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A: A wedding shower is a gathering of good friends in honor of a couple's impending marriage. It is a celebration distinguished by the "showering" of gifts on the guest of honor(s).
Format: A shower can take whatever form the host/hostess desires: a morning coffee or brunch; a luncheon; a tea; a cocktail party; or a dinner party.
Timing: Ideally, showers take place two months to two weeks before the wedding.
Hosting: Any friend of the bride or groom may offer to host a shower -- often one of the attendants may host, however they are not “required” to. Traditionally, the couple’s immediate family members do not host a shower, as doing so can appear self-serving.
Guest List: The shower guest list is generally made up of close friends and family. Normally, anyone invited to a shower is also invited to the wedding, yet there are exceptions, such as when co-workers wish to throw an office shower for the bride even though they're not invited the main event.
Size: Since the hostess is the person footing the bill and providing the space, she also decides on the number of guests. If the shower is not a surprise, she may get input from the bride on the guest list.
Themes: While no theme is required for a bridal shower, sometimes a hostess chooses to custom-design the festivities, including food, décor, and gifts from guests. Themes work well for brides/couples who already have the basic necessities, or for those with a hobby that they're passionate about together.
Couples: Grooms and their male friends are often included on the guest list in today's couple's shower. The choice of whether or not to include men can be made by the host, in conjunction with the guests of honor.
Invitations: Shower invitation should tie in with the type of party on commercial fill-in shower cards or printed by a variety of stationery stores and online printing companies. Invitations should be sent out three to six weeks before the event.
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