Bridal showers are a fun way for brides and their friends and family members to celebrate the upcoming wedding. It’s also a good opportunity to “shower” the bride-to-be with gifts to help her set up her new home.

Planning a bridal shower can be tricky, but with some thoughtful details and a bit of know-how, it can be easy to throw a fun and memorable event for the bride-to-be.

Budget

Whether you’re hosting your own or helping out someone else, it’s always important to stay within budget when planning a bridal shower. Luckily, there are ways to cut costs and still throw a party that’s sure to be a hit with the bride-to-be!

If possible, host the shower at a friend’s home instead of renting out a venue. This saves you money in the long run, as you’ll avoid room rental fees and food costs that are often associated with larger venues.

Email invitations are also increasingly popular these days, and they’re free to make! This makes them an excellent alternative to traditional paper invitations, which can add up in postage and printing costs over time.

You can also repurpose old bridal shower decorations or shop clearance items for cheap alternatives. For instance, a party or home decor store might have framed artwork on sale that could be used as centerpieces. Ask friends to trade or buy-sell-swap secondhand bridal shower decorations, or use online forums to find items that are in good shape but just need a little work.

Venue

The venue for a bridal shower can be anywhere from a friend or family member’s home to a local restaurant, and it depends on the specific theme of the party as well as the host’s budget. Whether it’s an intimate gathering of close friends or a larger event for hundreds of people, the location is important because it helps ensure that all of the guests are able to attend.

Many showers are held two to six months before the wedding and occur in a time that’s convenient for the bride. For this reason, it’s important to choose a date that fits with the bride’s schedule and the wedding timeline.

If you’re looking for an affordable bridal shower venue, try looking at churches. These facilities often have a banquet hall that can be rented out inexpensively or even for free to church members. They also offer a variety of activities and amenities that can make your bridal shower an unforgettable occasion. Plus, they have staff members who can assist you with catering and cleaning services.

Invitations

If you’re the maid of honor, bridesmaid or a close friend of the bride-to-be, choosing the right invitation for your shower is an important part of planning a memorable celebration. After all, the invitations will set the tone for the party and help guests make plans to attend.

One of the first things you’ll need to do is decide on a theme for your bridal shower. This will help you choose the invitations that best reflect the bride-to-be’s style and preferences.

Themes can include anything from floral to nautical. Some themes are more formal than others, but they all have an easy-going feel to them.

In addition to announcing the date and location of the bridal shower, it’s also a good idea to add details about the gift registry, if any. This information can be found online or at the registry itself, so providing it on the invitation will let guests know how to purchase gifts for the couple. It’s also a nice way to thank guests for their attendance.

Decorations

When it comes to a bridal shower, you should choose decor that will reflect the personality of the bride-to-be. Whether she likes vintage kitsch or bold, bright summery vibes, there are plenty of decorations to choose from.

If she loves all things astronomical, go with a celestial theme. A star-themed place setting, crystal centerpieces, and embroidered constellation favors are sure to create an impressive party space.

Alternatively, if she’s into the newest trend, opt for a modern bridal shower theme. Incorporate woven light fixtures and oversize blooms to add an extra touch of chic style.

Then, set up a fun drink station with Instagram-friendly drinks. Clean out an old jam jar and add paper straws in your party colorway for a cute addition to the table.

One of the easiest and most affordable ways to decorate for a bridal shower is with balloons. If you have a few extra hands and some low-temperature glue gun, creating these DIY balloon banners is a breeze.

Food

Whether you’re planning a traditional shower or a laid-back party, food should be an important part of the day. Guests can expect plenty of tasty bites, from small appetizers to a variety of sweet treats.

While finger foods are an ideal option for these events, you can also serve a sit-down meal. If you choose to do so, make sure to provide plenty of vegetarian options as well as gluten-free alternatives for those with special dietary needs.

In addition, serve a variety of beverages to keep everyone happy. Cocktails are always a hit at any bridal shower, but consider having light signature drinks like spritzes or non-alcoholic fizzy creations on hand to help guests avoid drinking too much alcohol.

If you’re hosting a shower at lunchtime, opt for buffet-style or cocktail service with lighter passed bites and finger foods, says Hammond. But if it’s an early evening shower, “serve something heavier because people will be expecting a full dinner.”

Music

Music is one of the most important aspects of a wedding shower. It sets the mood, creates energy, and helps guests feel comfortable and happy.

When creating the bridal shower playlist, it’s best to choose songs that are appropriate for your guests of all ages and musical tastes. You might choose to include romantic ballads or upbeat pop hits.

It’s also a good idea to consider the theme of the bridal shower. For example, if you’re hosting a rustic-themed party, it might be a good idea to play country music.

A bridal shower is the perfect opportunity to celebrate friendships between the bride-to-be and her closest friends. This is a great way to encourage female empowerment.

If you’re looking for a fun game to play at your bridal shower, try playing a song-guessing game. This is a great activity for people of all ages and it’s also a great way to get to know your guests better.

Activities

Games are a great way to get guests talking and bonding at a bridal shower. But, if you’re looking to take the games and prizes off the table, there are plenty of other activities that can keep your party hopping.

One game that’s perfect for a household shower or brunch affair is a game of love songs. The host plays a love song, and each guest writes down the name of the singer.

Another fun game for a bridal shower is to ask guests to write down their favorite memories of the bride or groom. This is a fun way to show the bride how much her friends care about her.

To play this game, you’ll need a card with square boxes and a heart in the center. The first player to get five of the gifts in a row wins.

This game is a bit more difficult than traditional bingo, so make sure to have a few copies for each of your guests. It’s also a good idea to have a few prizes available for second and third place.

Gifts

A bridal shower is a great opportunity to give the bride-to-be some special gifts. You can choose from a wide range of gift ideas, such as items for the home or lingerie.

If you’re not sure what to get, look for bridal shower gifts that are in style and reflect the bride-to-be’s personality. For example, if she loves to bake, a set of cute baking tools will make her happy.

Another thoughtful gift is a set of beautiful photo frames, which will help her display some of her favorite pictures. You can also give her a stylish polaroid camera, which will let her capture memories on film.

A memory box is the perfect gift for a couple who wants to save keepsakes from their relationship. This box is made from wood and can hold anything from baby’s first tooth to their wedding day photos.