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Bridal shower parties are a sweet way to cheer on the bride before her wedding. Maybe you’re the maid of honor, feeling lost on where to start, or a friend who wants to make it special without breaking the bank. No worries – this guide solves that by sharing easy steps, fresh ideas, and tips to plan a bridal shower that’s fun, memorable, and full of love.
What Is a Bridal Shower Anyway?
A bridal shower is a party given for a bride-to-be with family and friends to “shower” her with gifts and good wishes. Most showers are held a few months before a wedding. Shower parties aren’t just for brides anymore; many couples have a joint shower these days.
The function of the bridal shower is to help the future bride stock up on things she needs for her home, or some fun experiences. When it comes down to it (and in my experience of the showers I have been to), it is the little touches that put a sparkle on things. For example, my cousin ran a shower for her daughter, and she put up a photo booth with old pictures of family members that everyone got a kick out of!
A Quick Look at Bridal Shower History
Bridal showers started in Europe in the 1500s! Back in those days, if a father didn’t approve of the groom, they might withhold the dowry (money or items given as part of marriage). Friends would step in and shower the bride with gifts to start her life.
Then, in the 1800s, it came to America, taking the form of a tea party and gifts. Today in 2025, they are much more fun and modern! A bridal shower can have themes, games, and include the groom and guys.
This history is an interesting perspective and demonstrates how tradition is still a part of a ceremony, but it develops into something more based on experiences and support for the bride and her excitement.
Bridal Shower Trends for 2025
Trends help to keep things new and current. In 2025, bridal showers will be personal and eco-friendly. One trend that is taking over right now is the Taylor Swift-themed party with a bracelet-making station and games based on songs from her albums.
Bows are all the rage! Think “She’s Tying the Knot,” but everything is decked out in pink bows. Outdoor adventures for travel-loving brides will be on the rise — “Adventure Awaits.”
Couple showers are becoming more prevalent now, including the groom in on the action for fun. And, a sustainable option like reusable decor is a great way to be kind to the earth.
I love a lot of these trends, being a mix of old and new. For instance, in a recent shower I helped with, we did a bow theme, but made the bows from recycled paper, and they were super cute and sustainable!
Picking the Best Bridal Shower Themes
Themes make planning a blast and easy! Pick a theme that fits the bride-to-be’s style.
Simple ideas like classic garden tea parties with flowers, tea sets, and feminine accents are always timeless. However, if the bride-to-be has a more glam style, go with a “Champagne and Pearls” theme with bubbly champagne drinks and pearl decorations.
Above, I just gave you some cute themes that are commonly used at bridal showers. But what about those bridal showers where the theme is a little more personalized or creative? For example, “Love is Brewing” was perfect for my cousin because she loves coffee, so we had a coffee bar with all her favorite drinks! I also love the “Perfect Match” idea that has a tennis theme if the bride-to-be enjoys sports.
If this is a summer bridal shower, I think beach themes are always adorable! Think shells and beach colors! You can also go for Parisian chic, with croissant bites featuring small Eiffel Tower decoration!
In my opinion, the best themes come from the bride-to-be’s interests or hobbies. For instance, my sister’s bridal shower theme was all things book-related because she loves books. Our cookies were even book-shaped!
Top Bridal Shower Themes for 2025
Here’s a table of popular themes:
| Theme | Key Elements | Why It Works |
| She’s Tying the Knot | Bows, pink hues, ribbon games | Cute and trendy for girly vibes |
| Garden Party | Flowers, tea, outdoor setup | Relaxed and pretty for spring |
| Taylor Swift Era | Bracelets, music quizzes | Fun for pop culture fans |
| Adventure Awaits | Maps, travel gifts | Perfect for wanderlust brides |
| Champagne Brunch | Bubbly, gold accents | Elegant and boozy fun |
Pick one and build around it for smooth planning.
Bridal Shower Planning Tips: Step by Step
Planning starts with the basics. Who hosts? Usually, the maid of honor or close friends. Not the bride’s mom – that’s old etiquette.
- Set a date two to three months before the wedding. Check with the bride first.
- Budget matters. Aim for $50-100 per guest, covering food and decor.
- Invite 20-40 people – close family and friends. Use cute invites that match the theme.
- Location? Home, park, or cafe. For 2025, outdoor spots are popular for fresh air.
Don’t forget to link to helpful resources. For more on wedding planning, check our wedding tips blog.
Bridal Shower Etiquette You Should Know
Etiquette brings everything together nicely. A bride never throws her shower. Gifts are important, but there isn’t a requirement to spend big money.
- Invite only those who will attend your wedding. Be sure to hang onto your invites; you can use them for thank-you notes to go out right after.
- Gifts are helpful, but feel free to switch it up and include some things you love
- At one shower I attended, we skipped games altogether and made a craft station where everyone made an advice card! It was so genuine and felt very lovely and real.
Fun Bridal Shower Games and Activities
Games are a fun icebreaker. Some popular ones include “He Said, She Said,” where the guests guess who said what. You can also play wedding bingo using bridal words, or you could do the TP dresses (teams have to make dresses out of toilet paper). If you want some new ideas, consider “Where Were They?” using pictures of the couple from their honeymoon trips. In 2025, the new fangled interactive ones, like bracelet bars, are trending.
- Bridal Jeopardy – Questions about the bride
- Dance-off – play music from wedding songs and dance
- Advice jar – Guests write their best advice for marriage
My favorite game was playing a version of a game where we guessed the bride’s favorite memories – so many good stories!
Yummy Bridal Shower Food Ideas
Food can influence the sense of an event. Plan to serve light bites if your event is in the afternoon.
- Finger sandwiches, mini-quiche, and small salad dishes are classics. Add in a mimosa bar for a nice touch.
- For themes, piggybacked foods – like dainty tea and scones for garden parties.
- Dessert food? Cupcakes, or a cake with a say of it saying “Soon to Be Mrs.”
- For a unique twist, consider charcuterie boards, but with hearts.
Sample Bridal Shower Menu
- Apps: Veggie skewers, cheese platters.
- Main: Chicken salad croissants, fruit salad.
- Drinks: Lemonade, wine.
- Sweet: Cookies, fruit tarts.
At my best friend’s shower, we had a build-your-own taco bar – easy and everyone loved it!
Bridal Shower Gifts: Unique Picks
Gifts will “shower” the bride. Follow the registry for the essentials- think kitchen stuff!
- If you are going to buy a unique gift, personalized items are timeless. For example, if they love to travel, custom mugs from a national park.
- Experience gifts: a spa day or cooking class.
- Group gifts are good for more elaborate gifts, like a fancy coffee maker.
- Eco-friendly gifts are in, for example, reusable bags.
- I gave my cousin a memory box for wedding keepsakes, and she still uses it years later!
Gift Ideas Table
| Gift Type | Examples | Price Range |
| Personalized | Custom cutting board, engraved jewelry | $20-50 |
| Practical | Kitchen tools, linens | $30-100 |
| Fun | Wine subscription, lingerie | $25-60 |
| Unique | Art print of their first date spot | $15-40 |
Link to gift shops like Anthropologie for bridal gifts.
Decorations to Make It Pop
Decor brings it all together. Balloons, banners, and flowers.
- Sunflower themes are sunny and bright for 2025. Don’t forget your reusable items for green points.
- Feel-good factor from photo walls with bride pics of amazing memories.
- It’s pretty easy to do some DIY, like string lights and tablecloths.
Wrapping Up the Party
Wrap up the bridal shower with gift opening: Have the bride-to-be open her gifts while guests tell brief stories. Play soft love songs, inviting conversation and coziness.
Conclude with thanks from the bride-to-be – this could be a short speech and/or she could invite everyone to share wishes and memories.
Give small favors – candles, seeds, or any other items related to your theme. Take a group photo with larger props or using silly props with a fun background.
In summary, bridal showers shine through these loving touches, without stressing over logistics, but gladly creating loving memories. Have fun planning your special day!
FAQs on Bridal Shower
What bridal shower themes are popular for 2025?
Some popular bridal shower themes are bow-themed “She’s Tying the Knot,” adventure travel parties, and Taylor Swift-themed parties.
How many bridal shower games should I plan?
To keep it fun without dragging on, aim for 3-5 games. Some should be active, others will be quieter games.
What food do you serve at a bridal shower that is easy to make?
Some simple bridal shower finger foods would be sandwiches, salads, and dips. You may also want to consider a dessert bar for an extra sweet treat.
Bridal shower gifts: What is a good budget?
$30-100 per guest, depending on closeness. It’s more about the personal touch than the amount.
Bridal shower etiquette: Who pays for the bridal shower?
The hosts pay the costs, but guests bring gifts for the couple.
What will be a unique bridal shower activity?
You can offer craft stations or a time capsule for guests to write notes for the couple.
