Traditional Catholic Bridal Shower

[SiSumSapiens]

I am engaged (with my wedding fast approaching in early January!!) and I’ve been debating whether or not to have a bridal shower. My mom and her sisters really want me to have one, but it seems they mostly are looking forward to embarrassing me with insinuations and gifts of lingerie. For this reason, I’m seriously considering forgoing the whole ordeal. On the other hand, it would be nice to get together with my Catholic friends and less crude relatives to celebrate my upcoming nuptials.

My question is: how would I keep it Catholic and G-rated? Or should I just save myself the bother? Does anyone know of Catholic traditions throughout history regarding anything similar to a bridal shower?

A bit more context for those who are interested…
My fiance and I regularly attend the Traditional Latin Mass and sing in the choir. We are saving our first kiss (which will be the very first for both of us) until after the wedding. My wedding dress is light blue, as blue is the traditional color for purity, after Mary. On our wedding day, we plan to begin by praying a public rosary with all of our guests, followed by our vows, and then a Solemn High Mass with a choir and polyphonic Mass setting. I am also hand-making rosaries to give to those who help with the wedding (priests, altar servers, singers, etc.).

I really want to highlight the beauty of the Church and her traditions throughout, and if I can’t find a way to further that cause through my bridal shower, I would rather do without.

 

[Irishmom2]

Here’s the thing about bridal showers…they are given by others. The bride should not be throwing it. However, she can tell her mom what she would like or dislike with a strong message that if anything is done to embarrass or ridicule the future bride, she will leave.
I think the suggestion of a couples shower is a good one in this instance.

Congratulations on your upcoming marriage!

 

[Irishmom2]

I really want to highlight the beauty of the Church and her traditions throughout, and if I can’t find a way to further that cause through my bridal shower, I would rather do without.

With all due respect, your wedding will be the example of that. Bridal showers are social events, meant to shower the bride with gifts for her new married life.

 

[1ke]

My mom and her sisters really want me to have one, but it seems they mostly are looking forward to embarrassing me with insinuations and gifts of lingerie.

How weird that your own family would want to embarrass you. This is something to speak directly to them about.

how would I keep it Catholic and G-rated?

I haven’t been to any showers that weren’t, the ones that aren’t are usually labeled that way up front as a lingerie shower. I simply avoid those.

I would think you would have friends (bridesmaids?) who host the shower and send out invitations that indicate it’s a traditional bridal shower by the type of invitation, wording, and inclusion of the bridal registry. Simply tell the hostesses you don’t want any off color games or activities. But I would think your own friends know you well enough that this isn’t even an issue.

 

[Phemie]

Here’s the thing about bridal showers…they are given by others. The bride should not be throwing it. However, she can tell her mom what she would like or dislike with a strong message that if anything is done to embarrass or ridicule the future bride, she will leave.
I think the suggestion of a couples shower is a good one in this instance.

Congratulations on your upcoming marriage!

You beat me to it. Emily Post and Miss Manners would have a conniption.

My mom’s friends used to have showers for their daughters. I absolutely forbid Mom from doing the same.

 

[TheLittleLady]

Request that the shower be held at a nice restaurant, we have a couple in my small town who do a British Tea in the afternoon. While Miss Manners would not approve, ask your maid of honor if she will host an elegant shower that has a theme like “First Christmas” where people gift you with things to decorate your home for Christmas or a “Clean Party” where you are gifted with cleaning supplies, products.

It sounds like you are expecting a “hen party” at a bar with drinks and bawdy games. If your family insists on embarrassing you, it is time for a talk about respect.