Groom's Name on Shower Banner?

Jessa617

My fellow bridesmaids and I are hosting a shower for my friend (the bride). This is not a Jack & Jill or a co-ed shower. I am making a banner to the extent of "Congratulations Marie" or "Marie's Bridal Shower", but I am not sure if I should include the groom's name or not. The groom will be arriving at the very end of the shower to help load up gifts... So what is proper etiquette here? Include the groom's name, or not? 

Side note: His name is on the favors with their wedding date. 

misshart00

I don't think it matters too much. But I wouldn't put his name on "Marie and johns bridal shower."

cowgirl8238

I say its how you word it.

"Congratulations Marie and John" makes sense, "Marie and John's Shower" does not. 

Generally, if you are leaning towards emphasizing the shower aspect of the party I would say just the brides name.  If you are emphasizing their relationship I would say bride and grooms names.

slothiegal

Eh, I would probably just include the bride's name.  But I don't think it matters too much either way.

Jessa617

I wanted to really emphasize the fact that it is Marie's shower. Then I was trying to figure out what I even want the banner to say. Marie's Bridal Shower just seems so generic. 

cowgirl8238

Does the shower have a "theme" or title other than Bridal Shower???  I understand what you mean.  Also where are you getting the banner?  Can you add graphics to it to make it more personalized even if the message seems generic?

For example, we used sunflowers (Husbands choice) as our wedding flower, so all of our wedding correspondence had some hint/use of a sunflower.  Since my MIL and SIL/BM threw my shower, they used sunflowers on their stationary as well.  It tied it together and made it a little more personalized.  Just a thought!

Jessa617

@cowgirl8238 there is no "theme" per se. It's just going to be pink. The banner I got was a kit that is DIY so it comes with the pink banner, and then letters so you make your own sign. It's the flag kind that's on a string. 

MandyMost

If the groom was going to be there opening gifts with the bride, I'd say put both names on it. But since he's not, then just put her name on it.

cowgirl8238

@Jessa617 ah I see.  I think you will be fine with the kit as is then.  I really can't think of anything else to say that doesn't get too long/complicated.  Can you maybe add the wedding date?  Sorry I don't have any further ideas on this one   maybe some of the other knotties will think of something I'm missing...

southernbelle0915

If you don't like "Marie's Bridal Shower" and want to use his name, you could put "Marie & John 12-6-14". If you don't want to use his name and he won't really be present at the shower, I don't think there's anything wrong with "Congratulations Marie!"

lc07

Ever since someone told me that the bride should be told "Best Wishes" and NOT "Congratulations" I can't help but cringe when I see "Congratulations, Bride!" even though it's pretty old school.

ETA: I'm 32 and I wouldn't put "Congratulations" and older guests are probably more likely to side eye it, just FYI.

misshart00

lc07 said:

Ever since someone told me that the bride should be told "Best Wishes" and NOT "Congratulations" I can't help but cringe when I see "Congratulations, Bride!" even though it's pretty old school.

ETA: I'm 32 and I wouldn't put "Congratulations" and older guests are probably more likely to side eye it, just FYI.

I only know this from Gilmore Girls.

Jen4948

lc07 said:

Ever since someone told me that the bride should be told "Best Wishes" and NOT "Congratulations" I can't help but cringe when I see "Congratulations, Bride!" even though it's pretty old school.

ETA: I'm 32 and I wouldn't put "Congratulations" and older guests are probably more likely to side eye it, just FYI.

I use "congratulations and best wishes" for both the bride and the groom to lose the sexism.  I know it's not traditional but it evens things out.

MairePoppy

Jen4948 - from an older woman, saying Congratulations to the bride seems sexist to us old school feminists because it reeks of 'Congratulations on finally finding a man.' I'm glad people don't think this way any longer, but it still makes me cringe a bit.