Is it proper to have a bridal shower for a bride who is not having a big wedding ?
96465
I think it is very appropriate.  Even more appropriate in this case.  It gives those people who won't be attending the ceremony an opportunity to share their wishes with the bride to be.  Plus, it's not like the bride has the shower for herself...!  Others who love and care about her have decided to honor her by having a party to celebrate the fact that she is marrying.  I say go for it, and have a wonderful time!
849577
I think it was not very courteous of the maid of honor to go ahead with the invites before checking with you. \n\nYes, I think the mother of the bride will normally give a gift at the shower if you are there. If you are not able to attend then it does not matter when you give it to her.
921704
I've been in this exact same situation recently. The bride was my best friend from college, so I still bought something that they could use but that wasn't super expensive. Buy something off of their registry but pick something that you think relates more to whichever party you are closest too. i.e. if you are great friends with the bride buy something you know that she would like but that the groom could care less about and vice versa. I know it sounds a little harsh but if it should happen not to work out then your friend or relative is more likely to get to keep your gift.
483301
I don’t know if you have any specific theme for the bridal shower, but if you do, try to incorporate it.  Otherwise, just use a group of a couple small bouquets – each with one type of flower but all in the same color with identical or very similar vases.  For example, you could do pink roses, pink carnations, and pink gerbera daisies.  Or, get a larger bouquet, put it in a vase, and place pictures of the bride and groom around it – if their respective parents are married, see if you can get pictures of the bride’s parents’ wedding picture and the groom’s parents’ wedding picture, or put up pictures of the bride and groom in various stages of growing up.  If you buy simple, matching frames, it would look really cute and could be a gift to the bride.  The website below has a nice explanation of how to put together a simple bouquet.
225442
Yes of course you should. Ultimately it's up to her if she comes or not depending on her situation. Etiquette would dictate that she let you know in good time, say a week, beforehand of her intentions. Just think how offended and upset she would be if you didn't invite her and remember, pregnancy is not an illness.
714640
Yes, you are wrong to be offended.\n\nFirst of all, it's a very expensive party...I'm certain they have financial limitations on the number of people they can afford to feed.\n\nSecond, she's allowed to invite or not invite anyone she wants, considering that it's her wedding.  She and her fiance (and possibly their parents, if they're contributing financially) are the only ones who's wishes should be taken into consideration when it comes to the guest list.\n\nThe fact that you know how many people have been invited from each side tells me that you already have your nose far too deep into her business.  You need to take a step back, and let her plan her wedding in the manner that SHE deems appropriate.\n\nIf you want to have a party with 300 people, go ahead and have one...then you can invite whomever YOU want (sounds like fun, can I come?).  \n\nMeanwhile (according to Miss Manners), it's extremely rude of you do to anything other than gracefully RSVP.
1147203
Don't worry, you are not being rude, your friend is.  She might be being a bit thoughtless because she's busy arranging her wedding.  Gift vouchers are perfectly appropriate.  Just give as much as you can afford and include a card with some heartfelt words about how much your friend means to you and how glad you are that she's getting married.
1065731
It can be anyone not related to the couple.  It used to be the maid of honor's responsibility, but people have moved away from that tradition I think.  My husband's family lived in a different state and a friend of my, now, mother-in-law wanted to give me a shower.  They were very close friends and it was a nice shower, but I knew about 3  people there.  I think I had 4 showers and only one was given by a bridesmaid.  Also, they're not just for women anymore.  I've been to several couples showers where men are invited.  And I had a friend whose husband had a tool party, a manly version of the bridal shower, hahaha!  Anyway, hope that helps.
329428
Is it similar to a wedding ceremony? If so then just go by that. If it is different you could still use one of them. I think that is really nice.
138645
Yes and no...traditionally, as you already know, the groom's parents throw a party in honor of the engaged couple as a chance to signal their approval of the match and to introduce the prospective bride to their friends and family she hasn't yet met....not having that, in some areas, might give rise to whispers that there is some reluctance on the part of your prospective in-laws....so if his folks want to give you a party, for heaven's sake, let them!\nThere is nothing stopping you from arranging another celebration of the engagement, but I'd ask a few close friends to put the word around that presents are not expected because it's considered tacky to appear to be throwing a party to get more gifts...same reason you can't throw your own shower.\nGood luck and best wishes for a lovely wedding and a happy marriage.
351240
You could change the bridal shower to a shiveree--that is a party after your return from your wedding and reception in Hawaii.   It is an old custom - used a lot in the American West and not much used at present.   The advantage is that you and all your friends and your new husband's friends  could meet and have a grand time together celebrating your marriage.  Shiverees are not limited to the brides' female friends.  The object here is not so much to get gifts but to celebrate the newly wed's life together.\n\nI think you are are quite right in not wanting a bridal shower.  Talk shiveree instead.   Best wishes in your marriage.
173580
take a shower together
470339
right after the engagement so then it will be available for engagement parties, as well as showers and the reception.  we did ours a couple weeks after we got engaged and it really helped. =) Don't put it off too long, because as fun as it sounds, it can also be a little stressful if you two have different tastes...Trust me. =)
400607
Congrats! You can by rose petals at the flower shop, but I would only put them around the tub not in it.  Go to bath and body shop.  They have great ideas. Good luck, but I am sure you both will be happy with being married.
264017
By "proper," I'm guessing you mean traditional.  Traditionally, the father walks the bride down the aisle, but if that is not an option for you, choose someone who has supported you throughout your life.  Someone that you would want to essentially represent you.  Traditionally, the bride and groom have several people in the bridal party.  You only need your best friend, or for that matter, just you and hubby to be.  Lets be honest, most of the time, the bridal party consists of cousins and siblings from both sides, and that tends to be the case because of obligation.  ALL the "necessary" dual dances...really, the only one that truly matters, is the one between you and that new husband of yours.  \nOn the flip side of this, try looking at from a different perspective:  without the immediate family members present, you can easily forego things you would comply with simply out of obligation.  My best advice: any wedding that is individual, well planned, and encompasses the two of you together should be considered proper.\nGood Luck
435494
Do you mean like an open house type thing?  I think that would be fine.  High-school graduates to it, why not an expectant mother?  I would actually like showers like that.  Then I could dictate how long I stayed rather than feel pressured to stay through the entire thing.\n\nI would have the mom to be open gifts as they come in so that the giver could see her open theirs and share the excitement.
650987
I think this is a great idea!  So many of my unmarried friends have expressed this very same interest.  We celebrate weddings and baby showers for others, as we should, without blinking an eye.  But single people have reasons to celebrate and rejoice in life, too, and may want to share important events with friends and family members.  This is a good time to send out the invitations and register for gifts for that special occasion.  Think about an event that others will want to share with you.  For example, that first big move into your own house would be reason to celebrate, throw a party, and register for all the items you still need to make your house a home.  Good luck!