inviting officiant to bridal shower? (XP)

kebebb

My mom is hosting a bridal shower and asked me if she should invite the officiant. The officiant is my pastor, and has spent a lot of (non-wedding) time with my family over the last 6 months, specifically when my grandmother was in the hospital and hospice. She's been around a lot as a pastor as well as a friend. I don't want to invite her and have her feel obligated to show, nor do I want to snub her if it is the norm for her to receive an invitation. Thoughts?

southernbelle0915

I would think about it this way: if she wasn't your pastor/officiating your wedding, would you be inviting this person to the wedding anyway? Would you invite her to the shower anyway? If so, then sure go ahead. If you'd be on the fence about it, it's probably not a great idea. 

Either way, I highly doubt she would expect to be invited. People understand that showers are usually family, close family friends and WP members. I would be very surprised if a pastor felt "snubbed" by not receiving an invite to a wedding shower.

SP29

I agree- I would only invite your pastor if you would invite her if she were not your pastor. 

No, it's not generally the norm to invite your officiant to the wedding shower, unless the officiant is a friend whom you would invite to your wedding anyway. 

Jen4948

I agree as well.  Take the "officiant" status out of the decision and decide if you would invite her as a friend to your shower.  If not, then don't invite her.