Question
My wedding and reception (served lunch) are being held at a Bed and Breakfast with limited guest space. Based on the available space, only family members and our closest friends will be invited. A few friends are planning a bridal shower and have asked me to provide the shower guest list.

My question is, is it appropriate to invite people to a shower that will not receive an invitation to the wedding or the reception?



Answer
Traditionally the bridal shower was given for only the family and closest of friends. But, turn-of-the-century etiquette has changed that and in today's wedding world brides sometimes invite the entire wedding guest list (a little too "stuff" oriented to be in good taste) and, on occasion, and without much guidance, even invite some individuals NOT on the wedding or reception guest list (this is not in good taste and really borders on bad taste and bad judgment) - probably the only acceptable exception to this "bad taste" move is if a fellow co-worker hosts a bridal show for you and invites other co-workers (who may or may not be invited to the wedding).