Decorating Ideas For Bridal Shower

Make a List, Check It Twice

Who should you invite? When should invitations go out? What time should gifts be opened? Snag all of our top bridal shower hosting tips, plus download a free printable checklist planner below.

Pick a Theme

To make party planning a breeze, choose a theme that reflects the bride's personality. If she knows every line to a particular John Hughes flick, layer the room with pink banners and garlands for a pretty-in-pink look that would impress Molly Ringwald herself. Keep scrolling to snag more of our favorite bridal shower themes.

MORE IDEAS: HGTV's Ultimate Wedding Shower Guide

Backyard Bridal Barbeque

Save a little money and create an unforgettable day by hosting a laid-back and relaxed bridal shower in your own backyard. A buffet-style barbeque menu, farmhouse-inspired decor and fresh-fruit centerpieces combine for a rustic-chic atmosphere and all around good time.

PLAN IT: How to Host a Backyard Barbecue Wedding Shower

Flower Arranging Party

You can't think about weddings without thinking about wedding flowers. Consider throwing a fun-filled, flower-arranging bridal shower where guests design and create a mock bridal bouquet for themselves, a vase arrangement or even their own trendy flower crown. The options are endless!

PLAN IT: Celebrate Spring With a Flower-Arranging Party

Stock the Bar

A couples shower is a great opportunity for a classic stock-the-bar party where invited guests aim to do just that — stock the newlyweds-to-be's bar with bottles of alcohol, mixers, glassware, bar accessories and more.

PLAN IT: How to Host a Stock-The-Bar Wedding Shower

All-White Bliss

Say 'I Do' to the classic bridal theme of all white. A gorgeous centerpiece of trendy white blooms is the perfect accent. To really play up this theme, have your guests dress in all white, too!

DIY Etching Event

For an out-of-the-box couple's shower idea, consider hosting a DIY etching event. It's as easy as adhesive stencil film and a craft knife. So gather a group and get to personalizing your wine glasses, champagne flutes or even just a plain old vase.

PLAN IT: How to Throw a DIY Glass Etching Party

Poolside Party

Bridal showers don't always have to be a formal event. Make a splash by hosting a poolside shindig instead. Add in free-flowing floral arrangements and chic tassel garlands for a fun, summery look.

Cozy Cabin Weekend

A cabin getaway in the mountains is fitting for the nature-loving guest of honor. Plan activities to make the weekend feel like an extended slumber party.

Food Truckin'

For a wedding shower that is far from typical, a food-truck theme is the perfect way to celebrate with the bride and groom in a fun, casual setting. The mobile restaurant allows guests to grab delicious bites at their leisure, without putting the brakes on mixing and mingling.

MORE IDEAS: 7 Out-of-the-Box Wedding Shower Themes

I Dos & Coastal Blues

If the honoree fancies soaking up rays by the waves, bring the calming ocean to wherever you may be with a coastal-themed shower. Nautical nods, like a blue and white color palette, create a breezy feel for any seaside lover.

PLAN IT: How to Host a Beach-Themed Wedding Shower

Aloha Paradise

Bring the paradise of a honeymoon to the shower with a festive, tropical theme. A warm-weather buffet adds fresh fun while guests' colorful attire ties the theme together.

PLAN IT: A Tropical Garden Bridal Shower

Blushing Brunch

Soft touches like a pink-and-green color palette combine with woodsy decor and a s'mores station for a delicious brunch bash.

PLAN IT: How to Host a Brunch Wedding Shower

Set the Table

If you're hosting a fancy affair or an intimate gathering of just 5-10 people, go above and beyond with gorgeous, handcrafted place settings to match your theme, like this vintage yellow and gold setup.

SEE MORE: Love Wins: Wow Guests With a Rainbow-Themed Vintage Table Setting

Glitzy Glasses

Make ordinary champagne glasses feel and look special with a sparkly sugar rim. Dip the rims into corn syrup and then into large crystal sugar (in a coordinating color to the decor) for an unforgettable mimosa.

Easy-to-Make Menu Cards

Menu cards aren't just for fancy events anymore. Add upscale elegance to the tablescape with DIY menu cards made from cardstock and ribbon that will get guests excited about the meal to come.

Stretch One Bouquet

Our number one money-saving tip? Source foraged greenery and filler flowers from your yard, then fill in the gaps with a single bouquet of florist blooms from the grocery store.

Wintry Wonderland

Throwing a shower in the chillier months? Add a little whimsy to your winter table by suspending pine and berry clippings in a variety of glass bottles filled with water. Place tapered candles into the bottle openings to create a serene, illuminated centerpiece.

MORE FROM: Throw a Stylish Winter Solstice Party

Zesty Nuptials

For a sunny, outdoor bridal gathering, a citrus-themed tablescape is the way to go. Fresh orange halves add a vibrant addition to the summery centerpieces.

MORE FROM: Throw Mom a Colorful Alfresco Lunch

Throne for a Queen

Make the bride-to-be feel extra special at her bridal shower and elevate any table setting by using a large statement chair as a bridal throne. A velvet pillow takes this throne to another level of luxury.

Give the Shower a Hashtag, Too!

Don't forget to create a social media hashtag for the event. Have the guests add the hashtag to any posts so the couple can take a look back at the special day later on.

LEARN MORE: 14 Tips for Crafting a One-of-A-Kind Wedding Hashtag

Say Cheese

Grab your girls and snap some pics with this trendy DIY photo booth. Don't forget to use the event hashtag when posting on social media.

MAKE IT: DIY Balloon Photo Booth

Dreamy Backdrop

You can't go wrong with an oh-so-chic station for guests to mingle, snap pictures and create memories together. Why not make it totally Instagram worthy as well? Recreate this dreamy backdrop using string, ribbon and wax paper. MAKE IT

DIY Balloon Garland

Take your party decor to the next level by creating a budget-friendly balloon garland focal piece. Using balloons of different shapes, sizes and colors, bring life to an otherwise bland space for less than $15.

BUY IT: $14.89

Balloon Floral Tassel

Lend a little whimsy to the special day with floating florals. Greenery and baby's breath attach to balloon strings to make these festive hanging garlands. For an added sparkly touch, attach to confetti-filled balloons. MAKE IT

Go for the Gold

Liquid gold leaf can make just about anything look glamorous — including ordinary balloons. Let these gilded beauties float around your reception to add some sparkle to the atmosphere. MAKE IT

Spruce Up Store-Bought Items

You don't have to be a pro baker to create desserts that are both delicious and look like a million bucks. Just pick up readymade treats from your favorite bakery then embellish with a few craft-store supplies — like paper straws, twine and cardstock pennants.

Running Late? Snag These Last-Minute Decorations

Is the shower just a few days away and you've run out of time to DIY? Head to Amazon for our favorite last-minute decor picks, from trendy tassel streamers to photo props.

SEE MORE: 12 Last-Minute Bridal Shower Decorations From Amazon

Thank You in Advance

Want to make the guest of honor's life easier? Set up a thank you card area. As guests arrive, have each person write his or her name and address on a blank envelope and add a stamp. As the guest of honor opens gifts, the host will note the gift and gift-giver on an index card. At the end of the party, the index cards are slipped into the corresponding envelopes along with a blank card for the newlyweds to take home.

Create a Party Playlist

Get your groove on by creating a party playlist tailored to the couple's tastes. Ask the pair for a list of their favorite tunes, or songs that hold special meaning to them, as a way to celebrate their love.

Wedding Ring Toss

Take the party outside with this classic yard game. Find an opponent and take turns tossing all of the rings to see who can land the most on the bottles. Print out our ring toss scorecards to keep track of the fun.

Who Knows Best?

Challenge guests to a little game of trivia about the couple-to-be. All it requires is our free printable trivia page and a pen for each guest. Don't forget to have the bride and groom fill one out with the correct answers beforehand, then let the fun begin!

Tie-the-Knot Jenga

Take this classic game to the next level by paring guests up and having them challenge another couple. The twist: Tie the couples' hands together to make it more challenging. Last couple standing wins.

Blast From the Past

Turn baby pictures of the honoree into a fun, light-hearted shower game. Have the guests guess the age of the bride in each picture. Closest person to all the correct answers, wins! Pro tip: This is also a great focal point and conversation starter!

Date Night Jar

Switch things up a bit and have each guest write their favorite date night idea on mini wood blocks when they arrive at the shower. Place the cubes in a decorative jar and give to the happy couple as a sweet and memorable keepsake full of fun activities and date-night ideas.

With this Ring

If you've ever played the clothespin game at a baby shower, then the concept of this game will be very familiar. When guests arrive at the shower, have them put on a novelty ring and read the rules. The guest with the most rings at the end of the shower wins.

DIY Wedding Dress Face-Off

Watch out dress designers! This toilet paper wedding dress game will steal the show. Provide each guest with enough toilet paper to fashion a mock bridal dress. Then, have everyone strut their stuff in a runway show for all.

Memory Lane

Take a trip down memory lane. Have each bridal shower guest fill out one of these printable memory cards with a favorite memory of the honoree. Have the bride read each memory out loud to see if she can guess who wrote the memory. While there isn't an actual winner in this game, everyone will enjoy hearing the special stories.

Provide a Buffet

Serving food buffet-style is the way to go for any get together. This allows for guests to mingle and help themselves to their choice of selections. Step it up a notch with personalized utensil holders with the couple's initials displayed.

Affordable Finger Foods

A delicious bite-size appetizer, easy crostini allows you to get creative with as many flavor combinations or assorted toppings as you like without breaking the bank. Why not give some of these topping ideas a try?

MORE IDEAS: 60 Easy Party Food Ideas That Won't Break the Bank

Serve It on a Stick

Facilitate mess-free mingling with delightful hors d'oeuvres guests will rave about. Check out our list of best bites below, from fancy pretzels and beer cheese to sweet chocolate churros.

MORE IDEAS: 36 Party Foods You Can Serve on a Stick

A Taco Fiesta

Forget about that four-course meal. Trust us when we say, guests will be grateful that you opted for fresh-off-the-grill, authentic Mexican tacos instead. Go one step further and hire a food truck to cater your fiesta.

Beer Tasting, Anyone?

Calling all craft beer lovers! A tasting station is a fun and unique way to welcome guests at your couple's shower. Provide tasting cards and let them discover a new favorite brew while celebrating the newlyweds-to-be. Download our printable beer-tasting cards, then snag more ideas below.

See More: How to Host a Stock-the-Garage Wedding Shower

Mimosa Bar

Did someone say brunch? Create the bubbly station of your dreams by pairing the bride's favorite sparkling wine with an assortment of juices and fresh fruit.

MAKE IT: Spring Sips: Set Up a Sparkling Wine Cocktail Bar

Frosty Florals

Turn your ice cubes into a field of florals with edible flower petals. The trick to beautiful, crystal-clear cubes is boiling the water before freezing. Just be careful when choosing your soon-to-be-consumed petals by making sure the variety is edible.

MAKE IT: How to Make Perfect Floral Ice for Your Spring Soiree

Matrimony Mocktails

Bring the look of fun, colorful cocktails to non-alcoholic party drinks. A splash of cranberry juice added to orange-flavored sparkling water gives this drink a coral hue. Rim each glass with sugar and garnish with an orange wedge to evoke an adult-beverage aesthetic.

MORE IDEAS: 10 Mocktail Recipes

Harvest Sangria

Keep hosting duties to a minimum and whip up a batch of this delectable sangria featuring red wine, whiskey and vibrant fruits. Pro tip: keep a second (or third!) batch in the fridge ready to serve, because this sweet sip goes fast.

MAKE IT: Fall Sangria Recipe

DIY Monogram Cake

Made with layers of sponge cake and buttercream frosting decorated with edible flowers and sugar pearls, this special cake makes a lovely focal point and is a sweet way to celebrate a new last name.

MAKE IT: How to Make a Pretty, Floral Monogram Cake

Yes Way, Rosé

Served chilled, these wine-infused cuties are an elegant way to toast the couple while enjoying moist pound cake wrapped in boozy white chocolate mousse. Cheers! MAKE IT

DIY Donut Board

This DIY donut board is an inexpensive but memorable, trendy way to present treats. It's especially cute and cozy when displayed with a coffee bar during cool, crisp autumn weather. Have a piece of pegboard cut to size at your local home improvement store, give it a coat of non-toxic paint, then add small dowels for hanging.

Mini Banana Puddings

Combine layers of vanilla pudding, banana slices and melt-in-your-mouth wafers for a crowd-pleasing, miniature take on a classic Southern dessert.

MAKE IT: Banana Pudding Parfait Recipe

Bar Cart Dessert Buffet

Turn a thrifted or unused bar cart into a chic, eye-catching dessert or drink buffet, dressing it up with a vase of lush, fresh blooms and a lavish vine of ivy.

Dessert-to-Go: Fancy Dipped Strawberries

These homemade dipped strawberries are simple to make and to embellish in the shower's theme colors. Serve as dessert or send home in to-go boxes as a sweet "thank you."

MAKE IT: 5 Easy Ways to Make Fancy Chocolate-Covered Strawberries

A Little Thank You

A mini potted succulent is a party favor each partygoer is sure to enjoy. For a special touch, plant succulents in colored gravel or sand to match your theme. Not sure where to buy succulents? Grab them in bulk for cheap by clicking the link below.

BUY IT: Amazon, $79.99, Set of 40

Fizzy Favors

Gone are the days of bubbles and mints. Attach festive straws to mini bottles of champagne for a poppin' alternative.

MORE IDEAS: 88 DIY Wedding Favors Your Guests Will Love