WEDDING GOSSIP California Bride 3 11825 views

Leigh is four planning weeks away from her big Scottish day, all organised from across the pond in California. This week she enjoys the American tradition of a bridal shower - umbrellas to the ready ladies!

As our wedding is a decidedly cross-cultural affair I felt that I wanted to incorporate some American traditions into the proceedings. My first encounter with the American way of doing things was somewhat a baptism of fire as I was introduced to the concept of Bridal Showers.

The Bridal Shower is thought to have originated from the days of dowry, when if a bride’s family was unable to provide a dowry for her then the women of the community would club together and present her with gifts that would allow her to set up a home and thus allow her to marry the man of her dreams. Quite heartwarming really!

The friends of my beloved’s mother organized mine a few weeks ago and very kindly presented me with the photographs this week which I thought I’d share with you. A shower usually starts with canapés and cocktails followed by lunch then the opening of presents! Showers can be arranged around a theme, for example kitchenware or lingerie (I have a friend who was given a thong with a veil at hers!). Games are often played, such as a quiz about the couple or a competition to create the best wedding dress from toilet paper…

What I quickly discovered is that it is quite exhausting to open gifts! I also received a surprise when I opened a present that my lovely bridesmaids had organized. Currently thousands of miles away, I, of course, burst into tears!

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As bouquet and garter tosses make their way across the ocean, British brides are catching on to the bridal shower too. You could be showered with gifts very soon.

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