Bridal Lunch Etiquette

JJsMom · ‎03-10-2010

My friend's daughter is getting married, and I got invited to a "bridal lunch" the day before the wedding. The invitation said it was to honor the bride and bridal party. I have never heard of this. Am I supposed to bring a gift? This is occurring in the South, if that helps. Maybe it is a Southern tradition?

I already attended an engagement party and bridal shower, so I know it's not meant to take the place of those.

Any input would be appreciated. :-)

If you are neutral in situations of injustice, you have chosen the side of the oppressor. ~ Desmond Tutu

Goldengate8361 · ‎01-27-2014

I'm Southern and I've never heard of this type of event. Brides often hold a bridal luncheon for the bridesmaids, etc. but not like you've described. I would tend to think that you should NOT bring another gift.

ChynnaBlue · ‎05-22-2012

I went to one of those in Georgia last year. I was born and raised in California and that was the first time I'd ever heard of a bridal luncheon and I also thought maybe it was a southern thing. They also had a brunch the morning after the wedding. I came in from out of town and didn't make the bridal shower, but I'd say there were at least 5 different events around the wedding and I don't know if that's a southern thing or a modern thing.

No one brought gifts to the luncheon, so I think those are still reserved for the shower and the wedding - thank goodness!

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missy1 · ‎03-10-2010

I wouldn't. The gift list is endless. Engagement announcement, bridal shower, bachelorette party, bridal lunch, and the wedding.

Thank goodness I never was invited to an engagement party and bridal lunch. Bunch of gift grabs.

spud188 · ‎09-23-2010

To each her own but how much honoring does one person need? She probably had a Bachlorette Party too.

I think 2 parties plus the Wedding itself would be plenty for me to attend.

Chrystaltree2 · ‎12-08-2014

Bridal luncheons aren't new, they are an old wedding tradition. No gift is required.

Bridal or bridesmaids' luncheons are intimate gatherings, generally hosted by the bride's attendants or by the bride and her mother. These all-female gatherings are held to thank the bridesmaids, and will usually be a day or two before the wedding day. In terms of formal bridal luncheon etiquette, it doesn't necessarily have to be a lunch party, it could also be afternoon tea, a cocktail party, brunch or dinner.

They haven't changed over the years but it's now become customary for the bride to also invite women she's particularly close to.

tansy · ‎01-02-2011

Maybe it's a luncheon to thank the bridesmaids, JJsMom, and no gift would be expected from you.

JeanLouiseFinch · ‎10-03-2011

@spud188 wrote:
To each her own but how much honoring does one person need? She probably had a Bachlorette Party too.
I think 2 parties plus the Wedding itself would be plenty for me to attend.

@spud188 You beat me to it, but I thought the same thing. Man, things have really changed in the 37 yrs. since DH and I married. It used to be about the two people joining their lives and there was a shower or two, and wedding gifts, to help them get started. Now it seems like it's more about how many parties there can be. I don't get it.

vermint · ‎04-05-2010

Southerner here! This sounds like what was called a bridesmaids luncheon when I got married (1975). Usually it was given by the maid/matron of honor, and was limited to bride, attendants, MOB, MOG and, in my case, the mother of my 12 y/o jr. bridesmaid. It was when the bride presented her attendants with a gift. That was the only gift-giving.

colliegirls · ‎05-13-2012

My daughter in law had a bridesmaid luncheon for her bridesmaids the day before the wedding. It was for the bridesmaids and only they, the mothers, and grandmothers were invited. There were no friends or other guests. There were no gifts for the bride given, but the bride presented her gifts for her attendants during that luncheon.