I’ll beg your pardon at the outset here and admit to my complete and utter ignorance on the existence of the ‘Bridal Shower’ tradition. For the benefit of the other handful in my camp, this would appear to be a civilised form of hen party with a bible of etiquette for host and guests.
The first I heard of it was when Liz Galwey sent me a fine collection of photographs from one such shower that she and Anita Nolan – a sister of the bride-to-be – hosted for a long bonded family friend, Katie Nolan. If the name and the face are familiar to you, Katie graced our RTÉ 1 screens a few years ago as the Kerry Rose in the 2008 Rose of Tralee competition.
Katie, of the well-known Dromtrasna, Castleisland family, will marry Frank O’Rahilly of Knockeen on today week, Friday, August 1st. The couple who currently reside in Abu Dabhi will marry in Cordal Church.
According to tradition, a bridal shower should not be thrown by the bride’s immediate relatives, such as her mother, future mother-in-law, or sister, since it would appear that they were asking for gifts. The maid of honor or another good friend usually hosts, or several people, often bridesmaids, share the responsibility.
It is common for a bride to have more than one shower; when this happens, the hosts should consult one another about guest lists to avoid duplication. Showers are generally held from a couple of months to a couple of weeks before the wedding.
Regardless of who throws the shower, the host should be on hand, alongside the bride to meet guests as they enter the party.