I am in a bit of a predicament. My fiancé and I are planning on marrying in the summer of 2017 between my medical school rotations. I am a resident of the UK and it is where we're getting married. The vast majority of my family lives in the US along with many of my mother's cousins and friends. Recently, they've started to ask her about the wedding and a bridal shower. I honestly was going to forgo both a bridal shower and hen party because it meant people were going to be left out. e.g. those who could attend the bridal shower might not be able to attend the wedding, etc.
What should I do? I wouldn't mind inviting my parent's cousins and friends to the wedding, but the financial outlay for them would be in the thousands. Also having a bridal shower also presents the problem of gifts. I no longer live in the US so while I might be given wonderful gifts, I wouldn't be able to bring them with me because of the cost to pack/shipping them. Help!
Re: DW of sorts & Bridal Shower
As for the shower: how about suggesting a bridal luncheon or tea party instead? I understand not wanting to open gifts overseas, but this could actually be a good time to let those close to you who are invited to the wedding but can't make it still feel like they're involved & supporting you.
With regards to gifts, I'd second the option for a bridal luncheon or tea instead. Showers are strictly gift-giving events but a luncheon is really just a get together (though same rule regarding invites applies).