Help!!!! What's the difference between an engagement party and a bridal shower???

Question

What's the point of an engagement party?

And How soon do I need to have it if my wedding is on November 21?

And who do I invite?

Also

What's the purpose of my bridal Shower?

When Should I have It?

Does My fiance come with me, or is he not supposed to be there?

And who do I even invite?

Whoever answers this is an angel !!!! thank you sooo much!

Answer 1

engagement party is for both. bridal shower is you and your lady friends

Answer 2

the engagement party is usually for close friends & family of the bride & groom to be.  it is held shortly after the engagement happens.

the shower is a month or 2 before the wedding.  you and your fiance go and register for things that you would like and the guest of the shower will either go and buy a gift from your registry or give you gift cards/money.  the grooms does attend this party.  and so does the father of the bride.  traditionally it is the women of the family and whomever is invited to the wedding.  you don't invite people you don't plan on inviting to the wedding.

an engagement party is usually hosted by the bride and groom.  the shower is thrown by either the MOH or someone else close to you.

Answer 3

They are different events.

The bridal shower is usually given by your maid of honor about 1 month before your wedding.  

This site has fun games and ideas for bridal showers:

http://www.bridalshowergamesplus.com

Answer 4

An engagement party is a party for the couple, usually hosted by the parents. It can be a barbeque, a cocktail party, dinner - whatever suits your style. They are usually held soon after the couple gets engaged - closer to the date of engagement than the wedding (to keep guests from getting overwhelmed with wedding-related activities). You can invite anyone you like - friends, family members, your wedding officiant (if you've chosen one), etc. Most people do not bring gifts to an engagement party.

A bridal shower is (usually) an all-female party for the bride, hosted by her family or the bridesmaids. Many are "personal showers," which means that guests can bring gifts just for the bride (bath products, tasteful lingerie, etc), rather than the household, although it is not required. A couples shower is for both the bride and groom, and they should expect to receive housewares. Again, anyone can be invited. Bridal showers are generally all women, although that is not a rule, especially if the bride has close male friends. A couples shower can include guests of both genders, generally close family and friends who live nearby.

It's tacky to throw your own shower (because it's like asking for presents), so even if you do the planning, have your mother, sister, maid of honor, whoever send the actual invitations and keep up with the RSVPs. A couple can throw their own engagement party, although it isn't traditional.

IMPORTANT - you should never invite someone to the engagement party or shower if you are not going to invite them to the wedding. Very rude.

Answer 5

Engagement parties are not necessary and are usually thrown in more affluent families, right after the engagement and if the wedding is over 8 months or so away. Seems too soon for you to have one now. A shower is thrown by someone else for you. It's usually 4 to 6 weeks before wedding. Close friends, bridesmaids, moms, grandmothers and aunts of the bride and groom are usually invited. No more than 25 guests.

Answer 6

It's not really a necessary thing, it's just nice to do. Basically a small cocktail party at you house where you and your fiance invite good friends (that's what I did anyway).  A bridal shower is another entirely superfluous event, and it usually entails your closest girlfriends coming over and showering you with gifts (usually lingerie and related apparel). Both of these events should be sooner than later, but engagement party first. He should not be there.

Answer 7

An engagement party is meant for both you and your fiance to invite over all your male and female friends and family to celebrate and announce that you're engaged. It's usually like a big pot luck dinner and drinks, music and entertainment.

The bridal shower is usually for members of the female wedding party (brides maids, maid of honor, your mom, grandma, sisters, and maybe a few other close friends). You would have your mom host it for you about 1 or 2 weeks before your wedding. It's normally a small luncheon or tea. There are lots of cool traditions like having a cake that's baked with trinkets in it for each brides maid, and you typically give your brides maids a small gift, like a rose or a necklace or something.

This is very different from a bachelorette party, which is normally a night or two before your wedding where you and all your girlfriends have a party and you'll get lingere and other gifts from people. The bridal shower is mostly for you to honor and thank your brides maids and female family members.

Congrats and good luck!