Beverly Clark's Bridal Showers is the only resource you need to learn how to plan a bridal shower! Filled with planning, organization, and decorating ideas, this classic includes 12 menu suggestions, 66 recipes, 17 fun themes for both bridal and baby showers, 25 party games, and Beverly Clark's special time-saver tips. Paperback. 166 pages.
Holding the bridal shower a month or two before the wedding? Give her this delightful Bride to Be Countdown Clock to get her counting the moments to her big day and beyond!
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Tradition of the Bridal Shower
Sources vary greatly in their account of the history of how the Bridal Shower became a tradition. Most agree the custom began in the 1800's. However, that seems to be the only factor agreed upon.
One source tells that a poor miller fell in love with a wealthy maiden, but her father was against the marriage. The father refused to provide a dowry for her, and in those times a bride could not marry without a dowry. The tale goes that the bride's friends supported her desire to marry the boy, and "showered" her with many gifts so the dowry could be forgone.
Yet another source states that the Bridal Shower began as a gathering of friends of the bride, with the intent of strengthening their friendships. The bride's friends gave her moral support and helped her prepare for her marriage. The introduction of giving gifts at this event began later, originating circa the 1890’s. At one such affair, one of the bride's friends filled a parasol with small gifts and opened it over the bride's head so that the presents would "shower" over her. The fashion pages quickly spread word of this, inspiring people to mimic the idea - giving birth to the traditional Bridal Shower.
