My wedding is only two months away, and it's all starting to feel so real, for two reasons: We sent out invitations and had our first bridal shower! It took place in Dayton and was hosted by my future in-laws and some of their close friends. I've never been to a bridal shower before my own—that's something most gals probably can't say. I have a couple of baby showers under my belt, but I didn't know what to expect for a bridal shower. I pictured a group of ladies in sundresses, eating appetizers, unwrapping lingerie and enjoying one another's company. In many ways, the bridal shower we actually had was very different. The most noticeable difference: The presence of testosterone, since couples were invited (this is also referred to as a Jack and Jill shower).
The men and women mingled together, and it was fun to see all of the surprises my fiancé Corey's parents had planned for us. We had a sit-down lunch (including the most delicious salmon ever), rather than snacking throughout, which I really enjoyed. My parents came from Indianapolis and were happy to use that time to get to know some of Corey's relatives and friends better. Another surprise: Our shower had a vintage/historic theme, so the planners arranged to have a guest's wedding dress displayed on a mannequin! The fake eyelashes were a little creepy, but I enjoyed seeing this unique heirloom. Another guest wore the shoes from her wedding day, while others brought in their wedding albums for everyone to browse while we opened gifts.
Corey and I sat and opened our gifts together, true to bridal shower form. (I'm sure that the gentlemen weren't as interested in this portion of the party as the ladies were, but they didn't complain.) For those of you real brides who are considering having a couples shower, it might be fun to have the guys sneak off for cigars or a beer break, if you think they'd get bored. Speaking of gifts, we got some fantastic ones! I was surprised by how many of the guests purchased items that weren't on our registry. The planner in me would have thought this would be a risky move, but I actually loved getting a few surprises (like a yummy soup cookbook) in addition to our favorite registry items (our first place settings and a camping tent).
Overall, I was extremely happy and grateful for our couples shower. My mom, sister, and family friend will be throwing me a girls-only shower in early August as well, which I'm really looking forward to. Since Corey and I won't be together at that one, and we're having separate bachelor/bachelorette parties, it was nice to have this special wedding event that we could share in together, with both of our families. Our joint shower was truly a wonderful experience!
Tell us: Would you consider having a coed bridal shower? Why or why not?
—Nikki Stroud
Nikki Stroud is a real bride who is learning every step of the way when it comes to wedding planning. She and her fiancé, Corey Allan (both Ball State alums), will be married in September of 2012 in front of their friends and family in Indianapolis. Glittering ivory lights, exposed plumbing and sleek wood floors depict their romantic yet rustic venue in the Downtown area. The couple hopes to incorporate personal touches to make the celebration truly reflect their relationship.
