You’ve heard of a bridal shower and you’ve known of a wedding shower. Are they the same thing? If not, what distinguishes the two?
In this blog post, you’ll learn the difference between a bridal shower vs wedding shower so you can plan with mastery and confidence.
Bridal Shower vs. Wedding Shower
Here’s what we’ll cover:
• Types of Gifts Given at Bridal vs. Wedding Showers
• Bridal Shower vs. Jack and Jill
• Is It Okay to Have a Shower AND a Jack and Jill?
• Who Hosts a Wedding Shower vs Bridal Shower?
• Bridal Shower Invitation Examples
• Wedding Shower Invitation Examples
• Addressing Invites
While a bridal shower and wedding shower are the same type of event — celebrating the couple — the big contrast is this: the guest list.
The bridal shower is just for the ladies while the wedding shower is co-ed for everyone to come together and celebrate.
A wedding shower can also refer to a same-sex shower for the happy brides or happy grooms.
The same events occur at either celebration: guests enjoy a meal of lunch or dinner, drinks, dessert, play a few games, and the couple opens gifts in anticipation of their wedding day. Guests take home party favors, like these.
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What Kind of Gifts Are Given at Showers
There’s no difference in the type of gifts given at a bridal shower vs. wedding shower. The gifts given are from the couple’s wedding registry.
Although there used to be a type of bridal shower where gifts are given only to the bride, that’s not necessarily the case today.
Registry Gifts
The couple should register for gifts before the shower so guests can select a gift from it. These gifts are items the couple will enjoy together.
The best places to register include: Zola (cash/gifts), Etsy (handmade gifts), Amazon (gifts, gift cards), and Target (gifts, gift cards).
Wondering how a registry works? Read: How the Amazon Wedding Registry Works: PROs and CONs.
Lingerie or Honeymoon Gifts
For any honeymoon-related gifts or lingerie, those are typically reserved for the bachelorette party (so the bride doesn’t have to open them up, red-faced, in front of all guests at the shower). ;)
This is, of course, unless it is a Lingerie Bridal Shower, like this invitation below.
Bridal Gifts
Can some of the gifts be more tailored toward the bride at a bridal shower? Absolutely — but you’re still celebrating the couple together, so gifts are typically purchased from their registry.
It is common for the bride to be given special gifts at a bridal shower.
Some gifts include a bridal robe for getting ready on the wedding day, Something Blue for the “Something Old, Something New…” adage (or a Sixpence!), a ring dish, slippers for getting ready, etc.
For more bride-to-be gifts, read: The 50 Best Morning of the Wedding Gifts for the Bride.
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Next, let’s talk about another type of party known as a Jack and Jill.
Bridal Shower vs. Jack and Jill
What is a bridal shower vs. Jack and Jill party? A “Jack and Jill” is another name for a wedding shower or couple’s shower OR to denote a party thrown to raise money for the couple.
In decades past, a Jack and Jill raised money for the couple from partygoers in the form of an entry fee ($5 – $10) or raffle; this money was given towards their wedding, honeymoon, or starting their lives together.
Today, that has morphed into a couple’s shower with the traditional luncheon or dinner menu, gifts from the wedding registry, and no entry fee or money collected.
Honeymoon Fund
In lieu of an entry fee, some put out a “Honeymoon Fund” of some kind to collect money as a nod to the original tradition.
Regardless of what the party is called, everyone agrees: it’s a fun way to get everyone together to celebrate the couple.
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Is It Okay to Have a Bridal Shower and a Jack and Jill?
What if someone wants to throw you a wedding shower and a Jack and Jill? Is it okay to do both?
It depends. Typically a Jack and Jill party takes the place of a traditional bridal or wedding shower. Many times, people mistakenly use the term Jack and Jill and Couple’s Shower interchangeably, and it’s okay because it can be confusing to know the difference.
In some cases, a jack and jill is thrown as a separate occasion. It is held in the evening, with raffle tickets and/or entry fees going towards the couple as the gift in lieu of a wedding gift registry.
As long as the parties are separate and aren’t both mimicking a wedding shower or hosted by the same individual, it’s totally fine to have both. :)
Jack and Jill Invite
Here’s an example of a jack and jill invitation that closely aligns with a wedding shower.
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Who Hosts the Shower?
Who throws the shower?
The Maid of Honor and bridesmaids, the bride’s mom, groom’s mom, couple’s moms, parents of the couple, sibling, cousin, etc. Anyone can host a wedding shower for the couple.
And there’s no difference in who throws a bridal shower vs wedding shower: anyone who is close to the engaged couple and wants to celebrate them may host the celebration.
For more on this topic, read: Here’s EXACTLY Who Throws the Bridal Shower (+ Who Pays For It).
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When you’re hosting a shower, it is customary to send invitations in the mail to your guests. There is a difference in the tone, theme, and style of bridal shower vs wedding shower invitations. In this next section, I’ll outline some examples to guide you as you plan.
Bridal Shower Invitation Examples
You can find unique bridal shower invites from Minted here. In this section, I’ll show you some examples of bridal shower invites so you know how they vary from wedding shower invitations.
As you can guess, the word “bridal” is typically on this type of invitation to denote a ladies-only luncheon.
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And here are some wedding shower invitation examples to show you the difference between bridal shower invites.
Wedding Shower Invitation Examples
You can get specific invites for a couple’s shower from Minted here in a variety of colors, themes, seasonal attributes, and more. Here are some top picks for wedding shower invites.
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Addressing Bridal Shower vs Wedding Shower Invites
Here’s some good news: addressing bridal vs. wedding shower invitations isn’t that much different. Be clear on the outer envelope who is invited to the party so guests know if it is a bridal shower or co-ed celebration.
Here’s how to address the invitations based on the type of party.
Bridal Shower Invitation Addressing
OUTER ENVELOPE → “Mrs/Ms/Miss Francine Thompson”
or [with children] → “Mrs/Ms/Miss Francine Thompson and Miss Adrianna”
OUTER ENVELOPE → Informal: “Aunt Fran and Adrianna Thompson”
Wedding Shower Invitation Addressing
OUTER ENVELOPE → “Mark and Francine Thompson”
or [with children] → “Mark and Francine Thompson
Adrianna, Billy, and Lukas”
This will make it concise that it is a wedding shower for couples [and children] to attend.
I hope this helps to clear up the differentiation between bridal shower vs wedding shower.
While there are some differences, a bridal and wedding shower share the same goal: to shower the couple with gifts, lots of love, and excitement for the marriage ahead.
Happy Planning!
xo
Emma
