Do you host a bridal shower for someone who has decided to elope to Vegas?

My friend/cousin was planning a wedding, and family members had already purchased many of the items for the ceremony and booked a location. She then decided she no longer wished to have a wedding with friends and family but to go to Las Vegas with her fiancee and get married there. Yet she still wants a shower. So as the person who was suppose to be the maid of honor am I obligated to throw her one? Or should she just suck it up and have a gathering when she and her husband come home?

I eloped in Vegas and my friends still threw me a shower. They did know before hand that I was doing that and they decided to throw the shower. I also had a big reception for friends and family when we got back.

My first response was that it would be rude to host one - if she's eloping then she clearly doesn't want to have to go through all that nonsense, and a shower is part of it. If she's still wanting one then you can throw it if you want. If you don't want to throw one, then don't. Point out to her that it's generally considered rude to invite people to the shower who aren't invited to the wedding, and she and her fiance (you said husband, so I'm assuming typo) aren't inviting anyone to their wedding.

When a couple elopes, they are giving up the possibility of having a bridal shower. You are most definitely not obligated to host a shower for her at all. Bridal showers are for women who are not yet married. She needs to suck it up and get on with her life. Why would anyone want to buy gifts for an already married woman who did not think her friends and family were important enough to be at her wedding?

Traditionally eloping without friends or family means that you're blowing off other people's opinions about the marriage.

Is there are real reason behind her sudden decision to elope? As her friend find that out. I think if its for selfish reasons (I.e. "because I just want to" of "he would rather have the elopement") rather than "My mother is giving me grief about this wedding/marriage" or "We just can't afford a huge wedding" then I think that will help your decision right there.

Yes, she can have a shower; however, whether you host it is no longer an obligation since you're not part of the wedding party. You may have to discuss this with her.

It sounds like what she did was pretty rude....

Although if she is your friend, do what you think will make her happy. I take it from you being her MOH you are fairly close. Is a shower worth a friendship?