A bride is a woman who is about to be married. She is often accompanied by a groom and one or more bridesmaids. She may wear a white wedding dress, which is a tradition that began with Queen Victoria in 1840. In some cultures, a bride’s family will present her with a dowry. This is also known as her “bride price” or her “dowry wealth.”
The word bride comes from the Old English word bryd, meaning a maiden or young woman. In the Middle Ages, a bride was usually betrothed to a knight, and she wore a veil to show her modesty. Today, a bride’s attire is largely a matter of choice. Some brides may choose to carry a flower basket, while others prefer a traditional white gown. Many modern brides opt to add details like lace or flowers to their dresses, and they are sometimes helped by a makeup artist to perfect their look.
In Western culture, a bride is typically attended by her bridesmaids and sometimes by her father or mother. If the bride is a virgin, she is referred to as a “virgin bride” or “virginette.”
A popular activity at bridal showers and bachelorette parties is to have friends and relatives write messages of love on a poster or board that will be displayed at the wedding reception. This is a great way to share your love and appreciation for the bride, and it will be a lovely memento for her to keep.
In the days before formal wedding ceremonies, a bride’s family would often provide her with a dowry, which is known as her “bride price” or “bride wealth.” This was a financial gift intended to offset her husband’s expenses if she were widowed or left him before marrying. The bride would then often keep the dowry as her own personal property or even use it to buy her own home.
The bride is the focus of her special day, and she is eager to shine on her big day. She wants to feel confident and beautiful, so she reaches out to her best friends, co-workers and family members for help in planning her big day. There are often showers, parties, cake-tastings and tuxedo rentals to take care of, not to mention the menu to choose and dress to find.
When giving a toast at the bride’s wedding, it’s important to strike a balance between humour and sincerity. Using too much inside jokes may alienate some guests, while too many heartfelt sentiments can sound clichéd and unoriginal. Instead, it’s often better to focus on specific anecdotes that illustrate the bride’s best qualities. Is she kind and always ready to lend a helping hand? Does she have a killer sense of humour? Whatever her best qualities are, use your speech to share them with the world.