The word bridal has a long history. Its origins are Greek and Roman, and it appears in many words and phrases. “Bridegroom” refers to the newly-married man, while “bride-bell” is synonymous with wedding-bells. It has also been used as a synonym for “bride-ale,” the traditional English toast to the bride upon her wedding day. The word “bride” is derived from the Latin bride-ale, which means “bride”. In Middle English, the term had no stress, but it was associated with the noun and adjective suffixes -al. By the 18th century, bridal was used as an adjective and noun.
The father of the bride plays a smaller role in the run-up to the wedding, but is involved in many aspects of the day. In some families, the father of the bride and groom may have a “first look,” in which the bride and her father get to spend a few moments together before the wedding. The father of the bride traditionally walks the bride down the aisle, gives her away at the altar, and participates in the father-daughter dance.
While throwing a bridal shower is a generous act, it’s often not appropriate for a bride to bring more than one gift to her bridal shower. To show your appreciation, send a card or handwritten thank-you note to the host. You can also give a gift to the bride-to-be for throwing the shower. A few ideas include:
The first wedding dress adorned a royal couple. Queen Victoria’s wedding dress was a royal pale gown with an orange flower blossom design. The style of the day was very different from today’s modern day, with a tight bodice and full skirt held out by crinolines. The wedding dress was painted white, but in fact it was light pink or ivory. It was also adorned with a plethora of flowers.
Most brides incorporate games and entertainment into their receptions. Games help break the ice and get guests energized, and they make the bride feel like the queen. They also make the guests feel like they are a part of the festivities, and they will remember the bride for life. The cocktail party can also include a live band or a bar. This is another traditional bridal tradition, passed down through the generations. The bride will be wearing the bridal party’s garter.
Throughout the history of the wedding, there are many cultural traditions and styles. Most African countries still practice the traditional tribal wedding garb. The Ndebele of South Africa has distinctive ringed jewelry. Brides wear a beaded train called Nyoga (snake). Many modern urban weddings take on the Western style, with the bride wearing a big white dress and the groom wearing a tux. Western weddings are increasingly popular, too, and the wedding ceremony reflects this tradition.
While traditional bridal parties are made up entirely of women, modern couples can choose any other members of the family or close friends who are close to them. Rather than selecting only women, wedding parties now include men and children. The bridal party is a group of people chosen by the bride to be her support system on her wedding day. Some people may even have specific roles, such as ring bearer, flower girl, or page boy. They will perform various tasks throughout the wedding day to help make the ceremony a success.