Wedding Etiquette Forum

Rude for someone to ask you for a shower?

I have a friend who has waited a long time to get married.  She was in my wedding and offered to throw me a shower, but my mother in law had already offered and started planning.  She and her boyfriend are planning to get engaged and have a wedding in spring of next year.  Since the engagement is still pending hardly anyone knows, but she is already planning.  

Her family (mom, sister(matron of honor), maid of honor, and 1 bridesmaid) are out of state and her boyfriends mother is not in the picture.  I am about an hour and a half from her and there is another local soon to be bridesmaid.  She made the comment that the shower would fall on me and the other local bridesmaid and her family would throw her one at home.  I personally find it in poor taste to ask anyone to host a shower for you.  I did previously mention that we could all work together to plan one since only 1 person is within an hour of her.  I have no issue helping, but feel that typically someone offers or everyone decides to do it together.  

My husband and I are currently renovating a house and recently found out we are expecting our first child and I've been severely sick.  I simply do not have the time, money, or energy to plan a shower for her.  We are close and maybe at another time or if it weren't such a rushed event I might feel differently.  I just simply do not feel that I can commit.  Is it rude to simply tell her this and advise that I cannot take the lead on the planning?  I am willing to help, but would rather address that later with whoever might plan it.  Otherwise, she is kind of the type to volunteer you for things and it might still be a grey area.  Thoughts/advice appreciated.

Thanks!

Re: Rude for someone to ask you for a shower?

  • Did you ask her to throw you a baby shower before you were pregnant??
    Probably not.

    It's rude to ask anyone to throw you a shower, let alone force you to BEFORE YOU'RE ENGAGED. She already has bridesmaids? and a MOH?? She's not even engaged!!!! Oy.
  • I wouldn't give this another fraction of a thought until she is actually engaged, has a wedding date set, and has a guest list.  

    How is this a "rushed event" if they don't have any of the above yet?  Are they planning to get engaged and married ASAP?


  • I have a friend who has waited a long time to get married.  She was in my wedding and offered to throw me a shower, but my mother in law had already offered and started planning.  She and her boyfriend are planning to get engaged and have a wedding in spring of next year.  Since the engagement is still pending hardly anyone knows, but she is already planning.  

    Her family (mom, sister(matron of honor), maid of honor, and 1 bridesmaid) are out of state and her boyfriends mother is not in the picture.  I am about an hour and a half from her and there is another local soon to be bridesmaid.  She made the comment that the shower would fall on me and the other local bridesmaid and her family would throw her one at home.  I personally find it in poor taste to ask anyone to host a shower for you.  I did previously mention that we could all work together to plan one since only 1 person is within an hour of her.  I have no issue helping, but feel that typically someone offers or everyone decides to do it together.  

    My husband and I are currently renovating a house and recently found out we are expecting our first child and I've been severely sick.  I simply do not have the time, money, or energy to plan a shower for her.  We are close and maybe at another time or if it weren't such a rushed event I might feel differently.  I just simply do not feel that I can commit.  Is it rude to simply tell her this and advise that I cannot take the lead on the planning?  I am willing to help, but would rather address that later with whoever might plan it.  Otherwise, she is kind of the type to volunteer you for things and it might still be a grey area.  Thoughts/advice appreciated.

    Thanks!
    So much ew, no.

    If she brings it up again, I'd say "Susie, I'm really not in a place where I have the energy to plan and host a shower." then change the topic.

    BTW, congrats on your pregnancy!  I hope you start to feel better soon!
  • She's being rude. Not only did she imply that she'd get one "at home" she wants another one thrown by you and a second bm?

    Greedy much!?

    Look, if she's "waited a long time to get married" maybe she's had it up to here with buying gifts and attending everyone else's showers. Maybe she thinks it's her turn now and everyone owes her. 


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  • I feel better based on your responses!  It's kind of a long story.  Her and her boyfriend are planning to get engaged and married shortly after for reasons that I will spare you.  It's an odd situation.  They are planning to be engaged within the next few weeks, but want to get married around April of next year so she has is already looking at venues and planning.  

    She was discussing all of the other issues with me that led up to the planning which is probably the only reason I'm in the loop on any of it.  There is no great way for me to respond.  I'm not looking to not be a part of it, but someone typically offers to be the 'host' and I have in no way done that.  The only comment I made related to the topic was that once she is engaged all the of the bridesmaids would discuss it I'm sure.  It was that general. 

    I will probably just avoid the topic of now.  It was kind of irritating to me, but communicated via email (we email back and for sometimes during the day while working), so luckily I was able to not respond right away with what came to mind.  
  • Yes, it's rude of her, especially since she isn't even engaged. It would be rude even if she WAS engaged and had a date set. I'd just stop talking to her about anything wedding related, and if she is this crazy now I'm not sure I'd want to be her bridesmaid either. I assume you'll be given a huge to-do list if you sign up for that "honor." 
    ******************************************************

  • I feel better based on your responses!  It's kind of a long story.  Her and her boyfriend are planning to get engaged and married shortly after for reasons that I will spare you.  It's an odd situation.  They are planning to be engaged within the next few weeks, but want to get married around April of next year so she has is already looking at venues and planning.  

    She was discussing all of the other issues with me that led up to the planning which is probably the only reason I'm in the loop on any of it.  There is no great way for me to respond.  I'm not looking to not be a part of it, but someone typically offers to be the 'host' and I have in no way done that.  The only comment I made related to the topic was that once she is engaged all the of the bridesmaids would discuss it I'm sure.  It was that general. 

    I will probably just avoid the topic of now.  It was kind of irritating to me, but communicated via email (we email back and for sometimes during the day while working), so luckily I was able to not respond right away with what came to mind.  
    If she is already planning a wedding the she and her BF (actually FI) are already engaged.  A movie proposal and ring doesn't make someone engaged. Deciding to get married and planning a wedding do.

    I agree with you about just avoiding the topic right now.
    I would normally agree with this. Actively planning a wedding? Congrats! You're engaged! But she and her BF definitely don't seem to be in the mindset of "We're engaged". Her friend seems to be waiting for some grand gesture for it all to be "real".



  • labro said:
    I feel better based on your responses!  It's kind of a long story.  Her and her boyfriend are planning to get engaged and married shortly after for reasons that I will spare you.  It's an odd situation.  They are planning to be engaged within the next few weeks, but want to get married around April of next year so she has is already looking at venues and planning.  

    She was discussing all of the other issues with me that led up to the planning which is probably the only reason I'm in the loop on any of it.  There is no great way for me to respond.  I'm not looking to not be a part of it, but someone typically offers to be the 'host' and I have in no way done that.  The only comment I made related to the topic was that once she is engaged all the of the bridesmaids would discuss it I'm sure.  It was that general. 

    I will probably just avoid the topic of now.  It was kind of irritating to me, but communicated via email (we email back and for sometimes during the day while working), so luckily I was able to not respond right away with what came to mind.  
    If she is already planning a wedding the she and her BF (actually FI) are already engaged.  A movie proposal and ring doesn't make someone engaged. Deciding to get married and planning a wedding do.

    I agree with you about just avoiding the topic right now.
    I would normally agree with this. Actively planning a wedding? Congrats! You're engaged! But she and her BF definitely don't seem to be in the mindset of "We're engaged". Her friend seems to be waiting for some grand gesture for it all to be "real".
    In the mindset or not, they are actively planning a wedding so they are engaged.

  • Does not compute.  How does one "plan to get engaged" when they have already started planning a wedding?  I don't think "getting engaged" takes a lot of planning unless it is a surprise proposal, which in this case it is not, because both parties seem to be expecting it to happen (and soon, if they're already planning a wedding for April).  So........


    ?????????


    I would not accept being voluntold to plan a shower for anyone, especially someone who is exhibiting all of the symptoms of a future Bridezilla.  Just tell her you can't swing it.  If that makes her angry enough to hold it against you in some way, you dodged a bullet.  I'd be trying to get out of this wedding party ASAP.

  • Hold on a sec here...you don't need to throw anything for this broad!

    Has she asked you to be a bridesmaid? Be very afraid here, OP. If this is what she is like when she's NOT EVEN ENGAGED!!! Lets all take a minute to ponder the kinds of delightful 'responsibilities' she'll have in store for ye!


                 
  • Thanks ladies!  I politely said that typically someone offers to host a shower and that some people don't even have a shower (while she is already planning for 2 to be thrown for her) and told her once she is engaged, sets a date, etc. then some of those details might come together.  I also pointed out that there might be some limitations on what could be only a 3-4 month engagement.  She didn't talk about the subject any more so I'm hoping that was clear enough! 
  • If she's not actually engaged, I'd let her hints fall flat, but if she actually asks you to throw her a shower or tell you that she expects it, I would tell her, "Friend, I'm sorry but it isn't possible for me to host a shower for you."  Let it go at that and don't engage her further.
  • I have a friend who has waited a long time to get married.  She was in my wedding and offered to throw me a shower, but my mother in law had already offered and started planning.  She and her boyfriend are planning to get engaged and have a wedding in spring of next year.  Since the engagement is still pending hardly anyone knows, but she is already planning.  

    Her family (mom, sister(matron of honor), maid of honor, and 1 bridesmaid) are out of state and her boyfriends mother is not in the picture.  I am about an hour and a half from her and there is another local soon to be bridesmaid.  She made the comment that the shower would fall on me and the other local bridesmaid and her family would throw her one at home.  I personally find it in poor taste to ask anyone to host a shower for you.  I did previously mention that we could all work together to plan one since only 1 person is within an hour of her.  I have no issue helping, but feel that typically someone offers or everyone decides to do it together.  

    My husband and I are currently renovating a house and recently found out we are expecting our first child and I've been severely sick.  I simply do not have the time, money, or energy to plan a shower for her.  We are close and maybe at another time or if it weren't such a rushed event I might feel differently.  I just simply do not feel that I can commit.  Is it rude to simply tell her this and advise that I cannot take the lead on the planning?  I am willing to help, but would rather address that later with whoever might plan it.  Otherwise, she is kind of the type to volunteer you for things and it might still be a grey area.  Thoughts/advice appreciated.

    Thanks!
    First, congratulations on your pregnancy. Hope you are feeling better soon.

    I want to address the bolded comment. Did you say that you'd help with a shower before she mentioned it? I hope she was responding to that because the bride shouldn't ask, or tell, anyone to plan a shower. Just thought you might give her the benefit of the doubt.

    If the subject comes up again, you should just be honest with her. Tell her you're not in the position of planning a shower, but you'd be willing to contribute X (be specific -  a cake, paper goods, decor) if someone else is willing to host the shower. 
                       
  • Yes, it would be rude for a bride to ask someone to throw her a shower.

    Good advice so far. I think it was good for you to stay, "lets discuss this again when you've got some plans in motion". I also think it was smart of you (or perhaps smart for her to realize) that if you are planning a wedding in 3-4 months, other things might not happen (not that they couldn't!). 

    In the future, you would not be wrong to say, "I am sorry Friend, but at this time I am unable to host a shower for you. However I would be happy to provide/help with X if someone else offers to host". 

    I agree this couple is engaged. You don't need a ring or a proposal. If you have discussed marriage, have sent a tentative date (this couple has- April), and are in the planning process, you're engaged. 

    My friend does not have an engagement ring, there was no "official" down on one knee proposal. She and her now husband had been living together for a few years, and then last year they decided they would plan a wedding for this past summer. Engaged. 
  • isn't the whole idea of being engaged that you're engaged to be married?  so, if you're planning a wedding, how are you not already then engaged?  i don't get this whole "planning to be engaged" nonsense.


    .... excuse me while i go get those pesky kids off my lawn. ;)


    sincerely, 
    THE OLD
  • How "pending" is this engagement? I mean, she sounds kind of crazy. Does her boyfriend know about this upcoming wedding next spring too?

    Also yes, it's incredibly rude for her to tell you to throw her a shower. 
  • She sounds a bit controlling... Does she happen to know you are expecting?  If not, I'm mildly curious about her response...

    You are not at all obligated to host a shower.  I would approach it as "More things need to happen before we discuss this, and I cannot make any promises that I will be able/in a position to host a shower."  Which is true. Every pregnancy is different, and you may not have the energy or ability to host one.
  • Oh, hell no to all of this.  


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