Typically, a bridal shower is a gathering of close female friends and family members. It is an informal and typically festive occasion that includes games, a meal, and presents for the bride. The event is held a few weeks before the wedding date. Depending on the bride’s preferences, the shower can be held at her home or at a restaurant or hotel. It can be a daytime affair or a nighttime one.
The tradition of bridal showers grew out of earlier dowry practices. In ancient times, the bride’s parents were responsible for paying for the majority of the wedding expenses. However, a woman’s family may not have the financial resources to provide a dowry, so her friends would gather to give her gifts. These gifts would enable her to marry the man of her choice. Today, costs are usually shared between the bride’s parents and the groom’s parents.
Today’s bridal showers are usually held two to three weeks before the wedding date. This allows the bride time to prepare for the big day, relax, and enjoy the company of her friends. If the shower is scheduled during the day, the event may be held in the bride’s home or at a restaurant. If the shower is held at the bride’s home, it is usually an informal gathering with family and friends.
The mother of the bride usually plays a lesser role than the mother of the groom. She helps the bride pick out her wedding attire and helps with the guest list. The bride’s father usually walks the bride down the aisle to the ceremony and participates in the father-daughter dance. He also helps settle any outstanding bills with vendors. He may also perform some of the above functions on the wedding day.
The ring bearer is usually a boy and is responsible for carrying the wedding rings on a satin pillow. The ring bearer’s parents arrange for transportation and pay for the ring bearer’s formalwear. The groomsmen are usually a group of friends who are chosen by the bride. The best man is usually responsible for paying the officiant’s fee. The junior bridesmaids are also responsible for picking up formalwear and paying for their own lodging. The junior groomsman is a junior usher, but he does not attend the bachelor/bachelorette party.
Traditionally, bridesmaids attend the shower. They are not required to bring separate gifts. However, it is common for the bridesmaids to pay a significant amount of money to play the role of bridesmaid. The bridal shower is also a good way for the bride’s friends to win over the bride. The gifts can be personal and a thank you message to the guests. A bridal shower may be a theme party or a more generic event.
In ancient times, brides wore long robes. These robes were black and had red trim. They also wore girdles. The girdle symbolized the loss of virginity. The bride also wore a flammeum, a large veil. The bride’s veil is a modern form of a flammeum.