Your Ultimate Guide to A Budget Bridal Shower (That Is SO Cute) You don’t need to spend a ton of money to throw a gorgeous bridal shower. The best way to maximize your bridal shower budget is to minimize your concept. A simple and down-to-earth bridal shower can be memorable without breaking the bank. We put together a list of ideas and tips for throwing a thoughtful and impressive bridal shower without over-spending. Low-Cost Bridal Shower Themes That Still Feels So Special Start your bridal shower planning by choosing a theme. Think of a theme that fits the bride-to-be’s personality and interests. Something as simple as her favorite drink or her favorite vacation spot could be your inspiration for an easy bridal shower theme. Below are some bridal shower themes that can easily be pulled off from the comfort of your home with a modest decor budget. 1) Picnic Brunch Bridal Shower (In the Backyard Or At the Park) Bridal Brunch Invitation | Bridal Shower Game Cards | Bridal Shower Favor Labels A picnic is perfect for any occasion where you want to make someone feel special without a huge budget. All you need is a grassy space (can be in a backyard, at a local park, etc), picnic blankets, and some outdoor-friendly foods. Fruit can be an easy and affordable snack and also can double as decor. Handpick or buy wildflowers for mini flower arrangements. You can also let the guests DIY a flower crown as a an affordable activity. 2) ‘Love In the Living Room’: Simple At-Home Bridal Shower Theme Photo Holder | Invitation | Candle | Sketch-the-Dress Game | Guest Book | Charcuterie Board Your living room is where you’ve created countless memories with your favorite people and a bridal shower can easily join the list. Most bridal showers end up being hosted at someone’s home so why not embrace that with a “Love in the Living Room” theme? Cozy up the place with the warm glow of candles, natural wood decor, and lots of photos of the couple you’re celebrating. 3) Pasta Night In: ‘Pastably the Cutest Shower Ever’ ‘That's Amore’ Bridal Shower Games | Pasta Night Menu Template Does the bride love pasta? Trick question, everyone loves pasta. A “Pasta Night In” is a cute way to have everyone well fed with an adorable Italian aesthetic. Create a pasta bar with a few different options of pastas, sauces, and toppings for an easy-to-serve option. Or if you have a smaller guest list you can do a cooking lesson so everyone gets to learn how to create a dish. A lot of your decor could be found in your own home like checkered table cloth, old-fashioned photo frames, and tapered candles. 4) Memory Lane: Vintage/Thrifted DIY Bridal Shower Mini Wooden Photo Frame | Dusty Blue Photo Banner | Bride to Be Sash We recommend thrifting some of your decor no matter what you choose as your theme. There’s no reason to buy all brand new decorations for a bridal shower. Lean into the old-school vibes by making vintage the theme of your shower. Collect old picture frames, set up a record player and some vinyl, and bring a polaroid for vintage-style photos. Ask your friends and family if you can borrow some of their vintage decor, magazines, books, and more so you don’t have to buy everything. 5) ‘All You Knead Is Love’: At Home Kitchen-Themed Bridal Shower Personalized Apron | Invitation | Name That Cake Game | Recipe Cards | Recipe Box Gifting the bride cooking tools has always been a tradition at bridal showers so why not make it the theme? For a cooking bridal shower theme “All You Knead is Love” and a spacious kitchen. Order the bride a custom apron, let guests leave a recipe card to create the bride a recipe box, and make sure there’s plenty to eat. Try to incorporate a culinary activity like a cooking lesson, cookie decorating, or wine tasting. 6) Or, Just A Very Simple Minimalist Bridal Shower (Perfect For Laid-Back Brides) Bride To Be Banner | Cupcake Toppers | Minimalist Shower Invitation | Bridal Shower Games Keep it simple and focus on the bride. A minimalist bridal shower theme will always be in style and can suit any bride’s taste. Some brides will prefer a more uncomplicated aesthetic. Simple can also help you minimize your budget. Use plain white table cloths, delicate gold details, and skip the flower arrangements. Budget-Friendly Bridal Shower Decor Ideas Save money on bridal shower decor by finding alternate sources. Not everything you buy for the shower needs to be purchased new from a party store. Trying budget-friendly stores and resale sources will help you create the bridal shower of your dreams without being wasteful. Below are some of our favorite ways to save money while planning a bridal shower. 1) Use What You (Or Your Friends, Or Your Bridal Party) Already Have Your home is already full of decor, so go shopping at home before you start spending money. Ask your guests for vases or jars to put floral arrangements in and after the party they can keep the flowers as a thank you. If the party is at your house, switch out your framed photos to feature the couple as a seamless way to incorporate them into your decor. Create ambiance by using candles and string lights you already own. 2) Buy Downloadable Files to Print At Home For Much Cheaper Printable Bridal Shower Games | Printable Bridal Shower Invitations Ordering invitations and other stationary for the party can get expensive quickly if you decide to splurge. The cheaper option is to order a downloadable template from artists on Etsy that you can customize yourself and print at home or at your local printer. If you’re creative you can create your own design on Canva to print at home or order from their printing service. You can even create large signs and banners using online templates and print them at your local print shop, UPS, or FedEx. 3) Opt for Bridal Shower Bundles On Amazon Amazon is a life saver if you’re short on time or funds. We’ve seen tons of bridal shower bundles available on Amazon. These bundles can include everything from invitations to balloon arches to fun accessories. With all these things taken off your list you can spend more time on other aspects of the party like cooking and coordinating. 4) Don’t Hesitate To Buy Secondhand (Marketplace, Thrift Stores, etc.) Oftentimes the decor from bridal showers and other events ends up in thrift stores or on Facebook marketplace begging to be reused. Check your local resellers for party supplies that would otherwise end up in a landfill. Plus, items like vases, serving dishes, and table cloths are all easy to find at thrift stores instead of buying brand new. 5) Consider Getting Florals From A Farmer’s Market, Trader Joe’s, Or Other Grocery Store You don’t need to hire a florist to have beautiful flowers at your bridal shower. Some of the best (and most affordable) blooms can be found at your local grocery store. Here are a few great places to check: Trader Joe’s, Sprouts, Whole Foods, Costco, and Publix. Even Walmart is starting to develop a great selection of flowers. You can also look into buying bulk flowers to arrange yourself from your local florist, Etsy, or online bulk florists. Fun & Affordable Bridal Shower Activities Guests Will Love Looking for fun bridal shower activities that won’t cost a fortune? These games & DIY activity stations are cute, affordable, and easy to set up at home. Guests will love getting creative. And, many of the supplies can be found at your local store or on Amazon. 1) Make-Your-Own Mini Bouquets or Flower Crowns Buy flowers from Trader Joe’s, Aldi, or your local grocery store and let guests build their own mini bouquets or flower crowns. All you need are flowers, ribbon, and scissors! Tip: use green craft wire to add structure to your flower crowns or bouquets. 2) Recipe Card Station For the Bride-to-Be’s Kitchen Blank Recipe Cards Ask guests to think of their favorite recipe (ahead of time) so they can fill it onto a cute slip at the shower. It’s a great keepsake for the bride! Plus, all you need are cute cards and pens. The bride will go home with a bunch of recipes to try, all penned in her loved one’s handwriting. Bonus gift idea: buy her a recipe card box or binder to keep them all organized and safe for years to come. 3) Print Out A Bunch Of Fun Games For the Group To Play Printable bridal shower games are perfect for keeping things budget-friendly while keeping the guests entertained. Most are under $10 on Etsy! And once you download them, you can print as many as you need. Printable Bridal Shower Games Bundle 4) How Old Was the Bride? Bridal Shower Activity Print photos of the bride at different ages and hang them on a string. Guests guess how old she was in each one! It’s a super simple, cheap game that guests can play as they please. Make it more competitive by buying a small prize for the person who gets the most correct! How Old Were They Bridal Shower Game 5) Create a Date Night Ideas Jar Buy a big glass jar and fill it with ideas for the couple to pick at random on their future date nights. Have the bridal shower guests write their favorite date idea on a popsicle stick or rolled up piece of paper and put them in the jar. You Can Plan a Beautiful Bridal Shower on a Budget You don’t need a huge budget to plan a stunning bridal shower. Get creative with DIY ideas, go thrifting, borrow party supplies from guests, buy decor from Facebook Marketplace, and pull things from your own home. Your main goal is to give your guests an enjoyable setting to dote on the bride. Keep it simple and be resourceful to throw an affordable bridal shower that your guests won’t forget. Looking for an outfit for the party? Check out our bridal shower outfit guide! What Do You Wear to a Bridal Shower? Ultimate Guest Outfit Guide
Your Ultimate Guide to A Budget Bridal Shower (That Is SO Cute) You don’t need to spend a ton of money to throw a gorgeous bridal shower. The best way to maximize your bridal shower budget is to minimize your concept. A simple and down-to-earth bridal shower can be memorable without breaking the bank. We put together a list of ideas and tips for throwing a thoughtful and impressive bridal shower without over-spending. Low-Cost Bridal Shower Themes That Still Feels So Special Start your bridal shower planning by choosing a theme. Think of a theme that fits the bride-to-be’s personality and interests. Something as simple as her favorite drink or her favorite vacation spot could be your inspiration for an easy bridal shower theme. Below are some bridal shower themes that can easily be pulled off from the comfort of your home with a modest decor budget. 1) Picnic Brunch Bridal Shower (In the Backyard Or At the Park) Bridal Brunch Invitation | Bridal Shower Game Cards | Bridal Shower Favor Labels A picnic is perfect for any occasion where you want to make someone feel special without a huge budget. All you need is a grassy space (can be in a backyard, at a local park, etc), picnic blankets, and some outdoor-friendly foods. Fruit can be an easy and affordable snack and also can double as decor. Handpick or buy wildflowers for mini flower arrangements. You can also let the guests DIY a flower crown as a an affordable activity. 2) ‘Love In the Living Room’: Simple At-Home Bridal Shower Theme Photo Holder | Invitation | Candle | Sketch-the-Dress Game | Guest Book | Charcuterie Board Your living room is where you’ve created countless memories with your favorite people and a bridal shower can easily join the list. Most bridal showers end up being hosted at someone’s home so why not embrace that with a “Love in the Living Room” theme? Cozy up the place with the warm glow of candles, natural wood decor, and lots of photos of the couple you’re celebrating. 3) Pasta Night In: ‘Pastably the Cutest Shower Ever’ ‘That's Amore’ Bridal Shower Games | Pasta Night Menu Template Does the bride love pasta? Trick question, everyone loves pasta. A “Pasta Night In” is a cute way to have everyone well fed with an adorable Italian aesthetic. Create a pasta bar with a few different options of pastas, sauces, and toppings for an easy-to-serve option. Or if you have a smaller guest list you can do a cooking lesson so everyone gets to learn how to create a dish. A lot of your decor could be found in your own home like checkered table cloth, old-fashioned photo frames, and tapered candles. 4) Memory Lane: Vintage/Thrifted DIY Bridal Shower Mini Wooden Photo Frame | Dusty Blue Photo Banner | Bride to Be Sash We recommend thrifting some of your decor no matter what you choose as your theme. There’s no reason to buy all brand new decorations for a bridal shower. Lean into the old-school vibes by making vintage the theme of your shower. Collect old picture frames, set up a record player and some vinyl, and bring a polaroid for vintage-style photos. Ask your friends and family if you can borrow some of their vintage decor, magazines, books, and more so you don’t have to buy everything. 5) ‘All You Knead Is Love’: At Home Kitchen-Themed Bridal Shower Personalized Apron | Invitation | Name That Cake Game | Recipe Cards | Recipe Box Gifting the bride cooking tools has always been a tradition at bridal showers so why not make it the theme? For a cooking bridal shower theme “All You Knead is Love” and a spacious kitchen. Order the bride a custom apron, let guests leave a recipe card to create the bride a recipe box, and make sure there’s plenty to eat. Try to incorporate a culinary activity like a cooking lesson, cookie decorating, or wine tasting. 6) Or, Just A Very Simple Minimalist Bridal Shower (Perfect For Laid-Back Brides) Bride To Be Banner | Cupcake Toppers | Minimalist Shower Invitation | Bridal Shower Games Keep it simple and focus on the bride. A minimalist bridal shower theme will always be in style and can suit any bride’s taste. Some brides will prefer a more uncomplicated aesthetic. Simple can also help you minimize your budget. Use plain white table cloths, delicate gold details, and skip the flower arrangements. Budget-Friendly Bridal Shower Decor Ideas Save money on bridal shower decor by finding alternate sources. Not everything you buy for the shower needs to be purchased new from a party store. Trying budget-friendly stores and resale sources will help you create the bridal shower of your dreams without being wasteful. Below are some of our favorite ways to save money while planning a bridal shower. 1) Use What You (Or Your Friends, Or Your Bridal Party) Already Have Your home is already full of decor, so go shopping at home before you start spending money. Ask your guests for vases or jars to put floral arrangements in and after the party they can keep the flowers as a thank you. If the party is at your house, switch out your framed photos to feature the couple as a seamless way to incorporate them into your decor. Create ambiance by using candles and string lights you already own. 2) Buy Downloadable Files to Print At Home For Much Cheaper Printable Bridal Shower Games | Printable Bridal Shower Invitations Ordering invitations and other stationary for the party can get expensive quickly if you decide to splurge. The cheaper option is to order a downloadable template from artists on Etsy that you can customize yourself and print at home or at your local printer. If you’re creative you can create your own design on Canva to print at home or order from their printing service. You can even create large signs and banners using online templates and print them at your local print shop, UPS, or FedEx. 3) Opt for Bridal Shower Bundles On Amazon Amazon is a life saver if you’re short on time or funds. We’ve seen tons of bridal shower bundles available on Amazon. These bundles can include everything from invitations to balloon arches to fun accessories. With all these things taken off your list you can spend more time on other aspects of the party like cooking and coordinating. 4) Don’t Hesitate To Buy Secondhand (Marketplace, Thrift Stores, etc.) Oftentimes the decor from bridal showers and other events ends up in thrift stores or on Facebook marketplace begging to be reused. Check your local resellers for party supplies that would otherwise end up in a landfill. Plus, items like vases, serving dishes, and table cloths are all easy to find at thrift stores instead of buying brand new. 5) Consider Getting Florals From A Farmer’s Market, Trader Joe’s, Or Other Grocery Store You don’t need to hire a florist to have beautiful flowers at your bridal shower. Some of the best (and most affordable) blooms can be found at your local grocery store. Here are a few great places to check: Trader Joe’s, Sprouts, Whole Foods, Costco, and Publix. Even Walmart is starting to develop a great selection of flowers. You can also look into buying bulk flowers to arrange yourself from your local florist, Etsy, or online bulk florists. Fun & Affordable Bridal Shower Activities Guests Will Love Looking for fun bridal shower activities that won’t cost a fortune? These games & DIY activity stations are cute, affordable, and easy to set up at home. Guests will love getting creative. And, many of the supplies can be found at your local store or on Amazon. 1) Make-Your-Own Mini Bouquets or Flower Crowns Buy flowers from Trader Joe’s, Aldi, or your local grocery store and let guests build their own mini bouquets or flower crowns. All you need are flowers, ribbon, and scissors! Tip: use green craft wire to add structure to your flower crowns or bouquets. 2) Recipe Card Station For the Bride-to-Be’s Kitchen Blank Recipe Cards Ask guests to think of their favorite recipe (ahead of time) so they can fill it onto a cute slip at the shower. It’s a great keepsake for the bride! Plus, all you need are cute cards and pens. The bride will go home with a bunch of recipes to try, all penned in her loved one’s handwriting. Bonus gift idea: buy her a recipe card box or binder to keep them all organized and safe for years to come. 3) Print Out A Bunch Of Fun Games For the Group To Play Printable bridal shower games are perfect for keeping things budget-friendly while keeping the guests entertained. Most are under $10 on Etsy! And once you download them, you can print as many as you need. Printable Bridal Shower Games Bundle 4) How Old Was the Bride? Bridal Shower Activity Print photos of the bride at different ages and hang them on a string. Guests guess how old she was in each one! It’s a super simple, cheap game that guests can play as they please. Make it more competitive by buying a small prize for the person who gets the most correct! How Old Were They Bridal Shower Game 5) Create a Date Night Ideas Jar Buy a big glass jar and fill it with ideas for the couple to pick at random on their future date nights. Have the bridal shower guests write their favorite date idea on a popsicle stick or rolled up piece of paper and put them in the jar. You Can Plan a Beautiful Bridal Shower on a Budget You don’t need a huge budget to plan a stunning bridal shower. Get creative with DIY ideas, go thrifting, borrow party supplies from guests, buy decor from Facebook Marketplace, and pull things from your own home. Your main goal is to give your guests an enjoyable setting to dote on the bride. Keep it simple and be resourceful to throw an affordable bridal shower that your guests won’t forget. Looking for an outfit for the party? Check out our bridal shower outfit guide! What Do You Wear to a Bridal Shower? Ultimate Guest Outfit Guide
