A Shower for Shortcake [Part 3]
September 15th, 2008 @ 11:30 am by Mrs. Shortcake
{read part one here}
{read part two here}
Honestly, I did enjoy my shower for the most part. It was lovely to see everyone in one place (and wearing pink!), and in such high spirits. However, I was really, really, REALLY uncomfortable being the centre of attention for such a sustained length of time. Having everyone looking at me (and laughing when I spilled food on my dress) was such an awkward feeling—I wanted to hide, but where do you hide when all eyes are on you?
I felt such pressure to be a good hostess that day; to greet everyone when they arrived, to get them drinks, to make small talk. Little things like that seem huge when you have to do it for 30 different people. I’ve always been a very shy individual—I prefer being alone or with close friends or relatives, rather than being in big groups. At the same time though, I am quite bossy, and love to lead rather than follow… an odd combination, I know. What usually happens to me in large social situations, then, is this:
I overact my way out of it:
“Ooh! Such lovely wrapping paper! I’ve never seen such beautiful wrapping paper before!”
“Oh, a gift for me? You shouldn’t have!” *blush*
“This is the sweetest gift I’ve ever received!”
… and I chatter incessantly out of sheer fright:
“Wow, I didn’t know Merlot wine vinegar existed! I can’t wait to try it out at home… I have this recipe and it uses vinegar and it’s really good and I like to have it when… blah, blah, blah…”
I can’t help it. If I’m on a stage it works fine. The audience in the back can see me pantomiming. But at the shower, I felt like I was a caged animal on display. Please don’t misinterpret me—I loved my shower, my guests, and all of the gorgeous and thoughtful gifts—I just felt incredibly uncomfortable almost the whole time. Now I’m worried that I’ll put on a repeat performance at the wedding reception. With all of those guests (many of whom I don’t know) watching us, I’m afraid that my candid wedding photos will turn out like this one:
“Hey, how do ya tie this darn thing on?”
Miss Shortcake: (nervous) girl clown at your service!
Did your bridal shower make you nervous or did you relish in the attention?
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12 Responses to “A Shower for Shortcake [Part 3]”
Not to relish in your pain Shortcake (or Toots), but I’m so so so glad to see a post about being uncomfortable at showers! I had been adamant about not wanting any showers, etc., but FMIL was visibly disappointed when I said that so I caved with the stipulation that there would be no games and no gifts. I’m seriously terrified though b/c it’s going to be in their hometown and all women from her family, many of whom I’ve never met (none of my girlfriends there to hold my hand 
). Thanks for reassurance that even if I continue to feel totally awkward about the whole thing, I won’t regret agreeing to the shower!
I feel your pain shortcake. I too feel uncomfortable in large groups, especially when I’m the center of attention (my fiance is this way too- so we tend to spend a lot of our time at home together). That’s why we’re trying to keep our guest list to about 50 people, family and close friends only. We’re hoping it’ll be a more relaxed and comfortable atmosphere.
Props to you though for pulling it off. You looked cool as a cucumber and didn’t look like you were faking it in the pics.
i was the exact same way at my shower. i look back on pictures now and think, “what on earth was i doing?” most pictures show me over-laughing, gesturing wildly, or being silly. it’s no wonder i left my shower exhausted! i think my favorite part about the wedding being over was that i no longer felt the pressure to be super-gushy in front of people (i.e.: “what wonderfully beautiful glass tumblers! i’ve never seen such gorgeous pieces of glass in my life!!”). i’m having a baby in 7 weeks and am getting my strength together for what i know will be a repeat performance of the silly clown version of me at my baby shower. 
You look so much like my aunt it’s freaky!
I hate all of the attention as well. I am not looking forward to that part. I am glad I am not the only one!
haha. nervous laughter and comments… my specialty.
Shortie - you are so cute! I feel you on being nervous at showers! Though in your case it certainly made for some adorable photos!
Aw, it looks like so much fun. I totally have shower-envy. With all my best gals scattered all over, it doesn’t look like I’ll have one.
Me too! So odd. I start sweating and get super fidgety. Fun times.
My MOH is having a couple’s shower for us, and the theme is a Roast. “Roast” as in everyone gets to roast us (the couple) and everyone else. I’m so happy about it cuz it’ll be really fun (and funny) AND we won’t be the center of attention the whole time!
Mrs. Shortcake, Vancouver
Age and Occupation: 24, Marketing Manager/Children's Lit Writer
Fiance's Age and Occupation: 24, Master's Student/Personal Trainer
Engagement Date: August 7, 2007
Wedding Date: October 2008
Blogging Since:
Venue: Ceremony in a historic church, tented lawn reception at a golf and country club
About Me: 1950's housewife sent to the future, reborn as crafting-obsessed, jill of all trades. I enjoy decorating, writing, baking sweet things, singing show tunes/dancing in public, wearing pearls, and knitting sweaters for my furbaby, Harvey, to chew upon. I heart pink, and believe that sparkles are the new black.
I totally overacted at my shower. It was super embarrassing to be even remotely the center of attention for sixty ladies. I thought having a few drinks would at least take the edge off, but I was practically double-fisting champagne and mimosas. In every picture, I look like a gigantic lush. Unfortunately, this lead to some major cringe moments. I tend to just talk talk talk when I’m the least bit buzzed, so I naturally felt the need to apologize to everyone the next morning. My mouth was running faster than an Olympic sprinter! I barely remember the end! Word to the wise: don’t drink so much at your shower!