39 Best Bridal Shower Ideas - Wedding Shower Planning Guide (2024)

Looking for unique and unforgettable bridal shower ideas? We’ve got you covered! If you’re hosting a bridal shower (or wedding shower), we put together a killer guide with the most epic party ideas that are sure to impress. We’ll kick it off with all the FAQs before we jump into bridal shower themes, gorgeous decor, drool-worthy food ideas, and fun games and activities that are anything but cheesy — we promise.

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What is a bridal shower?

A bridal shower is a gathering of close friends and family to celebrate the bride with gifts, activities, food, and drinks. It’s a centuries-old tradition — and one seriously good reason for a party. Bridal showers are also typically considered the kickoff to the wedding event lineup, and they can be as low-key or extravagant as you’d like.

Wedding Shower vs Bridal Shower: What is the Difference?

A bridal shower and a wedding shower often carry the same structure (and incorporate a lot of the same fun ideas and games), but the name of the event varies depending on who is actually being showered.

If the shower is for the couple as a whole, or if the individual being celebrated doesn’t identify as a bride, then the correct term is “wedding shower.” However, if the party being thrown is for an individual who identifies as a bride, you can go with “bridal shower.”

Who plans the bridal shower?

Traditionally, the maid of honor plans the bridal shower, with help from the bridesmaids to put together unique ideas and other fun plans, from delicious food to epic games. But we’ve said it before and we’ll say it again: traditions are not rules.

It’s not uncommon for a wedding shower or bridal shower to have multiple hosts. Family members can also co-host, though it’s best to give the mother and future MIL the day off.

Oftentimes, the bride or couple have communities in different locations (current city vs. hometown, for example) and therefore may have more than one bridal or wedding shower.

Final word: As long as the bride is on board, any close friend or family member can plan the bridal shower — though traditionally the maid of honor is expected to lead the way.

Who pays for the bridal shower?

Traditionally speaking, the host(s) pays for the bridal shower, including the food, games, decor, and any other ideas. Unlike a bachelorette party, where guests may come prepared to pay for their own food and activities, the wedding or bridal shower is completely paid for by those planning the shindig. With that in mind, it’s a good idea to create a budget for the day.

Final word: Hosts pay for the bridal shower.

How much does a bridal shower cost?

As the host, it’s up to you to determine the cost of the bridal shower. Set a wedding shower budget to include your major elements: invitations, food, decor, favors, and a gift for the bride. Your budget will scale with each guest invite and typically starts at $15/person for a daytime party hosted in a home. Costs will go up from there — especially if you’re booking out a venue and incorporating elaborate bridal shower themes and decor ideas.

Final word: The host sets the bridal shower budget, but plan on $15/head on the low end.

Who do you invite to a bridal shower?

Bridal showers (and wedding showers) are generally reserved for the bride’s (or couple’s) closest friends and relatives. And here’s a rule we’d advise you not to break: only guests invited to the wedding should be invited to the shower.

You can go about putting together a guest list one of two ways:

• Ask the bride to create a guest list or two.
• Ask the bride to share the entire wedding guest list and you can create it from there.

The latter option might be a better choice for a small wedding, where you’re familiar with the guests.

Final word: Close friends and relatives who are also invited to the wedding should get an invite to the bridal shower.

When should the bridal shower be?

It’s best to plan the bridal shower 4-8 weeks before the wedding. Make sure it’s far enough in advance so that it doesn’t add any extra stress for the bride or the couple before the big day —but not too far in advance that it feels disconnected from the other celebrations.

You’ll also want to factor bridal shower theme ideas into your timeline, too. Some themes only work during certain seasons, so that will impact when you plan the bridal or wedding shower.

Final word:Plan the bridal shower within 2 months of the wedding.

When to send bridal shower invitations

Invitations should arrive a month before the party date, so plan accordingly — especially if you’re mailing them via snail mail. You’ll also want to consider the turnaround time for custom designs, as well as printing and shipping timelines.

Final word:Invites should arrive a month before the party date.

Looking for cute bridal shower invitations to match your theme ideas? We’ve got you covered!

What is supposed to happen at a bridal shower?

Traditional bridal showers generally include three elements: food, games and activities, and gifts. We’ll jump into detail a bit more below (with tons of epic bridal and wedding shower ideas for every style), but this is the must-have trifecta for every celebration.

In addition to these traditional essentials, it’s also common to set aside time for a toast during the bridal shower. As the host, one of the most simple yet impactful things you can do is share a few words about the lady of the hour. It doesn’t need to be super emotional or long! It could be as simple as sending her a little love as you welcome guests or sit down for a meal. After all, it’s easy to get busy with all the details when you’re hosting, so remember to take time to honor the bride.

Final word:Food, drinks, activities, gifts, and a speech.

Where to Have a Bridal Shower

Traditionally, the bridal shower is held in one of the host’s homes, but this isn’t a hard-and-fast rule. The benefit of a home is that there is often less to set up and you have a kitchen to work with. But depending on your budget, theme, and time of day, you can host a bridal or wedding shower at a park, a restaurant, an event space, a brewery — the ideas go on and on!

Final word: In the host’s home — or anywhere!

The Best Bridal Shower Ideas for Every Wedding Style

Now that we’ve covered the bridal shower essentials, let’s get into the fun and unique ideas! These are our favorite bridal and wedding shower ideas, broken down by category. We’re covering everything from the best themes, gorgeous decor, fun games, and must-know hosting tips. Keep scrolling for our faves!

Bridal Shower Theme Ideas

When you’re choosing between bridal shower theme ideas, you should first and foremost consider the person being showered. What are their interests, passions, or obsessions? Do they love a good beach day, or would they rather stay home in their pajamas?

The best wedding and bridal shower ideas are the ones that feel unique and personal, so always start with the bride or couple of the hour. Here are a few of our favorite bridal shower theme ideas to get you started!

1. Beach Bridal Shower Theme Ideas

You don’t need to host on the beach to plan a beach themed bridal shower (but bonus points if you do) — all it takes is a few unique ideas! Light a sea salt candle, incorporate shells into your decor, serve up a Seabreeze co*cktail, and put some Beach Boys on the speakers. Instant seaside vibes!

Pro tip: when you’re planning flowers for this bridal shower theme, we love decor ideas with beachy sunset tones. Decor elements like sea glass, rattan, or sandy-colored vessels are also no-brainers.

2. Brunch Wedding Shower Theme Ideas

Brunch is beloved by all, so it should come as no surprise that it’s one of our all-time favorite bridal shower theme ideas! Choose food that also doubles as decor, such as a brunch charcuterie board (complete with pastries and fruit), a waffle bar, a breakfast taco bar, or a granola parfait bar!

The ideas are truly endless with this wedding shower theme — but whatever breakfast cuisine you choose, remember that mimosas are highly encouraged.

3. Moroccan-Boho Bridal Shower Theme Ideas

Get low — but make it classy. For Moroccan-inspired bridal shower ideas, you can’t go wrong with a low table surrounded by plush cushions and covered in an array of delectable food. Plate up a few Middle Eastern favorites with plenty of spreads and rent some boho place settings for an extra special touch. Talk about the most luxurious (and delicious!) bridal shower theme!

4. Tea Party Bridal Shower Theme Ideas

Blame it on Bridgerton, but we can’t get enough of tea party inspired bridal shower ideas. This would be such a fun DIY theme! Source mismatched teacups and serving ware from family members and thrift stores, then create a spread of tea sandwiches, petit fours, macarons, scones, cream, and jam. The more color the better!

5. Stock the Bar Wedding Shower Ideas

This is one of our favorite theme ideas if you’re planning a wedding shower for a couple. It’s also a great idea if the couple doesn’t want or need traditional shower gifts, like appliances and linens. Instead, guests arrive with goodies in tow to stock the bar!

Anything from cute barware to top-shelf liquor works for this unique wedding shower theme. Serve up wine and cheese, and you’ve got yourself a party.

No bridal shower is complete without the perfect gift for the bride-to-be, and we’re rounding up all our favorite ideas here!

6. Petals and Prosecco Bridal Shower Theme Ideas

If you’re looking for crowd-pleasing theme ideas, you can’t go wrong with the two bridal shower essentials: petals and prosecco! Blossoming flowers are a must for any bridal shower (especially spring and summer celebrations), and the same goes for a toast of bubbly. Put them together and you have the perfect theme for a backyard or garden-inspired party!

Plus, we found THE cutest invite ideas for this bridal shower theme. We’ll cheers to that!

7. “On Cloud Wine” Bridal Shower Theme Ideas

Make the bride-to-be feel like she’s floating on cloud nine with a wine-inspired bridal shower theme — complete with the dreamiest decor ideas! Plan a fun wine tasting for the main event, then complete the theme with unique cloud-inspired details, like the heavenly photo op pictured above.

We also love those cute cloud charms for the glasses and the chic white and blue dress code. Dreamy would be an understatement!

8. Celestial Bridal Shower Theme Ideas

For wedding and bridal shower ideas that are truly out of this world, why not go with a celestial theme?! Unique and romantic, it’s the cutest way to celebrate a love story that was written in the stars.

To recreate this bridal shower theme, incorporate star-studded decor ideas like crystal centerpieces, zodiac-inspired place cards, and a midnight blue color palette.

9. PJ Party Bridal Shower Theme Ideas

Throw it back to your slumber party days with a cute pj party! This is one of our favorite ideas if you want a low-key bridal shower that’s still super fun. Ask everyone to come in their cutest pajama sets (or go all-out with matching pjs for the guest list), then enjoy the classic sleepover activities. Paint your nails, do face masks, watch a rom-com, and dig into your favorite snacks!

You can even turn this party into an all-nighter for the bride-to-be’s besties, complete with breakfast the next day.

10. Tropical Bridal Shower Theme Ideas

A bridal shower that feels like a getaway to a tropical island? Say no more! Channel a tropical bridal shower theme with leafy greenery, rattan accents, and other island-inspired decor ideas. And no, an island destination isn’t a requirement —just set up the party in your backyard or other outdoor venue and schedule it for a sunny summer day!

We especially love these bridal shower ideas if the bride-to-be is tying the knot somewhere tropical or has a connection to a specific island destination. Such a rad personal touch!

11. Italian Inspired Bridal Shower Theme Ideas

We’re currently in our Aperol spritz era, so obviously we had to include an Italian theme on this list of bridal shower ideas! We saw Italy-inspired party themes allllll over our social media this past year, and we couldn’t be more obsessed.

In addition to Aperol spritz co*cktails, bring the Amalfi Coast to your bridal shower with citrus decor, an orange and yellow color palette, and plenty of Italian food ideas. (Pizza? Pasta? Seafood spreads? There are no wrong answers here!)

12. Parisian Bridal Shower Theme Ideas

Prefer champagne and macarons over Aperol and pasta? Then prepare to fall in love with these Parisian themed bridal shower ideas! Paris is known as the City of Love, after all, and we can’t think of more fitting inspo for your pre-wedding celebration.

Embrace the romance of the city with elegant florals, unique champagne co*cktails, and a dessert table that would make Marie Antoinette proud. It’s one of our favorite bridal shower theme ideas that will never go out of style!

Bridal Shower Decor Ideas

Creating an atmosphere is more than just great bridal shower decorations or unique theme ideas. It’s also important to think about how the bride and guests will experience the day through ALL five senses.

Cozy pillows and cushions will create a totally different feel than picnic benches. What they hear, via a great playlist,can change the overall atmosphere. And because smell is so strongly associated with memory, choose your candles or essential oils wisely. For more of our favorite bridal shower decor ideas, keep on scrolling!

13. Cute Balloon Garland Ideas

The balloon garland trend isn’t going anywhere! If you order early enough, you can find a wide array of color options and fun decor ideas like flowers or streamers that are perfect for a bridal shower. No matter if you hire a designer to create something truly unique or you order your own kit from Amazon or Etsy (we also have a DIY Floral Balloon Arch!), balloons are a fool-proof wedding shower decor piece.

GWS Pro Tip: If you build the balloon arch yourself, you must get this inflator!

14. DIY Flower Bar Ideas

We love bridal shower decor ideas that do double duty, and a DIY flower bar covers all the bases! It looks great once it’s all set up, and it gives guests the chance to build their own bouquets — which they can take home at the end of the day. It’s a decor piece, an activity, and a keepsake all in one!

15. Pretty in Pink Bridal Shower Decor Ideas

Pink is in! Sometimes the most wow-worthy bridal shower ideas are as simple as choosing a single color for your decor, and you can never go wrong with pink. It’s bright, it’s feminine, it’s joyful, and it’s seriously on-trend!

Create your very own Barbie dream house for your bridal shower with all-pink decor ideas, from balloons to flowers to cake to co*cktail glasses (bonus points if the co*cktails are also pink!). And for more inspo, check out this pretty in pink party theme!

16. Unique co*cktail Station Ideas

Here’s another one of our favorite double-duty decor ideas for your bridal shower! A co*cktail bar is destined to be a rad photo op at the wedding shower, especially when it looks this cute. Bring in lots of fun flourishes like fresh fruit and herbs, umbrellas, and co*cktail stirrers. You can even go the DIY route with a few simple co*cktail recipes, stylish pitchers, and cute labels and signs.

17. Marquee Letters Bridal Shower Decor Ideas

Say it big and say it loud! This is one of the best bridal shower decor ideas for an outdoor party where you have room for a major photo moment. Choose your most IG-worthy phrase, then work with a planner to help source signage — or do it yourself with marquee letters from Amazon!

18. Cute co*cktail Stirrer Ideas

Don’t overlook the small details! For simple (and affordable) decor ideas that make a big statement, add some cute stirrers to your bridal shower co*cktails. Etsy has seemingly endless options, from these glittery designs to these pink disco balls to these unique personalized options. They’re the perfect way to turn a boring drink into a signature co*cktail!

19. Italy Themed Bridal Shower Decor Ideas

If you loved the Italian bridal shower theme from #11, then here are few more decor ideas to bring it to life! Swap florals for unique citrus arrangements, like lemons and tangerines, and choose a color palette that’s equally fresh and bright. We also love how this bridal shower incorporated a custom Italy-inspired tile design into all the decor ideas — down to the bride-to-be’s outfit!

How gorgeous is the bride-to-be’s gown in the example above? Check out more of our favorite bridal shower outfit ideas here!

20. Bright Floral Bridal Shower Decor Ideas

Florals are must-haves for any and every bridal shower —but that doesn’t mean you have to settle for the same old boring ideas! Make the most out of your blossoms with bright colors and unexpected designs, like peachy orange arrangements or boho pampas grass.

With such wow-worthy bouquets, you can keep the rest of your bridal shower decor ideas simple and understated. We love a statement piece!

21. Unique Bridal Shower Signage Ideas

Say cheese! For unique bridal shower decor ideas that double as the perfect photo op, you can’t go wrong with a statement wedding shower sign. We love the arch shape of this pink one, as well as all the lush florals surrounding it. It’s just begging to be posed in front of!

Make your bridal shower sign stand out with a cute phrase, the bride-to-be’s name, or unique design ideas, like a bright color or retro pattern.

Bridal Shower Food Ideas

Next, it’s time to address the menu. Food and drinks are their own essential elements — after all, what is a bridal shower without snacks?! You could go classic with cheese + wine and charcuterie or get creative with a chicken + waffle wall. Or maybe churros, coconut bowls, or a new take on a tea party would be more your speed. And don’t forget co*cktails and treats!!

Scroll on for more of our favorite bridal shower food ideas for every type of foodie.

22. Unique Churro Station Ideas

Churros are the ultimate nostalgic snack (especially for Disney World fans), and they’re also one of our favorite food ideas for events — bridal showers included. After all, who could say no to sweet cinnamon fried dough? Even better with some dipping chocolate and cute custom containers.

23. Custom Bridal Shower Cookie Ideas

If you can find a local bakery or a talented friend to create custom cookies for the bridal shower, do it! This sweet treat is a fun way to personalize your dessert table and add an unforgettable touch to the food spread. Plus, there are SO many different cookie design ideas for wedding and bridal showers — from zodiac signs to custom initials!

24. Luxury Bridal Shower Picnic Ideas

Take your snack spread outdoors for a dreamy bridal shower picnic! This is one of our favorite casual yet cute bridal shower ideas for the warmer months. Go super low-key with a few blankets and pillows at your local park, or make your set-up more extravagant with a tent and chic table settings and decor. You can even search for professional picnic producers in your area for the dreamiest display!

25. Frozen co*cktail Station Ideas

Frozen margaritas, anyone? Hire out a frozen co*cktail machine for a super-fun drink station — aka one of our favorite ideas for a boozy bridal shower! Add some umbrellas, stirrers, and garnishes for a stylish finishing touch, and you’re pretty much golden.

26. Bridal Shower Charcuterie Board Food Ideas

Yes, a charcuterie board is a meal, and you can’t convince us otherwise. In fact, you can build an entire event around a charcuterie board, and it’s one of our favorite food ideas for a modern wedding or bridal shower. Just grab your favorite finger food — from cheese to chocolates —and let your creativity fly!

Need some inspo for a picture-perfect spread? We’ve got you covered with these DIY charcuterie board ideas, perfect for bridal showers and beyond!

27. Unique Charcuterie Cone Ideas

Love charcuterie board ideas, but want something more unique for the bridal shower? Introducing: charcuterie cones!

If you’re passing snacks, these cute little charcuterie cones are such a fun option. They’re full of flavor AND pretty to look at! Plus, you can work with a caterer to make these or fill them up yourself with a salami rose, cheeses on toothpicks, and berry skewers. Yum!

Bridal Shower Game Ideas and Activities

It’s important to add structure to the wedding shower via activities and fun game ideas. At a typical bridal shower, you would typically play a few games before opening gifts —but if games aren’t your style, we’ve also included tons of unique activity ideas down below!

From building flower crowns to sharing your favorite memories with the bride, there are plenty of creative and cool options for every style. Let’s get into it!

GWS Pro Tip: Plan on having 2-3 bridal shower game ideas or activities lined up before opening gifts. Even if you don’t get to all of them, it’s best to be prepared!

28. Two Truths and a Lie Bridal Shower Game Ideas

Bridal shower game ideas can be polarizing, it’s true. But we vote to give them a shot — sometimes even the cheesiest games can bring about the most laughs! For one of the most fool-proof ideas, we love playing two truths and a lie at a bridal shower. It’s an easy game that requires no planning, plus it gives guests a chance to learn something about one another.

Here’s how to play: whoever goes first tells the group three facts about themselves, one of which is false. The group tries to guess the lie, and you move around the room from there!

29. The Price is Right Bridal Shower Game Ideas

This bridal shower game idea requires a bit more planning, but when it’s done right, it’s fun for guests and the bride alike. Start by purchasing 8-10 small gifts that the bride will enjoy on the wedding day or after. This can be anything from lip gloss to something from the registry.

Create and print a card for each guest with a list of all the items. When it’s time to play, allow the bride to pull the gifts out of a bag and put them on display for guests to guess the price. At the end of the game, each guest adds up his or her prices and whoever gets closest to the actual cumulative price without going over is the winner!

P.S. Make sure you have a backup prize in case of a tie!

30. DIY Flower Crown Ideas

If games aren’t the right vibe for your bridal shower, we love activity ideas that double as party favors! DIY flower crowns can be made with real or faux blooms, and they’re a rad craft that encourages guests to connect and have some fun. Plus, they can also be saved and worn at the wedding!

31. Bridal Bingo Wedding Shower Game Ideas

The best wedding shower game ideas act as an ice breaker for guests who may not know each other very well, and this bridal bingo card is the perfect example! Use this template to print out one card for each guest, then have everyone mix and mingle until they can mark five boxes in a row. Be sure to have prizes on hand for winners!

Not only is this such an easy bridal shower game, but it’s also one of our favorite ideas for kicking off the party. You can even customize the template to be more specific to your guest list!

32. Wedding Shower Cake Decorating Ideas

Eat your cake and decorate it, too! This is another one of the best activity ideas if bridal shower games aren’t your style —and as a bonus, it’s also super delicious! Give each guest their own mini personal cake, then create a spread with everything they need to design a culinary masterpiece. Think: frosting, edible flowers, toppers, and more. So fun!

33. Funny Scratch-Off Card Game Ideas

If you’re looking for unique bridal shower game ideas that will get everyone laughing, it doesn’t get better than these scratch cards! Before you hand them out, print out a small picture of the groom’s face and add it to the blank card. Then have each guest scratch off a card to reveal a man’s face — whoever gets the groom wins!

The best part? Behind the other cards are surprise celebrities, from Leonardo DiCaprio to Mr. Bean. Funny and unique, it’s one of the best game ideas for bridal showers and bachelorette parties!

34. Unique Crafty Bridal Shower Activity Ideas

DIY craft ideas for bridal showers and other wedding events are having a serious moment right — and we are HERE for it! Choose a craft that matches your theme, such as painting folding fans for a summer soirée (like the bridal shower above) or creating mini terrariums for a garden venue. You can even host your own wine and paint night with canvasses and watercolors!

With so many different hands-on ideas that your guests will love, crafts are the perfect way to make your bridal shower stand out.

35. Rom-Com Charades Bridal Shower Game Ideas

This is one of our favorite bridal shower game ideas for movie lovers! Celebrate the couple’s iconic love story by writing your favorite rom-coms on pieces of paper and putting them in a box or hat. Then have each guest choose one to silently act out while everyone else guesses the title. Simple, but so effective!

GWS Pro Tip: For ideas to make this bridal shower game even more fun, choose movies with famous wedding scenes!

36. “What’s In Your Purse” Game Ideas

Is anyone else obsessed with watching celebrity’s “what’s in your purse” videos? If you can relate, this is one of the best bridal shower game ideas for your girl gang!

Each card comes with a list of common objects that you’d find in a purse (categorized by most common to least common) and different points for each object. Each guest goes through their purse to tally up their points —and the highest number wins a prize.

37. Wedding Bouncy House Ideas

Forget the games, forget the crafts — let’s bounce! Bounce houses for adults are all the rage, and the appeal is obvious. They’re fun, they’re nostalgic, and they also double as a cute canvas for all your bridal shower decor ideas. Add a balloon garland or cute sign for the ultimate photo op and fun activity!

38. Don’t Forget the Favors

Yes, you’re showering the bride, but you’re also creating a fun experience for your guests! Favors are a super-sweet way to close out the day and pass out a little love. Plus, the ideas are endless — you could give sweet treats, mini bouquets, nail polish, or DIY your own bridal shower favors (here’s an easy DIY grapefruit scrub!). Think of something the bride would enjoy and let that influence your ideas.

Want more ideas for bridal shower favors? We’ve compiled a list of the best.

39. Finally, Always Leave Them Wanting More

This is THE KEY to a good party…bridal shower or not. If people are looking at their phones to check the time, it’s not a good look. It’s hard to find a balance between too little and too much, but if you can find the sweet spot then you’re golden! While you may not need five game ideas and a 3-course meal, planning a bridal shower with a little margin is always a good call.

Read the room as you go — and don’t forget to enjoy it!

We’ve Got You Covered for All The Events Leading Up To the “I Do’s”

Now that you’re prepped and ready for your bridal shower, it’s time to start counting down to your wedding day —and we have the perfect guides and party planning ideas to help!

To start, don’t miss our ultimate wedding planning checklist. With advice and must-know essentials, it’s your one-stop shop for the entire planning process!

Recently engaged? Before you plan your bridal shower, kick off the celebrations with these unique engagement party ideas for an intimate soirée!

And speaking of celebrations, we’ve also rounded up the best bachelorette party ideas to keep the party going once the bridal shower ends.

Complete your party planning checklist with this rehearsal dinner guide, and you’re officially ready for “I do”!

Which of these wedding and bridal shower ideas were your favorite? Let us know in the comments below!

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