Bridal brunch guest list

Bridal Brunch vs Bridal Shower - Guest List
We are keeping our wedding smaller with family and very close friends. But there's many girlfriends that I haven't seen in a long time that I'd love to get together with and celebrate but without gifts, just girlfriends+babies, mimosas and memories. I don't want a traditional shower with gifts but I think some people have a bridal tea or recipe party.

So my idea was to have a Bridal Brunch and invite an extended guest list (beyond the wedding guests) and ask them to just bring themselves and a recipe while we brunch and take a walk down memory lane. I've asked a few of my friends what they thought and they think that without the gift and official shower it's fine.
What do you think?