5 Bridal Shower Ideas That Won’t Break the Bank

Congratulations! You’ve been selected to plan a bridal shower. Your mission, should you choose to accept it, involves planning a party full of fun, laughter, and memories that will be shared for years to come. Doing so—while also having enough money to afford the necessary expenses that come with participating in the upcoming wedding—can feel like a dang near mission impossible! If this sounds like you, don’t worry, you’re not alone. The truth is, being in a wedding is expensive, especially when it seems like all of your friends have been struck by Cupid’s arrow. But by thinking a little outside the box, you can give your bride the Instagram-worthy shower she always wanted, while also giving your wallet a break. [Warning: this blog posts contains classified bridal shower information and may result in an expertly planned event.]

Decide How Much You’re Willing to Spend

Now, this might vary from party to party, but you’ll definitely want to find out who is paying for what at the beginning of the planning process. In some cases, the mother of the bride will offer to pay for the whole event. In other cases, the maid of honor is expected to pay. It’s also possible that all of the bridesmaids will divvy up costs amongst themselves (which might be the most cost-effective solution for everyone involved). Whatever the case, try to find out how much you’ll be personally responsible for. Need to come up with the money fast? Take a look at your online bank account to see what you have available now, or cut back on unnecessary spending so you have a few extra resources when it comes time to whip out your wallet.

Choose a Free Location

Not every bridal shower needs to take place in a fancy banquet hall or be accompanied by a hefty restaurant bill. In fact, it’s becoming increasingly common to host a bridal shower at a free location, like a member of the wedding party’s home or backyard. With plenty of decorative ideas on social media, you’ll find no shortage of ways you can easily make any location fit for a party.

Send Digital Invites

Social media isn’t just good for bridal shower inspiration, it’s also good for letting guests know about your event—oh, and it’s free! Leave the fancy stationery for the save-the-dates. A bridal shower doesn’t require as formal of an invitation, especially if it’s only amongst a smaller circle of friends. Of course, there may be a few guests you’d feel better about sending a traditional invitation to. So, in those cases, visit your local Hallmark or a convenience store, but don’t feel bashful about sending out digital invites otherwise. Most guests are probably more likely to check their social handles anyway!

Look for Creative and Budget-Friendly Food Options

Unless the bride has specifically said she doesn’t want to be a part of the planning committee, it’s usually a safe call to assume she’s okay giving a little input. And it might be in your best interest to get that input when it comes to what dish will be served. Does the bride have an unceasing hankering for tacos? Consider having a Mexican-themed party complete with a taco and tequila bar. Ask the bride directly or talk amongst the other bridesmaids to come up with foods you know are sure to be a hit. Once you have that, consider budget-friendly ways of incorporating them into your party. If there’s a favorite local restaurant, you might even find they offer catering services at an affordable rate.

Do Something Else Entirely

While it’s not always a bad thing to go with the flow, sometimes you just need to break from tradition! And for some, that might mean doing something else entirely. Fancy traveling? Everyone loves a good road trip. Want to really catch peoples’ attention? Document an all-day shopping spree in honor of the bride-to-be. Just be sure you set some spending limits for yourself so you’re not stuck rationing leftovers while sitting there in your Gucci jacket. Whatever you decide to do, just make sure the bride’s onboard. Then you can relax knowing that she and the gang are up for a fabulous time!