Bridal Shower on a Budget

Are you planning a bridal shower this summer? Fore-go the silly games and corny themes, and host a classic shower the bride is sure to remember. Best of all, do it for very little cash.

The key to a great shower is to build on the personality of the bride and/or groom. What are her interests or hobbies? Does she have a unique career? Does she collect anything special? Customize your theme to include these things. Here are a list of five themes that are sure to be a hit.

1. Garden party--This is a great theme for a bride that loves plants and gardening, or even for a couple who have just bought their first home. Print invitations on plain, cream colored paper. Use stencil or freehand flowers or plants on the invitation (ferns look nice). Ask guests to bring a potted plant for the bride. Give small seed packets or bird seed tucked into sheer organza fabric for favors, using simple ribbon or twine to tie each one to a cloth napkin (use paper napkins for a more budget friendly option). Decorate with a simple centerpiece of fresh flowers in a mason jar or watering can. Serve light finger food and host your party outside if the weather allows. Mother Nature will add to your decorations!

2. Cooking party--This is a good idea to help a bride stock her pantry. Include a recipe card in the invitation and ask the guests to share their favorite recipe. Have them bring the recipe to the shower, along with the ingredients to make it (you may wish to have them bring only the nonperishable ingredients if the bride doesn't yet have a home). During the shower, give each guest a sheet of scrapbook paper to present their recipe. When finished, put the pages together for a cookbook for the bride. Place all the ingredients in a laundry basket and give it to the bride at the end of the party. If the bride is already a seasoned chef, go gourmet! Have your guests bring higher end items, such as fine spices, steak, or lobster tail. Decorate with a centerpiece of fresh herbs for the bride. One way to give the shower a more personal touch is to serve the bride's favorite type of food. Then, use this information to decorate (Fiesta for Mexican, etc.) Give kitchen gadgets for favors, such as small cookie cutters or wooden spoons. Tie each gadget to a napkin with ribbon.

3. Wine party--If the bride is a wine lover, help her stock her wine cabinet with this theme. Send your invitations on plain white paper with burgundy text. Ask each guest to bring a bottle of wine to stock the bar and a bottle to share. During the shower, serve a cheese tray and a tray of chocolates. Offer wine glass charms (with wine glasses if you wish) for favors. Decorations for this theme can be very simple. Put a classic white tablecloth on the table and use wine bottles with a burgundy or white rose as a centerpiece.

4. Craft party--This theme is great for a bride that loves to scrapbook. Make invitations to look like mini scrapbook pages, using stickers and a picture of the bride and groom, if possible. Ask the guests to bring a picture(s) of the bride, groom, or as a couple. Decorate with a tablecloth of the bride's wedding colors, and decorate it to look like a scrapbook page. Give stencils, scissors, etc. as favors. When the guests arrive, pass out scrapbook paper and accessories and have them create a page using the pictures they brought. When the shower is over, give the book to the bride as a gift.

5. Spa party--This is a great theme to help get rid of the pre-wedding jitters. Have your guests bring something to help the bride relax before wedding, such as essential oils, candles, aromatherapy, etc. Decorate to look like a spa, with a bamboo mat for a tablecloth, relaxing music, etc. Then have the guests partner up and do makeovers. You can make your own face scrub, face masks, and other items for spa treatment fairly cheap using everyday items. Bottle some of it up to give as party favors.

These are just a few of the many great bridal shower themes that can be done on a budget. Choose one that compliments the bride's personality and you'll be well on your way to a shower that will be both enjoyable and memorable!