Is it now customary to invite strangers to a bridal shower?

We have a neighbor whom we only see once a year at a block party. He is a nice fellow and we talk a lot at the party. Every year he is either newly married or newly divorced and we just got an invitation for wedding number 3— a woman we have never met.

I think it is nice that we are invited to his wedding. But what really surprised me was that I got an invitation to attend his new bride-to-bes bridal shower which included information on where she is registered. (Tiffany’s)

I have never before gotten an invite to a strangers bridal shower. Even if I knew her I would not be able to attend due to financial limitations.

Is this a normal thing now? To invite the spouses you have never met of very casual friends to the wedding shower?

Has this happened to you? Have you done it? What is your opinion?

I was just curious.