The food and drink at a bridal shower are usually the main focus. But what if you spiced things up with fun DIY projects and unique themes?
Go for a tea party theme complete with scones, sandwiches and pretty china. You could even add a cute touch with floral ice cubes.
1. Create a Donut Wall
Donuts are irresistible to most, and make for a fun, creative bridal shower decoration that doubles as an edible centerpiece. Whether you choose to hang donuts on the wall by rows, columns, diagonals or another pattern, it’s a sweet way to greet guests and encourage everyone to snap photos for Instagram!
You can purchase a donut wall kit that makes this DIY project super easy, or go the DIY route by taking out the back of large photo frames and attaching wooden pegs. To keep the donuts looking extra clean, use paper doilies to cover the pegs. To avoid cutting a hole in the center, find the middle of each doily and cut a small “X” in it (less than 1 inch across).
If you’re hosting a brunch- or breakfast-inspired bridal shower, add fruit tarts and berry parfaits to your dessert table as an alternative to doughnuts. You can also create a candy bar by ordering bulk sweets in your party color palette and placing them in pretty glass vases for display. Simple door games, like guessing the number of kisses in a vase, are another great way to keep the energy up and guests engaged! You can even have “would she rather bridal shower game questions” for everyone to have fun.
2. Create an Instagram-Friendly Drink Station
The bridal shower doesn’t have to be a total snoozefest. Get creative with fun games and activities to entertain the bride and her guests. A classic game like “Guess the Shoes” is perfect for a bridal shower because it involves comparing the bride-to-be’s shoe size to her partner’s. This activity is sure to have everyone laughing.
Another fun game is the “What Will She Do Next?” quiz. This fill-in-the-blanks game is a hilarious way to see which of the bride’s friends and family knows her best. It’s also a great way to give the bride-to-be wedding advice from her close friends and family.
Make the most of your drink station by decorating it to match your party theme. For example, a flower-themed bridal shower would feature a DIY floral wall for a colorful and cheerful bar setup. Alternatively, you could create a rustic-inspired beverage station by sprucing up a set of jam jars with twine and paper straws in your party colorway.
Guests will love these cute and practical favors, which double as a pretty bridal shower decoration. You can find bulk candy online in your theme’s color palette and arrange it in glass jars, or simply purchase a set of small vases to use for the display.
3. Create a Photo Wall
Create a fun photo wall to give the bride-to-be a keepsake of her friends and family. Use a large frame and hang photos in it for the bridal party, or get creative with a DIY option like this: String together fishing wire and balloons of different colors, then tie them to a swag-hung ceiling or other surface (you’ll need a helium tank or pump or enlist some extra lung power). Add bulk candy to the display for an easy decoration that doubles as sweet favors.
If the bridal party loves to take pictures, set up a photo booth area with a patterned backdrop and a collection of cute props, such as flower crowns and veils, that are easily made out of iridescent gift wrap. You can also offer a variety of colors, shades, and sheens of metallic confetti for guests to throw around as a pretty touch of sparkle throughout the event.
Give the bride-to-be a taste of luxury by hiring a sommelier to host a wine tasting at her shower. Guests can sample wines from a specific region or around the world while learning something new and enjoying some tasty treats. Then serve mini bottles of the featured drinks as wedding favors for a thoughtful touch.
4. Create a DIY Banner
A simple DIY banner is a fun and easy way to bring your bridal shower theme to life. You can choose to create a word or message for the banner, and it is best to use letters that are similar in size so that the words are easier to read.
This banner can be created with scrap paper or even fabric, and you will need a glue stick, scissors, and some ribbons or old buttons for embellishment. To string the letters, simply make a slip knot around each one and tie to a strand of twine. If you are using ribbon, leave a little extra length on each end so that you can trim and hang the banner.
Consider using a mix of colors, sizes, and shapes to create a more eclectic and unique design. You can also use different types of materials to make the banner, including lace, burlap, and hessian.
A great way to make your bridal shower feel more personal is by incorporating activities and games that speak to the bride-to-be’s hobbies, interests, and passions. For example, if she loves to bake, you could host a cupcake decorating station, or if she’s into fashion and style, you could set up a dress-up station or a styling workshop.
5. Create a Macaron Wall
If you want to add some color to your bridal shower, try this easy DIY. Purchase a metallic foil fringe curtain from your local party supply store and string some twine around it to create an Instagram-worthy backdrop for photos. For an added touch, include a few silly props like the bride-to-be’s favorite sunglasses to encourage guests to get creative with their selfies.
A few simple bridal shower games can keep the energy up and the laughs rolling throughout the event. Whether it’s a classic game of Mad Libs or a fill-in-the-blanks wedding vows game, these fun activities are sure to be crowd-pleasers.
Adding some floral patterns and bright, pastel colors to your bridal shower can really make it pop. Incorporate flowers into the tablescape, place settings, and even the cake. And if the guest-of-honor loves brunch, offer an array of delicious breakfast bites like fruit tarts and berry parfaits.
Show your guest-of-honor how much she means to you by including favors that are personalized with her name. These scented soap bars are made with shea butter and come in 6 different fragrance options. They also come with a customizable tag that you can use to write a personal message to the bride-to-be.
6. Create a Book Wall
If you’re looking for a way to spice up your bridal shower without going over budget, consider creating a book wall. Whether you’re incorporating it as part of your decor or setting up an activity, this book display will be a crowd pleaser. Choose a variety of books with a common theme, like romance novels, or even a specific title that you know the bride loves.
If your guest of honor wants to get a bit crafty, give her a chance to paint at her shower by setting up a painting station. Guests can create their own canvas and take home the finished product as a keepsake.
For an easy, playful party game that will have the bride-to-be laughing, hand each guest three Post-it(r) Super Sticky Notes. Ask them to write one thing they love about the bride on each note – two things should be true and one of the statements should be a lie. Then, hang all of the notes up on a wall and have everyone guess which statement is the lie.
If you want to make the bride-to-be feel like she’s escaping on her honeymoon, set up a tropical themed bridal shower in an outdoor space. Have guests sip on coconut drinks and wear leis to set the mood, or if you’re planning to host the party indoors, add some Hawaiian decor like tiki torches to your backdrop.
7. Create a Photo Booth
A photo booth is an easy way to entertain your guests and add a fun element of festivity to the event. Make a backdrop to match the theme of your bridal shower, or scavenge your own items for kitschy props like hats, glasses, signs and other gimmicks that will inspire the bride-to-be’s friends and family to unleash their inner ham.
You can use foam board or a sheet of plain paper to make the backdrop. Add a few balloon letters (available at most dollar stores) or a customized banner with the bride-to-be’s name and wedding date to make it more personalized.
Alternatively, you can pass out baskets of disposable cameras for people to take photos as they wander the party. This is also a good way to get more natural pictures and avoid having to worry about digital storage or editing later on.
If you want a more structured photo experience, you can set up a station with a photographer to take professional wedding-related pictures on the spot. These can be printed out as strips of photos for your guests to keep and share. Another great option is to offer a calligraphy workshop, where a skilled expert will teach the bride-to-be’s guests how to write beautiful script for her envelopes and thank-you notes.