11 bridal shower themes the bride-to-be will love
A bridal shower is an enchanting day for any bride-to-be. In addition to the free-flowing libations, it’s a day where she’s celebrated and showered with gifts and love from family and friends.
Whether you’re the mother of the bride, the future mother-in-law, a favorite aunt, or an old friend, a challenging (but rewarding) task lies ahead. You have been given the responsibility of organizing an unforgettable bridal shower that goes beyond the fantastic gifts.
What can really set the future bride’s shower apart from the rest is a perfect theme, and we’ve compiled a list of 11 bridal shower theme ideas that tastefully do just that.
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1. Chromatic colors shower
Use your bride’s favorite color as the focal point of the shower. Personally, we fancy pale pink as the perfect theme color, flush with various shades of pink balloons, pale pink table linens, and an elegant pink invitation to set the tone for the bridal party. (Bonus points if guests wear pink, too.)
“Drawing Room” by Paperless Post. Image via Rebecca Yale.
2. “Bridgerton” bridal shower
Now that the bride-to-be has found the Simon to her Daphne, it’s time to set the Regency-core stage. Break out the puff-sleeve dresses, curly updos, and lace gloves.
But a regency party isn’t just about the attire. Invite guests with “Bridgerton”-esque invitations and create the perfect aesthetic with the following:
- Lace placemats
- Pastel accent colors for decorations
- A variety of colorful floral arrangements at each table
- Boxes of macarons for each guest
3. Tea party shower
Whoever said tea parties should end after childhood obviously never attended a bridal shower tea party. With bold florals, trays of delicate finger foods, and detailed accents like floral plates and teacups, the future Mrs. can relive some of her best childhood memories during her perfect bridal shower, and make new ones with her closest friends and family.
Be sure to choose an aptly-themed bridal shower invitation to establish the tone. Some brides prefer a classic British tea party affair, while others would rather have a cozy afternoon cuppa with Alice and the Mad Hatter.
Image via Kathrin Krok; “Script Bridal Shower” by Paper Source for Paperless Post.
4. Winter wonderland shower
For brides who never get tired of wearing puffer coats, seeing fresh snowy blankets on the front lawn, and singing Christmas carols, a winter wonderland bridal shower decoration idea might be the perfect match.
You can start by sending the perfect winter-themed invitations. Next, turn your venue into a winter wonderland with some of these frosty and fun decoration (and snack) ideas:
- Centerpieces: Fill glass cylinders with glittery “snow”-tipped pine cones.
- Table runners: It might be winter, but that doesn’t mean your table runners can’t be cozy. A faux fur table runner helps to add a wintry cottage feel to your bridal shower scene.
- Hot chocolate bar: You can make everyone’s winter wonderland dreams come true with a hot chocolate bar, full of tasty toppings to sprinkle on top of their hot cocoa. You can go classic with marshmallows, whipped cream, or even chocolate truffles but don’t be afraid to get a little out there. Try offering shaved coconut, cayenne pepper, or even ice cream and mint liqueur to kick your cocoa game up a notch.
5. Bridal brunch shower
If the bride cherishes her regular brunch-and-gab with her closest pals, then consider how much she’ll love a bridal brunch in her honor.
Here are a few tips to consider when you begin planning the best brunch of her life:
- Location: Think about whether you’d like to host the brunch at a particular restaurant or venue, or if you prefer to decorate your place for an at-home brunch extravaganza.
- Dress code: Let’s be honest, wearing your newest and trendiest brunch attire is one of the most fun aspects of brunch. Be sure to include the dress code in the bridal shower invitations so everyone can dress to impress.
- Invitations: Give everyone plenty of notice with online invitations that allow them to easily RSVP.
- Food and drink: We can’t say this enough—mimosa, mimosa, and more mimosa (and the bride-to-be’s favorite brunch food menu items). Some good bridal shower food ideas could include setting up a doughnut wall or a waffle station—yum.
“Allegro” by Kelly Wearstler for Paperless Post; “Together Forever” Photo Props available in the Party Shop.
6. Hollywood-era shower
Roll out the red carpet for your guests and the bride-to-be with a Hollywood-themed bridal shower. You can even choose a decade to prescribe guests’ ensembles or give them free rein to wear their favorite upscale attire from the decade they jive with the most.
As this is a Hollywood affair, it’s only fitting to have photo props available to take some movie premiere-worthy selfies.
7. Garden party shower
Whether the bride is known for adding a new plant to her collection every week or she simply appreciates a well-manicured garden, we bet she’d be tickled green with a garden bridal shower.
You can start by sending out garden-themed invitations. Then, plan the colorful floral decorations, including:
- Modern floral plates (in a variety of colors)
- A floral-inspired photobooth
- A flower crown as a party favor for each guest
- A DIY flower bar so guests can create handcrafted seasonal bouquets
Image by Jami Laree; “Wild Pansy” by Oscar de la Renta for Paperless Post.
8. Til death do us part shower
If your bride is more Wednesday Addams than Disney Princess, lean into her spooky side! You know what that means—pumpkins, witches, and ghouls. Whether you’re planning a spooky-themed bridal shower or prefer a softer “pumpkin spice and everything nice” vibe, prepare to get out the gourds and prepare for a witchin’ good time.
For simple (but very effective) Halloween decorations, you can opt for:
- Dark Skulls banner
- Black and white tableware, like these adorable napkins
- Vintage cups, and of course, a goblet for the bride.
If you really want to keep things on the bridal party theme, procure a black veil for the bride-to-be to wear.
9. Couple’s shower
Keep it inclusive with a couple’s shower, whether there are two brides, two grooms, or a bride and groom who want to celebrate together in a nontraditional way.
Before sending out the invites, consider these couple’s shower themes that are sure to please both parties:
- I do (love) BBQ: Bust out the grill and prepare for a memorable night with beer, barbecue, and a boisterous good time.
- Let’s taco-bout love: Salute the happy couple’s favorite food and drink with a DIY taco bar and margaritas aplenty.
- Wanderlust: For a globe-trotting twosome, create an adventure-themed couple’s shower complete with photos from their past travels and foods from around the globe.
- Celebrate and tailgate: Do the dearly beloved root for rival teams? Load up the coolers with an array of drinks, set up a hot dog booth, and most importantly, make sure everyone wears their team jersey.
“Sip, Sip, Syrah” by Cheree Berry Paper & Design for Paperless Post; Image via Anthropologie.
10. Stock the bar bridal shower
From wine to whiskey, why not give a multi-hour Salud to the bride-to-be with a boozy shower that concludes with a fully stocked bar for the couple? Ask guests to bring a bottle of the bride’s favorite wine or liquor in lieu of more traditional gifts and hire a bartender to create a few signature drinks for everyone to sip throughout the festivities.
If you’re interested in giving guests the creative freedom to craft their own cocktails, consider some of these DIY bars for inspiration:
- Rosé bar: With a sign that says “she said rosé” surrounded by pink posies and roses, how can anyone resist a glass?
- Margarita mixing station: Fill up your pitchers with a variety of chilled juices surrounded by premium tequila bottles, fresh fruit, and flavored salts to garnish the finished festive creation.
- Snack bar: Don’t forget to load up on the grab-and-go cocktail snacks. From bacon-wrapped figs to mini crab cakes with a chili dipping sauce, let your taste buds go wild.
11. Lingerie shower
If you’re the bride’s mother or her future mother-in-law, you might want to cover your eyes for this one (or embrace it—your choice!).
For a playful and steamy lingerie shower, set the sexy vibes with an aptly themed lingerie shower invitation. Then, jazz up the venue with some alluring aesthetics depending on the bride’s personal taste. You can keep it elegant or choose decor that’s a little on the risqué side.
In addition to the liberating libations, half the fun of a lingerie shower is the party games that loosen everyone up. If you’re itching for ideas, give one of these a try:
- As the bride opens her bridal shower gifts, have her guess which guest gave her each one.
- Have each guest anonymously (or not!) write down their best bedroom tip for the bride.
“Mimosas Flowing” Flyer by Paperless Post.
Paperless Post: Your go-to for show-stopping shower invitations
After you’ve selected a theme with a hefty sprinkle of panache for the deserving bride-to-be, it’s time to choose a card with an equal amount of gusto. After all, you want the RSVPs to come pouring in left and right, right?
At Paperless Post, we have hundreds of bridal shower invitation designs to choose from, including from some of your favorite designers like Oscar de la Renta, kate spade new york, Stephanie Fishwick, and so many more. Or send a more casual animated Flyer invite, customized with the bride-to-be’s favorite gif.
All of our invitations include the ability to track RSVPs in an instant, giving you the power to plan the bridal shower of her dreams. And because we know that gifts are an important piece of the bridal shower puzzle, you can also add a registry Block so guests can easily narrow down their search for “the perfect gift.”
Shower the bride with all of the love (and waffle makers) she deserves—starting with the invitations. Need help figuring out your bridal shower invitation wording? We’ve got you covered.
Find beautiful, customizable shower invitations the bride-to-be will love.
