Ugh. I'm sorry that was such an uncomfortable experience for you, Bethedee.
Please don't be too hard on yourself, you weren't prepared and weren't asked for your opinion so I'm sure you felt flustered and pressured to just go along with it to make everyone happy. I mean, it's a party, right? The unknowing recipient of the party doesn't get to feel anything but thrilled and grateful for stuff like this, right????
I had a surprise bridal shower too and as much as I appreciated the kind intentions behind it, I was also pretty mad because I had SPECIFICALLY requested
no parties. I
hate being the center of attention and my then-fiancé and I had everything we needed so having a shower felt like a tacky gift grab. I let my family plan a big wedding because that's what they wanted and I felt like that was enough of an ordeal- a shower on top of it just felt like too much.
But, you know, people come to celebrate you so there's no gracious way to flounce out of your own shower.
Ignore the pictures (maybe be "too busy" to log on to FB for a while?), write some nice thank you notes, and let the relief settle in that you've cleared that hurdle. It was one day and now it's over.
It's over, Bethedee.
Hang in there, I know how stressful all of the pre-wedding shenanigans can be, you will get through it!