In some countries, the bridal dowry still exists and is a necessary prerequisite for any young lady getting married. In years gone by, if a young woman found herself without an adequate dowry and the basic necessities to start her own home, her sympathetic friends would "shower" her with enough gifts to enable her to set up housekeeping.

Traditionally, the bridal shower is a women-only function, but this tradition like so many others is being given a new spin by some new generation couples. Where once the prospective grooms responsibilities regarding his fiancée’s shower were to "get her there on time" and "pick her up afterwards," today, many grooms are not relegated to do nothing other than walk around the block waiting for the wedding shower to be over.
This mixed type of shower is commonly called CO-ED shower.

Guest List-
Just like a bride's shower, the "whom to invite rule," stands. Most etiquette rules say that anyone who is invited to a bridal shower must also be invited to the actual wedding. At a co-ed shower, friends and family of both the groom and the bride are generally included in the shower guest list. It is beyond tacky to "ask" for a shower gift and then not issue a wedding invitation. With a mixed shower, the guest list by extension would include men and women, friends and family from both the bride's and the groom's side.

You can also plan a shower in such a way that if an engagement party is planned, the shower should follow it. As for location, just about anywhere will do, from a pavilion in a park to a favorite restaurant, a friend’s place or to the home of the bride or groom's mom.
Of course, the host or hostess may also opt for a traditional shower for the kitchen or for the bath. Any shower works best when the couple has registered in several stores and the shower invitation includes that information for the guests.

Another aspect of a coed shower is that it opens up lots of possibilities with regards to the nature of games that are played and the type of entertainment that is provided. The traditional stripper/dancer (male or female) is not really appropriate unless of course you’re the very out-there people; perhaps, there is one of each sex. Food and gift-opening will, as always, take up a good chunk of the time, but this is an area where the hostess can elicit suggestions from the guests and explore his or her own creativity. Many traditional shower games can be revised to be appropriate for a coed crowd. Putting the boys against the girls is an automatic winner for creating interest and involving the guests.

The fact that the prospective bride and groom and friends and relatives from both sides can participate, makes the new tradition of he and she showers a really nice new ritual to explore.
 In recent years, there's been a trend to host showers including men and women, to honor both the bride and the groom. Traditionally, the bridal shower has been for the bride only, and, for the most part, only women attended. However, as women make friends in the workplace, and men become more involved in the wedding planning, it’s only expected that the bride includes their male friends at the shower. Also it's a good idea to coordinate the event with the best man and maid of honor. It can also save you a lot of stress/money etc, because you can fuse both Bachelors party and Hen night together - two in one.
Hosting or planning a mixed bridal shower can be fun and exciting because they are usually less formal than a traditional bridal shower. It is becoming more common for showers to include both men and women. First, find out what your bride and groom prefer and plan the shower around their preferences. Almost anyone can attend a mixed bridal shower. Sometimes, the bride and groom want close family and friends, and other times, co-workers can be invited. Friends or sister of the bride are usually in the best position to plan mixed showers.
In addition, if you are hosting a mixed bridal shower, talk to the bride and groom about whom to invite.

Things to consider when planning a mixed shower are:
Themes
When you host a mixed shower, consider having a theme. This can be fun for both the guests and the bride and groom, it’s also a perfect hangout to mingle and start the networking process for the singles I call it the ‘singles mingle’. It is acceptable to hold a mixed shower even if the bride and groom prefer a more traditional shower. The couple might need basic necessities for their homes such as tableware or towels. Find out where they have registered for gifts and include that information on the shower invitation.
When you plan a mixed shower, you might want to consider playing a few games. Appropriate games and activities can help fill the time if you are having a more traditional shower in your home. Think about the guests that will be in attendance and plan your games and activities to suit the guests. Do not plan games or activities that might be considered offensive if you will have a mixed crowd. Instead, concentrate on icebreaker games or trivia games about the bride and groom. You can even add interest to the shower by playing men against the women games. If you are hosting a barbeque or outdoor shower, the men might feel more comfortable with other activities while the bride opens her gifts.

1) Honeymoon Shower. Find out where the bride and groom plan to take their honeymoon and plan your co-ed party with that destination in mind. You can have decorations significant to that country or state, such as a flag, pictures, of the city where they will be visiting or even photo albums for the honeymoon pictures. You could serve intercontinental foods and play local music. Have your guests bring gifts which the couple can use before, during and after their honeymoon. Gifts such as luggage, film, guidebooks, foreign language book, travel grooming kit, first aid kit, foreign currency traveler's checks, road atlas, travel related books, gift certificates to services available at their destination, and perhaps several people can add funds together and pitch in and buy a video camera for the bride and groom.

2) Entertaining Shower. This type of shower is geared towards giving the couple items they will need to entertain others in their home. If you are planning a barbecue, how about asking guest to pitch in and buy the couple their own barbecue grill? Other guests could bring tools and utensils necessary for a barbecue. Other gift ideas include bar glasses, wine glasses, wine rack, decanters, electric warming tray, fondue pot, serving trays, ice bucket with tongs, relish dishes, bottle corkscrew, cocktail pitcher, and chips and dip set.

3) Hobby Shower. This is another good theme for a mixed shower and also for a second-time bride or groom, who already have their home(s) well-stocked with the essentials. Find out what hobbies the bride and groom enjoy and have guests bring gifts specific to those hobbies. A few examples for the groom include equipments, balls, racket, essentials, tickets to a sports event, etc. Ideas for the bride include scrapbooking supplies, sewing items, gardening accessories, and tickets to a comedy show, play or concert. If the bride and groom have hobbies in common, such as biking, canoeing, ask your guests to bring gifts that reflect these shared interests.

4) Beauty/spa Shower
The first gift is one from the host or hostess, a duo of matching robes. The guests, in turn, are asked to bring any gift that falls within the category such as candles, luffa sponges, fancy soaps, essential oils, aromatherapy products, bubble bath, fog-free mirror, towels, brushes, lotions, powder, spa services'.

5) Home makeover bridal shower (most realistic and helpful)
Today, many engaged couples already have a home picked out. They may even be living in it together, or planning to move in soon. One thing you can do if the house needs work is to have everyone come over and help fix things up. Simple repairs, painting and other work (like to the yard) can be done by amateurs. It works as a gift as well as a great mixed bridal shower. End the day with small chops and drinks -- and plenty of fun.
Whichever theme you choose for your shower, including the groom in the festivities is a wonderful way to celebrate the couple.

Where to host mixed bridal shower
In a restaurant - If your home is not large enough to hold a large amount of people, consider holding the shower at a restaurant, a park, or a rented room. Also, there are no set rules about when to hold a co-ed bridal shower. Consider any time of the day that is convenient, a good time to host a co-ed shower. Most guests will enjoy a relaxed, informal shower so if that is what you are planning, make sure to mention that on your invitation.
This can be a great way to enjoy a meal and good friends. If you want something more formal, reserve a room at a nice restaurant or club. If casual is more the style of the bridal couple, it can be fun to get a few tables at the local suya or Asun’ spot or sports bar.

Outdoor bridal shower - You can hold a mixed shower just about anywhere. One popular option is to host a weekend barbeque at a park, lake or just in the backyard. If you want something a little more formal, consider hosting a wine and cheese shower. Ask each guest to bring a different type of wine. As a host, you will provide the cheese, crackers and other snacks. The couple’s favorite restaurant is another good option for hosting a mixed/co-ed shower. Look for a place that has a large banquet-type room that can hold all invited guest.
An outdoor barbecue is something that would appeal to both men and women. Hot dogs, hamburgers, beef brisket, potato salad, coleslaw, and baked beans are the usual dishes served at a barbecue. For dessert, why not have banana pudding rather than a cake or pie? Also be sure to have plenty of tea, lemonade, wine, and beer on hand.
This type of shower will obviously be a rather large party, and I see nothing wrong with the hosts asking the guests to help provide food for everybody. Each person can bring a dish, rather like a picnic pack. This is perhaps the best option for mixed bridal showers. You can have a picnic in a local park, or at the beach. A backyard barbeque can also be a great deal of fun. Bring games appropriate for both sexes to play, or just enjoy the outdoors. This can be especially appropriate if the bridal couple enjoys outdoor activities. As a gift, all of the attendees can chip in and buy some sort of an outdoor picnic.

Indoor bridal shower at someone's house
Have ice cream and dessert. And arrange for fun games. Games like Pictionary, Taboo, Gestures, Catchphrase and (especially) The Newlywed Games are great activities for a mixed group. This can be a fun way to enjoy company with the whole group within;

@ the Bar or indoor -
1)    A Toast to the Couple focuses on stocking the couples' bar. Guests are asked to bring a particular wine or liquor, or they may bring any item for the bar such as flutes, glasses, ice bucket, tongs, glass ID rings, napkins, corkscrew, lemon zester, or even fancy toothpicks.
2)    Another fun mixed bridal shower might be an electronic theme. Any groom will appreciate new electronics for the new home. Ask guests to bring items such as stereos, DVD players or movies, music CDs, computer software, digital clocks or even sound machines. Anything that the couple does not already own or likes with extra or even if they are just music lovers, this will be a great gift for this type of shower.

There is no reason why a bridal shower has to be just for women. These days circles of friends involve both men and women. And, in many cases, the groom is very involved in the wedding planning process. There is no reason to exclude men from a bridal shower. Indeed, mixed bridal showers can be a great way to cement friendships among all involved…wink wink*