Work Bridal Shower Dilemma

kat5689

Good Morning,

I have a bit of a dilemma. I have let the ladies at work know (gently) that my very informal park picnic wedding planned for this June is for family and lifelong friends only. There is a capacity issue at the venue and I wanted my wedding to be a personal and family event, not a work event. I have not indulged about details at work and have kept my responses to questions about the wedding very short and sweet. One co-worker of mine insists upon throwing a shower for me. She caught me by surprise by asking my in front of others if they could throw a shower for me and my response was an "I guess so...".  That was my original mistake. Now she is off and running with plans to have a luncheon at her home on a Sunday with all the women in my large department invited even after I privately suggested to her that if the girls at work were inclined to throw me a shower could we please make it a luncheon at work? I feel VERY awkward about this. I am not registering for girts for my wedding and the women at work were aghast when I told them this yesterday as they 'needed' to get me a gift for my shower. What do I do? I do not intend to invite these women and their significant others to my wedding but I do not want to offend.

brookelynpaisley

Work showers are the exception to the "if they're invited to the shower, they must be invited to the wedding." It seems very sweet that your coworkers are so excited for you and want to throw you a nice shower. Perhaps you could take the head-planner aside and be honest with her that you're feeling uncomforable about all the attention and would just like to have a lunch with the girls or something. I know it's awkward when people are wanting to give you a party and feeling guilty about them not being invited to the wedding. Honestly, I kinda think if she wants to have it at her house, that's her prerogative. When you accept a party in your honor, you don't really get control over how and where, you know? Your only other choice is to decline it. Personally, I would go with it - if they think you're this awesome that they want to go all out, count yourself among the lucky who have awesome coworkers. You might even have a little fun

nurse.misty

Work showers are the exception to the rule. You already agreed to the shower, so it's really up to the hostess to decide where to have it. I would just make a small registry somewhere for those that wish to bring gifts. Then just relax and enjoy it.

Brandiewine11

Ditto PP. Just have fun! For the gift situation, just let them know that you really don't need anything and would love to just have a lunch. If they insist could you come up with a few suggestions of things you really do want? Or just do a small simple registry somewhere - these will not be the only people who want to get you a gift. If you don't have at least a few options, you'll likely get random stuff you don't really like/want. Just go with it and enjoy!