Wedding Shower Etiquette Tips for Bride and Host(s):

1. How many showers are appropriate? One shower is great. Two showers are nice. Three showers are pushing the limit. Four showers - over the top! The bride does not have to accept every offer for a shower.

2.What if it is a second wedding, should you forgo a shower? Yes, you should forgo showers. Unless you have been left in a desperate situation and really need the shower. The purpose of a shower is to help a couple set up a home. This does not prevent the bride's friends from hosting a tea, luncheon or celebration for the couple.

3. If you are invited to a shower, should you also be invited to the wedding? The bride and hostess need to review the shower guest list together to make sure that everyone invited to the shower is also invited to the wedding, and no one is invited to the shower who has already been invited to another shower for the same bride. (Except for "office wedding showers." If co-workers are made aware they are not invited to the wedding and insist on giving you a shower anyway. The bride does not need to feel obligated to send them an invitation to the wedding.)

4. If a guest lives too far away to attend the wedding shower, how should a shower party host handle the invitation? Send the invitation anyway.

5. Who hosts the wedding shower? The maid of honor or a close friend. Brides DO NOT plan their showers! Family typically does not host a wedding shower. (Family may host a shower if the guest list is family only.) A family normally host an engagement party. Gifts are not taken to an engagement party. It is not a shower - it is an introduction of the couple to family and friends.

6. What is the role of the bride at the shower? Provide names for shower guest list, show up on time, open gifts, have fun, write thank you notes, and also it is nice to give a gift to each host of the shower.

7. Is registry information included on the invitation? Registry information is never included in shower invitations. The invitation may specify a theme, such as "kitchen shower", "tool shed shower", "lingerie shower", and so on, but never the location of a registry. Guests are always free to shop where they will and purchase what they will. If a guest wants to know registry information, the guest will ask.

8. How far in advance should the invitations be mailed? One month

TIPS FOR GUESTS:

9. RSVP/ASAP The moment you receive the shower invitation - respond! Do not wait until the week or day before and certainly do not bring a guest with you. (or children for that matter!)

10. Is the shower gift the same as the wedding gift? If you choose to attend the shower - you must take a gift. The gift you gave at the shower very well could be the wedding gift as long it is not lingerie etc.. The Wedding gift should be useable for the bride and groom. Also, refrain from taking the gift to the wedding. Send it in advance or afterwards.