what is the difference between an engagement party and a wedding shower?
June 15th, 2010 | 
Author: Not sure on wedding ettiquette…do you have an engagement party? Bridal shower? Couples shower? What is the difference between each?
Not sure on wedding ettiquette…do you have an engagement party? Bridal shower? Couples shower? What is the difference between each?
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Engagement party is not hosted by bride or groom. An engagement party is usually hosted by family members of the bride or family members of the groom. It is used to announce the engagement to other family members and close friends. The engagement party takes place at the very beginning of the engagement.
Bridal showers are held shortly before the wedding . . . the bride is present, and the guests are usually women only. They can be hosted by bridesmaids, aunts, cousins, coworkers, godmothers, and other assorted friends and family members. They are not hosted by the bride or the mothers. Presents are given, and sometimes games may be played.
Couples showers (like bridal showers, usually held from 8 weeks before to just before the wedding) . . . both bride and groom are present, and the guests can be male and female. Everyone attends! Again, this is not hosted by bride or groom. Presents are given to the couple. Since the men are there . . . no games are played, and heartier food is served.
So . . . the bride doesn’t have to worry about these parties. If someone wants to host any of these for her, then she will have one.
If you are the bride, and no one wants to host a party for you? You will survive. Many brides do not have these parties. They survive, and go on to have perfectly lovely weddings.
My advice? Just relax . . . and don’t worry about the parties. If you are the bride, it is not your job to host any of them. Just concentrate on planning the wedding.
An engagement party is generally hosted by the newly engaged couple or the parents of the couple to announce their engagement to extended family and friends. Gifts should not be expected or asked for on the invitation. A bridal shower is usually hosted by the MOH and bridesmaids to shower the bride with gifts. A couples shower is for showering the couple with gifts and usually hosted by friends or the family’s friends. This gives the groom a chance to join in the pre-wedding festivities. Of course food is served at all three. Some people only have one bridal shower, while others have an engagement party and several showers.
An engagement party is ususally hosted by the parents of the bride or groom to annouce the engagement. Usually no presents, just drinks, etc…a cocktail party to introduce the couple. A wedding shower is usually given by a friend of the couple,or a member of the family or wedding party, ususally for women, but sometimes a couple shower is given, gifts are given, games played.
engagement party-hosted by couple or parents to announce engagement and introduce families to each other… no gifts expected
bridal shower-hosted by bridesmaids, coworkers, anyone who wants to throw one… sometimes has a theme in which the gifts are associated… gifts are mainly for the bride.
never been to a couples shower…