Quick question: Bridal shower invitation wording

sarah0725

Hi there! My sister just sent me a mock-up of wording for the invitation for the bridal shower she's hosting for me, and we're wondering whether a bridal shower invitation should indicate that lunch will be provided, i.e. should we call it a "Bridal Shower" or "Bridal Shower and Luncheon". The shower is at 1pm, which in my head would signify lunch, but I'm just wondering whether we should spell it out.

If this is a ridiculously nit-picky question, feel free to pelt me with rotten fruit.

ETA: Did anybody have any problems with people in the groom's family not recognizing your name in a shower invite?

Mrs.B6302007

What about a combo of the two  Bridal Luncheon?

Mrs.B6302007

And FWIW, if I saw the time, I would also assume that lunch would be provided.

sarah0725

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_etiquette_quick-question-bridal-shower-invitation-wording?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:9Discussion:0b9e1276-87c3-4d22-a43d-aa6b7c78f40fPost:1652fa87-389d-4332-9f01-4010765c093e">Re: Quick question: Bridal shower invitation wording</a>:
[QUOTE]What about a combo of the two  Bridal Luncheon?
Posted by Mrs.B6302007[/QUOTE]

I thought about that, but I wonder if it would create confusion over whether this is a shower or not.

[Deleted User]

Yeah, I am with Mrs.B.

I can't remember how mine was worded but it was also at 1pm. Lunch was provided.

KentuckyKate

Every shower I've ever been too, whether at a home or at a restaurant, included lunch.  I think it's assumed.

mica178

I think you can leave off "luncheon" assuming the shower is at a time that is around lunchtime.

sarah0725

Well, that was easy! Thanks, etiquette mavens.

Celles

I think I'm in the minority here, but I wouldn't necessarily assume that lunch would be provided at a 1 PM shower.  That feels a little after what I consider to be lunchtime (11 AM - 1 PM).  I think I would include a "Lunch will be provided!" to ensure there's no confusion, or at least spread it by word of mouth.  Otherwise, as a guest, I'd probably plan to eat first.

bridezillatobe2009

every shower I've hosted or been to has been early afternoonish around 2 or 3 and there was enough food provided that if people didnt eat they would be satisfied. Shower=food.

ahhhitsshannyn

I am with Celles- its not really peak lunch time. I think it should say Bridal Shower and maybe at the bottom or somewhere in the mix have "Lunch will be provided"

Mrs.B6302007

I have r'cd a few invites that had that (lunch will be provided) at the bottom.  Clarity is never a bad thing I suppose.

tpender13

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_etiquette_quick-question-bridal-shower-invitation-wording?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:9Discussion:0b9e1276-87c3-4d22-a43d-aa6b7c78f40fPost:a8731604-d092-464c-b6be-99f5fa3423d3">Re: Quick question: Bridal shower invitation wording</a>:
[QUOTE]I think I'm in the minority here, but I wouldn't necessarily assume that lunch would be provided at a 1 PM shower.  That feels a little after what I consider to be lunchtime (11 AM - 1 PM).  I think I would include a "Lunch will be provided!" to ensure there's no confusion, or at least spread it by word of mouth.  Otherwise, as a guest, I'd probably plan to eat first.
Posted by Celles[/QUOTE]

This.

sarah0725

Now I'm wondering if we should move the time up to 12 or 12:30. We could - it's at an environmental site in our hometown that isn't in high demand, so we have pretty much all day.

missy68

I'd go with Bridal Shower and Luncheon myself if it's both. Bridal Luncheon to me indicates no gifts; Bridal Shower indicates gifts and food, but not necessarily a full meal's worth (but could be).

Or, on the bottom of the invitation, indicate, "a light lunch will be provided."

Celles

I think 1 PM is fine if people know that lunch will be served. I'm assuming it's on a Saturday? 1 PM means the guests can sleep in, have a leisurely morning with a late breakfast or early brunch, and then attend a lunch-time shower.

I didn't mean 1 PM was too late for lunch; just that it was late enough that it could go either way, if that makes sense.

hlq2011

I don't know, lunch will be provided speaks to me more as a business invitation than social, but maybe that's just because I don't get invited to social events all that often.

I'd assume lunch at 1pm, but family meals always were at 1 growing up, so I equate that with a mealtime.

i don't see any harm in saying bridal shower and luncheon.  Definitely not just luncheon, though, because that says "no gifts" to me--or would at least confuse me enough to make me need to ask someone.

sarah0725

So we're back to "Bridal Shower and Luncheon"!  Thanks again, guys.

I kind of think 1pm isn't so bad for lunch on a Saturday. A lot of our guests are going to have a bit of a drive, and my sister and I are making all the food, so that gives us an extra hour to throw everything together and drive it over to the site. Works for everybody.

missy68

Sarah, I said that because J's aunt INSISTED on being a part of the wedding and was pissed we had it in Vegas. So she wanted to do a shower with J's sister. I declined, since I don't know any women here in town that were invited to the wedding. I gave her 3 names - my mom, my aunt, my SIL. All out of town/state. I knew none of them could attend. I tried to decline again. She said aunt REEEAALLLY wanted to do this. It made me ill. They really thought my mom was going to fly up from TX for it; she was between a week with her mom and a business trip with my dad - 2 days at home.

She changed the invite to read bridal luncheon, so her friends (that's who she invited) wouldn't feel obligated to bring a gift. They all brought small gifts, though, and it was the MOST awkward day ever.

That's why I said not just luncheon. But, now you also know how to make a watch as well as what time it is.

sarah0725

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_etiquette_quick-question-bridal-shower-invitation-wording?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:9Discussion:0b9e1276-87c3-4d22-a43d-aa6b7c78f40fPost:0d74b3ea-2801-41cb-9df7-10e3ad4f7d31">Re: Quick question: Bridal shower invitation wording</a>:
[QUOTE]Sarah, I said that because J's aunt INSISTED on being a part of the wedding and was pissed we had it in Vegas. So she wanted to do a shower with J's sister. I declined, since I don't know any women here in town that were invited to the wedding. I gave her 3 names - my mom, my aunt, my SIL. All out of town/state. I knew none of them could attend. I tried to decline again. She said aunt REEEAALLLY wanted to do this. It made me ill. They really thought my mom was going to fly up from TX for it; she was between a week with her mom and a business trip with my dad - 2 days at home. She changed the invite to read bridal luncheon, so her friends (that's who she invited) wouldn't feel obligated to bring a gift. They all brought small gifts, though, and it was the MOST awkward day ever. That's why I said not just luncheon. But, now you also know how to make a watch as well as what time it is.
Posted by missy68[/QUOTE]

Haha no worries! :) That is kinda similar to what I thought might happen if I just said "Bridal Luncheon" anyway, so it's all good.

My sister now hopes that Knottie opinion does not swing back the other way after she sends the invitations. :)