Yes, co ed bridal showers are definitely a thing! Co ed bridal showers – also known as “Jack and Jill” bridal showers – are becoming more popular with couples who want to celebrate their upcoming wedding with both of their friends, family, and loved ones.
These celebrations are a great way to have fun and enjoy some time together before the big day. Co ed bridal showers typically consist of activities for both men and women, including things like a fun dance party, organized games, or a movie night.
Guests can also bring gifts for the bride and groom to open together. Plus, you have the freedom to get creative in the themes, food and decorations! However, if you choose to have a co ed bridal shower, make sure there is a safe space for all guests to feel comfortable.
How do I plan a co ed bridal shower?
Planning a co-ed bridal shower should be fun and stress-free, especially as the wedding day is quickly approaching! Here are some tips for planning a successful co-ed bridal shower:
1. Choose a fun theme. A theme is a great way to tie the event together, create conversation and keep the fun going. Some popular themes for bridal showers include a backyard bash, kitchen tea, spa party, a morning mimosa or a beach party.
2. Invite a mix of guests. Invite the bride and groom’s friends, family members and co-workers. Make sure to invite the bride and groom’s parents, siblings and any other close family members or friends they may want to invite.
3. Pick a convenient location. Choose a venue that is close to the bride and groom’s home or the nearest public transportation stop, so it’s easy for all guests to attend. When selecting a venue, make sure it meets your needs for activities and space for the number of guests attending.
4. Think of fun activities. To keep all your guests entertained, think of some fun activities like games, a photo booth, trivia questions, or karaoke. You could also hire an entertainer like a magician, caricature artist, or even a local band.
5. Select the menu. Select a menu that satisfies everyone’s tastes and preferences. For example, you can serve a variety of food items like salads, sandwiches, and finger foods, which are easy to prepare.
You can also serve classic cocktails, beer, wine, and a signature drink.
6. Set up a gift registry. Many couples like to set up a gift registry in advance to give their guests an idea of what they need. You can try registering the couple to a practical or creative store such as Pottery Barn or even Etsy.
7. Send invitations. Let your guests know the time, date and venue of the bridal shower, as well as any other special details like the theme and dress code. Include the gift registry if you’re setting one up for the couple.
Send out the invitations at least six weeks before the shower.
With these tips, you’re sure to plan a fabulous co-ed bridal shower that is both enjoyable and memorable!
Who should not host a bridal shower?
When deciding who should host a bridal shower, one needs to consider the time and effort that is involved. Hosting a bridal shower can be a lot of work and require a great deal of attention to detail.
Therefore, it is not recommended that someone who is already overwhelmed with tasks or commitments takes on the responsibility. Similarly, someone who does not have sufficient resources to plan and execute a successful bridal shower should not take on the task.
Furthermore, it is advisable that the person who hosts the bridal shower has a good relationship with both the bridal party and the bride, and someone who may not be very close to either of them, or is not familiar with the bridal and her guests should not host the shower.
Additionally, someone who is unfamiliar with planning, organizing and executing events should not host the shower, as there are many details that must be taken care of. Lastly, for the sake of avoiding any miscommunication, awkward situations and hurt feelings, it is best to avoid hosting a bridal shower if the person has any unresolved disputes with either the bride or guests.
How much should a bridal shower cost?
The cost of a bridal shower depends largely on the size and type of the event. When deciding on the budget for a bridal shower, consider the number of guests that will be attending, the venue, the menu, entertainment, decorations and favors.
For an intimate gathering, a bridal shower with only a few close friends or family members could be done on a budget of $100 or less. This could include brunch and a few drinks, as well as decorations and favors.
If you decide to host it at your home, this can help keep costs down.
If you are planning a larger gathering, the cost will go up. In this instance, you may need to book a venue, hire caterers, and buy decorations, tableware, and favors, which can drive up the cost to several hundred dollars.
In addition, while gifts are not expected, some bridal showers may include a donation to the couple’s honeymoon fund, making the cost higher due to this contribution.
At the end of the day, your budget for a bridal shower should depend on your means and what you are comfortable paying. It is important to discuss this with the bride-to-be and other members of the wedding party to get a good sense of what kind of event everyone wants and to work within your means.
Is it appropriate for the mother of the bride to host a shower?
Yes, it is absolutely appropriate for the mother of the bride to host a shower. Typically, the mother of the bride is part of the planning process for the wedding and is often the primary host of pre-wedding events.
Hosting a shower for the bride is a wonderful way for her to show her love and support for her daughter on the special day. It is also a great way for the family and the community to celebrate the impending nuptials with the bride.
The mother of the bride may be involved in the planning and execution of the shower, while friends and family can assist with the other necessary tasks, such as entertainment, decorations, food, and games.
Most importantly, a shower gives the bride a chance to receive meaningful gifts and words of encouragement from those close to her before she embarks on a new journey as a married woman.
Does the groom’s family host a bridal shower?
Traditionally, it is the bride’s family who traditionally pays and hosts the bridal shower. However, it is becoming more common for the groom’s family to co-host. If the groom’s family is willing and able to coordinate, they may help by taking on particular tasks such as sending invitations, handling food, booking a space for the party, and helping with decorations.
Even if the groom’s family does not co-host, it is still appropriate for them to attend the bridal shower and be part of the festivities.
What is etiquette for bridal showers?
Good etiquette for bridal showers depends on the kind of shower you’re throwing and the expectations of the guests.
First and foremost, the bride is always the guest of honor and should be treated as such. Whether it’s a formal tea party or an informal backyard BBQ, the focus should be on celebrating the bride and making her feel special.
When it comes to inviting people to a bridal shower, the host should only invite people who are close to the bride, such as family and friends. This is to ensure that every guest can contribute to the celebration of the bride, as well as help her open gifts.
Also, guests should arrive on time and with a gift. It’s polite to purchase a gift that is on the bride’s registry or consult the registry to ensure that the bride doesn’t receive duplicate gifts.
In the event that guests are not able to attend, they should notify the host or send a gift prior to the shower.
When at the shower, guests should stick to the theme and dress appropriately. If the shower is a formal tea party, guests should dress accordingly, wearing nice, modest tea dresses. If it’s an informal gathering, guests should dress in whatever is comfortable.
Finally, guests should mingle, keep conversations lighthearted, and above all, celebrate the bride. Bridal showers are supposed to be joyful occasions, so everyone should work to create a fun atmosphere.
What does the groom’s family pay for?
Traditionally, the groom’s family is responsible for a range of the wedding expenses. These can include the rehearsal dinner, marriage license, accommodations for the groom and groomsmen, a wedding gift for the couple, and any expenses associated with the groom’s attire such as renting a tuxedo or purchasing a wedding band.
In addition, the groom’s family will typically be expected to pay for all of the groom’s pre-wedding activities such as bachelor and bachelorette parties. Additionally, grooms’ families frequently cover the fees for the officiant as well as any transportation costs for the groomsmen and ushers.
Depending on the couple, the groom’s family might also cover floral arrangements for the wedding ceremony, photography and videography, and the honeymoon.
Whose responsibility is it to give a bridal shower?
Traditionally, bridal showers are hosted by the bride’s closest friends and family. It’s typically a responsibility that’s shared by the bridal party and/or a close family member such as the bride’s mother or a sister.
While the bride’s personal maid of honor tends to head up the organization of the event, all of the contributors may share in the cost of the shower and any related activities they’d like to engage in.
In modern times, however, the bridal shower can be hosted by any person or group willing to take on the responsibility. Consider unique options to the traditional bridal shower, such as hosting a joint celebration for the bride and groom or hosting an at-home event with close friends.
No matter the person hosting, it’s important for the person in charge to be able to think ahead and plan ahead. A few weeks of lead time is usually necessary to organize food, decorations, activities, and any other necessary planning.
It’s wise to give everyone plenty of warning to be able to save the date and plan their attendance. Don’t forget to establish a budget and set clear expectations with everyone involved. With the help of the bridal party and other helping hands, this joyous celebration can be pulled off with ease.
Should the mother of the groom help pay for the bridal shower?
No, the mother of the groom is not generally expected or obligated to help pay for the bridal shower. Traditionally, the bridal shower is the responsibility of the maid or matron of honor, bridesmaids, or even a close female relative of the bride.
In some cases, the mother of the bride may offer to help cover the cost of the bridal shower. However, it isn’t expected or required that the mother of the groom contribute to the bridal shower in any way.
A nice gesture would be for the bride to thank the mother of the groom for attending the shower and for all the emotional support the groom’s mom has given throughout the wedding planning process.
What should the mother of the groom not do?
The mother of the groom should not try to take over any of the responsibilities from the bride or from the groom. This is the bride and groom’s day, and they should be able to enjoy it without any interference from the mother of the groom.
Additionally, she should not try to take on any of the wedding-related decisions that are outside of her designated role (for instance, she should not make decisions about the groom’s bachelor party, attire, or even the honeymoon).
The mother of the groom should be available for any help and advice the bride and groom might need, however, in the end, it is their wedding, and the mother of the groom should recognize that it is not her place to intervene if she is not asked to do so.
Ultimately, the mother of the groom should remain respectful, supportive, and helpful towards the couple’s wishes, while also maintaining her boundaries and not overstepping.
What expenses are the groom’s parents responsible for?
The groom’s parents are typically responsible for a variety of wedding-related expenses. This can include paying for the rehearsal dinner, groom’s attire, their own transportation and lodging, a wedding gift for the newlyweds, and, in some cases, contributing to the cost of the ceremony and reception.
Depending on the couple’s wishes, the groom’s parents may also be asked to help pay for other wedding-related items such as the wedding invitations, the wedding cake, the bridesmaids’ gifts, the honeymoon, and more.
It’s important to remember, though, that all wedding expenses should be discussed and agreed upon between the couple and both sets of parents before any money changes hands.
What is the point of couples showers?
Couples showers are a great way to celebrate an upcoming wedding and the union of two people in love. They provide an opportunity for family and friends of the couple to show their support and bless the couple on their new journey.
Guests typically bring gifts that the couple can use when they get married, such as kitchen appliances, linens, or small furniture pieces. Some showers also have couple-specific activities incorporated so that the couple can get to know each other even better.
Couples showers are a great way for the couple to thank their guests for their support and for guests to witness the couple’s joyous start to a new chapter of their life.
Do you bring a gift to a couples shower?
Yes, it is traditional to bring a gift when attending a couples shower. It is generally up to the party-goer to decide on the appropriate gift to bring. It’s helpful to ask the host or the couple if they have any specific items they would like or suggest doing something practical, such as providing a food item or help with any costs related to their wedding or honeymoon plans.
When in doubt, consider giving them something that celebrates their relationship, like a framed photo of them or a special vase. Additionally, sticking to the couples’ interests often leads to just the right present.
Finally, it’s not a requirement to bring a gift, but it is a nice gesture and will show the couple that you care.
What is the point of a Jack and Jill party?
A Jack and Jill party is a type of pre-wedding celebration where the bride and groom invite guests from both their respective sides for a joint get-together. This type of party allows the families of both the bride and groom to meet prior to the main wedding event, as well as give both sides of the wedding party a chance to better get to know each other.
A Jack and Jill party is typically held either shortly before or shortly after the engagement announcement, and usually happens at a restaurant, private home, or event center. This special event usually involves a variety of activities including dancing, eating, and socializing.
Some couples even organize additional activities such as outdoor games, movie screenings, and karaoke. The main purpose of a Jack and Jill party is to bring together the two sides of the soon-to-be married couple and create a fun atmosphere.
The party also helps build a foundation of friendship between two families in order for them to better support one another during the entire wedding process.
How much money do you give at a Jack and Jill?
The amount of money you should give a Jack and Jill depends on your budget, relationship to the couple and your personal preferences. If you are close family or friends, many people like to give an amount that is equivalent to the cost of the couple’s meal or the amount the guest of honor spent on hosting the event, whichever is higher.
If you are less close, you can typically give a smaller amount. For example, you may give around $25-50 if you are an acquaintance. If you are unable to attend the event, you may consider sending a thoughtful gift or, if you want to give cash, the amount can range from $5-$50 depending on your budget and your relationship to the couple.
Can you have a bridal shower and a couples shower?
Yes, you can have both a bridal shower and a couples shower. A bridal shower is typically held to celebrate the bride-to-be and the upcoming wedding, while a couples shower is intended to celebrate the couple as a unit.
Both showers may be held in a variety of places, including the bride’s or couple’s home, a local restaurant, a banquet hall, or a public park. Depending on the couple, the bridal shower could focus on more traditional elements such as games, gifts, and lunch, whereas the couples shower might feature activities that emphasize togetherness.
Examples of activities for a couples shower could include couples’ corner, where each couple has a few minutes to discuss their favorite memories together, date night roulette, where couples win prizes for confirming their next date night activities, and couple-centric board games or trivia.
Ultimately, the options are endless and can be tailored to best suit the bride-to-be and the couple.
Do you give a gift at a Jack and Jill party?
Typically yes, a gift is usually given at a Jack and Jill party. It is a tradition that the engaged couple receives a gift, in celebration of their upcoming nuptials. It can be a gift that is specifically related to their wedding day or something more personal.
If there are other guests, like family members and friends, then they can bring gifts as well to give to the couple.
