funny how much the "rules" have changed.  Or rather, how there are no specified "rules" anymore.  Invite whoever you would like to your shower.  

[NJBride2014]

I agree with @@acw271011 at both my bridal shower and bachelorette party I had guests who were invited to the DW come and guests who weren't invited to the DW also attended.  I have a big family and a lot of sisters who have friends that I also grew up with but am not close enough with to invite to my DW.  My sisters, mom and aunts had their own guest list lol so they all invited women who I have known most of my life and who actually wanted to be apart of all the festivities even though they weren't invited to the actual wedding. It really surprised me that they still came to my bridal shower and bachelorette party and were genuinely excited for me and excited to be a part of the fun leading up to the wedding.  I guess you know your friends and family best and will know who should be invited.  Good luck and enjoy all the festivities leading up to the wedding it goes by real fast!!

Edited August 25, 2014 by NJBride2014

[NickiLynn1116]

We are actually having a joint shower with men and women.  We decided to do a bigger shower so that more people could come and we wouldn't have to have an at home reception.  Many people understand that destination weddings are more intimate and won't be offended if they are invited to the shower, but not the wedding.