While the Hen's Night is often a raucous cacophany of shrill party antics, the Bridal Shower is a more elegant and restrained events designed to give the Bride gifts to help her within her marriage. The tradition stems from days when the Bride was expected to provide a dowry to her husband; other women from the family would give the Bride gifts to give as her dowry.

For today's post, we thought we'd hark back to days since past and look at the history and superstitions behind the Bridal Shower.

Superstitions

The gifts at a bridal shower are surrounded with superstition. The first gift a Bride-to-be opens is the first gift she must use after marriage, for good luck. Whoever gave the Bride the third gift she opens will be the next person to get pregnant. It's considered terrible luck to use any of the bridal shower gifts before marriage. All gifts must be packed away to avoid using them before the wedding ceremony.

Ribbon Bouquet for Luck

The Maid of Honour will collect the ribbons and bows as the Bride opens gifts. These bows are attached to a paper plate (or more recently, pre-fabricated bouquet bases) to make a ribbon bouquet. The bouquet is presented to the Bride after the shower. If the Bride uses this bouquet at the rehearsal dinner she will have luck throughout her marriage.

Ribbon Breaking

Every ribbon the Bride breaks represents one child born into the marriage. The Maid of Honour will keep track of the number of broken ribbons and show the number to the room later. This superstition is more fun when the Bride is unaware of it and breaks many bows as the Maid of Honour secretly keeps count.

Invitations and Gifts

Invitations are always mailed to guests, as opposed to emails or phone invitations. The Bride will write thank-you cards immediately after the celebration. A prepared Maid of Honour will purchase a package of thank-you cards and present them to the Bride at the end of the party to make writing the notes simpler and faster.