75 Bridal Shower Ideas on a Budget (Games, Food & Decor)

Are you ready to plan the BEST Bridal Shower ever? You’ve just hit the jackpot with this HUGE list of fun Bridal Shower Ideas!

Ahh… love is in the air!

There’s nothing as sweet and romantic as wedding season. With the excitement of the upcoming elegant wedding and the hustle and bustle of all of the planning, it’s a joyful time the bride will never forget!

But don’t forget the shower!

Bridal showers with friends and family are the perfect time to gather, relax, laugh, and dream! That’s why I’ve compiled this HUGE list of the Best Bridal Shower Ideas on a Budget!

From dazzling decor to delicious dishes, and silly games to memorable themes, it will be so simple to plan the best bridal shower ever!!

So what are you waiting for?

Start planning that perfect party today with these easy and unique bridal shower ideas on a budget…

Related: 45 Fun Bridal Shower Gifts {Inexpensive Gift Ideas She’ll LOVE}

Bridal Shower Ideas

Where to Have a Bridal Shower:

Wondering where to host your bridal shower?

I had a family shower hosted at my mom’s house, and a friend’s shower hosted at her cozy apartment. Both were beautiful and so much fun!

Here are some other great ideas when searching for the perfect bridal shower location…

Jenny writes: “See if anyone has a house big enough to house the party so you don’t have to rent a hall.”

Christina writes: “I threw my sister’s bridal shower, and we held it in our church’s fellowship hall for free.”

Kathy writes: “Don’t forget to look around your own house when planning the venue. I will have the shower at my house. By removing the living room furniture there will be plenty of room for tables and chairs. Also, depending on the type of shower you are having you may want to just have it in your backyard.”

Marci writes: “If you don’t have a place in your house to have the party, ask someone who is coming to the party if they have any space. This could be counted as their gift to the bride.”

Vanessa writes: “We used my backyard as the setting.”

Bridal Shower Themes:

Leah writes: “I would start with the bride’s colors and themes and then put together a complete plan from there. I would search out white linens (if you don’t have them, ask mom, grandma, etc… or rent from a party goods store) and use colored paper plates and napkins that relate back to her color scheme.”

April writes: “I am planning a shower for my co-worker. It is a Rustic themed couples shower at my home. We will be grilling (one of the husbands offered to be our chef).

I borrowed mason jars from my mom for drinking glasses. I’m also having the guest write Date Night Ideas on Popsicle sticks to be placed in an antique mason jar for the couple.”

Susan writes: “My daughter’s theme was ‘Classy Country’ as she called it – instead of purchasing glasses we borrowed 3 dozen pint mason jars from a friend and I had 2 dozen and we used those for glasses – serving Lemonade and Iced Tea.”

Southern Sweet Tea Recipe

Jessica writes: “Definitely consider a potluck. Ladies love to bring dishes to share and love it more when you ask them to share a recipe! One of the bridesmaids or the group of them can assemble the recipes into a scrapbook-type recipe book from friends a family.

Consider even making it a theme – food to butter up your spouse, a dish that their spouse is especially fond of or even their go-to dish in a pinch!

Ladies will often bring more than one recipe if requested just in case you have a hard time narrowing it down – it never hurts to ask!

In addition, asking grandmothers, mothers and aunts is a great way to assemble an ecclectic but beautiful group of serving dishes for the things you choose to furnish. After all, who uses their china enough? The more you can tie the bride and grooms parents and extended family in the better for the entire event!”

Charlie writes: “If having a potluck, ask bridesmaids and relatives to bring the recipe in a dish or serving dish the bride can keep.”

Kourtney writes: “I got really cute recipe cards at the dollar store and sent one with each invite for the guest to fill out their favorite recipe for the bride, for her very own cook book.”

Sarah writes: “My bridal shower was great. On the invite everyone was told to make their favorite recipe. They were to buy a new dish to serve it in and a copy of the recipe.

We served all the yummy things people brought. In the end I got to take home all of the new dishes, serving platters, ect. and a recipe box full of delicious treats and meals.”

Easy 9×13 Recipes

Tabitha writes: “Use vintage brooches and attach pieces of paper with guests names to the pins. Guests can wear them as name tags and take the pins home as favors.

Go resale/thrift store shopping for pins. Another fun centerpiece idea is for a tea party buy fun hats with feathers or lace and use them as centerpieces. You can use them as prizes one for each table.”

Barbara writes: “Breaking with tradition can be a lot of fun. We were on a time crunch due to overseas guests and such. So were gathered everyone at a mall. Broke them into women’s teams and men’s teams (bridal shower and bachelor party at the same time). Gave each team a share of the money we would have spent at the shower if traditional, and told them they had 30 minutes to purchase gifts that “could be worn” on a honeymoon.

Must say the best “gifts” were free or very inexpensive. Went next door to a buffet, (everyone paid own way in) and opened the gifts. Prizes for most appropriate, funniest, most outrageous finished the fun.

Not traditional, but very memorable and unique.”

Bridal Shower Decorations:

Laura writes: “For my bridal shower my mother-in-law asked a bunch of women attending to bring their wedding dresses. She hung them up around the room and it looked gorgeous!

It was fun to hear each of the stories behind them (I asked) and each woman was excited to share a little piece of her special day with me. It added a great effect.”

Tabitha writes: “Here are some great tips for saving money: If you have a sewing machine buy two rolls of streamers in different colors. Stagger the ends and then sew using a tight stitch/gather stitch. It will curl the streamers and you have a ruffled look.

Take balloons and hang them using ribbon, thread or yarn upside down from the ceiling or fans. Looks really fun and bright it’s sorta like creating your own chandeliers.”

Yomaira writes: “Sign up for Joann’s coupons through email or text. I often get 40-60% coupons and use them to buy fabric. This fabric can then be used for dessert table or photo booth backdrops and/or table runners.

Purchase flowers, but collect tons of greenery from your very own yard! This will take up lots of space for free without having to buy tons of flowers! Search your local thrift stores for vases, glasses, etc.”

Christina writes: “Decorations, table cloth, plates, cups, cutlery(etc) and game prizes we bought from Dollar Tree. Some of the decorations we were able to carry over into the wedding so that was a double bonus as well.”

Elegant Napkin Rose Fold

Brittany writes: “A lot of bridal showers are thrown in church halls. Before you buy tablecloths, see if they have any extra plastic ones or fabric ones that you can use for free if you agree to launder them. A lot of people who buy supplies for parties they throw at these halls have extra and leave them for the church to use however they like.

My church also has solid color fabric tablecloths that we will loan if the family agrees to wash and fold them before returning them.

You may only spend $10 on the plastic ones from the dollar store, but every dollar counts and the cloth ones will look more elegant anyway.”

Amanda writes: “For a bridal shower we did, we used pictures of them throught their life as centerpieces. WE got really pretty picture frames from the dollar tree, and put the pics in, then we put three to a round table in kind of a triange in the center.

They were a hit. Everyone loved going around and looking at them. And on the food line, and gift table I took some of my beautiful frames with my wedding pics in and borrowed them for the day, went and look up love quotes and printed them on card stock with the shower color. It turned out beautiful!!!”

Vanessa writes: “When I was the maid of honor for my sister, I threw her a Bridal Shower. I used white linens (already had) and used mismatched china from my antique / yard sale finds. We used my backyard as the setting.”

Nicole writes: “As for decorations, I recommend using tissue paper to make round flower like balls to hang from the ceiling for inexpensive decoration and since tissue paper comes in all colors and is sold at most dollar stores, it makes for an easy decoration that doesn’t break the bank.”

DIY Flower Poms: Not only are these absolutely gorgeous, they’re so EASY and thrifty to make, too!

DIY Flower Poms Instructions

Michelle writes: “Right after Valentine’s Day, buy romantic themed items (think hearts)…. hit up Michaels, Hobby Lobby and the Dollar stores.”

Julie writes: “I like to do my own flower arrangements. I purchase the flowers at Sam’s Club for cheap and buy a pretty vase at Hobby Lobby. This way you can choose a pretty vase and flowers that fit your color scheme and your friend will love it.

Another place to look for vases or small gifts for the games would be Ross or TJ Maxx.”

Christine writes: “Fresh flowers on all the tables always looks nice. Just use whatever is in season, and find people that will let you pick them from their yard or find flowers growing wild that you could pick.”

Tinted Mason Jar Vases: These pretty tinted mason jars make the perfect vase for tiny flowers, and look absolutely gorgeous!

How to Tint Mason Jars

Ashli writes: “Tulle is cheap and your best friend, use it with white twinkle lights and some scattered rose petals. A bag of rose petals is very inexpensive and gives you the same effect as a large bouquet.”

Caren writes: “I hosted a bridal shower for my niece, and I think some of finishing touches made it extra special. I went to Walmart and purchased a seasonal candle in a jar (her shower was in the fall) for $1.00, wrapped it in clearphane and tied it with a coordinating bow.

I placed them at each place setting and they looked beautiful.”

Shelby writes: “White flowers, white flowers, white flowers! Mix them up (tulips, roses, carnations, tiger lilies, etc.) with a little greenery from outside. Think outside of the box, putting them in champagne glasses, silver plated water pitchers, sugar bowls, or whatever looks pretty.

Make it simple. Lots of clean, white linen, maybe mirrors to place candles. Don’t forget soft background music.”

Kaylea writes: “Something we did at my cousin’s bridal shower is we took all the bows from the presents and made them into a bouquet to use at the rehearsal! It looked awesome and was something fun to do! That gives you an activity and also it lets you cheap out on getting a real bouquet for your rehearsal!”

Rachel writes: “For a ‘Rehearsal Bow Boquet’, use a paper plate as a base. Cut a slit in the plate to about the center. Cut a hole in the center. Roll the plate into a wide cone leaving some space in the center for ribbons. We have taped or stapled the plate to stay in that shape. Then just tape or staple bows and ribbons to the plate. I like to have the long ribbons stuffed down the center hole to trail or drape.”

Lydia writes: “I’ve been a bride, matron of honor, bridesmaid, and sister of the bride, so I have been to my fair share of bridal showers and have hosted a good many as well. It is such a fun occasion! 

I LOVE pictures… I’m literally obsessed. Whenver I throw a shower I’ll get high quality images from the bride. Engagement pics of the couple is awesome. I’ll buy 5-10 frames from the dollar tree and print off the pictures (no more than $.40/pic) and I’ll set those up around the party area.

Near the gift table, food, ect. I also will print off love quotes, the menu, anything really and put those in the frames. Are the frames not the color you want? Just spray paint! You can pick up a bottle at Walmart or Hobby Lobby (use a 40% coupon!)

Candles are a pretty, elegant touch. Dollar Tree sells packs of them! Dip them in some glitter and they look like expensive ones from Anthro or West Elm. Banners are so cute but the ones you find are so expensive on Etsy. Construction paper, glue, string, glitter and patience is all you need to make your own adorable banners. Ideas: “She Said Yes”, “I Do”, Mr. and Mrs…. ”

Invitations can be expensive. I’m all for the e-vite if that fits your budget. Or for snail mail invites, browse Tiny Prints, Shutterfly, Pinterest, etc. for shower invite inspo and then do your best to replicate the design. Tiny Prints is constantly running 30-40% off promos and if you’re lucky you can grab that and send out their pretty invites! That’s my go-to!

Trader Joe’s has the best prices on flowers. Buy them the day of because you get what you pay for… their flowers tend to die quickly and you want them looking their best. Goodwill and DollarTree have so many vases for cheap! Buy a few bouqets and arrange them yourself. They’ll be unique and gorgeous.

Like my mother in law always taught me, “You can’t mess up fresh flowers.” If you don’t have a Trader Joe’s nearby, Costco and Sam’s Club offers beautiful and high quality flowers for cheaper than Safeway/Kroger/Albertsons etc. Add fresh greenery from your yard.

Also, baby’s breath is an inexpensive option that add a romantic and whimsical touch to arrangements. Don’t stress the small details. The bride will just appreciate how much work and love you put into the party!”

Fun Bridal Shower Games:

Susan writes: “One thing we did at my daughter’s shower was in the invite ask each person to bring a pantry item with them. We had an empty table for them to place them on and blank index cards for them to place their name on – depositing in a bowl.

One name was drawn from that and a $20 gift card was given. They knew ahead of time a gift card would be given. It was so neat to see items that were purchased!!!”

Toilet Paper Bridal Shower Game

Leah writes: “For a game, divide the guests into teams, each team assigns a model, then “designs” a wedding dress out of toilet paper.”

Danielle writes: “I went to a wedding shower last Spring and one of the most memorable things we did was we made wedding dresses out of toilet paper. We were split into groups of four or five and all you had was a roll of toilet paper, a roll of scotch tape, and a half hour to create a wedding dress on one of the people in your group.

The only rule was that you could only use those two things. After the half hour we had something like a fashion show where one person in the group explained the theme so to speak of the dress and after all the dresses were showed the bride-to-be picked her favoite dress and that group got a bag of prizes to split.”

Jody writes: “For my Daughter-in-Law’s Shower I expanded on the Make a Wedding Dress game with a foot of cheap tulle, white kitchen garbage bags, a roll of ribbon, the usual roll of toilet paper, along with tape and scissors at each table.”

Bridal Shower Memory Game

Sarah writes: “At every bridal shower I’ve thrown I put together a Wedding Day Emergency Kit. It includes everything from Advil, deodorant, hair spray and a sewing kit, to batteries, duct tape and rope. You basically include everything that could help in any potential disaster on the big day.

You can get creative, the list can go on and on. (Also, you can pick up a lot of it at the dollar store or if you plan far enough out, pick up a few things here or there so it doesn’t break the bank all at once.)

For the shower, I lay it out on a tray and make a game of it. Walk around the room once and then exit and have all the shower guests write down as many things off the tray they can remember. Whoever gets the most wins a prize. Then it also doubles as your present for the bride on her big day!”

Bridal Survival Kit Ideas

Bridal Shower Clothespin Game

Another fun game is the clothespin shower game! I’ve played this at several showers, and it’s always so much fun!

When guests arrive, hand them each 3 clothespins to attach somewhere to their clothes. When you’re ready to start the shower, announce to your guests that there is a ‘Forbidden Word’ {or you could choose 2 or 3 words} for the entire day. {you could choose something like Bride, Bridesmaid, Honeymoon, Wedding etc.}

If anyone uses that word, the first person to notice can ‘steal’ one of their clothespins.

The guest with the most clothespins at the end of the shower wins a prize! If a guest runs out of clothespins all together, they can say the forbidden word {or words} as much as they’d like for the rest of the day. 🙂

Bridal Shower Game Prizes:

Danielle writes: “For gift bags, we did colorful nail files and scented hand sanitizer from Bath and Body Works. The prizes were cute and useful not to mention they wern’t very expensive.”

April writes: “The prizes for our games were a bag of kettle corn with a tag “he popped the question”, Harry and David pineapple salsa with the tag “sweet and spicy romance” and Andes mints with the tag “they’re mint to be”. “

Mint to Be Gift in a Jar

Brittany writes: “A key to cutting costs is DELEGATE! Have each bridesmaid bring a door prize. I usually use theme baskets, (ice cream, car wash, scrapbooking, gardening, etc.)

Tell them they can spend as much or as little as they like. I usually get a nice turn out because all of the people asked to do one are competing to have the best basket. (They don’t want theirs to be the last one picked from the door prize table.)”

Gardening Gift Ideas

Hillary writes: “We made flower arrangements and then made the arrangements the game prizes! Everyone loves to get flowers!”

Leah writes: “I use pretty plants on the tables and use them as prizes for the games.”

Sheila writes: “I like the idea of potted plants for decoration and you can use them for prizes, it is useful and decorative. Give seeds to remember your shower and with a flower theme or kitchen theme use herbs seeds.”

DIY Wildflower Seed Pods

Collette writes: “If you choose to do favors…make an edible one, like chocolate dipped sugar cookies.”

Wrapped Candy Bars: Another easy bridal shower game prize idea is to wrap candy bars with wedding themed paper and tie a bow with a pretty ribbon. They’re cute, inexpensive, and everyone loves chocolate! 🙂

Wrapped Candy Bar Ideas

Susan writes: “A cute favor we did was just packs of gum wrapped in wrapping paper the theme of the shower – or the color. Wrap individual packs of gum – tie ribbons – done. “

Lydia writes: “If you are into “jamming” or canning, send your guests home with some homemade jam. Use some ribbon that matches the wedding colors and a little “thank you” tag and you’re set!

This is a great gift if it will be a large shower because you can make a large pot of the jam. Another gift goes along with the mason jar look…. you can create your own bath scrub. Sugar, coconut oil, and essential oils in the flavor you choose. This is always a fun and girly hit!”

Bridal Shower Food Ideas:

Jenny writes: “Ask each bridesmaid to bring a dish or an appetizer. That way you don’t have to do all of the cooking!”

Shelby writes: “Go to Costco or Sam’s Club and get a bag of semi sweet chocolate chips and a huge box of fresh strawberries. Make chocolate dipped strawberries AHEAD of time and chill. For more effect, drizzle a little white chocolate on each with a fork. Yum! Always looks elegant.

Serve with a variety of “tea” sandwiches (chicken salad with almonds and raisins, egg salad, cucumber salad – thin sliced cucumbers with a greek yogurt spread). You can make these in advance, serve chilled as well. Add a few bowls of nuts and Hershey’s Kisses.”

Easy Chocolate Covered Strawberries

Ashli writes: “A few ideas for simple foods… If your budget doesn’t allow for champagne or if you don’t drink, then get sparkling cider and add a raspberry in the bottom of each glass. The color and bubbles are really pretty and very elegant! 

Cutting sandwiches into small tea-sized wedges is budget friendly and simple. Tuna salad, chicken salad, cucumber and cream cheese, the possibilities are endless.

Add a tray of seasonal fresh fruit and fresh veggies for a simple and economical spread. Finally, instead of a bakery cake, cut brownies into small bites and place them in little candy papers for presentation. Put them on pedestals for added effect.”

Kathy writes: “I just came across this post and thought I would add my ideas for others that stumble upon it. I am having a bridal shower for my daughter in May.

I decided to have a brunch for a few reasons. Having a brunch allows people to still have the better part of the day after the shower, and brunch food (if done right) can be less expensive than lunch or dinner foods.

For serving dishes I went to all the Goodwill stores within a 25 mile radius to my house. I was able to get sterling silver serving ware and various cut galss and crytal dishes. I also was able to get enough glasses. The plates and silverware I already had. “

Leah writes: “Brunch is always nice to serve and economical – think egg casserole, fruit salad and croissants – things you can make ahead, and that you can purchase the ingredients for little money.”

Easy Bacon Hash Brown Egg Casserole

Kris writes: “Food is a big expense at any party. The more you can do yourself the cheaper the party will be in the long run. You could make the shower a recipe shower to help with the food. Ask everyone to prepare a dish to be served, and include the recipe to be placed into a recipe box for the bride-to-be.

In addition to this, ask everyone to bring one of the spices used in their recipe and have a basket for them to be placed in on the gift table. This will make a nice spice cabinet starter for the bride-to-be.

Also, make your own desserts. Make small desserts such as mini cupcakes or brownies and place in little cupcake liners to make them more presentable.”

Caren writes: ” I made chicken salad and put it in a beautiful serving bowl lined with lettuce, and then had a tray with different breads (croissants, rolls,etc.) Made two other salads, and a dessert and it was an elegant luncheon that was not very expensive.”

Christina writes: “We didn’t have it catered we made baked penne, bought from a restaurant supply store italian beef and rolls, had salad, chips & dip, veggie tray, fruit tray and a cake. Some friends offered to help make some of the appetizers so this wasn’t included in the price. For beverages we had punch, coffee, tea and water.”

Lydia writes: “If you’re on a budget, a caterer is out of the question. I had a catered shower thrown for me and while it was fantastic, it was no better than non catered showers. You’re not feeding people a meal. Keep it simple and make a few appetizers, fruits and veggies yourself. Opt for punch, water, tea if you need to save a few (“cough* a lot of) dollars. “

30 Easy Party Punch Recipes

Kourtney writes: “For an earlier shower, you could serve brunch with juice, cinnamon rolls and fruit. For a late afternoon shower, serve a veggie tray and snacks.”

Marci writes: “For the food: grab a cakemix and whip up some cupcakes. This is super simple, frost them and garnish them with fruit like strawberries or, with whatever fits the theme.

Take Ritz Crackers, make or buy some cream cheese spread, put it on the cracker then garnish with a sliced olive, cheese, tomatoes etc. Pickles, crackers, cheese and meat is also an easy option… OR get ice cream, cherries, chocolate syrup, heart shaped sprinkles, sliced fruit nuts, and any chocolate bars or candy and make sundaes.

You can buy darling little cups or bowls at Dollar Tree. For drinks: punch, tea (hot or cold), and iced coffee is so easy to make”

Michelle writes: “Serving finger foods and appetizers is the easiest and least expensive. Round up the Bridesmaids for help.”

Brittany writes: “I am a professional event planner and I can give you some inside tips. A lot of showers I throw have sandwich platters. I can tell you first hand that ordering the platter from the grocery store deli IS less expensive than trying to do it yourself. (I worked in a deli for a year also.)

The workers there will want the tray to look beautiful so we often fill it up with more than the approximate number of slices because we put our names on it as to who prepared it and we want it to look the best.

Also, they usually put a free pound of salad in the middle, like potato or macaroni. They garnish it with romaine lettuce, grape tomatoes and olives, and this stuff will all cost you a fortune. The prices on the order sheet look hefty, but trust me, you’ll get more than your money worth! (This is true for their fruit and veggie platters as well.)”

Now, I’ve got even more Bridal Shower and Wedding inspiration that I know you’re gonna love.

Have some fun exploring these creative tips…

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So What Are Your Favorite Bridal Shower Ideas?

Got a fun idea for games, themes, food, or decor?

Leave a comment & share!