How to Throw a Bridal Shower on a Budget: 14 Steps (with Pictures) (2024)

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Co-authored byMinoti Mehta

Last Updated: February 22, 2022References

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   Invite the bride’s friends and family to co-host the shower with you. If you’re currently planning the shower on your own, this is an easy way to cut way down on the cost. Co-hosting with one or more people will also make throwing the shower even more memorable and fun. Try asking the bride’s sister, bridesmaids, aunt, grandma, or anyone else knows her well and might enjoy having a hand in planning her shower.^[1]

   • Try saying or texting something like, “Hey, Sydney. I was wondering if you would be interested in co-hosting the shower with me?”
   • Or, you could send a group text to the bride’s friends or bridesmaids and say something like, “I think Rebecca would be extra excited about her shower if she knew that we were all planning it together. Would you all like to be my co-hosts?”
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   Determine how much each person can contribute if you’re co-hosting. Don’t assume that your co-hosts will be willing to kick down a certain amount. Ask them directly what their spending limit is for the shower. You could even consult with each of them individually if you want to take some of the pressure off to contribute the same amount.^[2]

   • Try saying something like, “Hi, Cara! I’m trying to get an estimate of our budget for the shower. Are you able to contribute something? And if so, what amount?”
   • Another option is to itemize the expected cost of each item for the shower, such as decorations, good, drinks, venue, etc. and create a spreadsheet so that each of your co-hosts can sign up for something.

   Tip: Compare the cost of driving versus flying to the shower location if you need to travel closer to the bride to throw the shower.^[3]

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   Discuss what the bride might like for a shower theme. Having a theme will help to narrow your choices for decorations, food, and activities when you’re planning the shower. Talk through the options with your shower co-hosts to determine what the bride might like and what is feasible for your budget.^[4] Some budget-friendly themes might include:

   • Garden party
   • Parisian-inspired
   • Beach party
   • Backyard barbeque
4. See Also

   Loverly - 15 Tips for Throwing a Bridal Shower on a BudgetHow to Plan a Bridal Shower on a BudgetHow to Host a Dreamy Bridal Shower Without Breaking the Bank - Prairie HiveHow To Plan A Bridal Shower On A Budget: 11 Brilliant Tips

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   Limit the guest list to close friends and family members only. While it might be tempting to invite everyone who will be at the wedding, this really isn’t necessary. To keep the cost of throwing the shower down, stick to close friends and family members for the bridal shower.^[5]

   • The average number of people invited to a bridal shower is usually between 30 and 50, so try to keep your guest list within this range. Identify who you think the bride would most like to see at her shower, or ask her if you’re unsure.

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   Plan to have the shower at someone’s house or at an inexpensive venue. If you have a large enough house or backyard or one of your cohost’s does, then this is a great way to cut costs. You won’t have to worry about paying for a venue or abiding by their rules regarding caterers or purchasing food from them. If you do decide to go with a venue, look into low-cost options. Some good choices in your community may include:^[6]

   • Community centers
   • Churches
   • Fire halls
   • Clubs that one of your co-hosts belongs to, such as an American Legion or YMCA
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   Keep the menu light and avoid pricey food options if you buy food. If you decide to have the shower catered or if you host it at a venue that requires you to buy their food, choose light meal or appetizers for food instead of a sit-down or buffet meal. You could even have the shower in the mid-morning or late afternoon so that people will be less likely to expect a full meal.^[7]

   • For example, you could opt for a cheese and fruit platter along with a couple of hot appetizers if you’re having an afternoon shower.

   Tip: Make sure to specify on the invitations that the food will be light, such as by including something like, “Light hors d’ouevres and beverages will be served.”

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   Make the food yourself or with your co-hosts to reduce the cost. Select a couple of easy appetizers you can throw together and pair them with a main dish. Then, serve cupcakes, cookies, or a simple sheet cake for dessert. You can make the food a day in advance and heat it up on the day of the party, or ask your co-hosts or even your guests to bring a dish to share.^[8]

   • Try making a fruit, cheese, and cracker tray for a simple, low-cost appetizer.
   • Cook spinach and artichoke dip, pizza dip, or chicken wing dip in your slow-cooker and serve with tortilla chips for something more decadent.
   • Prepare a baked pasta dish for an easy, filling meal on a budget.
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   Make a large batch of 2 different low-cost beverages. Try making one non-alcoholic and one alcoholic beverage if you want to have alcohol at the shower. Alternatively, you could omit alcohol from the menu entirely to keep your costs even lower. Some good beverage options include:^[9]

   • Iced tea
   • Lemonade
   • Sangria
   • Fruit punch
   • Mimosas
   • Water flavored with lemon wedges, berries, or cucumber slices^[10]

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   Send electronic invitations or purchase cheap invites. There’s no need to send physical invites if you have electronic addresses for everyone who will be attending the party. Try distributing the invitations via social media for a free way to invite your guests. Or, if you want to have paper invitations, purchase some at a dollar store or online or make your own using blank cards or cardstock.^[11]

   • Make sure to indicate whether guests should bring anything to the shower, such as a dish to pass or a beverage to share.
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   Decorate simply with streamers, balloons, and a photos of the bride. Don’t blow your budget on expensive decorations! Stick with the basics to keep the décor classy and to stay within your budget. Try putting up streamers and balloons in white and the bride’s wedding colors, and then put out a few framed photos of the bride and groom beside a guestbook or other keepsake for the shower guests to sign.^[12]

   • You could also get a few potted plants to place on tables as centerpieces. These could even double as prizes for party attendees who win games.
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   Choose games that don’t cost anything to play. There's no need to purchase any games for the party. Some of the best bridal shower games are free or very affordable. Some popular free or low-cost games you can play with at the bridal shower include:^[13]

   See Also

   Bridal Shower on a Budget: A Complete Guide - Magical Day Weddings

   • Groom trivia: Ask the groom questions before the shower and then quiz the bride in front of everyone. Have everyone guess how many questions she will get right and give prizes to the people who guessed correctly.
   • Bridal Bingo: Make your own bridal bingo cards that each include 25 squares in rows of 5 with a different item that the bride might get as a gift in each box. The first person to fill out their whole card declares “Bingo!” and gets a prize.
   • Toilet paper couture: Divide the party attendees into groups and give each group a few rolls of toilet paper. Have them choose a model and ask each group to create a wedding dress using the toilet paper. The bride chooses her favorite dress and all members of that team get a prize.
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   Make a playlist on your phone and connect it to speakers. DJs and live music are expensive, so it’s best to skip this altogether if you’re working within a budget. Instead, create a playlist of songs that the bride will enjoy or built around the theme for her party. Then, connect your phone to speakers at the party and let the music play!^[14]

   • This is also a fun option since you can always play additional songs on a whim or by request by the bride and her guests.
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   Purchase a few inexpensive items to give as prizes for game winners. There’s no need for elaborate prizes at the shower. Instead, be on the lookout for clearance items and low-cost items that you could use as prizes for the shower. Check out bargain stores and sales to find good deals. Some good, low-cost options for game prizes include:^[15]

   • Candles
   • Small, potted plants
   • Coffee mugs
   • Candy bars
   • A box of tea or hot cocoa
   • Scented hand lotion
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   Pass out low-cost favors to guests at the end of the party. The cost of bridal shower favors can add up quickly, especially if your guest list is on the long side. Keep the cost down by making or buying something low-cost to send home with your guests. Some examples of low-cost favors include:^[16]

   • Small potted plants
   • Individually wrapped cookies or cupcakes
   • A hand-written thank-you note
   • Homemade soaps or candles
   • Homemade bath bombs

   Tip: Remember to match the party favors to the bridal shower’s theme if possible. For example, if you threw the bride a fancy tea-party themed shower, then you might make cookies decorated to look like tea cups or give everyone a small cellophane bag with 1 bag of each of the bride’s favorite teas in it.

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