The word bride is a descriptive adjective. It is a feminine noun and is used in many words associated with weddings, including bridegroom, bride-cake, and bridal shower. The origins of bridal date back to the early Middle English, when it was a noun, meaning a newly-wed woman. This word was later relegated to an adjective by the 18th century, when the word became a verb.
The term bridal combines the words bride and -al, and is an honorific word that denotes a woman’s position in the family. It originally referred to a woman who was a queen, but now is used to refer to any female attendant to a wedding. In the United Kingdom, the term bridesmaid refers to all women who are part of a bride’s retinue. In the United States, this title is sometimes referred to as a matron of honour.
In Western societies, the bride wears a white dress and veil with a sash. Her dress often has a floral motif, such as a flower. The bride also wears a garter, which is removed by the groom during the reception. While the bride’s garter has no significance to her sexuality, the veil can be a sign of fidelity. It is important to remember that brides are expected to have a traditional wedding day.
A bridal shower is usually held about two to three weeks before the bride’s wedding. When the bride’s shower falls on a Sunday afternoon, the shower host may plan a brunch, a luncheon, or an afternoon tea, and it can last from three to four hours. This event is a great way to celebrate the bride-to-be. If the bride is close to home, the shower can be held in the bride’s hometown. If the bride lives far away, the shower can be held in another location.
The mother of the bride traditionally footed most of the wedding costs. However, today, this is no longer the case. In addition to the bride, the groom’s parents are likely to contribute to the costs of the wedding. The bride’s mother chooses the wedding dress and informs the groom’s mother about her choice. Similarly, the bride’s mother will typically pick the bride’s maid of honor’s attire. And the groom’s mother may help with the wedding details, such as the guest list.
A groom’s father traditionally pays for the wedding. However, modern couples are increasingly choosing to pay for the wedding themselves, and the father of the bride typically plays a smaller role on the day of the wedding. A wedding day father is often assigned various tasks, including giving the bride away at the altar, walking her down the aisle, and delivering the bouquet to the bride. Of course, the most important task of a father of the bride is to walk her down the aisle.
In many countries, a flower girl participates in the wedding procession. This young participant is typically a child between the ages of four and eight, and is responsible for walking with the bride on her entrance. She may also carry a bouquet or a basket. The parents of the flower girl will be expected to pay for her attire, arrange for transportation, and make sure she has a place in the rehearsal dinner. A flower girl may also have multiple attendants, such as a ring bearer and a flower girl.