The Bridal Shower - History

This weekend I attended my neice's bridal shower. The hostess of the shower did a fabulous job...keeping us all busy with games and lots of door prizes. The decorations were impressive and while keeping with the black and white theme picked out by the bride, she used colors of light and dark pinks to keep it upbeat.

One of the games we played was very creative. She had gathered a dozen antique kitchen utensils used by women from the late 1800's to the 1930's. Let me tell you, we were stumped! This was hard to figure out some of these gadgets! I did know many of them already from working with antiques, but, the answers some came up with were funny and probably better than what the real use was. Utensils like a cherry pitter, soap saver, biscuit cutter, etc. We all learned something new.

The day had me wondering about how bridal showers started. I found this on this website of wedding traditions:

"The Bridal Shower originated with the intent to strengthen friendships between the bride and her friends. In this gathering, the bride’s friends would give her moral support and help her prepare for her marriage. The idea to give gifts is fairly new; originating circa the 1890’s. At one shower, the bride’s friend placed small gifts inside a parasol and opened it over the bride’s head so that the presents would "shower" over her. When word of this hit the fashion pages, people were so taken with the idea that they decided to do the same at their showers."

While we did not open an umbrella over my neice's head, we certainly showered her with lots of adoration, gifts, and well wishes. I sincerely hope she enjoyed the day and will treasure it for years to come. It is a once in a lifetime event!

For more inspiration on weddings and showers...visit our "vintage wedding category" on Bella Rosa Antiques.

And of course, as always. . .