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New Trends in Bridal Showers
| Article
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14626 |
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Section : |
LIFE
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| Issue
Date : |
5 / 1988 |
1,425 Words |
| Author
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Gail Greco
Gail Greco is the author of the just-released Bridal Shower
Handbook (Wallace-Homestead, 1988). |
Today's bridal showers rival the weddings they precede in size, scope, and importance. These prenuptial gift-givings, which have long been domain of engaged women and their female friends, now include the groom. The presence of men is just one way these festive gatherings have changed.
Although it probably wasn't called a bridal shower, the first prewedding fete for the bride-to-be presumably took place in Holland, too long ago for the date to have been noted. Word of the unique celebration was passed down through oral folklore. The story begins with a young Dutchman who, although he was poor, gave whatever he had to destitute neighbors. When the lad fell in love and wanted to marry, he had no worldly possessions to offer his fiancée.
The bride's father was unimpressed with the young man's amorous offering, so he refused to give his daughter a dowry. When the said tale reached the townspeople, they remembered his generosity. So they reached into their humble cupboards and brought household items to the penniless bride, showering her with enough necessities to start her homemaking.
Europeans brought the concept of showering the bride to America by introducing the quilting bee. Hosted by relatives of the bride and groom the object was to make a quilt for the nuptial bed.
It was not until the Victorian era, however, with its emphasis on finery and good taste, that the bridal shower concept was formalized. It became a get-together at someone's home, where a few select friends and relatives would "shower" the bride-to-be with kitchen items and personal amenities.
Eventually, greeting-card companies and party-goods stores helped the bridal shower bloom into what has become the traditional reception. Some interesting aspects were added to the shower, such as games and store-bought decorations--usually a paper watering can and an umbrella. However, by the late 1970s and early 1980s, the typical bridal shower was considered boring and repetitive.
As society has changed, so too has the bridal shower. Couples marry later and have already set up house either together or separately. The bride-to-be no longer needs kitchen items.
A change in style and content
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