Dozens of Easy Bridal Shower Ideas Your Gal Pals Will LOVE!

May 16, 2021 | Entertain, Gift Ideas, Party

Whether you're planning a low-key at-home celebration or a fancy brunch, we're here to help. We've got bridal shower ideas galore. From party favors to themes and more, these cheap and easy ideas will make your next shower a success!

ladies at a bridal shower, from Fun Cheap or Free

We love parties around here. Showers. Gatherings. Fiestas. Luaus. Mingles. You name it, we're there. And nine times out of ten, we're helping plan the celebration. So, we're here to tell you that you CAN throw an incredible party that is elegant, memorable, fun, easy, cute, AND affordable.

*Note: When you click the links in this post, we may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.

Today we're going to share a few of our best pointers so you can plan a bridal shower on a budget in less than two hours. That includes food-prep time. Are you intrigued yet? Let's get to it, party people!


STEP ONE: LEARN HOW TO FEED A CROWD FOR CHEAP!

food for a bridal shower, from Fun Cheap or Free

Okay, the most important part of any party is the food, so let's start there! Too many people blow through their whole budget just buying food for their party. We're here to tell you that's not necessary! We have an entire post devoted to feeding a crowd, so definitely check that out. In a hurry? Here are some quick pointers:

  • Consider the Timing – People tend to eat more at night, so if you don't want to spend an arm and a leg on a sit-down meal, consider hosting your party earlier in the day. Breakfast/brunch foods are super cheap to prepare, or you can hold your party between meal times and serve fun snacks instead!
  • Opt for DIY Instead of Catering – You don't need to hire a caterer to wow your guests! Let's say you opt to host a brunch shower. Well, there are SO many super impressive casseroles and dishes you can throw together in a matter of minutes. These french toast sticks, for example, are foolproof, cheap, and delicious. These egg muffin cups are great, too.
  • Plan Your Menu Around Sales – Plan to buy your food about one week in advance, and consult the sales flyers before you stock up. If sausage, for example, is BOGO, then a sausage egg casserole might be the way to go! Is watermelon on sale? Make a fruit salad. You get the idea, right?
  • Buy in Bulk – When it makes sense, buying in bulk can save you a TON. Especially when you're planning to feed a crowd. Check out our tips for shopping at Costco!
  • Let Your Guests Help – People always ask, “what can I bring?” Give them an assignment! Have each guest bring a side or dessert.

Now that you know how to save money on food, let's talk about the decor! Any good shower needs a theme, and we've got some fun ideas to share.


BRIDAL SHOWER IDEAS: THEMES AND COLORS

Parties are MUCH easier to plan if you choose a theme. And let's face it, they're more fun that way, too! Here are some easy bridal shower “theme” ideas:

  • “Birds of a Feather” – Picture this: Robin's egg blue with tan/brown accents would be gorgeous. You could make these cheap and easy nest necklaces as party favors. This is a fun theme for a couples shower!
  • Dress Their New Nest” Ask guests to bring a gift that will help the couple furnish or decorate their new home.
  • Lingerie Luncheon – Deck out your space with lace, serve food and snacks in sassy martini glasses, and plan games with a PG-13 “honeymoon” vibe, if you catch our drift.
  • Classic Bride-to-Be – You can't go wrong with this classic, timeless, cutesy theme. You can cut your napkins to look like wedding dresses, string pearls from lamps and lights, and decorate the table with white tulle, flowers, and confetti.
  • Alphabet – Assign each guest a letter from the bride's name, and have them bring a gift that starts with their letter. This one is fun and easy to pull off, and you could take the decor in a million different directions!
  • Luau – If the bride-to-be is headed somewhere tropical for their honeymoon, carry that theme through in her shower. You can go to town on the decor and ask guests to bring beach towels, swimwear, hats, and other beach-themed gifts.

Pro Tip: Elevate your party with a color palette!  The uniformity makes it look like you put a ton of thought and planning into it. Play up your theme when you choose the colors. When in doubt, Tiffany blue and gold are perfect for a bridal shower!


BRIDAL SHOWER DECOR IDEAS THAT WON'T BUST YOUR BUDGET

decorations for a bridal shower, from Fun Cheap or Free

Once you choose a theme and colors, the decor is the easy (and fun) part. Here are some tips that will help you save money on bridal shower decorations:

  • Opt for E-vites – Paper invitations + postage = a whole heck of a lot of money. Save yourself time and cash by sending a cute email invite instead! Check out Paperless Post for SO many cute options that will fit your theme.
  • Keep Things Simple – Look, we all aspire to throw Pinterest perfect parties, but here's the truth. People who throw those kinda celebrations tend to spend TONS of money, hours working on details that the average guest won't even notice, and stress themselves out in the process. Do yourself a favor and keep it simple! Focus on making memories, not Instagram posts. And make it personal. Remember, the party is about the bride, not a showcase for your party-planning skills!
  • Buy Plain Plates/Cups/Napkins – While you're on a Costco run, buy plain white plates, cups, napkins, etc. The themed cutlery and paper products are WAY too expensive. Save your money for flowers or other decorations that will make a bigger impact.
  • Stock Up on Reusable Decorations -Save time AND money! We keep a bin of generic party decorations in the garage. Some things never go out of style, so if you see candles, cake stands, tablecloths, greenery, silk flowers, streamers, or the like on sale, buy them! And check out this post for money-saving tips at Michaels. Use that coupon to stock up on party supplies!
  • Use Cheap Filler Decor – Buy your balloons, streamers, etc., at The Dollar Tree! No one will even know.

The moral of the story? Try to stick with things you can use again and again and again. If you must spend, spend your dough on larger decor statement pieces that you can use again in the future.


GAMES & PARTY FAVOR IDEAS FOR A BRIDAL SHOWER

banana bread for bridal shower, from Fun Cheap or Free

Giving your guests a little party favor or two is a nice touch! Here are some cheap, easy ways to send your shower attendees off with a little love:

  • DIY Take-Home Boxes/ Gift Boxes – Head to the Dollar Store and go to town! Set a $2-$3 budget for each gift bag and see what fun treasures you can find. Attach a handwritten note to each gift for a nice touch!
  • Lotions or Soaps – Make your own soap or stock up in the bargain bins!
  • Candy Bags – Enough said, right? When in doubt, reach for the chocolate!
  • Mini Loaves of Bread – Homemade baked goods are always a win. Try this easy banana bread recipe.

You don't have to pay much (or do much) for take-home gifts. Even $1 per person goes a long way, so don't stress yourself out on the party favors! It really is the thought that counts. Keep it classy, keep it cheap, and keep it EASY.


OUR FAVORITE BRIDAL SHOWER GAMES

When it comes to party games, people either love 'em or hate ‘me. We think they're important! Conversation at parties/showers can be awkward for some people, especially if it's a shower with mixed groups of friends where not everyone knows each other. Plus, for someone who shows up alone to a party, it can really suck. Having a game breaks the ice, gets people talking (and laughing), and lets you get to know each other better…especially the bride!

Looking for some and easy games to play? Here are a few ideas:

  • Finish the Story – Give every guest an index card and a pen. Have everyone number their card based on their seating order, so the first person is #1, the second person is #2, and so on. Person #1 starts a fictional story about the bride and groom. Then they pass their card to person #2, who reads it, then continues the story where they left off…but on their card. Person #2 then passes their card to person #3, and they continue with the story on their card., and so on and so on. The catch? You can ONLY read the card of the person in front of you. So person #3 can't read what person #1's card said. In the end, you have the bride read everyone's cards in order. It's hilarious!
  • Quiz the Bride – Ask the groom questions before the shower: How they met, what his first impression was of her, when he knew he wanted to marry her, his favorite thing about her, her favorite body part, the one thing he can't wait to throw away of hers when they get married, etc. Ask the bride the same questions and see if she can match his answers.
  • Toilet Paper Wedding Dress –Break the room into teams and give each group a roll of toilet paper and a two-minute time limit. Each team”bride” and everyone else has to make a wedding dress using only the toilet paper and a roll of tape. The real bride-to-be then judges and picks the best dress.

Pretty fun, right? And so stinking easy! Now, onto the party favors.


SHARE YOUR BEST BRIDAL SHOWER IDEAS

So there you go! Just a few ideas that will help you throw a bridal bash to remember. We hope these tips help!

Do you have advice to share? We'd love to hear all about your best bridal shower ideas, so leave a comment below.

Image with text that reads "bridal shower ideas on a budget" from Fun Cheap or Free

Looking for more party planning advice?

Party on!

9 Comments

  1. Cynthia

    These are awesome and reasonable suggestions. I was becoming overwhelmed with planning a shower on a budget. I will definitely use the game ideas!

    Reply
  2. Angelina

    Thanks for the awesome tips and ideas! I’m helping to plan my sister’s bridal shower and all of us ladies involved are on a strict budget, but this post will definitely help! : )

    Reply
  3. Beth

    Such good tips! I have been looking for Bridal Shower games that aren’t cheesy or boring or just the same ones they played at the LAST bridal shower they went to, and these are like totally awesome! your tips are fantastic! THANKYOU!!

    Reply
    • FunCheapOrFree

      You’re welcome, enjoy!

      Reply
  4. Heather B

    I love those candelabras!! Yard sales are the bomb!

    Reply
  5. Deb LaPointe

    This was so much fun to read. I can feel your energy! I am currently planning a garden mimosa party for my daughter and it’s getting pricey. You encourage me to be creative, yet more frugal!

    Reply
  6. Amrita

    These are amazing you can also do a mascara
    Party were every body can were dresses and mask
    It’s like a ball almost but that would be very cute to
    See that and it’s neon so it’s a glow in the dark ball
    Dance music cameras I would also like flowers every wear
    And some sparkles that you can put in you hair that would
    Be so so cute!!!!!!!:)it’s like a bling party $o cute

    Reply
  7. Amy Sh

    We did this for a baby’s shower
    So I am trying for a bridal shower

    Buy anniversary cards( dollar store) for amount of guests you will have. Write a note to the future bride and groom. Seal it and put the year on the out side. So 2024-2025 etc. then each year they will open one card with a statement from each person.
    Kinda a fun baby shower idea too for birthdays.
    So I hope it works out for anniversary’s too😊

    Reply

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