Both bridal showers and bachelorette parties are generally all girl parties that include a bride-to-be and her friends and female relatives. However, they serve different purposes and have very different styles.
What is a Bridal Shower?
A bridal shower is a gift-giving party to help outfit the expectant bride with gifts for herself and her new home. This is the time when she’ll get items like bath sets with soaps and pampering items as well as blenders, coffee makers and other kitchen or home necessities. The bridal registry for her wedding gifts, on the other hand, will typically be the serving pieces, goblets and linens and other designer items.
The “girls” will generally play games that get all involved in having a good time and easing the tension for the woman about to be married. Often a shower is given as a surprise. The ladies scheme to get the honored guest to one of their homes, where the party will be, quite surreptitiously.
What is a Bachelorette Party?
On the other hand, a bachelorette party (called a hen party in the UK) is an occasion for drinking or getting pampered or playing games. This is not a gift giving party but a time for the bride-to-be to unwind with her friends and have her last night out with the girls as a single woman. The counter-part for the groom is the bachelor party (called a stag party in the UK). This event often occurs closer to the wedding date than a bridal shower would.
Both types of parties are thrown by the bride-to-be’s closest friend, or female relative, who will usually become the Maid or Matron of Honor at the wedding. A bridal shower may also be hosted by the girl’s mother.
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