OneWed.com Expert Tips and Wedding Advice - Showers & Parties

Dear Wedding Maven, My son's future bride lives out of town. Most of our relatives have not met her. I read someplace that in such a case it is OK for me to throw her a shower to introduce her to the family. Is that true? If so, do I need to word the invitations differently than normal? Thanks for your help! Mother of the Groom Dear MOG, Traditionally, close relatives of the... (more)

Dear Wedding Maven, My family grew up giving and receiving family bridal showers. There are several cousins, however, as each of us had our turn, many of us moved away. Now is the time when the last cousin is getting married. She lives in the midwest, and the rest of us are in three other states. Is there an acceptable way to give her a shower by mail? Could there be some creative... (more)

Dear Wedding Maven, I am looking for suggestions for the wording of a bridal shower invitation. I’m the maid of honor, I live in Illinois, but the bride lives in Arizona. We are having her shower in Illinois, when she’s home for a visit, but don’t want her to have to ship the gifts home. Can we ask people to send the gifts to her home in Illinois, but bring a picture? Thanks Long... (more)

Dear Wedding Maven, Could you please suggest appropriate wording for rehearsal dinner invitations, to indicate that it is for adults only? There are some invitees with young kids, but the dinner is intended only for the grown ups. But saying "adults only" sounds a little odd, as does "Leave the kids at home." Do you have any suggestions that won't hurt anyone's... (more)

Dear Wedding Maven, I'm from Wichita, Kansas and I'm giving a wedding shower for my cousin and his fiancée, who live in California. The groom is from Wichita and he and his bride will be here next month for a visit and the shower. Here's the tricky part: They are registered at Macy's and Crate & Barrel. I love both stores, but their closest locations are about 2 1/2 to 3 hours away. The... (more)

Dear Wedding Maven, I'm invited to my soon-to-be sister-in-law's bridal shower. The invitation says, "Pamper the Bride Shower," and there is no information for a gift registry or anything like that. I am not sure what a "Pamper the Bride Shower" is, but I am guessing based on the invitation that she will receive a lot of spa type gifts. So here's my question. Would it be inappropriate to... (more)

Dear Wedding Maven, I am planning to host a bridal shower for my lovely sister-in-law who is 35. We are very happy for her and her man. There will be a number of single ladies there at the shower. My question is how to make each one of them feel special even if they are older and still single, and at the same time celebrate the bride to be. Signed, Sister-in-law of the Bride Dear... (more)

Dear Wedding Maven, My daughter’s friend is hosting a bridal shower for my daughter. The shower is scheduled to be at the friend’s house. Invitations have gone out. We have just learned that this friend’s mother is dying – she’s been given four weeks to live (which is right around the same day as the bridal shower). My daughter thought this was a horrible imposition on the... (more)

Dear Wedding Maven, A good friend of mine is getting married. I’ve been invited to the bachelorette party, which I’d love to attend, but I feel like things are getting out-of-hand. Included with the invitation was a note saying that each guest needed to contribute $30 to help pay for the limo to take us from place to place. It also said that the gift should be “personal” and... (more)

Ah, one of the great tragedies of being engaged: People want to throw you parties. Here are a few pointers to help make sure your shower is fun to step into. Showers are for gifts. The name comes from the fact that one was supposed to “shower” the bride with useful items for her new home, and it is the only party where it’s accepted etiquette that all guests must bring a gift.... (more)