Who should pay for a wedding shower?

Answered by Frank Schwing

Traditionally, the cost of a wedding shower is covered by the hosts. The hosts are usually close friends or family members of the bride or groom who want to throw a special celebration in honor of the upcoming wedding. These hosts take on the responsibility of planning and organizing the shower, which includes covering the costs associated with it.

If the bridal party is hosting the shower, they should split the cost amongst themselves. The bridesmaids or groomsmen typically come together to plan the shower as a way to show their support and love for the couple. In this case, it is expected that they will contribute financially to cover the expenses. It is important for the bridesmaids or groomsmen to communicate openly about the budget and divide the costs fairly among themselves.

However, there may be instances where a relative or family friend offers to serve as the hostess for the shower. In this situation, it is customary for the hostess to take on the costs associated with the event. This could include venue rental, decorations, food and drinks, invitations, and any other necessary expenses. It is a kind gesture for the bridesmaids to offer to chip in, either with money or by lending a hand in helping with the preparations. While the hostess may decline the financial assistance, the offer shows appreciation and support.

It is important to have open and honest communication when it comes to the financial aspects of a wedding shower. If the hosts or hostess are experiencing financial constraints, it is perfectly acceptable for them to discuss this with the bride or groom and come up with alternatives that fit within their budget. This could mean scaling back on certain aspects of the shower or finding creative and affordable solutions.

In my personal experience, I have been involved in both situations where the bridesmaids hosted the shower and when a family friend took on the role of hostess. In the former, we came together as a group and discussed the budget, dividing the costs evenly among ourselves. It was a collaborative effort, and we were all happy to contribute to make the shower a memorable event for the bride. In the latter situation, the hostess graciously covered all the expenses, but we still offered our assistance by helping with the planning and preparations.

To summarize, the cost of a wedding shower is typically covered by the hosts, whether it be the bridal party or a relative/friend serving as the hostess. However, it is important for everyone involved to have open and honest communication about the financial aspects and be willing to contribute in whatever way they can, whether it is financially or through their time and effort. Ultimately, the goal is to celebrate the upcoming wedding and show love and support to the couple.