Difference Between a Wedding Shower and a Bachelorette Party
With the variety of parties that can take place before a wedding, do you know the difference between some of them? More specifically, what is the difference between a wedding shower and a bachelorette party
Simply put – a wedding shower is a party for both the bride and the groom with guests from both sides invited. A bachelorette party (or sometimes called “hen night”), on the other hand, is where the bride spends time with her closest friends celebrating her last days as a single woman.
What Is a Wedding Shower Party?
So many pre-wedding parties are focused around the bride, but the groom is just as important!
The wedding shower is the prime opportunity to help you and your significant other celebrate your upcoming wedding day.
If you’ve come across both these terms – bridal shower vs wedding shower – and are confused by what separates them, worry not as we’ve got them covered in the linked article.
The planning for a wedding shower should start around 3 months prior to when the wedding shower is to take place. This allows for ample time to really plan all the beautiful details to make the shower something spectacular.
The wedding shower can be formal or casual, depending on your preference.
For a formal shower, a venue can be booked with a special dinner for everyone or even something more mid-day with a light, but fancy lunch menu. Either choice will be a great way to really celebrate and mingle with guests attending the wedding.
Moreover, it is a wonderful time to share memories with guests about how you met and any plans for the future. Socialization is a huge part of making any wedding shower a huge hit!
Casual wedding showers are more on the relaxed side, yet not any less as important as the formal version.
In this variation of a wedding shower, the bride and groom can still book a venue or even hold the event at home in the backyard or even a park pavilion.
This can be easier on the wallet if there is a tight budget surrounding the parties or the wedding itself.
However, this kind of wedding shower can feature a specific theme to really add some fun to the celebration. An example of a theme could include a tropical island where fruity drinks can be served and casual beachwear can be worn.
For a tea-themed wedding shower, include these gorgeous tea party favors to delight the guests.
Consider buying quirky decorations or even making them for an added flair to the look of the shower!
No matter which type of wedding shower is preferred, you and your significant other will surely have a grand time celebrating with those who will be attending your wedding day!
What Is a Bachelorette Party?
The bachelorette party, or hen night in some cultures, is usually held anywhere from 1 to 4 months prior to the actual wedding.
But why? The time frame for the bachelorette party is quite similar to the wedding shower too.
When comparing the difference between a wedding shower and a bachelorette party, it is important to note about how they are held close together.
These parties serve as a means to get guests really amped up for the big day. If they’re held too early, the excitement level diminishes!
When it comes to the bachelorette party, this is where those closest to the bride get together and have a whole night jammed pack of fun events.
These guests can be friends, sisters, cousins, any female that the bride considers dear to her heart.
The maid of honor typically plans out the bachelorette party and it can be a total surprise or it can be planned with the bride.
Having it be a total surprise is really special for the bride as she can witness how thoughtful her maid of honor has been in planning the most perfect night!
The bachelorette party is usually a casual night, but depending on your tastes, it can be something a bit fancier as well. Usually, the night starts off with a special dinner and this can be at a fancy sit-down location or perhaps somewhere the bride really likes.
Either way, a nice dinner is a great way to start the night off with drinks, conversation and overall build-up of excitement towards the rest of the night.
The rest of the night can be going somewhere together as a group to share memories and celebrate this last night of the bride being single!
Whether that is at bar locations, male dancer clubs, or even a party held at one of the bridal party member’s houses, the celebration can run all night!
If hosting at someone’s house, games can be played, alcohol can be served, etc. The possibilities are truly limitless!
Decorations can be fashioned or bought as well to really spark up the evening. The whole purpose of this special event is to ensure the bride feels celebrated and comfortable!
Should the bride opt for a shower that does not involve the groom, perhaps a bridal shower can be held in addition to a bachelorette party.
Party On!
Knowing the difference between a wedding shower and a bachelorette party ensures that the best time will be had by everyone.
Whether someone plans for you or you do the planning yourself, remember to party on and enjoy every special moment between the time of the parties and the wedding day!
