| A wedding shower has two purposes. One is to | | | | kitchen items, and if the bride has registered with |
| help the newlyweds with basic household | | | | a retail store's gift registry, will be sure to include |
| necessities, as they start out their lives as a | | | | that information in the invitation. |
| couple. The other purpose is to celebrate the | | | | Many wedding showers are held on a weekday |
| upcoming event by holding a party. | | | | evening. It is up to the hostess if this will be a |
| Wedding shower comes from the expression to | | | | meal or just a desert offering. Since most |
| shower with blessings. In this case, gifts. Usually, | | | | women, including the hostess, work full time |
| the shower is hosted by a close friend or family | | | | during the day, the shower food will probably be |
| member. A sister is often the best hostess, as | | | | simple and easy. A homemade crock pot stew, |
| she is likely to know what the bride needs or | | | | with bread bowls for serving containers is an easy |
| wants. She is also the person, who can identify | | | | example. A sheet cake, with an appropriate |
| the people, who would like to be invited to the | | | | message from any store can be served for |
| shower. Guests usually come from a circle of | | | | dessert. If something light is desired, a build your |
| close friends and family members. | | | | own ice cream sundae dessert offering is a good |
| The hostess usually holds the shower in her | | | | way to go. Things that can be made ahead so |
| home, so that will determine the number of | | | | the hostess can also enjoy the party are best. |
| people to be invited. She may decide that her | | | | Wedding showers are usually for women, but |
| home can comfortably accommodate 20 guests. | | | | there are no rules that say it cannot be an event |
| The shower is rarely a surprise to the bride. She | | | | for couples. |
| would be consulted about the guests she would | | | | At some wedding showers, the hostess decides |
| like to have there in her celebration. The hostess | | | | to involve all the guests in short games. At |
| would send invitations to these prospective | | | | others, they simply talk with one another while |
| guests at least 10 days before the event, with | | | | the bride opens her gifts. The hostess will provide |
| the request for RSVP (a call or note so she will | | | | a small notebook to record the gift and person |
| know if the guest plans to be there). | | | | giving, so the bride can get her thank you notes |
| The hostess will decide on a theme, such as | | | | out. Most wedding showers last less than 2 hours. |