When it comes to planning a wedding, one of the most important questions couples must answer is: Does the bridal shower or bachelorette party come first? The answer isn’t a simple one, as each couple must decide what works best for them with regards to their own wedding timeline and budget.
If you’re trying to decide which event comes first, it’s important to consider the purpose of each. A bridal shower is traditionally a gathering of family and friends that serves to “shower” the bride with gifts before her wedding day. A bachelorette party, on the other hand, is usually a night out to celebrate the bride-to-be with her friends and is often more raucous in nature.
Typically, bridal showers are hosted a few weeks before the wedding so that the bride has time to shop for any items she may have received. Depending on the couple’s time constraints, having the shower and the bachelorette party close together may be a great option. While it’s not necessary to hold the bachelorette party before the bridal shower, it is important to remember that the bachelorette party should be planned far enough in advance so that the bride and her friends have time to save up for the event.
Another factor to consider when deciding which event comes first is the budget. Many couples opt to have a bridal shower and a bachelorette party back-to-back, so that they can save money. This is an especially good option if the couple is on a tight budget and wants to share costs between both events.
Ultimately, the decision of which event comes first is up to the couple. Whether the bridal shower comes first or the bachelorette party comes first, the main thing is that the couple has enough time to plan and prepare for both events. Couples should also take into account their budget, time constraints, and the type of activities they would like to have at each event.
The Etiquette Of Planning Bridal Shower Vs. Bachelorette Parties
Deciding when to plan the bridal shower and bachelorette party is more than a mere formality. It’s important to plan these parties at the most appropriate times to ensure that everyone involved has the best possible experience.
The bridal shower should always occur first, as it’s a pre-wedding affair that focuses on the bride and her friends and family. This event should typically be hosted by the maid of honor or a close relative, and traditionally features gift-giving, eating, and socializing. The bride typically invites only her closest family and friends, and it’s much more of an intimate gathering than the bachelorette party.
The bachelorette party, on the other hand, is typically more of a wild affair, often with a larger guest list than the bridal shower. It’s the last event that the bride-to-be attends as a single woman, and it should be a night of fun, dancing, and celebration. The bachelorette party is traditionally hosted by the bridesmaids, but can also be hosted by the bride’s family or friends.
When it comes to timing, the bridal shower should take place 4-8 weeks before the wedding. This gives the bride and her family and friends ample time to plan the event and get the most out of the celebration. The bachelorette party should take place 2-3 weeks before the wedding, so the bride and her bridesmaids have enough time to recover before the big day.
Whether you’re planning a bridal shower or a bachelorette party, it’s important to keep a few things in mind. First, be sure to budget for the event and stick to it. Second, be mindful of the guest list and make sure that the bride’s closest family and friends are invited. Lastly, be sure to serve food and drinks that everyone can enjoy. Following these tips will help make the bridal shower and bachelorette party enjoyable experiences for everyone involved.
| Event | Timing |
|---|---|
| Bridal Shower | 4-8 weeks before wedding |
| Bachelorette Party | 2-3 weeks before wedding |
How To Decide Which Order To Do Bridal Shower Or Bachelorette Party
As a bride-to-be, you may be wondering whether you should have your bridal shower or bachelorette party first. The answer will depend on several factors, including the type of event you are having, the distance from the wedding date, and the specifics of each party. Here are some tips to help you decide which order to do your bridal shower or bachelorette party in.
The type of event you are having will be the first factor to consider. If you are having a more relaxed bridal shower, it may make sense to have it before the bachelorette party. This way, you can enjoy the shower without feeling rushed to leave for the bachelorette party. On the other hand, if you are having a more formal bridal shower, it may be better to do the bachelorette party first, so that you can enjoy the shower without worrying about the bachelorette party.
The next factor to consider is the distance from the wedding date. If your wedding is weeks away, it may make sense to have the bachelorette party first, as it is typically the more boisterous of the two events. This will give you plenty of time to recover and relax before your wedding day. If your wedding is just days away, it may be better to do the bridal shower first, so that you can enjoy the time with your friends and family without feeling too tired for the bachelorette party.
The specifics of each party also play a role in the order. If your bridal shower is taking place at your bridesmaids’ homes, it may make sense to have it before the bachelorette party. This way, you can enjoy the more relaxed atmosphere at the bridal shower before heading out to the bachelorette party. On the other hand, if your bridal shower is taking place at a restaurant or other public venue, it may make sense to have it after the bachelorette party, so that you can enjoy the festivities and get your groove on.
| Type of Event | Distance from Wedding Date | Specifics of Each Party |
|---|---|---|
| Relaxed Bridal Shower | Weeks Away | At Home |
| Formal Bridal Shower | Days Away | At Restaurant |
When deciding which order to do your bridal shower or bachelorette party in, it is important to consider the type of event you are having, the distance from the wedding date, and the specifics of each party. Once you have taken these factors into consideration, you should be able to make an informed decision about the order in which to do your events.
A bridal shower is typically a daytime event with close family and friends that celebrates the bride-to-be, while a bachelorette party is typically an evening event with the bride’s closest friends.
The bridal shower is usually held a few weeks or a month before the wedding, while the bachelorette party is usually held a few days before the wedding.
The bridal shower is usually thrown by a family member or close friend of the bride, while the bachelorette party is often thrown by the maid of honor.
The purpose of a bridal shower is to give the bride-to-be a chance to spend time with her loved ones, relax, and receive gifts to help her start her new life. The purpose of a bachelorette party is to celebrate the bride-to-be’s last single days before her wedding.
At a bridal shower, games such as bridal bingo and scavenger hunts are often played. Bachelorette parties often involve activities such as going out to dinner, bar hopping, or going to a spa.
For a bridal shower, guests should arrive on time and bring a gift for the bride. For a bachelorette party, guests should follow the bride-to-be’s wishes and respect any requests she may have.
The bridal shower and bachelorette party can be coordinated, but they don’t have to be. It is up to the bride-to-be and her planner or host to decide if they should be coordinated.
The bridal shower usually comes first, followed by the bachelorette party.
The dress code for a bridal shower is typically dressy casual, while the dress code for a bachelorette party is typically more relaxed.
Guests should usually RSVP to the bridal shower and bachelorette party separately, as they will likely be held at different times and locations.