The Traditional Bridal Shower
The key to a traditional bridal shower is to have a female-only event. Historically, bridal showers were planned as a way for the bridal party and close friends and family to meet, socialize and add to the dowry or generate one if the bride’s family wasn’t willing or able to provide one. Presently, bridal showers are meant to celebrate the upcoming nuptials, allow for a chance to both families to meet and focus on the relationship one has with the bride. The following is a list of items that should be found at every traditional bridal shower event:
Guests and Gifts
Don’t invite anyone to the shower who aren’t invited to the wedding. Often, guests will look at the wedding’s registry for gifts, but items bought for the shower should be the more inexpensive items. Brides should open gifts at the shower. One of the bridesmaids should write down who gave what to make thank-you notes easier to keep track of.
Games
Planners should prepare for at least three bridal shower games. Be well prepared, many games require a pencil, paper, instructions, etc. Read the rules ahead of time so there won’t be any lingering questions.
Time and Location
Bridal showers are usually held in the afternoon, while the location of the event is traditionally held in the home of the Maid of Honor.
The Bride
Include the bride with the details. She’ll be focused on the wedding, but it’s important that the shower is planned how she would like it. Although it’s a smaller setting, the bridal shower is still an extension of the wedding day.
In the end, even the more contemporary showers (the lingerie party, the cocktail event, the bowling party, the garden setting) root their practices in some of these traditional rules. Many guests will feel more comfortable with a traditional shower added in with a few contemporary items.
Want to know more about bridal shower games?
Guests and Gifts
Don’t invite anyone to the shower who aren’t invited to the wedding. Often, guests will look at the wedding’s registry for gifts, but items bought for the shower should be the more inexpensive items. Brides should open gifts at the shower. One of the bridesmaids should write down who gave what to make thank-you notes easier to keep track of.
Games
Planners should prepare for at least three bridal shower games. Be well prepared, many games require a pencil, paper, instructions, etc. Read the rules ahead of time so there won’t be any lingering questions.
Time and Location
Bridal showers are usually held in the afternoon, while the location of the event is traditionally held in the home of the Maid of Honor.
The Bride
Include the bride with the details. She’ll be focused on the wedding, but it’s important that the shower is planned how she would like it. Although it’s a smaller setting, the bridal shower is still an extension of the wedding day.
In the end, even the more contemporary showers (the lingerie party, the cocktail event, the bowling party, the garden setting) root their practices in some of these traditional rules. Many guests will feel more comfortable with a traditional shower added in with a few contemporary items.
Want to know more about bridal shower games?
