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Bridal showers don't have to be lame.
By Ossiana Tepfenhart — Written on Sep 01, 2019
If you’re like a lot of brides and bridesmaids, a bridal shower is kind of low on your priority totem pole. It’s okay — we’ve all been there. Weddings are highly evolved. With all the planning surrounding your wedding, it’s easy to forget to plan for other important dates leading up to your big day.
Bridal showers shouldn’t be treated like a low ticket event, though. They can be an amazing way to get creative with your planning and have incredible photos before the wedding. The right theme goes a long way, which is why these bridal shower themes are so epic.
1. Beachy Brides
A beach bridal shower theme is a classic choice, but it’s a classic because it works. Beach themes are easy to put together, offer up plentiful shower decoration options, and act as a great way to kick off preparation for a destination wedding.
If you live near the ocean, this option also gives you a great venue choice that might be way cheaper than you’d think. You really can’t go wrong with this.
What to buy:
- Mint, peach and ivory party supplies set (Amazon)
- Beach-themed napkins and plates (Amazon)
- Jungle bride to be sash, balloons, and plant leaves (Amazon)
RELATED: 20 Best Free Printable Bridal Shower Games
2. Forest Getaway
Beaches are fun, but so is communing with mother nature in a more foresty setting. Woodsy resorts and glamping are hotter than ever before. A bridal shower in the forest or in a glamorous woody resort will offer excellent Instagram opportunities and a casual-chic ambiance only Mother Nature can offer.
This is a great choice for ladies who love camping, bonfires, and lounging in a chalet on the mountains. Don’t want to get too wild? Host your foresty shower at a local garden instead.
What to buy:
3. Geeky Girls
Not all bridal showers have to be traditional. Some brides are best celebrated through a shower that has a theme dear to their heart, like anime or video games. This budget-friendly option is easy to put together if you’re crafty and creative.
Just about every fandom can work well with this concept. No matter what specific fandom or geekery you choose to use as a theme, a geektastic party with the girls will always be a memorable and unique one.
What to buy:
4. Vineyard Vibes
Are you and the girls major fans of wine? Of course you are, and that’s why many bridal showers are now starting to get booked at local wineries and vineyards. The perk of this is that it looks classy and also lets you cut a little loose.
This is pretty decadent and intuitive theme to try. Bridal favors are pretty straightforward with this idea. As long as it involves wine, bar supplies, or cheese pairings, you’re good to go.
What to buy:
- Burlap wine bag (Amazon)
- Cocktail napkins (Amazon)
- Metallic champagne balloons (Amazon)
- Red wine glasses (Amazon)
5. Wedding Color
Most themes are pretty simple to deal with, but it can get annoying. Sometimes, you just want to have a theme that doesn’t involve kitschy decorations or specialty cards. That’s alright. In fact, that’s a wise and timeless choice.
The easiest way to pull together an elegant bridal shower is to stick to the colors you’re going to use in your wedding. Most supplies will be easy to find at a local store and will still look strikingly pretty.
What to buy:
- Rose gold personalized party banner (Amazon)
- Rose gold plastic cups and napkins (Amazon)
- Rose gold balloons, runner, and confetti (Amazon)
6. Pretty in Paris
Is there any city more romantic than Paris? The city is legendary for its gorgeous views, romantic stories, great food, and wonderful wines. Needless to say, it’s a perfect city theme to choose when you are trying to put together a night together with the girls.
A Paris-themed bridal shower can involve French cooking, wine samplings, and decor that is reminiscent of the City of Light. It’s elegant and exotic enough to make anyone say oui oui.
What to buy:
- "A day in Paris" decorating kit (Amazon)
- Travel suitcase (Amazon)
- Eiffel Tower backdrop (Amazon)
- French theme balloons (Amazon)
7. Spa Day Retreat
Spas have always been a popular venue for bridal showers, and it’s one that really encourages bonding between all the girls. Everyone loves the idea of being pampered and indulging in the nicer, more peaceful side of life.
Of course, you don’t have to book a bunch of appointments at your local spa to enjoy this theme. Just doing a home spa day with DIY products can be plenty of fun for all the people involved.
What to buy:
8. Country Girl Throwdown
Girls who love country life won’t find a lot of fun in a city-themed bridal shower, nor will they want a bridal shower that involves too much girly stuff. It’s just not them! A rustic bridal shower that has a fun and carefree country vibe might be a better option.
Putting this together can be tons of fun. It also gives you a lot of options. You can rent a mechanical bull, go fishing, have a barbecue, or just lounge around outside while you sip on ice tea. That’s the cool thing about country life — it’s a very freeing way to live.
What to buy:
- Wooden deer cupcake toppers (Amazon)
- Wooden door backdrop (Amazon)
- Burlap banner (Amazon)
- Cast iron deer antlers wall hook (Amazon)
9. Red Carpet Glam
There’s just something impressive about a high glamour bridal party. If you want to keep things as glamorous as possible, doing a black and gold shower complete with formal wear is a great way to do it.
This concept channels old world New York City glamour and decadence, all while giving you an amazing night to remember. For this, you need to go all out. Rent a nice penthouse, grab some bubbly, and glam it up!
What to buy:
- Red carpet floor runner (Amazon)
- Hollywood centerpiece sticks (Amazon)
- 6" Oscar statues (Amazon)
- Balloons and confetti (Amazon)
10. Renaissance Faire
When you’re a bride to be, it’s totally normal to feel like a princess. So why not be one for a day? Geeky as it may be, it’s an awesome theme for everyone involved. Renaissance Faires are the new kind of cool.
The decorations for this theme should involve medieval themes, dragons, and fairytale goodness. As for activities? You can dress up as a member of the royal court, have sword fights with plastic weapons, or just do a little LARPing if you are so inclined.
What to buy:
11. Art Life
If you know that the bride to be is artistic and has artsy friends, then this is the theme for you. As the name suggests, this is a bridal shower that involves everyone getting together to make some epic artwork. Or, if you are more of an admirer of artwork, it involves chilling out at a gallery.
This theme is a great one for people who want to give the bride a handmade memento of the occasion. A signed canvas with well wishes is a smart way to do it, not to mention affordable.
What to buy:
12. Photo Makeover Session
Remember those places where people would be given a total makeover, then have their photo taken? They were fun and plentiful, weren’t they? Bridal showers are always meant to be fun and typically involve photos being taken. So, why not recreate the makeover event and get some of those bridal party photos done early?
To do this, you’ll need a makeup artist and a bunch of funky clothes in your friends sizes. Get creative with it, do something adventurous, and have fun with your new looks. Once you’re done, you can donate the clothes to a good cause.
What to buy:
13. Morning Mimosas
Brunch is super trendy and super tasty. Brunch with champagne or mimosas is even better. For bridal groups that don’t want to wait all night for a shower to start, you really can’t go wrong with a bridal brunch.
Serve up some eggs, waffles, and bubbly. Or, book a table at your favorite brunch venue. That’s all you really need for this chic yet casual bridal shower option. Foodie friends will love you for this one!
What to buy:
14. Gothic Bridal
Ladies who prefer to wear black get married too, you know! For girls who have an alternative sense of style, going for typical themes just won’t do. A gothic bridal shower will always be individualistic, a little witchy, and totally awesome to remember.
A lot of this theme is based on aesthetics, so keep it dark and spooky. If your bride buddy is a horror movie fan or a more spiritual goth, the activities are pretty much already set out for you.
What to buy:
- 3-tier silver swivel server (Amazon)
- Candle holders (Amazon)
- Black lily bouquet (Amazon)
- Embroidered sash (Amazon)
- Red tealight candles (Amazon)
15. Psychedelic Party
Hippies, ravers, artists and beatniks will absolutely adore this edgy theme. As the name suggests, this bridal shower theme is all about bringing out the trippy and visually striking side of life.
For this theme, your goal is to make it as psychedelic as possible. Glowing mushroom decorations, black light posters, and maybe a little Grateful Dead music will help. Obviously, this theme might not jive with older attendees, so use your discretion if it could be an issue.
What to buy:
RELATED: 20 Best Bridal Shower Favors Of All Time
16. Cruisin’ It Up
A bridal shower on a small yacht or boat can be a seriously memorable way to spend time with your loved ones. If you want to cruise it up, it only makes sense to choose a nautical theme to accompany it. A little navy blue and white will bring out everyone’s inner sailor, right?
Nautical themed bridal showers are classy, look wonderful on camera, and also will make others turn green with envy. Spending time on a yacht just got even cooler.
What to buy:
- Captain/sailor costume (Amazon)
- White sailor hats (Amazon)
- Anchor plates, napkins, and cups (Amazon)
- Nautical cupcake holder (Amazon)
- "Last sail before the veil" banner (Amazon)
17. Pajama Party
So many bridal shower themes seem to encourage you to get new outfits and spend more money. That’s not really necessary for a good time, though. When you were younger, you’d enjoy sleepover parties with your friends. All you did was lounge in your pajamas and chill, right?
A good, almost effortless theme for a bridal shower is to have a good ol’ fashioned sleepover. It’s not always about the glam and fashion. Sometimes, just being around your friends is enough to make it a special event.
What to buy:
18. Winter Fresh
Cold winter nights may not be as wedding-friendly as summer days, but that doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy a beautiful theme for your shower. The winter gives you a perfect reason to consider doing an icy theme to your party. Winter white is in, and so are woodsy pine accents.
Depending on when you hold your winter bridal shower, you can choose a variety of different themes as well as activities. Skiing, roasting marshmallows, and even choosing a Frozen theme can work here.
What to buy:
- Snowflake confetti (Amazon)
- Silver and pearl balloons (Amazon)
- Pinecones (Amazon)
- Birch print straws (Amazon)
19. Raising the Bar
While many bridal showers are meant to be family-friendly, this one definitely shouldn’t have child participants. This theme involves rounding up your bridal party, getting them cocktail ingredients, and throwing a competition on who can create the best drink. Since you all need to judge the cocktails, everyone drinks.
Okay, this may be more of a pregame for the bachelorette party, but that’s not a bad thing. It is all about having fun.
What to buy:
20. Vintage Kitsch
There’s a certain difficult-to-explain appeal that retro kitsch tends to have. It’s comforting, but edgy. It’s colorful, yet old fashioned. It’s cheeky and makes us all realize how far we have come from days of yesteryear. That’s what makes a retro party an awesome bridal shower theme to try out.
Whether it’s a 50s pinup party, a groovy 60s get-together, a 70s sci-fi shindig, or an epic 80s fete doesn’t matter. What matters is that it will be stylish, have great music, and maybe also involve old fashioned foods.
What to buy:
21. Turnt Up Tea
Tea parties are slowly starting to gain traction again, with much of the reason for the popularity boom stemming from the wide range of teas you can have. Tea parties are formal enough to make most older guests feel at home, yet can be whimsical enough to thrill younger goers.
It’s fancy in a way that makes everyone feel a little extra glamorous, and also happens to be a waistline-friendly bridal shower option. Besides, when do you ever get to break out the fine china during a typical week?
What to buy:
- Tea cup place cards (Amazon)
- Teapot favor boxes (Amazon)
- Gold vintage plates, cups, and napkins (Amazon)
- 3-tier ceramic cake stand (Amazon)
22. Fall Into Beauty
If you are a bridesmaid putting together a shower during the autumn, you definitely have a lot of inspiration that you can use. Fall leaves have that gorgeous orange hue and fresh woodsy smell that warms your heart. The scent of pumpkin spice makes homes seem extra cosy at this time of year. Oh, and nights? Super crisp.
A bridal shower that is inspired by fall leaves and other seasonal sensations will always be a shower that looks amazing. Your bride’s Instagram will thank you for choosing this option.
What to buy:
- Pumpkin tea lights (Amazon)
- Harvest hanging pom poms (Amazon)
- Artificial maple leaves (Amazon)
- Autumn garland (Amazon)
23. Wonderful Wellness
Being a bride is stressful, and so is being in a bridal party. Maybe it’s time to unwind with a little wellness practices, don’t you think? This bridal theme avoids the booze and bad foods many themes suggest, and focuses on healthy foods, light exercise, and a little meditation to calm those nerves.
To put together a fitness-oriented bridal shower, book a yoga class and then hit up a local healthy restaurant for lunch. If you want to splurge, consider going on a yoga retreat for a day or two. Your bodies and souls will thank you for this fitness boost.
What to buy:
24. Flower Power
Flowers are a major symbol of romance and always add cheer to a wedding. All things considered, it makes sense that many ladies are now starting to have entire bridal showers devoted to flowers. Flowers are just awesome and photo-ready.
A floral bridal shower can be done through a variety of ways, including focusing in on a specific flower, making a DIY bouquet bar, making your own flower crowns, or even planting seeds as an act of sharing your love with Mother Nature. How you work it is up to you, but no matter what you choose, you can expect it to look phenomenal.
What to buy:
25. International Flair
Globetrotting girls definitely have a flair they get from their travel. They are worldly and appreciative of other cultures. You can satiate their inner anthropologist by throwing a bridal shower with a global vibe.
A real global bridal shower will bring in a little charm from every corner of the world. Chinese lanterns, bohemian pillows, tapas cuisine, South African wine, and some delicious South American hors’ d’oeuvres will set the mood for a truly sophisticated night with friends.
What to buy:
26. Sweet Escape
It’s hard to find a bridal shower theme that’s actually agreeable for everyone, especially when dealing with older parents who might be a bit more conservative than your buddies. If there’s one thing just about everyone enjoys, it’s a delicious dessert. So, why not make a theme of it?
There are so many awesome ways to add sweet treat accents to a bridal shower, ranging from a glammed-out cupcake buffet to a kick-butt cake centerpiece. This is a great option for people that have a serious sweet tooth.
What to buy:
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Ossiana Tepfenhart is a writer based out of Red Bank, New Jersey. She writes primarily about lifestyle, food, finance, and relationships. You can follow her Twitter.
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