origin
In the very distant past, it was primarily the men who owned property and earned money. The bride would therefore be contributing nothing material to the union. For this reason the custom of the dowry came into being.

The bride's father would provide a dowry for the couple to be wed. In effect the bride's father was paying the groom for taking his daughter. The dowry would then be used by the newlyweds to set up home.

Sometimes the bride's family were too poor to provide an adequate dowry. Occasionally the bride's father would disapprove of the marriage and refuse to give any dowry at all. This is believed to be the origin of the wedding shower: friends of the couple would make up for the lack of a dowry by all chipping in to provide gifts. It is said the bridal shower originated in Holland. A young Dutch girl wanted to marry a penniless miller, however her father wanted her to marry a wealthy pig farmer. The girl insisted on marrying the miller and so the father refused her a dowry. The sympathetic villagers rallied round and collected up enough between them to allow the wedding to proceed.

customs
The custom used to be that the bride would be - or pretend to be - surprised by the shower. That avoided the implication that she was in any way asking for help. Today a bridal shower is no longer considered an act of charity so the custom of a surprise party is less common.

The modern shower tends to be an informal occasion, although many brides still prefer a little more pomp and circumstance than the laid back festivities of her upcoming hen party. It can serve as a nice contrast and includes older relatives or friends that won’t be participating in the evening hi-jinks. It is often held in a home of a friend or relative, but it might well take place at a venue such as a hotel. As well as the gifts, food and games are usually enjoyed. At the end of the event some brides like to hand out party favours to the guests.

The shower used to be an exclusively a bride’s event, but today more and more grooms are getting into the act. Additional showers for the groom or even joint showers for the couple can also be arranged.

traditions and trends
In the past few decades, baby showers have become more common. Traditionally, a baby shower is held only for the mother-to-be, and only women attend. Increasingly people are choosing to have baby showers for both parents, and some cases having a men-only shower. Some baby showers might include an emphasis on your cultural heritage, such as employing rituals from tribal to ancestral traditions. The birth of a child is celebrated throughout the world inn many different ways. Traditional African cultures observe “life-cycle” ceremonies, including a “seclusion” ceremony, in which mother, father & baby are kept away from the community following the birth, then introduced at a naming ceremony in which the child’s name is announced. European Christians throw a party when a baby is christened, giving friends and family an opportunity to shower the baby with gifts and to drink to the baby’s good health. In the native Japanese religion of Shinto families go to shrines to pray for a healthy baby and to purchase charms while the mother is pregnant. The native American Navajo practice a “Blessing ways” by pampering the mother to be –washing her feet with rose water, brushing her hair, bringing her tea and lighting candles. Through these ancient practices the new tradition of throwing a baby shower to shower the family with gifts to help set up a layette and nursery for new parents was born.

In the United Kingdom baby showers are a new phenomenon, why not be among the first to share in this special way to celebrate your new bundle of joy. Let i take thee organize a baby shower that will compliment your new addition perfectly. Please enquire for details.