So I know this isn't etiquette-approved, but FI and I plan to host our wedding shower/bach parties here at our home in Iowa. More than likely FMIL and at least one BM will be helping with the planning - so it's not entirely thrown by ourselves. We want it here because it's our new home, we're familiar with the area and we have space at our house for most out-of-towners to spend the night. We don't have such space at any of our family's homes to move the party elsewhere, plus I just don't really want the bach parties elsewhere.
Family, friends and several wedding party members live in different states - Kentucky, Indiana and Missouri. I have consulted with my BMs already and they're on board with the location -- FI still hasn't decided on his entire party and one of them is local anyway.
Obviously anyone from out of town would have to be invited to both the shower and the bach parties. And I'm cool with them all coming - it would be immediate family and close friends. What I'm trying to figure out is how to handle, if I can, some of our local friends and the party. Primarily I'm referencing FI's work friend's wives/girlfriends. I've met them before, but it's awkward to talk to them when we hang out and I really don't want to have to worry about them at my bachelorette party.
As of yet, we're thinking party bus -- both bach party and bachelorette party sharing the bus and its expense, although not in the bus at the same time and going to diff bars. It may be that these ladies won't come anyway because they don't drink, would know it could be awkward, or they just have better things to do. But what if they want to come? What if FI invites the guy to his party - do I really have to invite the SO to mine? Similarly, I know there are some of my friend's SO's that might come to the shower, but I don't know if FI wants them at his party.
Because of the travel for everyone involved, we would like to have everything in the same weekend, and Saturday would be the day for both events. We're thinking maybe Jan or Feb. The wedding is mid-April.
Suggestions?
So ready to bring our families together and PARTY on April 13th, 2013!
225 Invited
53 Are ready to party!
18 Will be missing out!
154 Are MIA!
Reply requested by March 23.