Wedding Tips: Different Types of Parties

Before we started planning our wedding, B and I knew we didn't want to throw too many parties before and after our wedding. My future MIL (mother-in-law) told me about even more parties that could be thrown, many of which I've never heard of! Regardless of which types of parties and events you throw, just remember too many can be taxing on your relationship and your guests. What follows is a list of top five most popular types of parties, along with traditional guidelines:

Bridal Shower
Hosts: the mother of the bride or MOH
Guests: All the women and girls who will be invited to the wedding
When does this take place: 2-4 months before the wedding

Jack and Jill
Hosts: Bride and Groom and/or their families and/or the wedding parties
Guests: All male and female guests both invited and not invited to your wedding
When does this take place: 3-6 months before the wedding
Details: this is an event that raises money for the wedding, there are normally raffles, cash bar, door prizes, and an entrance fee, along with others fund raising

Engagement Party
Hosts: the brides parents
Guests: close family and friends
When does this take place: 1-2 months after the couple is engaged.


Bachelor (or Stag)/Bachelorette (or Hen) Parties
Hosts: the best man/the MOH
Guests: traditionally the best man and grooms men all go out for the bachelor party and the MOH and bridesmaids go out for the bachelorette party. Recently more than just the respective parties will take out the bride and groom, extended family and friends who aren't part of the parties are also invited.
When does this take place: 1 week to a couple of months before the wedding
Details: Stag and Hen parties are old school names for Bachelor/Bachelorette parties. But now, the respective parties are not strictly one gender or the other, you are more free to invite whoever you want whatever you want

Post-Wedding Brunch
Hosts: the brides parents
Guests: family from both sides, and any guests still in town
When does this take place: kinda obvious with the name, but the morning after the wedding


As I've mentioned before, weddings have become a lot more customizable. So while the parties listed above have traditional hosts, guests and guidelines, there is NOTHING saying you have to actually follow this. Lastly, remember to be sensitive to not only your budget, but also to your guests' financial limits.

*all pictures were found on Pinterest*