As of this time, bridal showers customs and traditions have change a bit, specially on how the bridal party is presented.
Many different customs have developed in different regions and social groups. But the basic format has been relatively unchanged for generations, and emphasizes traditional gender roles.
Although the format has remained relatively consistent, there have been some significant changes. According to a guide during the 1920's, bridal showers must be "purely spontaneous and informal," with guests arriving unannounced at the bride-to-be's home.
Another guide during the 1950's suggested that bridal showers can be enjoyed by some games and unusual unique themes.
Traditionally, bridal showers took place at maid of honor's residence. This is because gifts are required of those who attend the shower, some communities consider it not applicable for a relative of the bride to host it. Bu on the other communities, relative-hosted showers are a common and accepted occasion.
Bridal showers have not developed the same formal etiquette that has developed with respect to weddings due to its history of being ""purely spontaneous and informal". It is not customary for guests to receive formal invitations in the same manner as they would for a wedding.
Guest numbers and the guest relationship to the bride varies greatly. In Canada, it is normal for the Canadians to have 300 guests among some immigrant communities parties in community halls, while other cultures emphasized intimate parties with only close friends and relatives.
Before laying out those precious wordings for bridal shower invitations, let us take a look on the bridal shower history, origin and its true meaning.
A gift giving party being thrown at the bride before the wedding date is called bridal shower. Bridal shower, according to the history, originated in the United States. Some people says that the very first practice of this party have been originated at Brussels, Belgium around 1860.
As of now, it is still practiced at U.S. and Canada. Bridal showers are usually coordinated by the bridesmaids. At the party, guests and visitors offer gifts for the home of the bride and groom.
A little bit of history regarding bridal showers.
The custom of the bridal shower is said to have grown out of earlier dowry practices when a poor woman's family might not have the money to provide a dowry for her, or when a father refused to give his daughter her dowry because he did not approve of the marriage.
In such situations, friends of the woman would gather together and bring gifts that would compensate for the dowry and allow her to marry the man of her choice. A frequently quoted legend traces the origin of this practice to sixteenth or seventeenth century the Netherlands. However there are also parallels with many dowry practices and the U.S. Colonial or hope chest (trousseau) custom.
In the United States, bridal showers started in urban areas in the 1890s, mainly among the upper middle classes. By the 1930s bridal showers had spread to rural America.
The earliest use of this sense of the word in print may be in the Grand Rapids Michigan Evening Press 22 June 4, 1904: "The ‘shower parties’ that through mistaken hospitality the wedded couple are forced to attend..." And may derive from the custom in Victorian times for the presents to be put inside a parasol, which when opened would "shower" the bride-to-be with gifts.
There we have it. Bridal shower origins and little history. Want to contribute about the subject? Feel free to leave it at the comment section.