51 Unique Bridal Shower Ideas To Help You Celebrate In Style

Unique And Simple Bridal Shower Ideas

If you are planning a bridal shower or a bachelorette party for close friends and family, home is a good venue. Decorate the area with homely decors and themes and prepare a simple menu. Here are some bridal shower party ideas you can easily implement at home.

Bridal Shower Ideas For Home

• Tea Party

Want to plan a traditional and elegant bridal shower? Go for a tea party. Decorate the home with fresh flowers and chic curtains. Bring in white linen, and don’t forget delicate China for the table. You can add scented candles to enliven the environment. Opt for a light meal, including sandwiches, salads, pastries, and tea cakes.

• Champagne Brunch

Celebration and champagne go hand-in-hand. So, planning a champagne brunch will be the perfect toast for the gorgeous bride. Set up a small bar, place champagne balloons on the wall, and arrange tulips in vases. You can add some fairy lights to brighten the seating area. Keep French toast, waffles, crepes, croissants, and cakes on the bridal shower menu. Don’t forget to add a little bit of whimsy with bridal shower favors like macarons, mini donuts, or personalized cookies that are almost too pretty to eat.

Quick Tip

The hosts could also ask their guests to bring a bottle to the party so that everyone has a wide range of champagne or alcohol to try from.

• Cocktail Party

If you want to plan a bridal shower in the evening, cocktails parties are the winners. Keep the décor classy yet simple. We would suggest you roses (white or blue) for decoration. If your friends are Instagram and Snapchat lovers, create a DIY photo booth using cardboards. Get some wine, beer, champagne, and fruit juice with hors d’oeuvre and cupcakes.

• Breakfast At Tiffany’s

If you want your bridal shower in the morning, breakfast at Tiffany’s is the best idea. For decor, include diamond ring napkin holders, lots of pearls, and a Tiffany blue dessert bar, among other charming details. This will create a stylish and memorable event along with a lavish spread.

• Charcuterie Party

Make a beautiful spread with different cheeses, cured meats, fresh fruits, and tasty accompaniments. Arrange it all on a large platter or board, and let everyone enjoy a classy and delicious snacking experience. Let your guests devour that platter while mingling with others. Also, you can add wine to the menu.

• Intimate Dinner

Set a beautifully decorated table with elegant tableware and candles. You can prepare a special menu or hire a caterer for a sophisticated dining experience. With this formal and intimate setting, celebrate the bride and make her feel truly special on this memorable occasion.

No matter what your venue or timing for the party is, these bridal shower decoration ideas guarantee that the bride will be toasted in style. Take a look!

Bridal Shower Decoration Ideas

• Flowers

Be it decorating the dinner table or the wall, flowers can ace it all. They will add freshness and elegance to your bridal shower party. Some of the best flowers for this occasion are roses, orchids, tulips, and chrysanthemums.

• Photo Wall

This is one of the trendiest and unique bridal shower ideas. Give the guests and bride-to-be a chance to click classy and Insta-worthy pictures. Decorate the wall with flowers, balloons, fairy lights, and bring the wedding elements.

• Light Fixtures

Install stylish lamps and hanging lights to set the party mood right instantly. Also, floating balloons with attached lights can illuminate things and steal the show.

• Incense

Engage the senses of your guest by placing incense or aromatherapy candles in the room. However, this idea is suitable only if you are planning an indoor bridal shower.

• Unique Centerpieces

If there is one statement décor piece, it should be the table’s centerpiece. Pick stylish and creative centerpieces Based on the bridal shower theme.

• Balloon Arch

While floral setups are popular, decorating with balloons is also in trend. Choose a dusty-peach color and you can make a balloon arch – it really stands out. Just remember, since it’s quite eye-catching, you might want to keep the rest of your table decorations more understated.

• Ceiling Decor

When it comes to decorating, even the tiniest touches can make a huge difference. You can hang delicate birdcages and fill them with eucalyptus sprigs and soft peachy-pink roses, and you’ll have a sophisticated display up above.

• Origami Garlands

These delicate paper creations can bring a sense of whimsy and creativity to the event. You can hang them along the walls, from the ceiling, or drape them on tables to infuse an artistic touch into the decor.

• Pumpkin And Pampas Grass

Pumpkins and pampas grass add a touch of elegance with their rustic charm. You can use them as centerpieces, aisle markers, or table decor. This pairing brings a delightful blend of nature-inspired and trendy elements to the inviting celebration.

• Fringed Hanging Lanterns

Fringed hanging lanterns can enhance the look of the summer bridal shower. These lanterns blend beautifully and complement the table settings, adding a charming and picture-perfect vibe to the event.

It won’t be wrong to say that a bridal shower theme can make the party cute or catastrophic. So, think a lot before you pick a theme. Here are some trending bridal shower ideas to help you decide on an apt theme.

Bridal Shower Theme Ideas

• Colorful Bash

Select a color (bride’s favorite, maybe?) and set everything according to the same color palette. From dresses to drinks and décor, each element should be color-coded. This colorful theme will appear simple yet classy.

• Disney Theme

Let the bride feel like a princess before her big day with a Disney-themed bridal shower. Get tiaras, pearl-based centerpieces, cakes, and sugar cookies for décor and food.

• Dramatic Glam

If your bride doesn’t want all sweet and cute, this ultra-glam shower is for you. Go for moody accents like black dinnerware and candles. Add some golden hues and enjoy the classic elegance.

Quick Tip

Add an elaborate golden and teal balloon installation as a background. It will act as a great photo background for the guests.

• Sail Away

Have a boat party! It’s perfect for a bride who loves the water. Rent a big sailboat or yacht, enjoy some seafood and drinks, and ask everyone to wear stripes and sun hats. You can decorate with anchors, ropes, and paddles to set the nautical mood.

• Celestial Theme

You can set up tables with celestial decorations, and use deep indigo and black colors. Arrange crystal centerpieces and star-themed place cards, and give out embroidered constellation favors.

• Jane Austen

Ask your guests to dress in elegant, long gowns, create a playlist from the movie soundtracks, and add a touch of charm by decorating the tea table with vintage beeswax candlesticks. Enjoy a day filled with the grace and style of the Regency era.

• Disco Theme

If the bride-to-be is a fan of music, dancing, and all things sparkly, why not host a disco-themed bridal shower? Add the disco vibes with disco balls, shiny metallic curtains, holographic balloons, and a groovy playlist featuring classics from disco legends such as ABBA and Donna Summer. Get ready to boogie and make some unforgettable memories.

• Bridgerton Bridal Shower

Put a twist on a typical tea party with a Bridgerton theme. You can arrange beautiful flowers, green garlands, and delicate topiaries. Arrange elegant tables with fancy china and flowery tablecloths and place cards drawing inspiration from the sophisticated society.

• Halloween-Inspired

If your bridal shower party is in October, you can opt for a Halloween-inspired theme. For fun and thrill, decorate with a moody color scheme, and add faux cobwebs, skeletons, pumpkin lanterns, and other eerie elements.

• Emily In Paris

Bring Paris to your bridal shower party by crafting a menu filled with delicious French delights like cheese, baguettes wine, and croissants. Customize the cards by swapping “Emily” with the bride’s name. You can throw in Eiffel Tower accents, a Mona Lisa poster, and play French songs in the background.

Brittany F, a lifestyle blogger, shared highlights from her travel-themed bridal shower and expressed gratitude to her bridesmaids for the charming decorations, “We found a few props to help tie in the travel theme – a globe, suitcases, Love letters wrapped in map paper, a little Eiffel Tower – and then they also decorated with pictures of My Man and I from our trips we’ve taken (i).” Music and gossip are good, but to be super-sure that that party does not become boring, try the following bridal shower game ideas.

Bridal Shower Game Ideas

• Whose Memory?

Take the guests down memory lane with this interesting bridal shower game. All you need to do is get everyone to write down their favorite memory with the bride. Now, place all the chits in a basket and let the bride reach them one by one. The interesting part? The guests have to guess which memory is whose.

• Charades: Wedding Movies Edition

Add the twist to the old charades game by using only wedding movies. Divide the guests into teams and reveal the movie names on cards. Whichever team guesses the most number of movies in three minutes wins!

• Mint To Be

Players need to move a few mints from a container of mints into a jar placed at the other side of the room. The catch? They have to suck the mints into straw and shift them to another jar without using their hands.

• Vow Mad Libs

Print out regular vows with missing words, and have the guests fill them in with funny words during the party. Then, the bride can read the vows with these unique and amusing additions.

• Paper Bridal Fashion Show

Divide the guests into teams of three or four. In each team, one person acts as the model while the others craft a wedding dress using toilet paper. Once the “dresses” are ready, the models have a fun fashion show, and the bride-to-be selects her favorite look.

• Find The Guest

It is not just a fun game but also a great way to break the ice and get guests mingling. Each guest gets a checklist with characteristics like long-time marriages, speaking a foreign language, or wearing blue shoes. They then move around the room to find fellow guests who match these descriptions. It’s a fantastic way for everyone to start conversations and get to know each other better, adding a lively and interactive element to the event.

• Who’s That Couple?

Place color printouts of celebrity couples at each guest’s seat and challenge them to identify both individuals in the picture. Make sure to keep it a bit challenging and not so obvious.

The pandemic has hit wedding planning too hard. Many had to cancel or postpone their special days due to it. But some people also came up with virtual weddings and bridal showers. Here are a few virtual bridal shower ideas you can try and give your friend a unique party.

Virtual Bridal Shower Ideas

• Plan A Gift Opening

Ask the guests to send gifts in advance and get the bride to open them at the virtual party. Her expressions will be worth it!

• Host A Movie Night

Thanks to Netflix and a Google Chrome extension, watching a movie with your friends can be a fun bridal shower activity, even when they are not near you, is possible. You can also synchronize the video and post real-time comments. So, pick your favorite movie, and don’t forget the popcorn!

• Play Bridal Shower Games Virtually

We have already given you the list of bridal party games. Just try them virtually, and you are bound to have fun. If you want to try other games, add couples’ trivia, truth or dare, or video games.

• Virtual Cocktails

Invite close friends for a virtual get-together. Have everyone dress up and bring their favorite drinks. You can also share some fun cocktail and mocktail recipes with all the guests to prepare and enjoy during the virtual party. Just make sure that everyone raises their glass to give a toast to the happy couple before the virtual party wraps up.

• Share a Virtual Photo Album

Create an entertaining slideshow featuring a collection of photos and videos captured over the years. Make it even better by requesting shower guests to contribute their own photos. During the video call, share your screen with the guests and play the slideshow so that everyone can enjoy it together.

• Take A Stroll Down Memory Lane

Ask each guest to find an item that holds a special memory with the bridezilla. Then, over the video call, guests have to take turns and share their chosen items and stories behind them. It’s a wonderful way to relive cherished moments with your closest friends while also creating new memories together.

• Virtual Sip And Paint

Send painting material and a small canvas to your friends. When everyone hops on the video call, show an image for everyone to paint. After they finish painting and sipping, let everyone pick their favorite artwork! Have a fun voting session while you and your guests finish those drinks.

Want something different and extravagant for your bride? Plan a bridal shower under the open sky. Take a look at some amazing outdoor bridal shower ideas that she will love and make your party a hit.

Outdoor Bridal Shower Ideas

• Cozy Backyard Party

Go for a simple backyard party for those who don’t want too much glamor and love minimalism. Get fairy lights, comfy pillows, tables and chairs, food and wine, and set up a cute party venue. This is also a great idea if you are tight on budget.

• Beach Party

Why not go a bit overboard and throw a bridal shower at the beach? Send the invites and go for a turquoise or beachy theme. You can hire party planners for all the bridal shower decorations and food services.

• Garden Party

If you want a blend of cozy and glamor together, plan a garden party. Nail the theme with as many flowers as you can. Send floral bridal shower invitations and decorate centerpieces with roses, jasmines, and tulips.

• Boho Bridal Shower

For brides who opt for a smaller bridal party, this intimate shower is ideal for their closest group of friends. The decor sets a relaxed and bohemian atmosphere, with earthy tones, dreamcatchers, and floral arrangements creating a beautiful, laid-back setting. It provides a relaxed atmosphere and shared meals, making it a stress-free celebration.

• Pool Party

Add some playful pool floats, like a fun flamingo, and offer monogrammed beach towels as thoughtful guest gifts. Serve up classic poolside refreshments such as daiquiris and cold beers accompanied by light snacks like guacamole and ceviche. It’s a fantastic way to enjoy a relaxed and sunny gathering by the pool.

• Grilling Party

Host a barbeque party outside in your backyard or roof. Invite a grilling expert to show your friends how to sear, grill, and smoke your preferred dishes. You can even opt for lighter options like marinated salmon, fruit kabobs, and oysters instead of heavy red meat based on your preferences. And, pair these delicious creations with your favorite wine or beer.

This may be the hardest part for you. Since you are the host, guests (especially the bride) will have a lot of expectations from your speech at the bridal shower. But worry not! We have got you covered. Here are some bridal shower speech ideas and tips you can try.

Bridal Shower Speech Ideas

• Keep It Short And Simple: Don’t bore your guests with a 3-page speech. Just keep it short yet impactful.
• Add Fun Elements: Tickle the funny bones by adding a joke or two. But make sure you don’t overdo it or end up hurting someone’s sentiments.
• Share Your Favorite Memory: You can talk about the special moment the bride told you about her groom or how the bride wanted her dream wedding to be like. Think and share a special memory!

Read it all? You must have circled one or two bridal shower ideas by now! So, let’s get started with the invitation ideas since they are the first things you have to do. Keep reading.

Bridal Shower Invitation Ideas

• Complement With The Theme: The invitation cards will reveal the bridal shower theme and other important details of the party. So, make sure they complement the theme. For instance, if you have a Disney-themed party, get an invitation card that’s dreamy and magical with glitters and colors.
• Prepare A Video Invitation: Make them e-invites and send them through WhatsApp, email, or even Instagram. They are faster, cheaper, and more environmentally friendly. You can create a short video to invite people and send them via WhatsApp or email. This will also save you time and money.

Planning a bridal shower is not tough if you have your basics covered. All you need to do is decide a theme, arrange the décor and menu, prepare the guest list, and send invitations. Get inspired by the ideas listed in our article and throw an unforgettable bridal shower. Celebrate the bride in style and have your guests buzzing until the wedding.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does the bridal shower host buy gifts?

Yes, it is expected that the bridal shower host/hostess will buy a bridal shower gift for the bride or make arrangements for the gifting.

Are kitchen tea and bridal shower the same thing?

Yes, kitchen tea parties and bridal showers are essentially the same thing— a pre-wedding event where women who are close to the bride gather to celebrate the upcoming wedding with gifts and food. The main difference between the two is geographical; bridal showers originated in European regions whereas kitchen tea is local to New Zealand and Australia.

Can a bridal shower be at night?

While bridal showers are most typically a brunch or a mid-day event, you can organize a bridal shower for an evening or at night.

What’s the difference between a bridal and a wedding shower?

A bridal shower is typically organized for the bride, whereas a wedding shower involves both the groom and the bride. It is also more common to throw a wedding shower rather than a bridal shower for a wedding between same-sex couples.

Looking for the perfect dress for your bridal shower? Check out this video for some stylish and unique ideas!

Was this article helpful?

The following two tabs change content below.

• Reviewer
• Author
• Editor

Jeff LannoWedding Planner

   

Jeff Lanno is a wedding planner and a legally certified Canadian travel agent. He has worked in travel agencies for 15+ years, which has now evolved to managing groups and wedding groups. He aims to make the travel and destination wedding experience a beautiful and memorable one for his clients.more

Sneha TeteBeauty & Lifestyle Writer

Sneha has a master's degree in Applied Linguistics from the University of Hyderabad, a professional Relationship Coach diploma, and over four years of experience in writing. She writes about relationships and lifestyle. Sneha began her career as an instructional designer, shifted to freelance technical and research writing, and self-published a novella on the theme of adolescent mental health. She also...more

Shatabdi BhattacharyaAssociate Editor

Shatabdi is an associate editor and an alumnus of Lady Brabourne College, Kolkata, where she honed her skills and developed a deep understanding of the world of literature and expression. She has worked with various organizations and websites operating in different industries, ranging from education to lifestyle, showing her adaptability and drive to learn. Her creative mind excels in crafting...more