Bridal luncheon?

trinnyface

Hey ladies - are y'all doing a bridal luncheon? I have heard of them before, but wasn't sure if this is a "must-do" kinda thing. My budget is already way over what we had planned and this is just another added expense. If you are doing one, could you give me ideas of what you're doing? I am already way stressed with the rehearsal, reception, and possibly a brunch afterward. AHHHHHHHHHHHH....why do these events have to keep piling up?? I am feeling VERY overwhelmed!

shigaites

I'm not doing one.  Or if I am it will be a casual "meet me at a coffee shop and share a latte with us" sort of thing that my bridesmaids can come to and I'll buy them a cup of coffee.Then again, if we end up doing the beach house idea I'll just make them breakfast one morning and we'll eat it out on the deck

dontworrylover

I don't think its necessary if you're already over budget. We're just doing a really casual lunch on the rehearsal day. I wouldn't have even planned one, except that we're all getting our nails done that morning, so having lunch together just seemed like the natural thing to do. It doesn't have to be some grand affair if you don't want it to be.

campbelle

Generally somebody else throws you a bridal luncheon, and often it is the day before or the day of your wedding. My hubby's aunt and step-grandmother threw mine. You could throw a bridesmaids' luncheon for your attendants, but if you're already up to there with plans and events don't feel like you have to add yet another thing to your list. I would say if someone offers to do one for you, awesome. Otherwise, don't stress yourself out any more.

shigaites

Huh, I always thought the bridal luncheon and bridesmaid luncheon were the same thing, they were just called different things in different areas.

Jessica82799

I am just getting a tray of muffins, bagels, coffee, juice, etc. for all the girls the day of the wedding and we are going to have a little pajama breakfast at the hotel and I will give them their gifts. I am with you on the too much money, too much stress for another major event!

wlfpkbride

I'm planning on doing something similar to Jessica. At first I wanted to do a lunch/brunch at Cafe Luna. Now that we've lost 3 months of planning/saving money I'm going for a lower budget option. I want to do a brunch either my bachelorette weekend or the day before the wedding. I was planning on having mimosas, bagels, and things like that. I know my girls will appreciate it just as much and it will be less than half the cost of my original plans.

Pinky09

i never knew this existed until these boards. I didn't have anything formal, the day before wedding we did nails and things and the day of the wedding we ate breakfast together. I gave there presents at the RD. I don't see the point in this?

allisonunc

Well, I only have two bridesmaids, so not as much of an expense! The day before the wedding we are doing nails and getting lunch after. But I don't think is necessary in any way. I have been in weddings without, and I didn't miss it!

kristyand

Bridal and BM luncheon is definitely different. Bridal someone offers to host and then does so for you. BM you host for and in honor of your BMs. A Bridal luncheon pretty much goes down like a shower would, but I haven't heard of any being hosted by BMs, like showers sometimes are. If you are overbudget and were thinking of doing a BM luncheon (which is what I would guess if you were thinking of hosting it and doing something special for them) then you shouldn't feel pressure at all a.) to do one, as surely they know you love them... and b.) if you wanted you could do something super low-budg and meaningful as these are the people of anyone that would just be happy to spend the alone time with you, frills aside.

wlfpkbride

Oh, I also wanted to agree that they are definitely not necessary. If the budget won't allow a luncheon you can just give them gifts at the RD.

tarheels1

I have been to BMs luncheons which have always been hosted by someone other than the bride.  My grandmother is hosting mine on the day of the wedding (since ceremony doesn't begin until 6pm).  Attendees will be my BMs (who are just my 2 sisters) and several of my good friends who are acting as readers, greeters, etc.  It's just going to be lunch and the oppty to spend girly time together prior to the wedding.  But yes, someone other than me is hosting. I would seriously not stress about it or feel like you have to do something else.  As a many-times former BM, I never would expect the bride herself to host something or do something for ME on HER wedding day. 

RedHead14

My mom is hosting a bridesmaids luncheon on Friday at Caffe Luna.  I don't think this is something that you should host yourself, your mom or FMIL (or aunts as others have mentioned) should do it for you.  I definitely would not take on the extra stress.

kgaliger

Ugh, I was so mad w/no one offered to host a luncheon for Sat. basically because FIs family hasn’t done anything for us as far as shower or anything, I thought they would offer to host something the week of the wedding (not a spoiled brat but they didn’t even come to my shower – another story another day).  I was like you hosting a BM luncheon would just add to one more cost for the weekend.  So I compromised and my mom’s going to Costco this week and getting a  some pre-made lunch food and we’re just going to do lunch at my parents house the day of the wedding while we get ready.  Nothing fancy, but I know my girls will appreciate the efforts.  I really would have liked to do a nice luncheon but since no one offered it is what it is.  I know some people will say that a bide should host the BM luncheon but I have seen other people host the BM luncheon for the bride.   

kristyand

Yeah a bunch of girls were just clarifying that other people can and often do host a BM luncheon and of course that is totally right. I think its just that the Bride is not supposed to host a Bridal luncheon. That is the only don't that I know of with regard to who and the what. I say just spend time with the girls even, I would have loved to just go sit over coffee and talk about their lives for a couple hours on Friday. Heck, at a coffee shop even where we all buy our own. Who is counting, it is your closest friends ya know?