Bridal shower during Ramadan

Hey guys,

So with one of my friend’s hectic schedules, her wedding is falling immediately after Ramadan. And with her travel/work schedule, we’re having trouble finding any time to do a bridal shower. Not doing one seems really bad especially since she made us her bridesmaids and she’s always done a lot of us. In any case, has anyone heard of a bridal shower during ramadan? Would that be totally scandalous? I was reading an article bout how some arabs have henna nights and bridal showers during Ramadan…so I figured it’d be alright

Our group of friends is a moderately conservative bunch. Even during other bridal showers that weren’t held during Ramadan, they’ve been pretty tame. Usually a themed dinner/dessert with the bride-to-be opening presents and some games.

We were hoping to do it one of the nights right after Taraweeh ends, preferably the night of chand raat. However, with Ramadan being so unpredictable, it might fall on the night before.

Any ideas? She’s already worried about her Mehndi falling on Eid and how no one is going to show up but there’s no other choice. :S

Re: Bridal shower during Ramadan

Depending on what happens, I may be in a similar situation. Are you sure you're not one of my possible bridesmaids? :P

Re: Bridal shower during Ramadan

How about after the wedding? My friends gave me after the wedding as timing was not working before my wedding event.

Re: Bridal shower during Ramadan

They're flying out the day after the wedding. Her/husband's work schedule sucks. It's seriously either it happens before the wedding during Ramadan or not at all. There's a SLIGHT chance it might fall on chand raat but probably not.

I, personally, didn't see an issue as long as there's no singing/dancing or music (which we usually don't do at bridal showers anyways). It'd be more like a iftar with a theme + presents for the bride and some games. But I wanted to check here before I did something that was considered offensive. I don't really know the protocol.

Re: Bridal shower during Ramadan

It really depends on your/her circle of family and friends... do you think they would attend if it was the day before chaand raat? I think I'm a pretty moderate Muslim but I know that I wouldn't be comfortable with going to a party (whether it be a bridal shower or iftaar) on possibly the second last day... That's just me though.

Can you have it before the last 10 days of Ramadan - you will probably have a better response than the last few days of Ramadan. Some girls might be okay with it but their parents might not.

Is it not possible to do the bridal shower well in advance of the wedding? My bridal shower was 3.5 months before my wedding. Most of my family/friends have had showers around 3 months prior to the wedding. Is April or May a possibility?

Re: Bridal shower during Ramadan

I actually did suggest that we aim for sometime early in Ramadan but I think the reasoning behind it being so late was that 1) there might be a miracle and it'll be chand raat 2) Taraweeh will be over by then so there won't be a mad dash to leave; everyone still does ibadat but it won't be depending on a particular time anymore

We're looking at April ; it just depends on whether the bride-to-be can fly in for a few days from out of state.

Re: Bridal shower during Ramadan

Anyone else have any input? Anything? At the very least, could people tell me if they would have a problem coming to a bridal shower during Ramadan?

Re: Bridal shower during Ramadan

I don't see an issue, tbh. Its basically a themed iftari and we attend plenty of those during Ramadan so what's the big deal with this one?
It all really comes down to the crowd attending. Why don't you poll everyone by email? If not, I do think you should do it much earlier. Is there a timing conflict doing it a couple of months sooner?

Re: Bridal shower during Ramadan

Depends on who is invited. If it friends of the bride then it shouldn't be a problem, but I have a feeling mothers etc might object to a bridal shower during Ramadan. And don't forget this year the fasts would be smack in the middle of summer, during some of the longest days of the year. That leaves very little time for Taraweeh etc if the dinner is served and it's at iftaar time.

Your best bet should be to arrange it before the month of Ramadan. It will be hectic anyways with the timing of the month and I personally wouldn't want to go a bridal shower when I can barely keep my eyes open.

Re: Bridal shower during Ramadan

Sounds like a tough one! Just go based on what you think most people would be comfortable with - I personally don't see any difference between a bridal shower vs. iftaar party but I do know that I try to avoid all sorts of parties the last 10 days. So see what most people in your circle are comfortable with and go with that! :)

Another thing to think about - if you guys do have it during Ramadan (be it in the beginning or end), remember that the fast is gonna be suuuper long! Depending on where you live, you might only be breaking your fast after 8pm... that gives you guys a shorter time frame for partying (assuming that most people want to leave around 12/1am)

Re: Bridal shower during Ramadan

I wouldn't have an issue. Specially if it's on chand raat....it would kinda cute. You can do mehndi tattoos (sticker type.) do a lot of girly things which is what bridal showers are all about (like a menna bazaar theme.)

Also, if it a lot of close friends and family they would know the situation anyways...n should understand.
I would actually do it opening the fast, play the games before iftaar...eat, open gifts n be done.

Re: Bridal shower during Ramadan

Why would it be a problem? The only concern is for those folks who regularly attend tarawih, since sunset is so late. But if you start a little before iftar, you can hopefully get everything done before tarawih.

Re: Bridal shower during Ramadan

I wouldnt mind. It sounds fun. Arab ppl have weddings in Ramadan.

Re: Bridal shower during Ramadan

you girls are giving me hope!

Re: Bridal shower during Ramadan

Yeah one of the bridesmaids does chand raat at her place every year so I didn't see how it'd be different. We're all praying that it ends up being on chand raat but even if it doesn't, we figured we're a really tame group anyways. The most scando thing that would happen would be the bride opening up her bridal shower gifts. But you're right. Everyone knows the bride's situation so they get where she's coming from.

I just figured people would be inherently opposed to a bridal shower during Ramadan because it's a party. I mean, my group--like I said--is fairly conservative but we have regular iftar parties at each other's place every Friday/Saturday of Ramadan. It's a fairly subdued affair (compared to our other parties which usually devolve into dancing) since we eat, pray, socialize and then everyone goes to taraweeh. You're right though--iftar is so late that we could still do the social/game stuff if we wanted / something more religious and then break the fast/have dessert and be done with the whole affair before taraweeh.

Most of the girls have to be home a while before 12 so that might pose a problem. Who would've thought planning all this stuff would be so hard. :S At first I figured people would be opposed but our social circle tends to have iftars up until Eid so I don't think they'd care.

I think most people think Bridal Showers are some scandalous thing but I honestly keep thinking it's gonna end up being more of a themed iftar with the only difference being that people might be more exhausted than usual and no music. We're not a wild bunch by any means and we tend to keep our "partying" halal for the most part anyways. I just don't know if people would be offended if we played bridal shower games.

Bridal shower during Ramadan

I don't see a problem either Op. Consider if the people being invited would but if everyone is close to the bride then I'm sure people would genuinely try to attend. I agree, do the games and entertainment before Iftar, even gifts and leave the food till the end. After dessert people can start to leave or just hangout since it gets pretty exhausting after khana. I also would prefer to attend a party like this in the earlier days not because its a bridal shower but because the last few days just become tiring. Everyone is pretty still up and about with no complaints in the beginning of the month lol. You could do like an Arabian nights or morrocan theme, something Ramadan-esque. This kinda sounds like fun. I think you guys will have a great time.

Re: Bridal shower during Ramadan

OP, if you decide to start before iftar, make sure that people see that the invite time is earlier.