How to Plan a Bridal Shower on a Budget

Hosting a bridal shower for someone is a wonderful way to show how much you care. However, it can quickly become a costly endeavor. If you’re wondering how to plan a bridal shower on a budget, there are several money-saving tactics to keep costs reasonable, while still hosting a nice event.

Tips for a budget-friendly bridal shower

From hosting in your living room to DIY party favors, here are 9 ways to plan a bridal shower on a budget:

1. Host at home
   Renting out a restaurant or dining hall can be costly, even without factoring in food and decor costs. If you or someone in the wedding party has the space, host the event at one of your homes. Not only will it save money, throwing the shower at home could be beneficial in other ways such as:

   • Saving time by not having to shop venues
   • Choosing your own menu
   • Decorating without as many limitations
   • Setting up and cleaning up at your own pace

2. Work with a co-host
   Planning a bridal shower can be a challenge to take on alone, both emotionally and financially. Consider working with another family member or friend of the person getting married to co-host. Splitting up duties and costs can help you save time and money. Plus, two heads are better than one — you might come up with some great cheap bridal shower ideas, together.

3. Send online invitations
   From online invitations to social media invites, you could create and deliver them all for free online. For any guests without email or social accounts, you could send them a homemade invitation, give them a call, or look for deals at office supply and stationery stores. However you choose to send the invitations, be sure to include the couple's registry information to help them start their new life together off on the right foot.

4. Keep the guest list small
   Though it can be tempting to invite lots of loved ones to the bridal shower, bigger guest lists lead to bigger expenses. If you’re throwing a bridal shower on a budget, limiting the attendees to a select few can help keep costs down. You might opt to invite only immediate family and the bridal party, or just local loved ones. After all, you can all celebrate together at the wedding.

5. Get creative with decor
   When it comes to finding cost-friendly decor, a good place to start could be at home. Take a look around to see what could be used for the event. It may also help to create a list of the decor you need and reach out to guests to see if they can contribute. If you’re feeling crafty, you could even make your own party decor.
   
   Some household items you could use for decor include:

   • Christmas lights
   • Candles
   • Picture frames
   • Houseplants
   • Wrapping paper
   • Tablecloths
   • Ribbon

6. Keep the appetizers simple
   You might be able to find deals for premade snacks, but making your own could be the least expensive option for your bridal shower budget. From finger foods to dips and hors d'oeuvres, there are plenty of easy ways to cook on a budget and still please your guests.
   
   Here are a few inexpensive appetizer ideas to consider:

   • Deviled eggs
   • Cheese and crackers
   • Dip and vegetables
   • Fruit kabobs

7. Organize a potluck
   There’s no need to spend hundreds of dollars on gourmet food or a custom cake. Instead, ask family and friends if they have a favorite dish or baked good they could make for the shower.
   
   One idea could be to organize a “favorite recipe” potluck, where each guest brings their best homemade dish complete with a recipe card. After the meal is over, you can collect the cards and make a cookbook to give to the engaged couple.
   
   As for drink options, consider adding beverages to the potluck list as well. You could also lower drink costs by serving one signature drink or making the event BYOB.

8. Plan games for entertainment
   Wedding shower games can be an amusing way to mix and mingle. You can base your selections on the personality and interests of the couple or go completely out of their comfort zone. Whichever angle you choose, it can be a fun way for everyone to connect and share in the laughter.
   
   Some wedding shower ideas for games include:

   • Trivia challenge: Collect interesting information about the couple and ask guests to guess the answers — the guest with the most correct could receive a small prize
   
   
   • Vow Mad Libs: Print out traditional wedding vows, but omit some of the nouns, verbs and adjectives and replace them with blank spaces for guests to fill in
   
   
   • Find the guest: Make a list of characteristics, such as married for 10 years, and have guests mingle to find out who’s who

9. Make DIY party favors
   Giving away thoughtful and festive party favors can be a polite way to thank your guests for coming. However, it could be expensive to buy them from a department store or specialty shop. To potentially save money and add a personal twist, try making DIY party favors. If you could use some extra hands during assembly, recruit the help of family and friends to make it a collaborative effort.

Let’s celebrate!

A wedding shower is a special moment for both the couple-to-be and guests. If you want to be extra cost-conscious, consider hosting a virtual wedding shower. No matter how simple or how grand, it’s a great occasion to spend time together and celebrate. If you’re planning a wedding shower on a budget, keep these tips in mind for an equally cost-effective and fun celebration.