Best Bridal Shower Ideas – Decor, Drinks, Food, & Games!

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Blow your guests away with these fun bridal shower ideas!

best bridal shower ideas - woman holding a bride bag

Love is in the air! 💍💖

Hosting an upcoming bridal shower? Make it a moment to remember! From food ideas to decorations, we compiled a list of the most adorable and affordable bridal shower ideas! Use our helpful tips to make your favorite bride-to-be feel showered with love.


These bridal shower ideas make for a beautiful celebration:


Bridal Shower Decorations

Set the mood with these dreamy and romantic bridal shower decorations:

1. Balloon Boxes and Backdrops

bridal shower decorations - balloon boxes

Make your bridal shower photo-worthy! These eye-catching balloon boxes make the perfect backdrop for photographs. We love that the set comes with 96 pieces and is available in various colors.  Another great decoration set is this streamer backdrop with bride-to-be balloon.

bridal shower balloons - future bride - alli's bridal shower

You can also decorate based on the bride and groom’s wedding colors. Simply fill colored balloons with helium like Hip2Save’s Alli had at her bridal shower.


2. Wooden Initials

using wooden letters for bridal shower ideas

Woodinout Custom Wooden Initials 7″ High – $30.10+ (regularly $43)

Not only do these wooden initials make amazing decorations, but they also double as a shower gift to the bride and groom! They are one of our favorite bridal shower ideas. If you’re looking for a larger set of initials, try a hangable decoration.

Bride and Groom Initials - bridal shower ideas - Kara bridal shower

You can also make your own initials like my crafty sisters did for me! They found letters at a craft store and spruced them up with a little bit of bronze oil paint. Then they used a hot glue gun to embellish them with faux flowers. These letters were one of my favorite decorations and I still have them 8 years later!


3. Bridal Shower Dinnerware

bridal shower ideas - rose gold dinnerware set

Dinnerware can double as a decoration. This set covers cups, dinner plates, dessert plates, silverware, and napkins for 25 people. That’s less than $1 a person! It comes in multiple colors so you should be able to find a set that matches your other decorations.


4. Rustic and Seasonal Decorations

Bridal Shower Decorations Fall - Kara Bridal Shower

If you don’t have a theme, try doing one based on the season. My bridal shower was at the end of September. My siblings set the Autumn mood by decorating the tables with burlap, pumpkins, and mason jars with fall flowers.

Hip Tip: Don’t forget a centerpiece! Hip2Save’s Alli suggests placing pictures of the couple at each table. Use a picture of them at the same age from childhood or choose more current pictures that highlight special moments in their relationship. 💞


Bridal Shower Beverages

Guests will be thirsty so have water on hand and prepare to keep their glasses refilled. We love these ideas that can make your beverage selections stand out:

1. A Signature Cocktail or Mocktail

blueberry kiwi mojito recipe

Serve one of the future bride’s favorite signature cocktails or mocktails. If you’re looking for ideas, try these yummy blueberry kiwi mojitos, our famous watermelon punch, or one of our delicious mocktail recipes.


2. A Drink Station

mimosa bar for baby shower from crisp collective
Credit: Crisp Collective

Guests love themed stations where they can make a drink exactly to their liking. A mimosa bar is excellent for a daytime shower. Pick up some bubbly and set out different juices for your guests to try. You can even get the mimosa bar printable sign shown above for FREE at Crisp Collective.

Hip Tip: Other fun stations include a wine-tasting counter, lemonade stand, or a coffee and tea bar.


Bridal Shower Food Ideas

There are so many delicious bridal shower food options. Our top picks are easy, exciting, and can even be customized!

1. Charcuterie and Snack Boards

Who doesn’t love a snack board?! Charcuterie boards are easy to prepare, look fantastic, and are always a hit with guests. There’s something for everyone! Our traditional charcuterie board is a crowd-pleaser!

Hip Tip: You can also serve snack boards as dessert! We love an epic s’mores board or our festive hot chocolate board.


2. Easy Baked Brie Appetizer

This impressive-looking appetizer only uses 3 ingredients! It’s a cinch to make but gives your event a fancy feel. Eat with crackers, apples, or french bread. You have to try this yummy 5-star recipe!


3. Blackberry Cream Cheese Tarts

plate of blackberry tarts

This appetizer is a winner! These blackberry cream cheese tarts are simply delicious. The recipe uses pre-made refrigerated pie crust which makes these yummy pastries super easy to make!


4. Bacon Wrapped Brussel Sprouts

This keto-friendly appetizer is always a hit. We love that this recipe only takes 3 ingredients to get such scrumptious results! Just don’t expect any to be leftover after the party!


5. A Make-Your-Own Bar

woman holding a snack board hot dog bar
If you plan to serve lunch or dinner, a make-your-own bar is one of the easiest options. Guests will have fun preparing their dish just the way they like it! Some of our favorite make-your-own ideas are a taco bar, chili bar, baked potato bar, and hot dog bar! 😋


6. Easy Baked Ziti

scoop of cheesy baked ziti
Pasta is super affordable and simple to make. Lina’s tasty baked ziti recipe makes two huge pans that will ensure your guests don’t go hungry! Serve with a salad and you’ve got a full meal!


Bridal Shower Desserts

Celebrate the sweethearts with a sweet dessert! These mouth-watering desserts are perfect for a bridal shower:

1. Bridal Shower Cake 

4th of july party ideas - strawberry cake

This beautiful cake is pretty in pink. If your bride-to-be loves strawberries, this cake recipe is a must. One slice is never enough!


2. Cheesecake Stuffed Strawberries

cheesecake stuffed strawberries

These handheld bites pack a big punch! Follow our recipe to fill ripe strawberries with a delicious cheesecake filling. This dessert will have the whole party “oohing” and “ahhing.”


3. Mini Fruit Tarts

mini pie crust tarts on a plate

Lina’s grandma, Bonnie, came up with this simple and satisfying recipe. Use pre-made pie crust to create these mini fruit tarts. In just 40 minutes you’ll have a scrumptious handheld dessert!


4. Easy No-Bake Oreo Balls

plate of oreo cookie balls

Keep dessert simple with these easy, no-bake oreo balls that only use 3 ingredients!  These little gems are super satisfying and simple to make.


Bridal Shower Games

If your crew is the type to like party games, here are some of our favorite ones:

1. Printable party bundles

Bridal Shower Games - best bridal shower ideas

PaperMinxPrintables Bridal Shower Games – $7.77 (regularly $12.95)

Get the most bang for your buck with this printable party pack that comes with 30 great games. Can your guests guess the movie love quotes and finish the song lyrics? Do they know the weird superstitions behind their favorite wedding traditions? Which bridesmaid knows the bride the best? This bundle has some of the best party games and they are all editable! That’s why it made our list of the best bridal shower ideas!

Prefer a printed package? Try this fun bundle for 50 guests.

2. Who has the groom?

bridal shower games - who has the groom

These funny scratch-offs make for a quick but memorable party game. Guests will giggle as they find out which handsome hunk they received. The winner is the one who scratches off a picture of the groom.


3. Put a ring on it

Bridal Shower Game Ideas - Put A Ring On It from Play Party Plan
Credit: Play Party Plan

This fast-paced game will have your guests in stitches. Give everyone a chopstick and they must scoop up 10 gummy rings without using their hands. See the full instructions on Play Party Plan.


4. How well do the future newlyweds know one another?

Hubba Bubba Max Bubble Gum Strawberry Watermelon 18-Pack
This fun party game was played at Alli’s bridal shower. Before the shower, have one future newlywed answer a series of questions about the other. The bride-to-be has to guess what their partner said (even if they answered incorrectly). Every time she gets one wrong, she has to chew on a piece of bubble gum. Guests will giggle watching the future bride try to fit several pieces of gum in her mouth at once!


Bridal Shower Favors

If you want to thank guests with a party favor, choose something they are likely to use. Here are our favorite party favors that won’t break the bank:

1. Sugar scrubs

bridal shower ideas - sugar scrub wedding favors

BButtons Co. Sugar Scrub Favors 20 Pack – $71 or $3.55 per guest

These square-shaped sugar scrubs are on the more expensive side for favors on our list but they are a big hit with guests. You can choose the scent, customize the labels, and even pick your flower color.


2. Pashmina shawls

Bridal Shower Ideas - Pashmina Shawl Favors

WeddingFavorsUs Personalized Pashmina Shawls 20 Pack $56.50 (regularly $75) or $2.85 per guest

Guests will think of the bride-to-be whenever they wear these beautiful Pashmina shawls. They are one of our more unique bridal shower ideas. These light shawls are ideal for warmer seasons and they make a terrific shower favor. Plus, you can personalize the packaging!


3. A heart-shaped bottle opener

bridal shower ideas - heart shaped bottle opener

PartyOpeners 25 Bottle Openers & Tags – $60 or $2.40 per guest

Pop those bottles! What better way to celebrate love than with heart-shaped bottle openers? Choose the metal finish and the color of the custom tag. These favors can be used for years to come.


4. A sweet treat

Love Is Sweet Bridal Shower Favor Bags - bridal shower ideas

PoppyandErie Love Is Sweet Favor Bags 24 Pack – $30 or 1.25 per bag
*Candy not included

Love really IS sweet! Fill these personalized favor bags with the bride-to-be’s favorite candy. We like that these bags seal tight to keep the candy fresh. Plus, these adorable favors can double as dessert!

A similar idea is to fill these cute  “The Perfect Blend” favor bags with the couple’s favorite gourmet coffee!


5. A favor that fits the season

fall bridal shower favors - kara bridal shower - caramel covered apples

Affy Tapple Bulk Caramel Apples Pack of 12 – $27.99 or $2.33 per guest
*Favor bags not included

I was married in the fall so my entire bridal shower was autumn themed. My talented sisters created a gorgeous favors table with chocolate and caramel-covered apples (they bought locally but you can score a great deal when you buy online in bulk).

Each favor had a tag that said, “Apple of My Eye.” The display was absolutely stunning and every guest enjoyed their edible favor. From peppermint bark favors in winter to chocolate-covered strawberries in summer, there are so many ways to honor the season at your bridal shower!


Hip Tip: Don’t forget background music! Create a playlist of the bride and groom’s favorite love songs. 💘🎵


Bridal Shower Favors - bridal shower ideas - kara fall bridal shower

Did we miss one of your favorite bridal shower ideas? Tell us about it!


Check out these other great wedding and gift ideas!


About the writer:

Kara is a writer and photographer from the Midwest. Her creative work has appeared in various publications over the past decade. With a background in finance, she loves to be money-savvy.


Join The Discussion

Comments 6

  1. Lora

    Way back before smartphones, we used to play the game to see who had the most items from the list in their purse. It was funny to see more women had physical pictures of their pets than their husbands.

    • Amber (Hip Sidekick)

      Yes! I remember playing that one at a shower before too! Thanks for sharing, Lora! Great memory. 🥰🤗

  2. cruise

    Thanks for sharing!! ❤️ Are there any posts like this for birthday and anniversary parties?

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