Bridal is a word that means related to or concerning the bride, and it can refer to anything from weddings to gifts to party favors. It also can refer to a specific kind of wedding gown, which can be floor-length or shorter. The wedding dress is usually the most important piece of bridal wear.
Traditionally, women who were getting married would wear white dresses. This was due to the fact that the fabric could be easily laundered and did not show dirt as well as darker fabrics. Today, Western brides frequently wear white, cream, or ivory dresses for any number of marriages. However, some brides choose to wear a non-white wedding dress in honor of their heritage or to celebrate the life of someone who was not of the same ethnic background as themselves.
The term bridal can also refer to a wedding ceremony or reception, as well as the bridal bouquet and veil worn by the bride. Wedding ceremonies can be very elaborate or extremely simple, depending on the wishes of the couple and their traditions.
One of the most popular types of bridal wear is a wedding gown, which is typically white or ivory in color and may have embellishments such as embroidery, beads, sequins, or lace. The construction of a bridal gown is often time-consuming. Some of the finest designers, like Amsale and Vera Wang, use hand cutting and hand sewing techniques to ensure quality and precision. These dresses can take months to create from start to finish.
A bride’s attendants, sometimes called maids of honor or matron of honour, are traditionally female, but some brides now select a male chief bridesmaid. This person is called a man of honour.
The word bridal is derived from the Old English word bridal, meaning “bride’s feast.” The word has also been associated with ale, an intoxicating beverage. The earliest known reference to the drinking of ale at a wedding was in the 15th century, when it was called a bride-ale.
Bridal showers are parties hosted to pamper a soon-to-be married woman with love and gifts. They can be as casual or as formal as the bride-to-be prefers, though etiquette experts recommend some basics to keep in mind.
For example, invitations should be sent out six weeks before the event and include the names of all hostesses; the bride’s name (and if she’s not already married, her fiance’s name); date, time, location; RSVP deadline; and gift registry information. In addition to the traditional games, a bridal shower can feature a variety of fun activities, such as designing a wedding dress from rolls of toilet paper or playing a lipstick game in which each guest draws a stick of lipstick and sees who can guess her favorite shade first.
Guests can also help out by providing gifts that the bride will love. Favors are a great way to show the bride’s gratitude to her friends and family for their support in her big day. You can choose from a wide selection of favors, including personalized soap bars, chocolates, or tea bags. These items will make the bride’s special day even more memorable.