Summer 2021 Brides- Shower? yes/no/maybe?

I'm going to Nashville in April for my Bachelorette and I have two showers after that planned!

I am trying my best (luckily my family and wedding party are too) to make my engagement feel as normal as possible.

It's tough when you want to celebrate being a bride and the world is still halted. I'm sorry!

View Quoted Comment That sounds amazing! I’m happy to hear that you have some events to look forward to!

I’m getting married 9/23/21 and I still haven’t decided what, if anything, I want to do about a bachelorette or shower. If anything, I’m thinking maybe brunch and a day on the beach with anyone local that is able to make it, or something very laid back for my bachelorette, and maybe a virtual shower. We’re having a destination wedding and a lot of the ladies I would want to invite live far away, and when I mentioned the shower/bachelorette they basically told me that would force them to choose one event over the others because they wouldn’t be able to travel that much in such a short time frame.

View Quoted Comment That makes sense, thanks for sharing! I like your brunch and beach idea! It’s hard when people live far- trying to coordinate was difficult even during normal times.

My mother is throwing one. Although, at times I think she’s giving up on that due to covid. Although she’s told me to keep it under 15 people as far as guest list. Maybe consider a hybrid shower? Have some guests watch from online and some guests in person

View Quoted Comment A hybrid sounds like a good idea! I was planning around 10-15 max anyway.

View Quoted Comment One of my girlfriends just did a hybrid shower and it was a great success. The only ones in person were her bridesmaids and mother.

I'm getting married on 6/12 and we already have the airbnb booked for my bachelorette in April. There's only 4 of us going and we plan to go wine tasting and will probably spent the rest of the weekend relaxing in the house due to covid. My mom and sister want to plan a shower for me in May, but can't find a place to host it at since VA has a 10 person gathering limit. They are going to continue to look through the beginning of April and hope restrictions are lifted but if she can't find anything she wants to do something virtually. I've been to a few baby showers and birthdays virtually and I'm really not thrilled about the idea. I just think they're awkward for everyone and no one really looks forward to spending an hour staring at people they don't know. If we go down this route, I'd try breakout rooms or something to make it a bit more exiting.

In regards to your situation, it sounds like your mom didn't want to do any of the work since things like invitations and ordering decorations can be done from anywhere. I personally would be annoyed if I had to do everything for my shower, to the point where I don't think I would want a shower. Don't guilt trip anyone, but maybe hint off to your bridesmaids that you really want to have a shower and see if they would help you decorate or plan games?

View Quoted Comment Thanks so much, that gives me some hope!

View Quoted Comment Thanks for the advice, your plans sound like a lot of fun! And I like the breakout room idea. Yeah, I’m at the point now where it’s been made pretty clear that my mom liked the idea of hosting but not the work and would rather not be bothered. I have one pretty dependable friend that may be interested in helping if I mentioned it so I will see how that goes!

View Quoted Comment This sounds like such a blast! I hear Nashville is really awesome.

My wedding is 9/11/21 and my moms throwing my bridal shower in middle of July. We’re doing in person and there’s about 40 ladies invited. My bachelorette party is still not decided on yet (they have thought of a bunch of different options) but my favorite is Hershey park for the day and dinner afterwards so we would be outside 90% of the day.

View Quoted Comment 15 is a nice size for a shower, even in Covid times. Small enough to really talk, few enough to genuinely be interested as each gift os opened, and to listen to the bride chat with the giver, and often get an idea of some of the other people in bride's life if you are a friend from a limited part of their life. I am divided on the mixed live and virtual thing, though.
When people are present, I think that it is important to be real, converse, or laugh and be silly, without people being mostly quiet so those on speaker can follow. Either you cater to those at home, keeping those at the party very orderly and never more than 2 people in the room ever talking at one time, and sometimes everyone quiet to listen to someone on screen, which makes for a really lousy party. Or you let the shower include party chatter, cross conversations and jokes in small groups, and ignore those on the feed. I think if you want to do one virtually, it should not be mixed with a live event.
Give the courtesy of your attention in a free flowing party to those present in person. And if you want a second, more regulated screen event, those people don't spend all their time trying to follow remotely. And someone eating at home is really like a kid with her nose against the candy shop window, watching all at the party having real food. Or to not do this, you don't serve good stuff to those present. It has never been goodanners to mix those getting a privilege, or talking about a special treat, with those not getting it. It is why we don't mix those not invited to a wedding with those who are. Why we don't pass out invitations in front of people not getting them. Or have a wedding where some invited guests get nothing while others go to a small or large reception.And I don't think Covid justifies truly bad manners. I really think they should be separate events if you have a group of live guests there.

View Quoted Comment Hi, thanks for your comment! If we had it both virtual and in person I would set it up so that the virtual party happened before physical guests arrived.

View Quoted Comment This is, by far, nicer to guests. Late last spring, then in Oct, I went to ones where they tried doing both at once. And several family have, and were turned off. Each of these 2 groups will enjoy this. Have a good time!

View Quoted Comment Yikes! Yeah I totally get it!! Thank you!

September 2021 bride here. My bridal party is having a small couples shower for us in June in our friends backyard. My bachelorette will be in end July. Which will be a small glorified sleepover.