Stress-free Wedding Planning Podcast #173: Sip, Sip, Hooray! Is a Bridal Shower or Couples Celebration Worth the Fuss?
This edition of the Stress-Free Wedding Planning Podcast with Sal and Sam explores the value and logistics of bridal showers and couple celebrations.
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Meet Sal and Sam, your hosts for The Stress-free Wedding Planning Podcast. Additionally, this podcast is for engaged couples who feel overwhelmed with wedding planning and family expectations but want a memorable and fun wedding day.
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Sal and Sam are your hosts, two professional DJs with over 80 years of combined wedding expertise and thousands of happy couples. Furthermore, they’ll guide you through planning your wedding. As a result, taking you from concern and being overwhelmed, to a memorable, fun, and stress-free wedding.
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In This Edition
This week’s edition, Sal and Sam cover the origins, pros, and cons of these pre-wedding events, bridal showers, and couple celebrations, and offer modern alternatives tailored to individual preferences.
Furthermore, we include key points such as the timing, involvement of the bride, and the impact on overall wedding planning.
Finally, the discussion explains the roles of different hosts, and the financial realities for guests and the bridal party.
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Stress-free Wedding Planning Podcast #173: Sip, Sip, Hooray! Is a Bridal Shower or Couples Celebration Worth the Fuss?
Host: Sal & Sam
Music: “Sam’s Tune” by Rick Anthony
Join our community for free tips and suggestions – Stress-free Wedding Planning Community
Produced by Atmosphere Productions in association with After Hours Events of New England
Transcript
Sip, Sip, Hooray! Is a Bridal Shower or Couples Celebration Worth the Fuss?
DJ Sam: Today’s edition asks the question, is a bridal shower or couple celebration worth all the fuss? We’ll discuss what happens at a bridal shower or couple celebration. What does the groom do? When should a bridal shower or couple celebration take place?
DJ Sal Fusco: We’ll explain who hosts a bridal shower or couple celebration. Also, should the bride-to-be be involved in the planning process, and most importantly, is the tradition, the right thing for you?
DJ Sam: We’ll answer these questions and more in today’s edition of the Stress-free Wedding Planning Podcast.
Speaker: Thanks for joining us. Hi, I am Sal from After Hours Events of New England. That’s After Hours Events Of N.E dot com and I’m Sam from Atmosphere Productions. All the Ws atmosphere hyphen productions dot com.
DJ Sam: There are specific considerations for [00:01:00] determining if you want a bridal shower or couples celebration. Understand both the pros and cons of a shower. Know the financial realities of hosting or attending the shower.
DJ Sal Fusco: Discover modern alternatives to traditional showers that may better suit your personality. Learn how a shower can impact the overall wedding experience and guest involvement.
DJ Sam: Remember, it’s okay to customize or skip the tradition without any guilt. One important note. If family members aren’t available to plan, the bridesmaids should step in to take care of some of the arrangements.
DJ Sal Fusco: First, what is a bridal shower or couple celebration? It’s a party held for the bride-to-be, or the couple typically in the months leading up to their wedding, where friends and family gather to celebrate and give gifts that help start their new life together. The event often includes food, games, and the bride-to-be opening her gifts in front of all our guests.
DJ Sam: Now the origin of the [00:02:00] bridal shower celebration dates back to 16th century Holland, and it sounds like a Disney story. The story goes that a young girl’s father refused to provide a dowry for the marriage he disapproved of. The town now, got together and offered small gifts to help her start her home without the dowry money. The core of the tradition has somewhat held up over the years and today we typically shower couples with gifts for the home.
DJ Sal Fusco: Let’s explore the pros and cons of bridal showers and couple celebrations. But first, let’s thank Danielle and Jesse, who recently tied the knot in Branford, Connecticut and used our podcast to help plan their wedding celebration. Also, welcome to our new YouTube subscribers, RichFields6376 and RizanWorld. Thanks for listening to the Stress-Free Wedding Planning Podcast.
DJ Sam: Let’s begin by discussing the pros. Bridal showers [00:03:00] have long been a pre-wedding tradition, bringing together friends and family to celebrate the bride-to-be. But in today’s world where weddings are already expensive and time is tight, many couples and bridal parties wonder, ” hey, are bridal showers or the more modern couple celebration worth it?” The answer isn’t one size fits all. It depends on the personal preference, budget and how much value you see in the tradition.
DJ Sal Fusco: One of the most significant benefits of a bridal shower or a couple celebration is the opportunity to gather with family and friends before the busyness of the wedding day. Weddings tend to be hectic. For example, guests, photos and dancing, often leave little time for intimate conversations.
DJ Sam: The bridal shower or couple celebration offers a slow paced setting where the [00:04:00] bride-to-be can share memorable moments with their closest circle of friends. Remember though that the general outline for a bridal shower is usually the same: food, drinks, games, and the opportunity for the bride or the couple to open gifts surrounded by guests.
DJ Sal Fusco: Events like this give you an opportunity to have more in-person conversations. It’s a more laid back setting. You’re not rushing for anything. You’re gonna take your time. You’re able to be at ease. There’s no hustle and bustle like it is on the wedding day. The shower is centered entirely on the bride-to-be. It’s an event that gives her space to be loved, supported, and celebrated to the lead up to her wedding day. Also, the shower is a chance to celebrate the bride or the couple.
DJ Sam: Many brides or couples appreciate this focused attention because on the day itself, the spotlight is typically shared with the [00:05:00] couple, as a whole. Remember though that the bridal shower should take place at some point before the wedding. While there is no set rule. Bridal showers generally occur anywhere from a few weeks to a few months out.
DJ Sal Fusco: Traditionally bridal showers were created for gifting essentials to help the couple to begin married life. Today’s couples often live together already and may already own plenty of the household items, but many couples still appreciate the chance to receive valuable gifts practical for married life. You know, such as kitchenware. You’ve been to their house. What is a piece they may be missing or may have mentioned that they would like to have in the future? Home decor. Again, you’ve been in their home, you see how they like to decorate something. Maybe you could do something that feeds right into how they decorate, and also personalize keepsakes. You know them. You know what they’ll love. Give them something that’s personalized that they’ll cherish forever.
DJ Sam: Those who love practical [00:06:00] registrars, a shower helps lighten the financial load of setting up a household, maybe even cash to help with a down payment on a new home, may be a good idea.
DJ Sal Fusco: Remember a bride’s partner often arrives towards the end of the shower, possibly with flowers in-tow to say hi to the guests before they leave. It’s a sweet way to include them in your celebration and a well guaranteed help getting those gifts home.
DJ Sam: Amidst the stress of wedding planning, a bridal shower or couple’s celebration may be a joyful break. It keeps the excitement building giving the bride-to-be or the couple. Something fun to look forward to in-between planning, timelines, vendor calls, and the dreaded seating charts.
DJ Sal Fusco: It’s often a needed reminder that love, family, and celebration are the heart of the wedding journey. At the end of the day, that’s what it’s all about.
DJ Sam: Finally a Pro Tip. Traditionally, the bridal shower was [00:07:00] hosted by the maid of honor and bridesmaids, not the mother of the bride or future mother-in-law. Today, though, it’s extremely common and perfectly acceptable for anyone to host it.
DJ Sal Fusco: Yes. Whoever is close to the bride-to-be and feels up to the task, should feel free to be empowered to organize this event. Most importantly, be sure to communicate your plans with the bride-to-be and any other key players early on to ensure that two events aren’t being planned at the same time.
DJ Sam: . Do you have a question or concern? Go now to Facebook and join us on the Stress-Free Wedding Planning Community and now in the Connecticut Wedding Advice Community. You can also join us on YouTube. Just search for Stress-Free Wedding Planning Podcast with Sal and Sam. Like, comment, subscribe, and get it first. We’d also like to thank you for listening and because of you. We’re now ranked at number 15 in Top 60, Wedding Planning Podcasts [00:08:00] by Million Podcast dot com.
JR: This Is the Stress-Free Wedding Planning Podcast with Sal and Sam. A podcast for engaged couples concerned about wedding planning and family expectations, but who want a stress-free, fun and unforgettable wedding.
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JR: [00:09:00] This is the Stress-free Wedding Planning Podcast with Sal and Sam.
DJ Sal Fusco: And now it’s Wedding Tip Wednesday.
DJ Sam: Today’s Wedding Tip Wednesday is ensure your bar is well staffed. As a general rule, you should have one bartender for every 50 guests to minimize wait times. However, if you are offering a signature cocktail that cannot be pre-prepared or made in bulk, it may be wise to include an additional server specifically for that purpose.
DJ Sal Fusco: Sam, I know you and I have been to weddings where there’s only two bar staff when there’s over 150 guests. That’s absolutely crazy.
Make sure that your facility has adequate staff for your bar so your family and friends are not waiting in line.
DJ Sam: That’s another wedding tip from Sal and Sam.
Wedding Tip Wednesday is available on the Stress-Free Wedding Planning Facebook group page every Wednesday. Join the group for free.
JR: This is the Stress-Free Wedding Planning Podcast with Sal and Sam.
DJ Sam: We’ve explained the pros of bridal [00:10:00] shower or couples celebration. Now onto the cons. I’m Sam from Atmosphere Productions.
DJ Sal Fusco: I’m Sal from after hours events of New England.
First, a question often asked is, should the bride be involved in the planning process? Unless this is a complete surprise to the bride-to-be, getting them involved is really not a bad idea. ‘ cause the host will be able to ask the bride about preferred themes. Maybe. The guest list, some of the details, the date that may, and time that may be good for them, a location they may like, and of course activities.
This is very important to get inside tips on what they would like to see for activities. Not every bride wants all the things that other brides want. So it is important to get an inside scoop on what they’re interested in.
DJ Sam: Now, the most important con to having a bridal shower or couples celebration is the additional expense which can rise quickly. From venue rentals and [00:11:00] caterings to favors and decor, hosts can end up shouldering significant costs. Guests also feel the financial pinch, as they are expected to bring a gift to the shower, as well as a wedding gift.
DJ Sal Fusco: For couples and families already stretched thin financially, this extra celebration may feel more like a burden than a joy. The wedding party is also expected to attend, which adds another level of expense to them.
DJ Sam: That’s so true, Sal. Having several friends, having several weddings in one year can break the bank. So you have to be conscious of that. What other weddings are your friends going to? You can’t expect them to go to 12 weddings and then still go to yours as well.
Now let’s consider the timing. Between engagement parties, bachelor and bachelorette trips, and rehearsal dinners, couples calendars are packed. Remember, you have to go to work as [00:12:00] well. Fitting in a bridal shower or couples celebration, can add stress, especially if guests need to travel long distances. Multiple times before the wedding itself. Busy couples may also find that the event creates more on their to-do list rather than reducing items on their list.
DJ Sal Fusco: Always remember, if this is just too much, you really don’t have to do it. Okay? Yeah. It might be considered tradition, but it may just not be something that works for you. So feel free to not do it at all if that works for you best.
Today’s couples who are already living together before marriage may already have everything they need, making the shower’s gift giving element feel unnecessary. Also, when a couple ops for a joint celebration, such as a couple shower or pre-wedding barbecue, the traditional bridal shower or couple celebration, can seem repetitive and outdated.
DJ Sam: [00:13:00] Now, on to feeling comfortable. Many couples or brides-to-be are shy and prefer low-key gatherings. For them, the games, the attention, the gift opening may feel overwhelming or just awkward. It’s true, not everyone is comfortable with the spotlight. If a bride-to-be dislikes being the center of attention, a bridal shower or couples celebration may not feel worth the effort just for tradition’s sake.
DJ Sal Fusco: If you’re on the fence, consider tailoring the tradition to suit your taste. A smaller casual shower with just immediate family or close friends can capture the joy of the occasion without the pressure of a large event.
DJ Sam: For more modern couples, couples showers, traditionally known as a Jack and Jill or Jack and Jack or Jill and Jill, or experiences like cooking classes or a winery tour, are fun alternatives. Another option is skipping the [00:14:00] shower altogether and focusing on other pre-wedding events that feel more meaningful.
DJ Sal Fusco: So there you have it. Ultimately, it’s up to you. The shower can be a heartwarming part of the wedding milestone, or it’s perfectly acceptable to just skip it. At the end of the day, your wedding journey should reflect you and your partner, not just what is expected.
DJ Sam: Now as you spend the next week planning your wedding, if you want me, Sal, or our community of stress-free engaged couples and wedding experts to answer any wedding-related questions, then join us in the Stress-Free Wedding Planning Facebook group.
DJ Sal Fusco: Once you’re in, go ahead and share your concerns and worries, and we’ll let you know if you are on the right track or if there are some things you need to work on. The link to join us is in the show notes of this edition, or go to Facebook and search for the Stress-Free Wedding Planning community.
DJ Sam: Remember to do something nice for someone today, and if you can’t, then do something nice for yourself. If you’ve enjoyed what you’ve just heard, leave a review and share it with a [00:15:00] friend or someone who would benefit from this information. Until next time, it’s. TTFN, Tah Tah For Now.
DJ Sal Fusco: Thank you for listening to this edition. A new edition is released every Wednesday. Subscribe and get it first. We’ll catch you then Ciao!
Wayne: The Stress-Free Wedding Planning Podcast is produced and copyrighted by Atmosphere Productions in association with After Hours Events of New England.
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