People who are invited to a bridal shower are usually also invited to the wedding ceremony. Bridal showers are most frequent in the United States and Canada, despite the fact that many cultures hold gatherings before the wedding. In Britain, it is traditional to send out invitations to a "brunch" or "spread". In Europe, it is common for friends and family of the couple to meet before the marriage at a so-called "engagement party". This pre-wedding gathering may include food, drinks, and entertainment like music or games. It is believed that attending such an event will make it more likely that the couple will marry within the year. In Asia, it is customary to host a bridal shower before the wedding day. The purpose of these events is to share gifts with the bride-to-be and her female relatives and friends. Guests often bake cookies or prepare other snacks as a gift to bring to the shower. A typical theme for these parties is dressing up in pink or white clothes to represent the wedding colors. Engagement parties are also popular in Asia because it is thought that attending this event will ensure a happy marriage. In Africa, bridal showers are becoming increasingly popular. They used to be held only by wealthy couples but now even small towns will have showers hosted by local families.