How to Plan a Bridal Shower on a Budget

Hosting a bridal shower for someone is a great way to show them how much you care and celebrate their special moment. However, it can quickly become a pricey project.

If you’re wondering how to plan a bridal shower on a budget, there are several money-saving tactics to help keep costs reasonable, while still hosting an event the bride will never forget.

What happens at a bridal shower?

A bridal shower is a pre-wedding event where friends and family celebrate the bride-to-be. It’s usually hosted by close family or friends of the bride, and guests enjoy each other's company, play games and eat food. Some may be more traditional than others, and guests may have the option to share gifts and words of wisdom with the bride.

Hosts often choose a theme that fits the bride's style and interests. For example, a bride who enjoys traveling might enjoy a destination-themed shower.

8 Tips for a budget-friendly bridal shower

Planning and paying for a wedding can be a bit of a balancing act — and the events leading up to the big day are no exception. Fortunately, a shower will likely be much less than the cost of a wedding.

From hosting in your living room to DIY party favors, here are 8 ways to plan a memorable 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 space, host the event at one of your homes. In addition to saving money, throwing the shower at home could offer other benefits, such as:

• Not having to spend time shopping venues
• Making your own food
• Fewer limitations on decorating
• More time to set up and clean up

2. Work with a co-host

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

3. Send online invitations

Social media, text and email make it possible to create and deliver invitations without paying for stamps and stationery. You can send a homemade invitation or look for deals on printed invites at an office supply store for guests who don’t have email or social accounts. Better yet, call or text them.

However you choose to send the invitations, remember to include the couple's registry information to help them start their new life together with exactly what they want and need.

4. Keep the guest list short

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 guest list 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, your home may be a good place to start. Look around to see what could be used for the event. It may also help to create a list of decorations you need and reach out to guests to see if they can spare a little "something borrowed" for the day.

If you’re feeling crafty, you could even make your own party decor. Some household items you could repurpose include:

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

6. Keep refreshments simple

There’s no need to spend hundreds of dollars on gourmet food or a custom cake. 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:

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

Another great option is to organize a "favorite recipe" potluck. Ask family and friends to make a favorite dish or baked goods for the shower and provide a recipe card. After the meal, you can collect the cards and make a cookbook or recipe box to give to the engaged couple.

You could also lower drink costs by adding beverages to the potluck list, serving one signature drink or making the event BYOB.

7. Plan games for entertainment

Bridal 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 guests to connect and share in the laughter.

Some ideas for games could include:

• Trivia challenge: Collect interesting information about the couple and ask guests to guess the answers — the guest who gets the most correct could win a small prize.

• Wedding 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 being married for 10 years, and have guests mingle to find out who’s who.

To save money, you could design the game cards yourself and print them at home or your local library.

8. Make DIY bridal shower favors

Giving out thoughtful, festive party favors can be a polite way to thank your guests for coming. However, it may be expensive to buy them from a department store or specialty shop. To save money and add a personal twist, try making DIY party favors using simple dollar store items.

For example, you could fill miniature jars with loose leaf tea or Epsom salts or use stickers and gems to customize small candles. Save time during assembly by recruiting the help of family and friends.

If the happy couple hasn't chosen favors for their reception yet, consider sharing your DIY favor ideas to help them keep wedding costs low.

---

---

Celebrate love without the splurge

A bridal shower is a special event for both the couple and guests. No matter how simple or grand, it’s a great occasion to spend time together and celebrate. If you’re planning a bridal shower on a budget, remember these tips for a fun and cost-effective celebration. And if you find yourself a bit short on funds, a OneMain wedding loan might offer the flexibility you need to fill the gap.

This article has been updated from a previous posting in 2022. Melina Duffett contributed.