Have you been asked to host a bridal shower but don’t understand the point of them? Maybe you are attending your first bridal shower and don’t know what to expect?
Or are you curious and want to know more? Whatever the reason is that brought you here, we have the answers for you!
Finding out what happens at a bridal shower, and the point of them can be a little tricky, especially if you have never attended one before.
You head online to gather more information but are met with confusing and conflicting articles that leave you unsure where to turn or who to trust.
Bridal showers are a time-honored tradition that celebrate the bride-to-be and provide her with essentials for her new life. They can be fun events full of laughter and love, and are a great opportunity for friends and family to come together before the wedding.
Well, no more! Today, we are here with the answers you need. Keep reading to find out the point of a bridal shower, what happens at them, and everything else you need to know. Get ready to become a bridal shower expert today!
What Is A Bridal Shower?
Let’s dive right in! A bridal shower is a day or event dedicated to the bride. The purpose is to shower the bride with gifts. Sometimes called a bridal party, the shower is a special day that focuses on the bride.
The event is usually attended by women only from both sides of the wedding party and can take anywhere from an afternoon to all day. The event centers around the bride opening gifts in front of guests.
These gifts might be for the wedding, for the bride to use in the run-up, or after the wedding. These are treats, designed to recognize the hard work she is undergoing planning her wedding.
A bridal shower or party is sometimes called a wedding shower. Wedding showers are a little different, as the groom will also attend. The groom and groomsmen or his friends will also be invited to a wedding shower and the happy couple will open gifts together.
While the tradition seems centered around heterosexual couples, anyone can have a bridal shower! For other couples, a wedding shower tends to be the standard, where they both attend and open gifts as a break from planning their wedding.
The Tradition Of Bridal Showers
The first bridal shower was recorded in Holland. The first one in the US was recorded in the late 19th century. Bridal showers were typically hosted for upper-class families, where gifts were given to help accessorize the bride’s new home shared with her husband.
The idea later became a formal event where gifts were presented to the bride. Bridal showers were a good way to flaunt social status, but they have since become events planned and hosted across the board.
Who Hosts A Bridal Shower?
The bridal shower is typically hosted by the maid of honor or the mother of the bride, but there are no rules about who hosts the shower. The host of the bridal shower is usually selected by the brides.
The host is in charge of planning the event, including a menu, itinerary, and any decorations. They will also provide entertainment for the guests and set up the venue. Bridal showers are often hosted at the bride’s home or a predetermined location.
Who Pays For The Bridal Shower?
The bridal shower is usually paid for by the host. Often other bridesmaids or family members of the bride will contribute too.
Who Gets Invited To A Bridal Shower?
Typically all women who are invited to the wedding will be invited to a bridal shower. The invites for the bridal shower are usually sent after the wedding invitations.
Themes For A Bridal Shower
Bridal showers tend to have a theme. Below is a list of the most common themes. Remember, you can choose a theme that suits you, you don’t need to select one from the list!
- Virtual
- Drive By
- Friends
- Harry Potter
- Traveling from Miss to Mrs.
Bridal Shower Games
Games are a part of the entertainment at a bridal shower. These can include Bridal Bingo, Bride Quizzes, or other games that are adapted to fit the theme of an upcoming wedding. There are lots of free templates you can use online, or you can make your own games.
Food And Drink
Bridal showers are often set up as afternoon tea, where a range of sandwiches and other appetizers are served. Bridal shower brunches are another popular food choice.
Typically, cupcakes and mimosas are served at the bridal shower. These might be decorated with elements of the theme, or the bride’s new surname once she is married. Again, you have a lot of choices here to create decorations that suit the bride.
What Is The Point Of A Bridal Shower?
The point of a bridal shower is to shower the bride-to-be with presents that are often used for the wedding or in the couple’s home. These gifts are considered a gesture of support from the bride’s family and a welcoming gift from the groom’s family.
Bridal showers are held across the world in different forms but are quite popular in the US.
A bridal shower is different from a bachelorette party, which usually features only close friends of the bride celebrating her upcoming wedding with a day or night out.
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Final Thoughts
And there you have it, everything you need to know about bridal showers! These small gatherings are a good way to support the bride through the planning of her wedding and celebrate her upcoming big day!
Serena & Dominic are a married couple and parents to 3 wonderful children. They plan weddings, run multiple small businesses, and curate wedding events.
By giving you everything you need to make your dream wedding attainable, you can eliminate stress, get the ‘wedding glow,’ and focus on spending this rocking day with the person you adore. Discover their podcast for more information