Bridal Showers – Trend and History

Bridal showers date back to 1890 as a gift providing an event for the would-be bride and is presently gaining prominence in US Canada, Australia and New Zealand. The theme of the custom is to give gifts and financial help along with provisions for would be bride household. Though an exclusive female affair, it is fast gaining popularity among the other sex too. 

A custom initiated to help the bride whose father was not able to provide dowry or did not approve of her choice did away with the dowry. To compensate the same the female friends and well wishers of the bride would then get together and pool up gifts, provisions, etc. for her.

Who are the Hosts and Guests?

Friends close to the bride’s heart combine to host the event. Close family members on the pretext to avoid the embarrassment of being greedy to ask for gifts from near ones do not host it. Some social clubs or religious groups host a bridal shower for their members. The list of guests is contracted to personal pals, family and well wishers. Though, In Canada some immigrant communities make it a big bash consisting of around 250-300 guests. Guests invited to the bridal shower are expected to participate in wedding. Being a very intimate affair invitations are sent out by post telephone or e-mail but now bridal shower cards are coming into prominence.

Modern Trends

In keeping with the tradition, bridal showers though are for getting gifts and obtaining tips for home making and honing  feminine skills but more festivities have crept  in the event. Moving away from the confines of home the venue have shifted to restaurants, country clubs and farther away to a weekend at beach vineyard or a spa. The glamour of the bridal showers is on the move. The trend for males joining the bridal shower has changed the flavor of the occasion. Instead of the bridal shower it is converted to couple shower where gifts complimenting both are showered upon. Cocktail parties and lavish dinners have replaced traditional cakes and candy buffets.

Some Do’s and Don’ts

1. Initiate to plan but engage others too: Share your initiative with the bridal family and include them in the planning. Collect inputs from bridal and groom family to spice up the event.

2. Base the event on a theme or do a group activity: Being a family function, the guest list will include all age groups. Set the theme by consulting the bride so that it doesn’t make her uncomfortable.

3. Fix a date in advance: Many of your proposed guests may have hectic schedules. So your advance intimation will help them align accordingly.

4. Invitations for the shower should be sent: An event based cute looking invitation card should be sent to the guests timely.

5. Loose knit the schedule: Family functions are not formal functions where tight schedules are to be observed. Give guests an opportunity to enjoy the bash.

Bridal Shower is the best way to honor would be a bride. Take care that she enjoys her felicitation to the core of her  heart.

About Author:

Mr. Atul Gupta is the co-founder of 123WeddingCards. He is having years of experience in wedding card designing and have expertise in writing wedding card related blogs. His online portal contains latest collection of wedding invites with amazing designs. He is passionate about his services. A genuine wedding columnist with immense writing skills on wedding related topics, his profound ideas have been signature of many weddings all across the world.