Attending a Shower Where You Only Know the Guest of Honor

If it were me I would leave my son at home or with a babysitter and I would go. I would think of it as a fun girls party and a place to perhaps make some new friends. You can eat the lovely foods and talk to all the women there and get to know them. Ask them how they know the bride and about themselves. You might meet a woman you completely connect with!

I would go and leave my child with a sitter. This is an opportunity for you to reconnect with the bride and maybe make some new friends. Showers bring people together that don't know each other. That's a good thing! You will see these same happy faces at the wedding. Wont it be more fun to go to the wedding and see some familiar faces then skipping the shower and showing up at the wedding and not seeing anyone you know.

you won't be the only one who knows hardly anyone else. The bride will be so happy to see you. As sometone else said, make a mental list of questions to ask. Even ask the person about themselves. My mom told me a very long time ago that most people's favorite topic of discussion is themselves. As long as you don't sound like you're interrogating them, most people are happy to talk about their families, their work, where they grew up or went to school... And as others said - don't take your child, showers are boring enough for adults - for kids it's like toroture.

unless your son was on the invitation please please please do not bring him. He will be so bored at a bridal shower anyway.

I've been through worse...try going to a baby shower where the only one you know is the HOST (not even the mom!) and everyone speaks a different language, and there are 100 guests. My neighbor invited me, my daughter wanted to go because she's friends with the children...and oh, I was SOO uncomfortable. My neighbor (who just speaks a little English) felt bad and parked me next to the ONE English speaking guest who could translate, and then I felt so bad that I had to tie up the poor woman!!

And it's not just that...I've been to about six other of their parties. I usually sit alone while my daughter plays. My neighbor is so nice, brings me food at the table, etc...but I always feel super uncomfortable.

Why am I rambling? I guess I'm just trying to make the point that you can get through something really uncomfortable if there's a good reason...like being there for your friend. And when you leave, you feel so relieved that it really feels great! :) Silly, I know...

Go to the shower.. When you get there ask if you can help.. Make up a list of different types of questions..

How do you know "Mary".
I am really looking forward to the Wedding are you going to be able to attend also?
Mary looks so happy. I love her fiance, do you also know him?
I knew Mary when we were in school (or however you knew her). How do you know her?

Please do not take your child. Bridal showers are not places for children.
He will just be bored and you will end up having to watch him the entire time. This will not allow you to meet and really speak with others.. You need grown up time. This is a perfect chance.

Have a great time!

I think you should go and tell her that you will only be there for a little while so you can bow out gracefully. If you are having fun and not feeling uncomfortable, stay if not leave early. At least she will know that you were there and cared. I would ask if you could bring your son and ask if anyone else is bringing kids. If not, that can always be your excuse to leave early. Have fun. I am shy too in those situations but in most cases I always end up having fun because there are games, food etc. to keep you busy. You can always volunteer to help too.

I have done this. If you would like to go--GO! You'll meet others seated nearby. It's a happy occasion. I would not, however, bring a child if the invitation didn't welcome children....but it's ok to ask the hostess if children are welcome when you rsvp!

I'd ask the hostess if you can help while you're there. Before I had kids, I was invited to Thanksgiving with one of my girlfriends, and didn't know ANYONE else in her HUGE family. I asked my friends mom if I could help, and MAN did she put me to work! My point is, I was so busy, I forgot about not knowing anybody, and then as I helped serve food, I started to know the people there.

I would go and leave my child at home. It may be a good opportunity to meet some new people which would be difficult to do if your chasing your child! It may put you outside of your comfort zone but I think it's good to push yourself a bit! Go and have fun.....you can always leave if it's terribly uncomfortable for you. I would though have a mental list of questions that I could use as openers to meet/introduce myself. (How do you know the bride?, etc) that will help your comfort level.

I've done this a few times. It's not the most fun I've ever had, but I know it meant a lot to my friend (the guest of honor) that I was there, so I'm glad I went. If it's like any other shower, a lot of time will be taken up with eating, games, presents, so you won't really feel like you have to chitchat that much. If you're really uncomfortable, you can always show up a little late and leave a little early.

I would not bring my child. Unless the invitation says that children are invited, they won't be. I've never been to a bridal shower where kids have been included, even when the guest of honor has had older children. If anything, we all welcome the chance to socialize without our kids.

If you get stuck for conversation, you can always ask people how they know the bride, talk about your own shower/wedding experiences, etc.

This is quite common when people get married. My question to you, is, would you sit out the wedding, itself, because you didn't know anyone? I'm guessing not. So, why would you sit the shower out? Go because she invited you, because you are friends or at one point were really close. Suck it up, put your big girl undies on & be uncomfortable for a few hours. This is about her celebration, not you. Don't bring your child as an excuse to be anti-social.

Try to practice your conversation skills & just talk to people. It's not that hard. Believe me, I know, I was once a shy, socially anxious person, just like you. Her friends & family love her & so do you. I am sure they are nice & won't bite :-)

I would go and leave your 3y with a sitter. A bridal shower isn't really a place for kids, let alone boys.

M.

Yep, and I just did that in May. I'm friends with the groom, so I didn't know any of the girls there. I just sat down with the first open table and chatted with the women there. I was seven months pregnant, so it was fun to go to the wedding this weekend with my newborn and show her to the women I met.

the most fun I EVER had was at a bridal shower where I ended up only knowing the bride. I say go for it.

I would go as long as I knew the guest of honor...she's your friend and that is who you would be going there for. I would definately ask the hostess if other kids will be there before bringing your son.

I went to one where I only knew the guest of honor and honestly didn't have that great of a time. It's hard when you're not part of the inner circle of friends. It wasn't horrible, but I thought later that I really shouldn't have gone.

Go--it will make the wedding so much nicer if you have already met some of the other guests you might end up sitting with. As for bringing the child, I've never been to a shower where anyone brought children. I would think this is a time for just the adult women to celebrate together without the distractions of children--a time to focus on the Bride-to-be.

I would go b/c she is the bride and has included you on the guest list. I would not bring your child, whether or not there will be other children. If the invite came with your name only on it, that means you are the invitee! A bridal shower with adult women is not the place for a 3 year old boy- even if the bride's daughter (older) will be there.

Go and plan to leave early if you are uncomfortable- blame it on your son! If after an hour, you are really not having a good time, let the bride know how wonderful it was to see her, but that you just got a call from (whoever is watching DS) and you need to leave.