BUDGET BRIDAL SHOWER DECOR and IDEAS
Easy, everyday ideas for throwing a simple low-stress bridal shower that may not be Pinterest worthy by today’s standards, but can filled with love and special touches! I did things like craft a personalized DIY photo banner, print custom water bottles labels, use fun mix & match china, and make a Dollar Tree practice bouquet for the wedding rehearsal.
Hi Everyone!
As many of you know, I recently threw a bridal shower for my niece J. I was thrilled to be able to help send off my niece into her married life with much love and adoration. The whole family is so very happy for her and everyone loves her husband to be, E. She’s marrying into a wonderful family too! We are also so proud of her accomplishments in her professional and collegiate life.
She is bright, warm, loving, giving, gutsy, caring, charming, fiery and so, so smart!
J gave me free reign with the shower theme, colors and decor. Which was very gracious! J is very low-key so I tried to keep thing fairly mellow and relaxed so she would be comfortable at her shower. Since she was not hung-up on a particular theme, it was easy to plan the party using a lot of things I had on hand which saved me a lot of time, and money!
I went sort of vintage/eclectic with a dash of beachy.
So… you know, a schizophrenic bridal shower. lol
No, but seriously, I figured there was no sense in trying to transform my home into something it wasn’t, so I went with it.
It was a fairly small shower, so I was able to use real dishes with ease. We have done so well not using paper plates, I really didn’t want to buy paper products for the party, that is a whole other post though!
I gathered up all my cute little plates, luckily I had picked up a bunch in aqua from HomeGoods, so those worked out great! I got the sweet little aqua woven “basket” there too, as well as some darling polka-dot tea towels. Heck, even the lamp is from Homegoods now that I think about it! I love having an outlet under the bar because I can use a low watt bulb and really set a different mood with the lighting I can switch out.
We used the sun room bar as the first stop on the food train. Plates, napkins and utensils were all picked-up here. I had food on every table and the far side of the kitchen was a serving station. Sort of family-style and I think it was relaxed and comfortable. I won’t bore/tease you with the menu!
I also put the party games on the bar. The ball jar got dressed up with a little lace and put on pencil holding duty, while the clip-boards ($1 each, Dollar Tree) were corralled in a pink, vintage dish drainer.
I grabbed to clip boards to make it more easier for the ladies to write when it came time to play the games. At $1 each, it was money well spent to ensure my guests were comfortable. No struggling trying to write on a magazine, etc…
Just to be up-front, I did not want picture taking to take priority over being in the moment (and being a good hostess) so the photos I’m sharing with you are next day, but they should give you the general feel and tone of the party.
We had some mini-foods so I got mini-forks. Cutest things ever!!
Tissue paper garland and a sea shell accent dressed up a votive as a holder just right.
This counter was piled high with yummy food the day of!!
As a fun feature, I made a scrapbook paper and washi tape photo banner of the bride & groom with photos I printed out from home.
I simply “washi” taped the pictures and strung it up with some jute twine.
(yes, I used my glue gun to secure the twine. you know I love that thing!)
J really liked it and is going to take it home with her. As soon as I give it to her!
Earlier in the week, I shared the free printable lips and mustaches I made.
Well, they went over really well and the girls had big giggles playing around in the photo booth.
Out of respect for the people at the party, I’m not sharing them here.
(but they are SO cute!)
I added a makeshift “veil” and some other goodies to vamp it up with.
As well as a prop, that can be used as the practice bouquet too, if the bride desires.
Our bride desired, and took it home. (which made me very happy!)
Super simple to duplicate with Dollar Tree flowers.
Jute Twine.
.. and Embroidery Floss.
The pink ribbon is from Jim and I’s wedding and I hope it brings her much luck!
You can’t get that at the Dollar Tree though {winks}.
One of my very favorite things at the party was the Pallet Art that Jim and I made for the couple.
I didn’t even have to remind her to take it with her, she grabbed it right up and smiled all the way to the car!
J was tickled with the water bottle wraps that I decided to make the night before too!! So much so, I am now on water bottle wrap duty for the wedding. Speaking of… I better “wrap” it up and get to designing.
I’ll share a few more things as soon as I get a chance.
Like some Washi tape fun and a no-cooking involved Strawberry Lemonade recipe.
(I think my MIL had about 6 glasses. It was YUM!)
Hope I shared an idea or two you might be able to use at your next party!!
You take care now, thanks for stopping by!!!!
Siân Pitchford says
Just beautiful I love the mix of colours and mix of different things is amazing. Love the blue spotty plates!
Thanks for sharing :0)
Katie says
You did an amazing job pulling this together, it looks beautiful! Pinned 🙂
~Katie
Kimberly ~Serendipity Refined says
What a fun and beautiful party…ESPECIALLY the pallet piece! You created memories and a keepsake that will last a lifetime…she’s a lucky girl…to have found the man of her dreams…AND to have you for her Aunt! xo
Claire @ A Little Claireification says
Just fantastic – love all of the beautiful ideas! Pinned it and added to my BufferApp to share on FB & Twitter later today!! xoxo
debbiedoos says
What a beautiful job you did Shannon. I would have enjoyed myself so much at this beautiful shower. You did awesome:)
Laura @ Our Prairie Home says
So cute, Shannon! Love it all!!! You did a fantastic job! I especially love the pallet board art… Absolutely awesome!!!!
Jeanette @ Creating a Life says
How totally cute! It’s obvious you put lots of love into creating a special time for your niece. Beautiful job!
Jeanette
Lynn says
Oh so very cute Shannon!!! You did an outstanding job and I am certain J is beyond thrilled…
Susan says
This is darling…all those special touches, that’s love!
Alesha Haley says
Love this!! So cute!! the wood pallet is my favorite too!!