Bridal Luncheon Q

lacey3eb

At Thanksgiving my FI's grandmother told me and FMIL that she wants to have a bridal luncheon for the ladies of the family and my bridesmaids.  I mentioned that both bridesmaids are out of state and can probably only come to the shower and wedding. 

FMIL brought it up once or twice since then.  I really don't understand what she wants to do...I guess I just have to ask!  I thought a bridal luncheon was something a bride can throw for her bridesmaids as a thank you.  Not a party that includes family & friends of the bride.  That to me sounds like a shower.  My MOH is planning my shower and I really only want one because this is my 2nd marraige and I don't want a bunch of pre-parties (I think one shower is just fine, but no need for multiple in my particular situation). 

Is the bridal luncheon that they are describing some sort of southern thing that I don't understand?!?  I'm from NY and his family is from NC/SC where we now live.  I explained to his mom that I'm still confused at what her mom wants to host, but that I feel that I shouldn't have additional parties because people might side-eye it (she disagrees with that) and that I don't want guests to have to choose between parties.  Not sure what to do...

OBX2011

My aunts hosted a bridal luncheon the day of our rehearsal.  We had a nice lunch at an outdoor cafe and just spent time with the girls chatting about this and that.  No gifts were exchanged and nothing was done along the same lines as a shower.  It was just a nice gesture on her part to host a lunch for the ladies and the BM's.  We came, we ate lunch and we left.  Simple as that

Your guests will not have to choose between parties b/c it's not really a party and the only people that are invited are the bride, her bridal party, MOB and only close female relatives like, sisters, SIL's, FSIL's, FMIL, aunts and grandmothers.

lacey3eb

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/special-topic-wedding-boards_pre-wedding-parties_bridal-luncheon-q?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Special Topic Wedding BoardsForum:32Discussion:6da3cfbd-ac6e-479d-8005-ac620c864aacPost:af3b9b29-756b-449d-b608-09fd6ec7ac4f">Re: Bridal Luncheon Q</a>:
[QUOTE]My aunts hosted a bridal luncheon the day of our rehearsal.  We had a nice lunch at an outdoor cafe and just spent time with the girls chatting about this and that.  No gifts were exchanged and nothing was done along the same lines as a shower.  It was just a nice gesture on her part to host a lunch for the ladies and the BM's.  We came, we ate lunch and we left.  Simple as that :) Your guests will not have to choose between parties b/c it's not really a party and the only people that are invited are the bride, her bridal party, MOB and only close female relatives like, sisters, SIL's, FSIL's, FMIL, aunts and grandmothers.
Posted by OBX2011[/QUOTE]

Thank you for your response!  That sounds more like what she described.  When I google "bridal luncehon" the other ideas come up which was so confusing for me.  The only local guests are myself and FMIL.  Grandma, great aunt, and aunt all live in other states.  My bridesmaids live in other states as well as all of my family.  It just seems like a lot to me to ask the ladies to come this summer for a luncheon with the shower in Sept and the wedding in Nov...but if she wants to host and invite, then I guess it's up to invited guests to decide to come or not.