55 Best Bridal Shower Ideas
Hosting a bridal shower is almost like planning a wedding—just on a smaller scale. There are similar things to think about like themes, decorations, favors, food and invitations. Although dancing is usually not involved with a wedding shower, there are games to think about instead. With all of those details, it can be a little overwhelming to host such an elaborate party. But not to worry! These 55 bridal shower ideas offer plenty of inspiration to host a shower the bride will love.
Fun Bridal Shower Themes
Coming up with a theme gives you focus on all of the other details of a bridal shower. It’s the best way to start your shower planning and narrow down your choices to make everything cohesive.
1. Breakfast at Tiffany’s Bridal Shower Theme
All you need is some Tiffany blue, little black dresses, pearls and an elegant brunch to pull off a Breakfast at Tiffany’s shower. Throw in some faux diamond decor and champagne to really put on the glam.
2. Vintage Theme Wedding Shower
If the bride is planning a vintage-style wedding, it might be fun to host a vintage theme bridal shower as well. Think old suitcases, vintage hankies, milk glass vases or even antique brooches.
3. Throw a Backyard Garden Party
When the weather is nice, why not take the party outside? The fresh atmosphere is great for wildflowers, lavender tea, sundresses and picnic-style food.
Related: 17 Best Bridal Shower Recipes
4. Romantic Movie-Inspired Shower
Base your shower around classic romance movies. Make sure to include some rom-com trivia games.
5. Color Theme
Use the color that the bride is using for her wedding or her favorite color in general. Pair it with silver or gold for a bit of elegance.
6. Country and Western Bridal Shower
Play country love songs for the background music to set the right mood for the theme. Use cowboy boots as vases for flowers and serve sweet tea or lemonade.
7. Beach Theme
This theme is perfect for the bride who is having a destination wedding somewhere tropical. Include flip-flops as favors and fill mason jars with beach sand and a tea light to illuminate the party.
8. Spa Theme
A luxuriant idea for a bridal shower would be to host it at your favorite spa. Or, if you have friends in the beauty industry, it can be easy to hire them to work spa stations at your home shower. Plan on manicures and pedicures or even include hair and makeup. If budget allows, provide matching robes for your guests. Finish the day with an elegant lunch and take plenty of pictures of course!
9. Lingerie-Themed Bridal Shower
Decorate with lace and silk and have guests each bring a gift of lingerie for the bride.
10. Pumpkin Spice Theme
For a fall wedding shower, include all things pumpkin, cider, donuts and colorful leaves.
11. Dress Their New Nest
Ask guests to bring gifts of decorative items for the couple’s new home.
12. Kitchen Theme
Gifts could be focused on items to equip a kitchen. And collect the favorite recipes of guests in a recipe box!
Related: 35 Bridal Shower Gift Ideas
Fun Things To Include In A Bridal Shower
Regardless of the theme, there are several fun bridal shower ideas that could be included in any party.
13. A Mimosa or Sparkling Juice Bar
Set up a drink bar that includes a variety of juices like orange, grapefruit or cranberry along with champagne or tonic water. You may want to also include fresh fruit to complete the drinks.
14. Dipped Chocolate Cookies
Choose a favorite store-bought cookie and dip them in white or dark chocolate for an easy and elegant look.
15. A Keepsake Advice Box
Set out a keepsake box and blank paper or cards. Let the guests write out a piece of advice on marriage and drop it in the box.
16. Photo Booth Station
Create your own DIY photo booth that will act as a selfie station. Decorate a wall or fence for a fun backdrop. Include props and frames. Then, let guests use their own phones to capture fun pictures to be shared later.
17. A Sweet Crepe Bar
Crepes are delicious and pretty especially for a morning bridal shower. Set out a variety of berries, nuts, whipped cream and Nutella to top off the crepes.
18. French Macarons
Serve a variety of French macarons for an elegant touch.
19. Infused Water Dispenser
Keep a glass drink dispenser handy that is filled with fruit-infused water. Simply fill the dispenser with water and ice and then add a combination of berries, cucumber, lemon, lime, orange or grapefruit slices.
20. Make Your Ice Fancy
Add a little something to your ice bucket or drink cubes. Freeze little flowers, berries or even small party decor in with your ice cubes.
21. Custom Wine Labels
Purchase or create custom wine bottle labels for any wine or champagne served. This would also be an option for mini wine bottle favors.
22. Flower Bar
Create a flower bar with a variety of flowers and greens. Let guests create their own bouquets to bring home. Wrap the bottom of the bouquet in pretty tissue paper or provide vases if your budget allows.
23. Photo Decor
Set around photos of the future bride and groom in frames, stands or jars as a fun and personal decoration option.
24. Wine Party Favors
A gift of wine is always a nice celebratory party favor. Purchase mini bottles of wine and then decorate the bottles for a festive flair. Simply cover the bottles in glue and then roll them in silver or gold glitter.
Related: 100 Quotes on Love and Marriage
Budget Bridal Shower Ideas
Hosting a bridal shower doesn’t have to break the bank. There are plenty of creative ideas that are super budget-friendly.
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25. Divide Responsibilities And Costs With Additional Hosts
Instead of hosting a bridal shower completely on your own, team up with one or two other people to share the load.
26. Make Your Own Food
Although catering the food for your shower is easy, it is also quite a bit more expensive. Choose foods that are popular and easy to make for a crowd. Think taco bar or breakfast casseroles.
27. Host a Shower at Home
If you have the space, hosting a shower at home or in your backyard is a cheaper option than renting a venue.
28. Send Digital Invitations
Nowadays, it’s not frowned upon to send out digital invites instead of paper invitations. This is both a money and time saver.
29. Make Your Own Decorations
Get creative with your decorations. Maybe you want to pick wildflowers to set around. Or make your decorations double as party favors.
30. Keep Game Prizes Small
A bottle of nail polish, small candles or a pretty tea towel are all inexpensive ideas that will be appreciated. Don’t hesitate to shop a Dollar Store for some of these. You may be surprised at what you can find.
31. Incorporate Balloons
Balloons are inexpensive and give an instant festive atmosphere. Decorate with pastel, white, silver or gold balloons to go with your particular theme. You can glue balloons together to form a monogram, arch or garland.
32. Recycle Tin Cans for Vases
Wrap tin cans in pretty patterned paper or spread on some glue and roll them in glitter. Then, simply add flowers.
33. Choose a Theme Based on What You Have
Instead of purchasing a bunch of new items to go with a theme that you want to have, look around at what you already own that could be used as a theme. For instance, if you have a large book collection, you may want to have a book-themed bridal shower.
34. Make Use of Free Printables for Bridal Shower Games
All you have to do is google ‘free bridal shower game printables.’ You’ll be surprised at the variety of printables that you can find.
Related: 50 Unique Wedding Gift Ideas
Must-Have Bridal Shower Ideas
35. Signs
A variety of signs placed strategically around the space add nice decorations that are informative as well. Place chalkboard signs or paper signs in picture frames in areas that especially need them like the gift table, mimosa bar or activity stations.
36. Paperware
Choose paper plates, napkins and straws that coordinate with your desired theme or go neutral but elegant. Shop party stores for the most variety and best deals. Paper straws with a fun pattern will set off your beverage station in style.
37. An Elegant Dessert
A pretty cake is the most popular choice for a bridal shower but other ideas are petits fours, macarons, cupcakes, dipped cookies or assorted donuts.
38. Tissue Paper Pom Poms
It’s fun and inexpensive to make tissue paper pom poms to decorate your shower with.
39. Festive Candle Holders
Dress up plain glass candle holders by adding glitter or metallic paint to the glass.
40. Monograms
Include monograms of the bride and groom for a personal touch.
41. Bride-to-be Chair Sign
Signify the chair for the bride with a fun chair sign that hangs from the back.
42. Champagne Toast
Include a champagne toast or two to honor the bride-to-be.
Related: 200 Funny Marriage Jokes and Sayings
Unique Bridal Shower Ideas
43. Custom Cocktails
Serve a variety of liquors and mixers at your shower and let the guests try to come up with the tastiest signature cocktail. It’s a fun activity that could become the bride’s featured cocktail at her wedding.
44. Girls’ Picnic Theme
For a small bridal shower, a girls’ picnic theme could be in order. A pretty backyard setting or local park is a great location for a small party. Set out pretty blankets and seat cushions and pack a lunch in wicker picnic baskets.
45. Letterboards
Use letterboards to easily create fun signs.
46. Create an Aromatherapy Station
Supply a variety of bottles of essential oils, distilled water and a small plastic misting bottle for each guest. Let each guest experiment with scents to create their own aromatherapy mist.
47. Make Decorative Sugar Cookies
Like Christmas cookies, decorative sugar cookies will be the hit at any bridal shower. Use shapes of hearts or lips or create a batch of x’s and a batch of o’s.
48. Use Food as Decorations
Bowls of fruit, candy or decoratively cut vegetables will all look pretty and festive setting on a table.
49. Let Guests Create Their Own No-Bake Pizza
Use round sugar cookies as a crust for a fruit pizza, or flatbread as a base for a vegetable pizza. Then provide, cream cheese, whipped cream, frosting, vegetable dip, fruit pieces or vegetable pieces for toppings depending on the type of pizza.
50. Set Up a Frozen Yogurt Bar for Dessert
Provide a variety of flavors of frozen yogurt as well as toppings like fruit, nuts or candy.
51. Make a Photo Banner
Make a fun and memorable banner using photos of the bride and groom-to-be. Just string the photos together on twine and hang them throughout the shower space.
52. Use Colorful Streamers
Hang colorful streamers for a fun backdrop for a gift station or photo booth.
53. Add Lipstick Kisses to White Balloons
For a fun and unique idea, just add lipstick kisses to balloons.
54. Love Messages For Decorations
Before the shower, ask both the bride and groom what they love about each other. Then print off what they say and place the messages into frames to place around on tables.
55. Collect Date Night Ideas
Have each guest write out fun or unique date night idea and place the idea in a jar.
Got a theme now, but need some help with activities? Check out these creative bridal shower games!
