by Lindsay Goldenberg Jones |
Throwing a bridal shower is such a fun way to literally shower the bride with gifts. With the right bridal shower decorations, it can be a gorgeous party they’ll always remember. And the good news is you don’t have to spend a ton.
When it comes to bridal shower decorations, you have a few options. First, decide if you want to do a theme or not. Does the bride love to travel? You could have a French theme with french food and decor. Or, you could forget the theme and choose simple yet chic decorations that fit the bride’s style. Is the bride a little bit boho? Or maybe vintage is more her vibe? The beauty of a bridal shower is you don’t have to go overboard with decor (or spend a ton). You can just focus on a few key pieces and go from there!
While you don’t have to have flowers, they’re always a nice touch. To help save money, concentrate on the main areas where guests will see them. You can place a centerpiece on the food and drink tables, gift table, and smaller arrangements on each table where guests will sit. And no, you don’t have to go with a florist (though there are some great ways to buy wedding flowers online). You can visit your local grocery store to see their selection. You could also consider wooden wedding flowers if you want to give the bride a gift she’ll always remember. We’re also a big fan of a few faux floral stems mixed in with real flowers. (We found one of the best deals on pampas grass in our picks, below!)
Where to Buy Bridal Shower Decor on a Budget
Once you have a theme, you’ll want to start shopping. Luckily it’s easier than ever to buy great bridal shower decorations online. These are our favorite places to find affordable party decor:
- Etsy: We love Etsy for unique signs, banners, place cards, and even napkins.
- Amazon: This is where we go for tassles, tablecloths, and balloons.
- CB2: You’d be surprised at the deals you can find for faux floral and vases here!
- Cost Plus World Market: This store is another great choice for vases and inexpensive tableware if you didn’t want to go with paper.
- Oriental Trading: This basically has everything you need for a bridal shower or wedding on a budget.
Whether you’re throwing the party for your bestie or sending friends and family ideas that you like, these bridal shower decorations will help make your event a success! Here’s a few of our favorite finds, below:
Macaron Board
Instead of having macarons on a plain ol’ serving platter, let guests take them from this stylish board.
Acrylic Place Cards
Don’t let the place cards be an afterthought! These are often the first things people see. Consider painted acrylic or even marble coasters that can be taken home as a favor after.
Photo Banner
Greet the bride with a collection of her favorite photo memories with this heartfelt bride-to-be banner.
Metal Trumpet Vase Stand
There’s no need to spend a lot on your vases. These are around $10/each and they’re tall, which you want so guests can actually talk to each other across the tables.
Amethyst Paper Plates
Who says paper plates should be boring? These amethyst paper plates practically do all the decorating for you!
Balloon Collection
Gone are the days where you just got a few balloons and tied them awkwardly to chairs. You can get a collection of balloons that can be taped together to form some pretty amazing designs. Just be sure to also buy an electric balloon inflater, or rent a helium balloon tank if you’re going to have a lot.
Rose Petals
Scatter these across your tables and you have an instant pop of color. Bonus if you give them to the flower girl to reuse at the wedding ceremony!
Chiffon Table Runner
Forget the stuffy white tablecloth. Let you tables breathe with an elegant chiffon table runner draped across the top.
Bridal Shower Basics
So, first things first! How do you plan a bridal shower? You will need to find the perfect bridal shower location , which can be at the host’s home or even a restaurant. You can send traditional paper invitations or even invite guests via e-mail. No matter which type of invitation you choose, the most important thing to remember is to only invite guests who will be invited to the wedding itself!
Fun Fact: While bridal showers were thought to have originated in Brussels in the 1860s, it wasn’t until the turn of the century that they became popular. But they weren’t the way they are today! Instead, guests would arrive unannounced at a bride’s home to give them gifts. It wasn’t until the 1950s that the tradition became more like an organized party.
The couple will also want to make sure they have their wedding registry setup by then, as most guests attending the bridal shower will want to have some idea of what the couple would like. However, feel free to go off of the wedding registry for the bridal shower! This is a great opportunity to choose a more meaningful gift that is just for the bride. For instance, you can have a lingerie shower and encourage guests to bring lingerie gifts. Or a wine theme where guests bring their favorite bottle of wine. The same idea even works for books! Just note if you do choose a bridal shower theme, you’ll want to let guests know in the invitation.
Need more help planning your bridal shower? Let us know any questions you have in the comments below!
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