5 Ideas for a Small and Modern Bridal Shower

Like everything having to do with weddings, bridal showers are a big business. As such, they can take a lot of effort to organize and, of course, cost a lot. It can be hard for even the savviest maid of honor or best friend to pull off a bridal shower on a budget that ticks all the boxes – and rings all the bells.

Help has arrived! We’re here with a fresh take on small bridal shower ideas that celebrate the bride in style without blowing your bottom line. Keep reading for our top advice for a chic – and simple – bridal shower.

1.  Decide on Your Bridal Shower Budget 

Before you determine all of the details for the bridal shower, you need to nail down one important piece: the moola. Specifically, where it will come from and how much it will be. It’s important to note that even if you’re the one organizing the bridal shower, you don’t need to be the only one paying for the bridal shower. That goes whether you’re the maid of honor, mother of the bride, best friend, or relative. As the party host, however, you will need to figure out how much you can contribute and then source the rest of the funds from other members of the wedding party or invitees.  

Once you’ve got some figures in place, you’ll realize there are several decision points that can drastically affect the budget. 

Day or Night

A daytime soiree is typically going to cost less than a nighttime event because people eat and drink less during the day. It’s still possible to throw a simple bridal shower at night, of course, but a daytime party with a clear start and end time will probably be your best bet. 

Evites or Mailed Invites

Some folks think that bridal showers have to be just as fancy and formal as weddings. Not true in the slightest! Send out Evites or other free or very cheap digital invitations to cut costs and more readily keep an eye on RSVPs. No calligraphy required.  

Potluck or Catered 

Catering will rack up charges quicker than almost anything else. If you’re planning on serving food during the celebration, save money by asking guests to bring a dish to share. You’ll get a lot of variety and probably more food than you need for zero dollars out of pocket.

2. Shop Around for a Venue 

Another key to throwing a stylish bridal shower on a budget is the venue. If it’s impossible to host the get-together at your home (or the home of one of the guests), get creative about venues. Think of a bar during the daytime, hotel pool, tea room, or community center. If you live in an apartment building or housing development with a shared space, inquire about renting it for a few hours. 

Once you figure out the type of venue you want, it’s time to make some calls. The more flexible you can be about dates and times, the more options you’ll have so don’t be afraid to get creative. You can also ask the venue for small bridal shower ideas they’ve seen work well.

3. Modern Themes to Use 

When it comes to bridal shower themes, think chic, think simple, and think memorable. Of course, you’ll need to take your bride and her preferences into consideration before you settle on a vibe. Some great ideas we’ve seen recently include:

Parisian Party

Pop some champagne and break out the croissants for an elegant and simple bridal shower that calls to mind ‘the City of Light.’

Beachy Brunch

Even if you’re nowhere near the water, you can bring the ocean to mind with relaxed decor, group party games, and simple foods and drinks.

Say Hello to Hygge

If your shower will be in the winter, take a simple style tip from the Danish and chill out around the fire with warm drinks and cozy blankets.

Check out some more small bridal shower ideas on the Kennedy Blue blog or Pinterest.

4. Simple Food Ideas

When it comes to food and drinks, the easier the better. As mentioned above, your two best options are either crowdsourcing or outsourcing party eats.

Once you decide which way to go, you’ll need to provide some direction to your guests, caterers, or venue. Some simple food options include:

Small bites

This bridal shower classic keeps everything bite-sized and easy to consume. Think bruschetta, finger sandwiches, mini-quiches, cheese and crackers, etc.

Raw bar

Seafood is always a hit at a coastal celebration and would go prefectly with the “beachy brunch” mentioned above. Arrange oysters, clams, shrimp, lobster tails, snow crab legs, etc. on ice.

DIY Flatbread

Set up a flatbread station, with pesto, tomato, goat cheese, caramelized onions, prosciutto, etc. and have guests choose their own combinations to bake on the spot.

If you’re throwing a bridal shower on a budget, you’ll be relieved to know that simple is most definitely in style. Your guests will appreciate bites and bevs that are a snap to consume while socializing. 

5. Easy Entertainment 

Low-key entertainment is a vibe that fits well with simple bridal showers. There’s no law that says guests have to play group games or brides-to-be must open presents for the newlyweds in front of everyone at a shower. Throw tradition to the wind and, instead, carefully think about the party you want to host – and the bride you want to celebrate – and take it from there. Entertainment could be anything from a round of golf to a hike to a Tarot card read. If you’re stuck, survey your guests for their recommendations. Who knows? You might even end up with a show from a talented attendee!

One note of caution: you’ll need to sort out any audio/visual component of the entertainment well before the day of. This is true even if your “entertainment” is as simple as a Spotify playlist. Too many parties (and weddings themselves) have fallen prey to technical difficulties; don’t let it happen at yours.

Whatever direction you decide to go, keep the bridal shower focused on the bride – and the kind of party she enjoys – and you can’t go wrong. Here’s to happily ever after!