couples shower
/ˈkʌp.əlz ˈʃaʊ.ər/
CommonA joint pre-wedding gift party where both partners and guests of all genders are invited.
Real-world examples4 examples
| # | Example | What it means | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| 01 | we did a couples shower and it was so much less awkward than a traditional bridal shower would have been | The joint format felt more natural and relaxed than a segregated event. | reddit, 2024 |
| 02 | couples shower was basically just a party where everyone brought them a KitchenAid | The couples shower was casual and fun, centered on practical registry gifts. | x, 2023 |
| 03 | he said he didn't want to be the only man at a bridal shower so we switched to a couples shower | The groom's discomfort with a gendered event led to a more inclusive format. | tiktok, 2024 |
| 04 | couples shower was the move, both sides of the family together before the wedding was actually really nice | Bringing both families together at one event worked better than expected. | instagram, 2024 |
Use it when
- Both partners and guests of all genders are included in the pre-wedding gift event.
- The couple wants one combined shower instead of separate gender-specific events.
- Describing a more modern, casual alternative to the traditional bridal shower.
Do not use it when
- Only the bride and her friends are present.Use “bridal-shower” instead.
Couples shower vs wedding shower
couples shower
Couples shower explicitly means both partners are there and guests of all genders are invited.
VS
wedding-shower
Wedding shower is a broader term that may or may not include both partners.
Origin and context
Rose to popularity alongside shifting gender norms in wedding culture during the 2000s and 2010s. Became a recognized alternative to the bridal shower as couples sought more inclusive formats.
- First seen
- 2000s
- Confidence
- medium
Cite this page
Use this stable URL to reference the entry.
https://slang.fyi/couples-showerUpdated: 2026-08-29License: CC BY 4.0