Invites:
COST = $15
(20 5×7 invites, 20 4×4 inserts, 20 envelopes)
*TIPS*
- Design your own invites
- Most photo labs will give a discount if you order “invite bundles”
- A lot of photo labs will have occasional sales on prints! If you know in advance keep an eye out
- Hand deliver the invitations
They turned out FABULOUS!
Games:
- The Panty Game! Everyone brings a pair of panties that represents their relationship with the bride. After everyone arrives pin up the panties on a clothes line and have the bride guess who brought which pair! (The panties also make cute decor for the rest of the night.) Prizes can be given for funniest pair, sexiest pair, most likely to be worn pair etc.

- Advice for the Bride. Have a book or a set of 3×5 cards and have people write marriage advice to the bride throughout the night.
- The Game of Things. Use paper bags, jars, or boxes and label them with different scenarios. For example: Things you would never do in front of your in-laws, things you should keep in your nightstand, things you should always do during an argument, things you wouldn't want to be caught doing by your neighbors etc. As the night goes on have guest fill out slips of paper with their answers and drop them in the bag accordingly. At the end of the night have the bride read through all the slips of paper as everyone has a good laugh!
*TIPS*
- Use containers (buckets, paper bags, baskets etc.) you already have
- Use old frames to display game instructions and directions! It's cute and functional!
- I hate buying items in bulk when I only need about 3 or 4! Instead of buying a pack of paper bags ask your local grocery store if they have a few lunch sacks you can have!
Food:
Here's a peak at some of the yummy food we had at the party! I got the pink wafer cookies at the Dollar store. Go figure! The pink lemonade was a dollar too! Adding frozen strawberries and sliced lemons to the drink made it look FANCY. Believe it or not, paper plates were cheaper at Walmart than the Dollar store, plus they had more variety! (Jordan's note: Be sure to check out my “feeding a crowd on the cheap” post for tons of ideas for feeding a group)
Take-Home Gifts:
Nail polish and chocolate were the perfect party favors!
($1 bucket, $1 nail polish, Assorted candy)
Gift For the Bride:
- Whipped cream
- Sprinkles
- Chocolate fudge
- Maraschino cherries
- (Could add ice cream dishes and spoons, waffle cones, or other candies)
Everything turned out great. It's always fun to share a night with friends!
Great decor! I wonder if you have any ideas on how to do kids birthday parties? I recently did one but didn’t think it’s the most cost effective way – need your advice! thanks!
Yes!!! I’ve got several posts, find them all here: https://funcheaporfree.com/category/entertain/party/
Love this post and all the fabulous ideas for throwing a shower on a budget! Thanks for sharing!
Leslie
Glad you like it! Thanks for stopping by!!
what did she put on the ice cream tags? I’m not poetic enough to explain them!
I was absolutely desperate for ideas as I was kinda forced at the last minute to be the hostess for a lingerie party in less than a week… THANK YOU your ideas saved the day!!!
Oh my gosh i wish I had this when I was throwing bridal showers! This is so more cost effective than what I did and sooo much fun!