Who to invite to your bridal shower

Definitely up to you. I initially didn’t extend the invite to family who I knew wouldn’t come, some due to distance. But at the last minute I invited them anyways just because. Only one responded and pretty much laughed when I said I know you won’t come anyways.


I just say, I’d prefer for them to save their money and efforts for the wedding. But maybe still send and invite because I know some people still wanted to gift me items since they couldn’t make it. But definitely make a maximum! What happens if everyone shows up haha

You should invite those in your inner circle, so close (not necessarily in distance) family and friends that are invited to the wedding. If you have relatives from states away that you are not close to, don't invite them even as a courtesy because there may be some that want to attend and make the trip anyway. Even if you have family and friends form far away and want to extend the invitation, you can. If they can't attend they will just decline.

Either way, make sure the hosts can accommodate the amount of guests you want to invite.

In my area, the general rule is only people who are close to you relationship-wise and within a 2 hour driving distance. Sometimes an exception is made of like...your sister or grandma live out of state. Other than super immediate family who lives put of state, everyone invited is usually local.

My mom hosted mine, and we invited my closest friends which included high school friends, college friends, and close coworkers and relatives including my aunts, cousins, my fiancé’s mom, his aunts, and his cousins, Our aunts and cousins live out of state, but it’s common in both our families to invite them, despite the distance.

I think this may depend on the event capacity. My fiancé's aunt is hosting but she told me to keep it to 20 people max. I invited my mom, a couple cousins, that aunt's daughters (FH's cousins), my future MIL and sisters-in-law, and a handful of friends. I also invited more who I knew wouldn’t be able to make it, like my sister.


I don't think there's anything wrong with a courtesy invite, in theory -- but because it's a shower, some people may feel obligated to send a gift even if they can't attend. You want to tread carefully there because if you're not close with them, they might see it as fishing for gifts rather than you actually wanting them there.

I am in charge of my list too it will be a 3 day weekend now I'm only trying to invite 8 to 9 ppl. Now so far I have count 13 because my bridal party minus 1 because her job and then counting myself. Some family will be there just my wedding party and friends so now I need to cut down uugh it's so frustrating I want them all there but I know who I can have fun with 😤😦🥴

Many showers are still held in the host’s home as they were traditionally. Only invite those you are close to who are local to the shower venue. Don’t ever send courtesy/obligatory invites. It’s common and customary to have multiple showers where guests are scattered around. One shower for those close to one location and another close to the couple’s parents. That way, no one travels farther than an hour or so that they would drive anyway.