Bridal Shower VS Bachelorette Party- And When To Have Them

When it comes to pre-wedding festivities, there are two major events that many brides look forward to almost as much as the actual wedding day: the bridal shower and the bachelorette party. They might seem similar at first glance. Both are pre-wedding celebrations thrown in honor of the bride. But they have different purposes, distinct traditions, and entirely unique vibes. So, what’s the main difference between a bridal shower and a bachelorette party, and when should you schedule each one?

First, What Is a Bridal Shower?

A bridal shower, often called a wedding shower, is a daytime event usually hosted a few weeks to a couple of months before the wedding. Its purpose is to “shower” the bride with love, support. And, yes, bridal shower gifts that will help her start her new life as a married woman.

Traditionally hosted by the maid of honor, the bride’s family, or close female relatives, this pre-wedding celebration is typically more structured. It includes a meal (brunch or lunch is common), bridal shower games, and the opening of practical gifts from the wedding registry.

Purpose of a Bridal Shower

The purpose of a bridal shower is part celebration, part preparation. Guests often include close female friends, close family members, and sometimes family friends. They all gather in an intimate setting to honor the bride’s upcoming marriage and help set her up for her new home and future life. It’s also a great way to introduce key people in the bride’s life, like the future mother-in-law, to her bridal party. This is especially if everyone hasn’t met before the rehearsal dinner.

Read More: The Complete Guide For A “Love in Bloom” Bridal Shower

Bridal Shower Guest List & Etiquette

When creating your bridal shower guest list, it’s important to invite only those who will also be invited to the wedding day. The group is often made up of close friends of the bride, bride’s closest friends, bride’s mother, future mother-in-law, aunts, and other close female relatives.

Keep in mind: Since this is one of the more formal events, bridal shower etiquette matters. Bridal shower invitations should be sent out 4–6 weeks in advance. While gifts are expected, they don’t need to be extravagant. Small gifts or items from the wedding registry are perfect.

What About the Bachelorette Party?

In contrast, the bachelorette party is all about celebration and fun. It is often in the form of a fun-filled night or a weekend getaway. It’s usually planned by the maid of honor or bride’s best friend, and the party guest list typically includes the bride’s closest friends, particularly those in the bridal party.

Purpose of a Bachelorette Party

The purpose of a bachelorette party is to give the bride one last big hurrah as a single woman before she steps into married life. These events are all about letting loose, making memories, and bonding with the people who’ve been part of your journey. While some brides opt for the traditional “wild night” out—complete with cocktails, dancing, and maybe even matching outfits—others prefer a more low-key experience, like a relaxing spa day, local restaurant dinner, or wine tasting weekend.

The key is to tailor the event to the preferences of the bride. There are no strict rules, but the best parties reflect the bride’s personality and comfort level.

Read More: Bachelorette Party Weekend Packing List 2025 [+Printable]

Bachelorette Party Gifts

Unlike a shower, bachelorette party gifts aren’t always expected. If guests do bring something, it’s usually a fun, cheeky gift—think lingerie, travel-size beauty items for the honeymoon, or creative ways to toast the upcoming wedding. If, however, you are hosting a bachelorette party, especially an overnight stay, party favors are appreciated.

Bridal Shower vs. Bachelorette Party: The Major Differences

Let’s break down the major differences between these two different parties:

Feature	Bridal Shower	Bachelorette Party
Type of Celebration	Daytime, formal-ish	Nighttime or weekend, casual or festive
Guest List	Family & friends, female-only	Friends only, mostly bride’s best friends
Host	Maid of honor, family, or friends	Maid of honor or bride’s closest friends
Dress Code	Dressy daytime attire	Depends—anything from PJs to party glam
Gifts Expected?	Yes (from wedding registry)	Not required, optional fun gifts
Event Style	Brunch/lunch, games, gifts	Weekend getaway, dinner, party
Purpose	Celebrate and support the bride	Celebrate friendship and freedom
Tone	Sentimental and traditional	Playful, personal, and fun

When Should You Have Each Event?

The wedding date plays a big role in setting your event timeline. Generally, the bridal shower is held earlier, while the bachelorette party takes place closer to the big day.

Bridal Shower Timing

The bridal shower take place around two months to three weeks before the wedding. A late morning or early afternoon on a weekend works best, especially for guests traveling in. Holding it too close to the wedding events may feel rushed, while planning too far in advance may lessen the momentum of your wedding plans.

Bachelorette Party Timing

The bachelorette party is often held two to four weeks before the actual wedding day. This gives everyone time to recover, especially if it’s a fun way to blow off steam. Many bridal parties opt for a weekend getaway, Friday to Sunday, while others choose a one-night bash at a local restaurant or club.

Pro Tip: Avoid having the bachelorette party the night before the wedding day (unlike in rom-coms). You’ll want to be fresh, well-rested, and glowing, not recovering from a memorable night out.

Read More: 50 Unique Bachelorette Party Themes That Are On Trend For 2025

Can You Combine A Bridal Shower And A Bachelorette Party

It’s tempting to roll both events into one to save time and money, but they’re really meant to serve different purposes. While it might be a good idea for out-of-town brides with limited time, you’ll lose some of the tradition and variety that make these moments special.

If you must combine them, consider doing a spa retreat weekend or a pre-wedding celebration that starts with a brunch (bridal shower) and ends with a fun group outing (bachelorette party). Just make sure your bridal shower guest list and party guest list align accordingly, and that you clarify expectations ahead of time.

A Note on the History of Bachelorette Parties

Interestingly, while wedding showers have been around since the 1800s, the history of bachelorette parties is much more recent. These events only gained popularity in the U.S. in the 1980s and ‘90s, inspired by bachelor parties but reimagined with a feminine twist. Today, both events are embraced as part of a full wedding event calendar—alongside the engagement party, rehearsal dinner, and the main event itself.

Concluding Thoughts: Planning a bridal shower and bachelorette party doesn’t have to be an easy task, but it can be incredibly meaningful. Both are chances to celebrate your love, your friendships, and the future life you’re about to begin. Just remember- the bridal shower is about honoring the bride’s upcoming marriage in a sweet, supportive setting, while the bachelorette party is about celebrating with your best friends in a way that’s totally you. Each has its own traditions, etiquette, and expectations—but they’re both about spending quality time with the people who matter most.