Bridal showers can be just one more thing on your already long to-do list. Oftentimes it can be a challenge to find something to do that is suitable for all ages and interests, as this is usually something for all the women invited to the wedding. Don’t be overwhelmed and certainly don’t take on any pressure about it.
If you know you’re being surprised, subtly hint at what kind of get together you would enjoy, or ask your partner to secretly let your maid of honour know what you think would work best.
Whether it’s a surprise set up by your maid of honour or you’re part of the organising, here are some fabulous ideas that will make them exciting and fun for everyone.
1. Moonlight picnic
If your bridal shower is in summertime, wait for a full moon and have a nighttime picnic. Add candle lights or lanterns for a cosy atmosphere.
2. Lawn games
Perfect for outdoor-lovers, have some fun in the sun with games like croquet, bowles, or even water gun fights.
3. Charity event
Sometimes, it’s more rewarding to give than to receive. Why not make a team effort to support a worthy cause? Volunteer at an animal shelter, community centre, make gift parcels for needy kids or visit an old-age home.
4. Dinner and a show
If you like entertainment, watch a show with your besties. Live music, theatre, and even ballet are good options. End it off with some drinks for a perfect night!
5. Bake day
If you’re more in the mood for staying in, why not get the ladies together and bake some sweet treats? Waffles, cupcakes, cookies or brownies are good things to do together.
6. Pajama party
A proper girls night is in order before you get married. Wear pajamas, do facials and share secrets with the women in your life.
7. Foraging
Foraging has become quite popular and is a ton of fun. Take the ladies to see what nature has to offer and appreciate the wonderful flora that abound.
8. Pool party
Poolside get-togethers are great because everyone can choose how to spend the day. Getting your tan on, splashing in the pool to cool down or making fresh drinks by on the side are all on the menu.
9. Perfume making
If you’re feeling experimental, why not got to a perfume making class? Surrounded by beautiful glassware and exotic scents, you will feel like you’re in heaven.
10. Champagne brunch
This might sound so done-before, but that’s because it’s so much fun! Set a table outside or inside, and gather your loved-ones for a festive brunch.
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While some traditions fade and others are altered, the wedding kiss has remained. A kiss after the vows is a wedding tradition that, it seems, will never disappear. Today, the wedding kiss serves as a representation of love and devotion between the couple. Historically, however, the wedding kiss had a different purpose.
Like many – if not most – traditions passed down for centuries, the history is a bit broken and unclear. As a result, there are a few origin stories of the wedding kiss.
The most commonly cited story is that of the ancient Romans (753 BC to 27 BC and then from 64 AD to 1453 AD). In ancient Rome, the wedding kiss was more of a legal formality; it symbolised a transaction that had taken place.
In those times, marriage was considered a contract and the kiss was the “signature” that rendered the contract binding. Neel Burton MD says, “In an age of widespread illiteracy, kisses served to seal agreements, thus the expression ‘to seal with a kiss.'” The kiss was also considered to be the first time that the couple ever kissed.
Others argue that the history of this significant kiss starts in the church. In ancient Catholic ceremonies, it was customary for priests to give the groom “a kiss of peace.” The groom was then required to pass the kiss on to his dearly beloved. It is said that this is how the phrase “you may now kiss the bride” came about.
Another religious argument about the origin story of this kiss comes from the scripture itself. The kiss is said to symbolise the fulfilment of the scripture that says “and the two shall become one flesh” (Mark 10:8).
Wherever it stems from, we’re pretty glad that it stood the test of time. The wedding kiss is one of the most anticipated moments of a western wedding. When celebs or royals are married, the kiss is sometimes even analysed by body language experts.
If public displays of affection are not for you though, remember that the kiss is not compulsory and your nuptials are still valid without it!
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Royal weddings have a special place in our hearts, simply because they are so vastly different from every other kind of wedding there is. Everything is done on a big scale and according to tradition. Certain rules and do’s and don’ts apply. Procedure must be followed and the bride and groom almost seem to be bystanders. Still, it’s nothing short of a fairy tale the day the royal bride steps out in her beautiful dress.
Princess Beatrice of York is the daughter of Prince Andrew, Duke of York and of course, granddaughter of Queen Elizabeth II. However, news of her engagement to Edoardo Alessandro Mapelli Mozzi had been overshadowed by a recent scandal involving her father, and not much is known about the wedding details. Here is what we do know.
Her platinum engagement ring was designed by Shaun Leane and has a 3.5 carat round diamond set in an art deco design, with tapered baguettes on each side of the centre.
The couple is not allowed to reveal their wedding date until the Queen approves the reveal. According to Express.co.uk, a friend of the couple said they will reveal the wedding date early in the new year. The wedding is rumoured to be in the “early summer,” which could be anything from May to June.
Regarding the venue, the general thought was that they would tie the knot at St George’s Chapel in Windsor, where Prince Harry married Meghan Markle, as well as Beatrice’s sister, Princess Eugenie married Jack Brooksbank. However, reliable intel now points toward The Guards’ Chapel at St James’s Park, which serves military members and their families.
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Another rumour doing the rounds is that award-winning British singer-songwriter James Blunt, who is a close friend of the couple, will be performing at the wedding.
Either way, we’re sure the wedding will be marvelous and we will be here for it every step of the way!
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Weddings have been happening since time began and so many of the traditions we know and practice today have existed for decades. One such interesting tradition is the bridal party.
It’s commonplace to see a squad of women and men flanking the bride and groom on their big day. Usually their closest friends, the bridal party is meant to support and assist the bride and groom throughout the wedding process. However, the origins of the bridal party is pretty unromantic.
The Bible contains one of the earliest references to bridesmaids. In Jacob’s wedding to Leah and Rachel, both women had their literal servant maids present at their ceremony.
In ancient Roman times, there needed to be 10 witnesses at a wedding whilst the couple recited their verses, acting as an early form of the bridal party. While the witnesses were typically all male, eventually it evolved to include women. The women had to wear identical gowns to the bride to confuse vengeful spirits aiming to thwart the newlyweds happiness. This is why bridesmaids typically wear similar outfits today.
Groomsmen of this time had a pretty…interesting role. In various historical cases, groomsmen were said to kidnap brides from her family home and bring her to her groom. They would then stand beside the bride to make sure other suitors or family members couldn’t take her back.
By the Victorian era, the concept of the bridal party as we know it today began to take shape. Speaking to Vogue, luxury wedding and event planner Gina Wade explains: “during that time, bridesmaids organized flowers and party favours but they also walked down the aisle carrying herbs, garlic, and grains to scare away evil spirits.”
Today, brides typically have a maid/matron of honour and however many bridesmaids, and the groom has his best man and groomsmen. Modern couples are moving away from tradition, with some even opting out of having a bridal party altogether. At the end of the day, it’s what feels right for you. Your wedding should be what you want it to be, regardless of tradition.
Also read: Bride chooses grandmothers as bridesmaids
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