The tradition of a bridal shower originated in Holland. How this legend came about? A young Dutch girl fell in love with a poor miller, who had spent his life helping those needier than himself.
This resulted in little offerings to his awaited bride when they were ready to be married. When the young lady told her father sh
e planned on marrying the miller, he was totally outraged and
forbade the marriage. The father being totally against his daughter’s
marriage, refused to give her the customary bridal dowry….hoping she
would change her mind and wait for a better suited man with higher statures.
Despite her father's disapproval, the young
lady decided to risk the hardship of poverty and marry her true love. Without
a dowry, the couple had very little to their names and was nearly penniless.
Upon hearing the couple’s dilemma, the community came to their aid to
show appreciation for the miller’s kindness to others over the years.
With the help of many kind townspeople, the groom's friends joined together
and "showered" the new bride with necessities for the couple's home.
Thanks to their kindness, the bride acquired what her father had denied her
- everything she needed to set up a new home.
A beautiful tradition grew from the townspeople's generosity and continued
for decades. Over time the old-fashioned dowry, a young woman customarily
received from her family to set up her home, grew into a bridal shower given
by her "family of friends." Gift giving was not common until the
late 19th century. Back then early bridal showers were focused on strengthening
the bride's friendship with her peers, offering moral support, and helping
her plan for her marriage.
Early bridal showers tended to be much more intimate than modern showers.
Unlike today's showers, the first bridal showers only included guests who
were very close friends or relatives. It was only women who were invited.
