Planning for a bridal party is almost as exciting as getting married! You will probably still go out with your friends after your wedding, but a bridal shower always has a special place in the future bride’s heart. You want to make it spectacular.
But what if your financial resources are limited? That doesn’t have to be an obstacle. We know how to plan a bridal party that will become your favorite memory, even if it’s on a budget. Your bachelorette party can still be the best party you’ve ever attended – check out our suggestions and start planning!
11 Ideas for Organizing a Bridal Shower on a Budget
Not throwing money around might actually be a good thing. There are plenty of things you can make yourself instead of buying. Not only will you save money, but you’ll also have room to show off your creativity and bond with your friends even more readily. It’s the way to pull off a delightful and unique bridal shower.
- An Outdoor Party
- Homemade Finger Food
- DIY Decoration
- Only Friends
- Movie Night
- Handwritten Notes
- Friend Photographer
- Games Night
- A Trip Away
- Look for Discounts
- Backup Plan
1. An Outdoor Party: You’re Walking on Sunshine!
If you celebrate your bridal party at a club or similar, you need to rent the space. But if you do it outdoors, it will likely be free!
Choosing a picnic at a local park or a day on the beach will save you tons of money you would’ve spent on rent. You can now redirect it to something else on your bridal shower planning list that will bring you more pleasure than a stuffy club.
Having your party outside also gives you more options in activities or games to play. Are you into tanning? Outdoor bridal showers are perfect for summer weddings, just don’t forget the sunscreen!
2. Homemade Finger Food: Play with Simple Recipes and Make It Fun
Would you like to know how to plan a bridal party that your friends will talk about for days? At most bridal showers, the food is already there when guests arrive. But why not spice it up with a test of your friends’ cooking skills?
Of course, we’re not talking about preparing complicated five-course meals that will take forever. We’re talking about tasty bites that are easy to make and will keep you full as you enjoy the music and the drinks.
If you don’t think cooking will appeal to your friends, you can still prepare some simple finger food yourself. That might be better options than ordering expensive catering. We bet it’ll be more delicious too as you’ll be making it with love.
Another option is to pay for a bottomless brunch, for instance. Brunches sometimes come with discounts, and you won’t have to worry about whether there’ll be enough food.
3. Unique Decoration: DIY Projects for a Beautiful Setting
Arts & crafts stores are full of fantastic materials that you can use to make a beautiful DIY decoration for your bridal shower. You’ll most likely need only a pair of scissors, glue, rope, colorful paper, and some sparkles. Check Pinterest for ideas if you’re not feeling inspired. There are plenty of tutorials on how to arrange a bridal shower that includes decoration ideas.
Prepare these in advance and ask a friend to help you out. Ensure that the decoration is suitable for the place where you’ll be celebrating and consider where you’re going to hang the ornaments. If you’re using Christmas lights, make sure there are outlets or bring enough batteries. Create a special little corner where you’ll take photos to make this exceptional day everlasting.
4. Make It Intimate: Friends Are the Family You Choose
We totally understand that it’s hard to choose who you’re going to invite. How to plan a bridal party without getting all of your closest friends involved? But just like you have to create a guest list for your wedding and think long and hard about who you want to be there and see you reciting your wedding vow, you’ll need a list for your bridal shower.
Big parties may be fun, but an intimate small party with your best friends might work better, especially if you’re on a budget. Besides, you’ll be able to devote time to each guest, rather than having minute-long conversations here and there.
5. What’s a Movie Night Out?
Don’t you miss sleepovers? You might have had them weekly when you were a teenager, and your bachelorette party could be the best time to revisit those carefree times. Make it a movie night out that ends with a sleepover back home.
Celebrating properly over drinks at a bar is a must – you get to dress up, take some fabulous photos, and dance until your feet start to hurt. But it doesn’t have to end right there. Head home, take off your makeup, and slip into something more comfortable. Chatting with your besties until dawn and watching a couple of chick flicks is an excellent way to end your bridal shower.
Think about the morning after as well. If you’re not in the mood for a spa (or if it’d stretch the budget), set up a beauty station in your home. Dedicate the morning after the party to beauty routines, nail painting, hair masks, and other treatments that pamper you and your girls.
6. Handwritten Notes for Long-Lasting Friendships
It’s a tradition to surprise your friends with small gifts or thank-you notes. For those on a budget, there are still things that they can do to stay original and extract some happy tears.
If you’re good at baking, how about making some uniquely decorated gingerbread cookies? You can even write the names of your friends on the surface if you’re skilled enough. Put them in cellophane and add a cute ribbon and a personal handwritten note to thank your friends for their presence at your bridal shower. Such a gift certainly won’t cost much, and your friends can choose if they’re going to eat them or keep them as reminders of how much you value their friendship.
7. Turn Your Friend Into Your Personal Photographer
In every group of friends, there’s at least one person who has a knack for photography. There’s always that one friend who’s always taking pictures of everything and everyone and ends up with the most fabulous (and sometimes embarrassing) photos after each party.
Why don’t you assign them to a special task? Instead of hiring a professional photographer, put your trust in one of your friends to preserve the best memories from your bridal party. They’ll take it as an honor, and you’ll have wonderful, spontaneous photos of your beautiful day.
8. Games Are Fun… and Free!
If you’re still not sure about how to plan a bridal party and make it really fun, games are something you simply can’t do without. There are a bunch of fun games that you can play and have lots of laughter with your friends regardless of age. The internet is full of awesome ideas, but we’ll give you a couple of suggestions.
Other than the well-known Pictionary, Bridal bingo, and similar, you can play guessing games like – who’s going to catch the bouquet at the wedding? Who’s going to be the first to get drunk? Write down all the guesses and get back to them after the wedding. It’ll be fun to see how much you were able to predict.
Furthermore, it’d be interesting to know which of your friends knows you the best. You can organize a small competition to find out and think of a symbolic award. And how about a treasure hunt? You will be the treasure, of course, and your friends will need to follow instructions to find you.
9. A Trip Away!
If your budget allows it, you can plan a short trip with your friends. It doesn’t have to be out of state as your local spa center, resort, or similar will do. The trip can include a spa treatment, brunch, party, or anything you consider fun. If you know what to do with insects, how about camping?
And how to plan a bridal party locally and make it global at the same time? If the budget doesn’t allow you to visit Rome or Venice, for instance, you can bring it to you. Get Italian food, wine, and music, and make sure the decoration also reminds you of Italy. It can be a staycation of your dreams.
10. Look for Discounts
It’s time to put your negotiating skills to good use. When you first set the budget (and this is an important step you should not skip), think of places where you think you could get a discount. Some restaurants, hotels, and spa centers offer a discount for group visits. If not, call the place and try to get one – it’s a once-in-a-lifetime event after all.
You might even find coupons for hair salons, professional photo sessions, and more. Make sure to browse the internet up and down for places that offer special packages for brides or bridal showers.
A great online website is retailmenot.
11. Plan in Advance and Have a Backup Plan
A bachelorette party on a houseboat or in your local park sounds like a dream comes true. But what if it’s pouring on that particular day?
Rain can really mess up your plans. You don’t want to waste your money or the time invested in planning the party. That’s why it’s good to have a backup plan in case something unpredictable happens. You already know that weather forecasts are not dependable. Your safety net could be moving your party to your place or a friend’s. This tip might just be the most important with regard to how to plan a bridal party, whether it’s on a budget or otherwise.
Fun and Love Are Priceless
A limited budget no problem if you organize your time and money carefully and in advance. Hey, you might even have everyone asking you how to plan a bridal party afterward. DIY decoration, homemade food, and an outdoor celebration can feel like Hollywood if you’re creative enough.
Make sure there’s plenty of laughter and let your friends know how much you appreciate them. You’ll be throwing a unique bridal shower fondly remembered by your best friends.
You can’t put a price tag on fun and love, can you?
