Wedding Readings

Bridal showers used to have a legitimate role in the right of passage of a woman. I once read that the bridal shower was began in Holland. A young woman and a miller fell in love. The miller was always busy helping others, so never amassed any fortune. When the father of the young woman learned the two wished to marry, he protested by refusing to put up a dowry. The couple was determined to marry anyway. The community that had been so touched by the charity of the miller stepped in to help the couple in the absence of the dowry. The couple was showered by gifts. The community did not need to receive bridal shower invitations to know to bring them a toaster; they were all just moved to help. Others say the United States was the birthplace of the shower. An American newspaper article from 1904 implies that the word “shower” originates from a Victorian era practice of putting gifts in a parasol. No matter the origins, the shower was a way to replace the dowry or trousseau.

What began in the late 1800s, has continued to flourish into the 2000s. The current version of the bridal shower seems to be an American and Canadian custom. And here is where I believe the shower has taken a turn for the materialistic worse. Most engaged couples today do not need to make up for basic necessities, as in the past. Some couples do not have much, as they are young or recent graduates of college or graduate programs. But the majority of couples that are boosting the sales of Pottery Barn and Target registries are not in that situation. I have received countless bridal shower invitations for friends who are well established and combining two households. One friend even said, “This is an opportunity to get some new dishes and better stemware.” The bridal shower, in its good hearted roots, would shiver to hear those words.

Do not get me wrong, I like a good party. I think it is completely appropriate to get your friends and loved ones together to help you celebrate your bride or groom status. Your friends and family should not, however, feel obligated to buy you new stuff to help you celebrate, though. Usually, the same people who receive bridal shower invitations are the same people who will receive wedding invitations. People want to help the couple celebrate and toast to their future. We should not be on the hook to help the bride and groom redesign their kitchen ensembles.

Bridal showers need to be kept in perspective. Couples who are genuinely starting out can fill up their registry with a clean conscience and have a traditional baby shower. For couples who are well established and have everything they need, they should not be greedy and want new replacements for those things courtesy of their guests. I am not being a scrooge; remember that those same guests will be buying the couple a wedding gift. Those latter couples should, instead, get creative. Send out some bridal shower invitations that invite friends and family to stock your bar (everyone brings a bottle of wine or accessories), or to a garden party where everyone brings their favorite annual or perennial. Your prospective guests will be overjoyed to receive bridal shower invitations to help celebrate without feeling the heavy obligation of lots of expensive gifts.

The bride or the bride and groom are given a party so that their friends and relatives can shower gifts and good wishes on them and this party is called a wedding shower. Bridal shower invitations There are two ways of celebrating a wedding shower. A bridal shower is one where wedding shower invitations are sent to the female friends and relatives of the bride and sometimes the groom and the bride alone is the guest of honor. Coed parties find more favor today and wedding shower invitations are sent to invite guests of both genders to couples showers. The invitations should indicate the type of wedding showering by mentioning the name or names of the guest or guests of honor. Wedding Shower invitations are sent for the convenience of the guest and should mention the date time and theme of the party and include details of the gift register and a response card. Thoughtful Wedding shower invitations that guide the guest to the party will kick start a happy wedding shower.

The bridal shower party is indeed the highlight in the event calendar of a woman to be married, a time for the near and dear to celebrate and enjoy. All the gifts that the bride receives make her feel truly special. Of course, inviting your guests to share the great occasion must be equally special, and this means a great bridal shower invitation. The bridal shower is undeniably special, and it is imperative that the guests look forward to the event too. And, having decided that you are going to opt for a special invitation with which to request your guest’s presence, it is time to go shopping! The market in abound with a variety of bridal shower invitation products and ideas. And all these at sensible prices too!

Perhaps the toughest task about putting together a bridal shower invitation is the wording on your card. You want the invitation text to convey just the right message with regard to the theme of your party, if any, and use an appropriate style and tone. For the more conventional types, a poetic invitation works, while the fashionable ones may opt for the latest in thing in invitation designs. In general, the tone of your bridal shower invitation should reflect the theme of the party, the bride’s overall persona as well as the nature of the guest list. A brief message that sticks to just the required details may be good enough for some, but some conventional invites go to the extent of laying down the dress code. In any case, whether it is going to be a casual tête à tête, a semi formal lunch, or a backyard cocktail party, you will find the appropriate message to put in the card.

In the case of themed bridal showers, you would have to put that into the bridal shower invitation. Try coming up with a subtle way of introducing the theme into your invite text, for instance, by giving your invitation an elegant title that hints on the theme. Aside from the invitation prose, include details of the bride as well as the location of the party; an RVSP is also a useful inclusion. Nice to add info include the date of the actual wedding. Most wedding invitations can be personalized so that you can word the card in your own style. Alternatively you can go in for ready made invitation content that will convey the meaning you desire.

And then the design and layout for your bridal shower invitation card. Bridal shower invitations come in all sizes and colors, with trendy designs, and all the works. You can go in for a greeting card type or a note card invitation, depending on your budget and the type of guest list. If you wish for a conservative look, stick to the tried and true invites, with customary text and a muted palette. There is indeed a wide variety to choose from trendy invitations to ones tailor made to your specifications. So get a custom designed bridal shower invitation and amaze your guest list!