The Shower Free Bride

Back when I asked my bridesmaids to be in our wedding party, I told them that I simply wanted them to show up, wear a pretty dress, and have a great time at our wedding.  I didn't want them planning a bridal shower or bachelorette party for me.

While I love a good party and can admire beautiful images from bridal showers on event blogs like everyone else, I had a few reasons for not wanting those events for myself.

 

Event styling by Amy Atlas Events / From OnceWed 

First of all, I didn't want being a bridesmaid to be full of obligatory duties.  While I have loved being a bridesmaid in the past, there were times when the roll seemed to come with a fairly lengthy list of chores.

My bridesmaids are busy women with active lives.  All are married, one is a stay at home mom, and the other two have jobs that require a bit of travel.  My Maid of Honor is a colleague, so I'm well aware of the demands on her schedule.  I put myself in my bridesmaids' shoes and decided that planning a shower would be a bit of a burden and be logistically difficult since only one lives in Charlottesville. Once our wedding is over, I want my bridesmaids to look back on their role fondly, not be relieved that they're done with it.

From The Sweetest Occasion / Photo by Blossom Tree Photography

The other reason that I didn't want showers or a bachelorette party is that I don't feel like I have time for them.  I think back to how life seemed for friends who got married years ago and I'm a little jealous. They seemed to be pretty focused on their weddings.  While I'm obviously paying a lot of attention to our wedding as a Weddingbee blogger, the wedding is not my top priority right now. At this time of year, I work pretty crazy hours and I fit wedding projects in on weekends, after I've gotten some work done.  I can't imagine pushing my work off to attend a shower during my busy season. 

Event styling by Amber Karson Events / Photo from Hostess With the Mostess

There are times when I feel like I'm running a marathon and the only respite will come when we pass through security at the airport, on the way to our honeymoon. I'm enjoying the planning process, but I definitely wish my plate wasn't as full so I had a little more time to enjoy myself.

Is anyone else juggling a demanding job and wedding planning?  How are you prioritizing?  Did you forgo a shower or bachelorette party because of your schedule?