Eli Rallo Says Her Mom Asked Guests to Bring Romance Novels or Lingerie as Bridal Shower Gifts
Eli Rallo Says Her Mom Asked Guests to Bring Romance Novels or Lingerie as Bridal Shower Gifts
Zoey LyttleTue, February 24, 2026 at 7:40 PM UTC
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Eli Rallo.
Eli Rallo/Instagram
In the days after her bridal shower, Eli Rallo looked back on the party, which was planned out by her mom
The TikTok star said that despite her recent aversion to gifts, she was happy her mother chose the theme of "lingerie or love story"
Guests were asked to bring Rallo, 27, romance novels or pieces of lingerie, and she said most went with the latter option
Eli Rallo handed her mom the reins when it came to bridal shower planning.
The content creator, 27, shared some of the details from her pre-wedding celebration this weekend. In a video showing off her outfit for the party, an archival Ralph Lauren gown, Rallo said she knew very limited details. Her mom planned the entire event as a surprise for the bride, and she shared a few highlights in a TikTok that followed the festivities.
While Rallo was pleased overall, she did note that a snowstorm started in the middle of the shower, and as a result, about 15 guests weren't able to attend.
Eli Rallo.
Eli Rallo/Instagram
"I totally understand everyone needs to put like their comfort and safety first, so most of the people that were able to come were either local or left early to avoid the snow," she said in her video upload on Monday, Feb. 23. Those who did fly in for the event — including her two best friends and future-mother-in-law — ended up stuck at Rallo's parents' house to wait out the weather.
Rallo also addressed her glam for the shower, which was done as a trial for her wedding day hair and makeup. The essay author said she was "obsessed" with the pinned-back hair she wore and "loved" the eyeshadow, leaving her with only "a few notes" ahead of her nuptials.
She also promised her 1.2 million TikTok followers that she would do a lingerie theme, as she received a significant number of garments thanks to her mom's chosen theme, "lingerie or love story."
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"I've been very anti-gifts this entire bridal era, like engagement party, no gifts, no registry, no gifts," said Rallo. "My mom wanted to do something where people could shower me with love. So she decided ‘lingerie or love story.’ You could either bring a romance book or lingerie."
Amid all the happier reflections, the bride-to-be did acknowledge some more critical comments she received regarding the vintage dress she wore to the event. She dubbed the elegant gown "one of my favorite pieces in my bridal wardrobe," namely because it significantly differs from the other pieces in her collection. However, she said she saw many comments making remarks that ranged from scrutinizing to hateful.
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"I did get it tailored, but what you guys didn't see is if I was sitting up straight, it falls flat and normal. When you bend over and get up, fabric is gonna bunch around and whatever," she said. "But also, so many people commented like, 'You look pregnant,' which is insane to comment on anyone's s--- ever. Or [people] just commented, 'I f---ing hate this dress. Like, this dress is so ugly. This dress is horrible.'"
Rallo added, "My therapist says I struggle to understand behavior when I wouldn't do or say something. I'm like, why would anyone do that to me? Talk about it in your group chat with your friends ... I know opening yourself up to the internet means that you get criticism, but I just feel like it's so mean, I guess."
on People
Source: “AOL Entertainment”
