Before you get too excited, there are no pictures of the bride-to-be in the shower. Sorry chaps!
Now bear in mind these are the thoughts and opinion's of an Englishman unfamiliar with the quaint tradition of the Bridal Shower...
According to most sources, the bridal shower custom traditionally arose as a means to provide poor women with a dowry. Friends would gather with the hopeful bride and "shower" her with money and goods, thereby enabling the dowry-less woman to marry.
In the 21st century, however, the tradition has evolved somewhat from its original intentions. It's now a fun-filled time with lots of friends, food, and silly games. And gifts.
The event is usually planned by the bridesmaids. They organize and send out the invitations, ensure that there's food and appropriate drinks for the guests, and run around like crazy people on the day of the shower preparing the house for the party.
The big thing though (at least in my opinion) are the games. There are many, but there are two that stick in my mind.
The first is when the guests make a wedding dress from toilet paper and various other bits and pieces that are lying around after the gifts have been opened.
The second is the "Newlywed Game", where the bride is asked questions like "What did Mike say is your least favourite food?" or "What would you consider to be Mike's best feature". Worse still are the ones like "What did Mike say is your most annoying habit".
How do I know these things? Don't ask.
Last Update: 11/26/2002