In recent years, the bachelorette party has become a huge production. What once was a fun night out with the bridesmaids has become an extravagant (and expensive) weekend-long trip. The new bachelorette party format raises new questions, like who should be invited.
Hi Cheryl,
What is the etiquette on inviting friends to a bridal shower but not the bachelorette party? My bachelorette party is out of state, but I wasn’t sure if it was rude because I invited friends that are not bridesmaids.
Thanks,
Jenny
Hi Jenny,
It’s totally fine for friends to be invited to a wedding shower but not to the bachelorette party. There is no specific etiquette surrounding who should be invited to a bachelorette party. I understand the confusion, as there are “rules” concerning invitations to a bridal shower. Traditionally, the bachelorette party would be a small and select group — your bridesmaids and maybe a few other very close friends. The party is often limited to only the bride’s attendants.
Gift-giving is not part of the bachelorette party equation. However, it has become customary for those who attend to chip in and pay the bride-to-be’s way. So anyone attending must pay for themselves and possibly part of your tab. It’s not rude to invite other friends to your bachelorette party; it’s totally your choice — with one caveat. If your MOH or someone else is planning the party, you should consult with them first. By consult, I mean to make sure to honor their opinions.
For more bachelorette party advice, please see our @askarealbride article, 6 Bachelorette Party Do’s and Don’ts.
If you have questions or comments about this post, gift giving, bridal showers, baby showers, or wedding etiquette, please comment below or email AskCheryl@RegistryFinder.com.
Questions in this column are received from readers. They may be edited for spelling, length, and grammar or to remove sensitive information. However, we are careful not to alter the intent or content of the question.
