Bridal Shower or Wedding Shower

[carol6099]

I grew up thinking a bridal shower was a shower for the bride with close friends and the gifts were for the bride. Perfume, negligee, personal gifts for the bride.
Then the wedding shower was a shower were the bride and groom register at places of their choice for household things. Friends and family members are invited. The bride and groom can have both families or they can have their showers seperate. What is correct? (Bridal Shower) (Wedding Shower)

[Sharon Naylor]

Hi Carol, and welcome to Pash!

This is a regional thing. In some areas of the country, a bridal shower is for the bride (and not just for lingerie, but for all the household items they've registered for), and a wedding shower is for the bride and groom. Since we now have the advent of the "co-ed bridal shower" where it's for both the bride and groom with all their closest friends and family invited, the terms have become interchangeable. So just go with the phrasing that you're used to for the kind of shower it will be, and you can't go wrong.

Just know that one of the newest trends in showers is to go with the theme that best suits what the couple needs. For instance, a couple that is combining their two apartments and just bought a house might like a 'home shower' where they get all the supplies and Home Depot or Lowes gift cards they need to work on the house. A bride who has all the housewares she can use might want a lingerie shower. So talk to the couple and find out which kind of shower would be best for them. Most showers aren't surprises anymore, so they'll appreciate having a say in what's planned for them.

[munchkin]

I've never heard of having two showers. I've only heard of having the one shower for the bride that includes things for her and things for the house. Maybe it's a regional/cultural thing.

[Heather]

I think the bridal shower to which you're referring sounds more like a bachelorette party usually thrown by your bridesmaids if they want to throw one. Sometimes you'll get "sexy" gifts or gifts just for you.

The actual bridal shower is also thrown by your bridesmaids if they want to throw one, and this is where you'll receive the gifts for which you have registered. Some couples have a co-ed shower where you're both in attendance.

Keep in mind that neither is a requirement for the bridesmaids or family to throw, so you shouldn't actually request a shower or the type you would prefer. Usually you'll be asked for a guest list for the party and the shower, and that's basically all you have to do except show up.