Bridal Shower vs Wedding Shower: Ultimate Guide with Decor Ideas

“We’re engaged!”, two words associated with an abundance of joy, the entwinement of a couple, and the momentum of celebratory moments.

Now, if you have planned a wedding or been a part of a wedding party, you may have a different reaction. 

A rush of exhaustion might hit you. The memory of a three-hour debate over white plates might reappear. If you’re a part of the wedding party, you might get the sudden urge to check your financials. 

Don’t feel like a Debbie Downer. Those are totally normal associations. Weddings are obviously an extraordinary and beautiful milestone, but planning them can simply bring chaos. Even if it’s a micro-wedding, destination-based, or elopement, most ceremonies have pre-wedding parties and events to consider.

One of the most common pre-wedding parities is the Bridal Shower/Wedding Shower. In a 2019 real wedding study, 72% of respondents said they had a shower before their wedding. 

So, that’s going to be the first wedding party we break down in our soon-to-be wedding blog series. 

What is the difference between a bridal shower and a wedding shower?

Bridal and wedding showers are similar concepts but are executed differently. 

Bridal showers solely focus on the bride. Traditionally the party is female-based, the gifts are geared towards the brides’ interests, and the general theme is to honour the woman and her new life. 

Wedding showers are a modern approach to bridal showers. Instead of focusing on the bride, the purpose is to celebrate the couple. The party is co-ed, the gifts are usually home goods or money, and the theme revolves around the couple. 

Not all weddings have a ‘bride’, not all brides are hyperfeminine, and the reality is that men are also entering a new lifestyle after marriage. So, why not celebrate both? 

But, with all wedding decisions, it comes down to what best represents your relationship and how you want to celebrate your journey. 

Can you have both a wedding shower and a bridal shower?

Typically, couples choose to have one shower. Although, there are specific scenarios where it’s appropriate to throw both a wedding and bridal shower. Since showers center around gifts, you want to be courteous to your guests. 

If you have a small guest list, it’s a lot to ask your loved ones to attend two showers. 

Supposing that the bride has a close kit group, she may want an intimate bridal shower with them and a wedding shower for all friends/family. This way, the close kit group can opt-in to attend both.

Have a tight guest list? Throw a bridal shower for attendees. Host a wedding shower for people who can't attend your ceremony. Be honest with your approach. Let them know your wedding is at full capacity, but you still want to them be a part of the celebration.

Only throw multiple showers if you have to and if it’s reasonable. Your wedding day budget is most important! 

Do grooms go-to wedding or bridal showers?

Grooms attend wedding showers, but do not attend bridal showers. 

Bridal showers are traditionally female-led and have a no-boys policy. Guests are usually close to the bride, but some brides will invite the groom's mom(s), sister(s), or other close female family/friends. 

Who pays for a bridal shower or wedding shower? 

For either shower, the person who hosts the party will cover the majority of the costs.  

At a bridal shower, the maid of honour, the bride’s relatives, or the bridal party will plan the shower. Generally, one person will be the head coordinator and the others will pitch in with ideas, setup, and costs.

For a wedding shower, either the couple, the relatives of the couple or the wedding party will take on the task. Again, generally, one person will lead the planning stage, but others will pitch in. 

The ultimate guide for planning a wedding or bridal shower

Planning a shower isn’t like throwing a regular party. A shower needs to be well organized, thought-out and represents the bride or couple. 

Here is how to plan a wedding or bridal shower in 10 steps: 

Pick your budget first because it will determine your theme, location, and guest list. On average, showers range from $10 - $150 per head. 

Some people choose a date, location, and guest list before the theme. We recommend having a few theme ideas while determining your budget. Your theme and budget impact the guest list, decorations, location, etc. the most. 

If your bride is set on a spa-day theme, you can’t invite 50 people. If your theme is a day in Paris, you can’t pick an Italian restaurant as your location. 

Your theme may slightly change as you're developing the guest list and sourcing a location, but at least you have a few options to bounce off of and are guided in your research. 

How far in advance should a bridal or wedding shower be? 2 months before the wedding is the sweet spot. 

Anywhere from 6-2 months is appropriate, but you don't want the party too close or too far from the wedding. 

Too close to the wedding will cause unnecessary stress. Too far from the wedding, well, unfortunately, you risk the wedding being cancelled and having to return all of the gifts. 

4. Create a bridal shower guest list. 

Now that you have a budget in mind and a general idea for the theme, you’ll have an approximate idea of how many people can be invited.  

For bridal showers, it’s important to run the guest list by the bride. As tempting as a surprise is, you don’t want to leave anyone off the list or accidentally invite someone who isn't invited to the wedding.

For a wedding shower, you’ll also want to discuss possible ideas with the couple. They might want to invite people who can't attend the ceremony or plan multiple small showers if they have a large group of friends. 

Inviting people who aren't invented to the wedding is usually a big no, but it has become more popular for couples who have smaller budgets, family/friends will complicated schedules, etc. 

Don’t feel obligated to follow traditional rules, it’s your celebration! 

When finding a location make sure it follows the theme, has an appropriate capacity, is in a convenient location, can you decorate, has ample parking, and the food/drinks are accommodating to dietary restrictions. 

In most cases, someone will offer their home as the venue to save on costs. 

Sending out invitations should be done well in advance, so guests have time to make arrangements and source a gift. 

Six - eight weeks is the sweet spot, specifically if you’re sending them by mail. 

If you’re opting in for email or text invitations, you could send them 4 weeks out. 

No matter, ask guests to RSVP no later than two weeks before the party. 

Showers typically last 2-4 hours. In terms of games and food, it’s better to have more than less.

Consider appetizers, if you’ll offer a full meal, alcoholic beverages, have a variety of vegetarian and vegan options, etc. 

Have 2-4 different bridal shower-specific games and a few everyday games on hand. 

You can always send guests home with leftovers and you won't have to worry about awkward downtime.

At Party Stuff, we’re firm believers that party decorations can save any party. 

Lacking on food or activities? Venue isn’t the cutest, but it was a great deal? 

Guests can be wowed with decorations. It’s redundant to say, but we’re in the digital age. 

If there are blush balloons, balloon bouquets, balloon garlands, hilarious photo pros, a fun backdrop, or cheesy wearable accessories–guests will be too busy taking photos to notice any shortcomings. 

Also, the right tableware and accessories can make a table look fuller and more luxurious.

9. Create an uplifting playlist.

A lot of planners miss this step and it’s a big oversight for any event.

Nobody wants to hear the crunching of crackers, the squeaking of floorboards, or dead silence between chatter. 

Your shower playlist should be versatile: mellow music, the couple’s favourites, dancing songs, and classics. 

Don’t forget to charge your Bluetooth speakers!! 

Having an hourly schedule with specific tasks dedicated to people, might seems dramatic, but it goes a long way. 

You don't have to follow the itinerary closely, but it’ll keep the party running smoothly. 

Here is what we suggest: 

• 10:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.:

Host(s) and planner-helpers start setting up for the bridal/wedding shower. This includes food/drink preparation, decorating, arranging games, charging speakers, helping the couple get ready, and being prepared for guest questions (like directions). 

• 12:00 p.m.–12:30 p.m.:

The guests arrive at the party, enjoy hors d’oeuvres, and mingle. Host(s)/planner(s) accept and keep a log of gifts as well as put coats away.

• 12:30 p.m.–1:30 p.m.: 

Guests gather to play games and mingle further. 

• 1:30 p.m.–2:30 p.m.: 

Serve the main meal and bring out dessert (if applicable), or have a break for more appetizers and refreshments.

• 2:30 p.m.–3:30 p.m.: 

Bride(s) and/or groom(s) open gifts and talk closely with guests. The host/helpers should be taking the gifts after they’re opened and storing them.

• 3:30 p.m.–4:00 p.m.: 

The host or other close relatives/friends shares a toast to the bride/groom, thanks the guests for coming to the party, and hands out bridal shower favours.

• 4:00 p.m.:

Bridal shower ends and guests leave. The host/helpers should be helping with coats and goodbyes. Make sure the couple receives the gift log so they can send thank-you cards later.

Bridal and Wedding Shower Decoration Ideas

Of course decorations are based on the theme, but there are certain products you’ll want to include to ensure the theme is front and center. 

Party Stuff has four different bridal shower-themed categories to make decorating easy: Blush Wedding, Love and Leaves, Mint to Be, and Sparkle Wedding. 

Each themed category includes tableware, balloon options, banners, and wall decor. 

If we don't cover your full bridal shower theme, we still have amazing one-off options that will complement it. 

Including these four key decorations will make your party look picturesque:

1. Helium Balloon Bouquets

You see balloon bouquets all over social media for any party/event. 

Why are they so popular? They fill dead space, they add to your theme, they’re chic, and they’re a great photo prop. 

Here are some of our favourite balloon bouquets: 

1. Photo Wall/Backdrop

Again, events have evolved to be based around photos. A photo wall/backdrop will keep your photos timeless and clean. 

It can be as simple as renting a balloon arch and filling it with flowers, balloons, ribbons, etc. 

Alternatively, it can be as grand as ordering a bridal shower backdrop and completing the area with rugs, chairs, flowers, etc. 

Here are some of our favourite photo wall/backdrops: 

1. Party Lights

String lights have a certain je ne sais quoi; they never fail to transform a space from plain to cozy. 

Include them on your photo wall, hang them around the venue, or drape them from the gift or food table, the options are endless and you can’t go wrong. 

Here are some of our favourite party lights’ designs: 

1. Tableware and Setting

Your tableware and setting should flow with the theme, but still be practical.

Paper plates/cups sound ‘cheap’, but they’ve had a glow up throughout the years. You can find very simplistic and classic designs that can be dressed up with a tablecloth and cloth napkins. 

Same with plastic wine or champagne glasses.

Don’t skip on table accessories either. Fill your table(s) with small flower arrangements, candles, polaroid pictures, customized signs, etc. 

The small details make a big impact! 

Here are some of our favourite tableware and settings: 

Planning a Wedding or Bridal Shower

Our final tips for planning a wedding or bridal shower…

If you need any guidance on planning your wedding/bridal shower, don’t hesitate to contact one of our Party Stuff stores! We’re happy to provide tips and steer you in the right direction.