А еще смотри подробно на: http://www.russianwomenmagazine.com/russian/life/shower.htm

Происхождение обычая:
THE BRIDAL SHOWER
custom came about when a father disapproved of his daughter's marriage and refused to provide a dowry to the couple. The shower became the alternative to the dowry. Supportive villagers would assemble and provide the bride a variety of household items for her new home. Tradition says that the first bridal shower was given to a poor couple in Holland who was denied the bridal dowry because of the groom's lowly miller status. The miller's friends showered the bride with gifts to help them set up housekeeping.

http://www.aceprodj.com/wedding_history.htm