Big Shower, Teeny Budget

[PrairieDawn]

Hi Ladies

I need your advice.

I am MOH for my sister and am planning her bridal shower. She and her fiance are in their late 30s and both first-timers. He is from a small, rural town and so many of the ladies from the town and his mom's church have been invited to the wedding and are included on the shower invitation list that Sister just gave me. Sister doesn't know some of them.

Honestly, I hadn't anticipated such a large shower invitation list. When Sister and I first discussed it I reminded her of my concerns for 1--space (our SIL has offered her home, but 20 people are the most we can fit) and 2--budgets (my hubby is a student, BM2 is on maternity leave and BM3 had her own wedding two weeks ago). The list has 33 people on it.

I don't want the shower to be cheap, tacky or break etiquette, especially because a significant number of guests are the FH's mom's older friends. I do wonder if having a pot luck is appropriate in this case. What about phoning or emailing invitations? Or should they be printed cards with RSVP cards inside?

Thanks for your ideas.


...Pam

[*Diane*]

Are you still thinking about a brunch shower?

[MsJessica07]

I would say...maybe brainstorm a list of people who can contribute to food, and do a sort of semi-brainstorm, or ask people to contribute their favorite breakfast/brunch food to the shower.

For the invitations, I would do printed invitations, and ask for phone RSVPs. That way, you save $$$ on the RSVP cards and stamps, but I think it's a nice compromise between just an email or phone call, but not with the formality of the full invite with the RSVP card

[PrairieDawn]

Hi Diane

Yes, the shower will be a brunch after church on a Sunday.

...Pam

[PrairieDawn]

I...maybe brainstorm a list of people who can contribute to food, and do a sort of semi-brainstorm, or ask people to contribute their favorite breakfast/brunch food to the shower.

Hi Jessica

There are only seven people on the invitation list that I know well enough to ask. Is it appropriate to ask these seven to bring something?

...Pam

[MsJessica07]

I think if you feel comfortable asking them for help...as little or as much as you think they can handle, I would suggest it. Dividing the food for 30 people between 7 instead of just one person would be great for you, budget wise. :)

[Aramelle]

I personally wouldn't ask many people to bring a dish, but I think it would be okay to ask those who are closest to your sister. For example, the BMs, and possibly your mom and her FMIL, depending the circumstances of each of them, of course.

There are lots of dishes that you can make for a brunch that are still pretty budget-friendly. My aunt makes this egg-bake caserole that everyone who's ever had it raves about. She also has made the same thing in the past, with hasbrowns instead of eggs (especially for me, as I don't eat eggs).

I agree with Jessica about the invitations. I wouldn't personally skip them all together, but I think that it's perfect acceptable to ask people to RSVP by phone or e-mail, rather than sending an RSVP card.

[PrairieDawn]

Thanks for your ideas, ladies. I think I have some good things to go on.

...Pam

[*Maggie*]

My husband's aunt hosted my bridal shower. It was a brunch as well for 25-30 people. Are you the only one hosting? Or are her BM's, or others pitching in as well? DH's aunt actually went to WalMart and bought the shower invites and hand wrote the date/time, etc on them. That cut cost alot. She actually had her daughter, my step-daughter, my step-son's g/f help out on food, so all in all it didn't cost her much at all. Hope this helps.

ETA: The menu consisted of: 2 different types of breakfast casserole(one with sausage and egg, the other with ham, onions, peppers, and egg), fresh fruit, a type of grits casserole, homemade biscuits, and of course strawberry cake....I know there were a few more items but I can't remember right off the top of my head!

[PrairieDawn]

I'm waiting to hear back from the other BMs about how they'd like to help out.

To complicate menus and costs a bit, Sister has a very restricted diet, so I have to cook separate foods for her. She's gluten-free, milk free, cheese-free, and egg free. She was the one who asked for a brunch, or I would have done the event at lunch so I could serve meat, green salad and potatoes. Feeding everyone else is pretty straight-forward.

Thanks for the suggestions,


...Pam

[*Maggie*]

Oh no! I'm sorry about the restricted diet. I'm sure with everyone's brainstorming around here, we can come up with something for her!