Bridal is one of the most popular pre-wedding events, giving friends and family a chance to celebrate the bride-to-be ahead of her big day. Historically these parties have been for women only, but today it’s increasingly common for all-gender events to be held. A typical bridal shower will include a few cheesy games (make a wedding dress out of toilet paper, give the bride advice), food and drinks. It’s also not unusual for activities like quizzes, word scrambles, scratch-offs or “what’s in your bag?” contests to take place.
The term bridal has been around since at least the 16th century, when it was first used to describe a girl or woman preparing for marriage. It was later used to refer to the wedding itself, which is still an integral part of many cultures around the world. The term has become a household name, with the word’s popularity rising in the 19th century and reaching a pinnacle in the early 20th century, when it became synonymous with brides and bride-to-bes.
A bride’s maid of honor or matron of honor is the bride’s main lady in the run-up to her wedding. She helps to plan the event, and often shares in the overall planning responsibilities for the wedding. She is also a key supporter for the bride, and is expected to be on hand to help out with things such as ushering guests or helping to set up before the ceremony. She might be asked to deliver a speech at the wedding reception or share a toast with the bride.
Other members of the bride’s bridal party are called bridesmaids or flower girls or boys, depending on the culture. These women or children are the bride’s auxiliary ladies and help with various tasks, including the opening of gifts. They may also be responsible for helping out during the ceremony, by handing out programs to wedding guests or serving as ring bearers or petal tossers.
When it comes to dresses, most brides are adamant about looking their best on their wedding day. They want to look their absolute best in the photos that will be taken, and they often feel nervous about choosing something less traditional or “not bridal enough.” Some people might ask for external validation from dozens of people when they are selecting their dresses, in the hope of receiving an assurance that they’re making the right choice.
Whether they’re buying for themselves or someone else, bridal shoppers often look through the pages of a bridal magazine to find inspiration and ideas for their big day. They’re looking for a variety of information, from bridal trends and accessories to hairstyles and makeup, to help them make the best choices. When writing for a bridal magazine, it’s important to keep the target audience in mind so that the article doesn’t appear too much like an advertisement for a particular brand or service. A good way to do this is by researching the magazine and its niche before pitching an article idea.