Ten Thoughtful and Fun Bridal Shower Party Favors
Think of all the bridal shower women attend throughout their lifetimes! One way to make your bridal shower one that your guests will remember is to give them a token of your thanks for attending — a bridal shower favor.
Choosing the right bridal shower favor is important, not just to serve as a reminder of the shower, but to complement the theme. The best favors are fun and decorative — even destined to bring a touch of satisfaction to your guests for years to come.
Cookie Cutters
One inexpensive, cute and popular shower favor is cookie cutters. With such a wide selection available online and off, it should be easy to find a cutter that fits your theme. If you can't, or don't want to stick to a theme, get cutters in the shape of a heart with a homey little message (for example - "cut out for love.") They're cute, creative, and whenever your guests open that drawer or even make cookies, they'll remember your party.
Photo Albums
Another great idea is a miniature photo album. No matter your price range, you're bound to find something adorable. If you've got the extra time to personalize them, try decorating them yourself, or pre-populating the albums with a few photos of "the girls" or the bride. Or buy one that's designed to fit your shower theme. Now your guests have a terrific place to save their own snapshots of the shower ... or the wedding.
Disposable Cameras
Do you want to make sure you get some good, candid pictures of your shower? Many hosts opt to scatter around a few disposable cameras, which can double as a shower favor. Like most favors, disposable cameras come in a dizzying variety of themes and styles. If you have some special shots you'd like to make sure your guests capture, tell them so with a cute tag:
"You may see photo ops others might not, so pick up this camera and take your best shot!" You can even make a "scavenger hunt" of photos you'd like your guests to take and award a small prize to those who complete the list.
Potpourri Sachets
It's old-fashioned, romantic and totally girly. Potpourri sachets, a timeless gift that reminds us of parasols, wardrobes and English roses, appeals to all our senses. There are a plenty of choices on the market, from sultry burgundy satin to shiny pastel numbers topped off with silk roses. Every time one of your guests cracks a drawer, they'll feel a little extra romantic ... and remember your party.
Sewing Kits
The bride is "sew in love" — what better opportunity to hand round a miniature sewing kit? They're handy to tuck in a purse, glove box, or any other place there might be a "wardrobe emergency."
Photo Frames
Everybody uses photo frames, and they coming in a dizzying array of styles, from shabby chic to totally cosmo. Give your guests a photo frame, but slip a special, personalized message inside each one (spritz with your favorite fragrance to heighten the girly factor). Later, your guests can slip in a pic from your wedding, or one of their own favorite couples photos.
Recipe Card Holder
A recipe cardholder can help you send a special message to your friends, while providing them with something they can use for a long time after. You can buy recipe holders online, or at most department, or even office supply stores. Many showers have kitchen tools as a theme, and what better compliment than a recipe box? You can include a card with a special message, or even include a favorite recipe of your own. After the shower, your guests can reach for a new recipe and think of the new couple!
Cheese Grater
This idea is cheesy...
really cheesy. Yes, why not give a cheese grater as a favor? By adding some ribbon to the grater, you can add a special decorative touch. A note saying "I'm Grateful" or "Love is Grate" can add a humorous touch. Now every time your guests grate their cheese, veggies or fruit, they'll remember your shower.
Manicure Set and Compact Mirror
Your guests will certainly have something to remember if you provide them with a heart-shaped manicure set. They're available online, or from bridal specialty stores. You could round out the manicure sets with a compact mirror and a note inviting them to "Look into the eyes of love." You might even find a set to match your shower theme.
Key Chains
Another genuinely useful item that doubles as a shower favor is a key chain. There are countless designs, colors and styles available — so many that you should be able to find one to suit just about any shower theme. Or fill a picture frame keychain with a tiny photo, or personalize a clear plastic one with a special message you've jotted down for each guest.
Hello! I have been out of the wedding scene for quite some time, but now I am hosting a couples shower for one of my friends. My question is….do I need to buy favors for the guests that attend the couples shower?? I honestly can’t remember what the etiquette is!! And if the answer is a yes, do you have any ideas for a luau themed party??
Any information you can provide will be greatly appreciated.
Thanks!
Jennifer,
Favors are not necessary to hand out, so I would skip those.
Hi,
I am one of two aunts that are hosting a bridal shower for our niece. Intially, it was determined we were hosting a tea themed bridal shower with dainty tea sets, lace doilies, finger sandwiches etc. However, we both know our niece absolutely adores sunflowers. But sunflowers are so bold and seem to “fight” with the original tea theme. Should we just drop the idea of a bridal tea entirely and go with a sunflower theme? Or is there a way to do both elegantly? It is for her afterall. What do you suggest?-Donna
Donna,
I would just add a couple sunflowers to a garden variety of flowers.
* Like here
Doesnt it look gorgeous in the white pitcher!
Donna,
*another pic
* centerpiece, looks dainty
* look how this centerpiece looks. With one sunflower it makes it so garden like
Donna,
I think the sunflowers looks gorgeous with the garden flowers and absolutely PERFECT for a bridal tea. They are not to strong at all. Loads of charm! In fact, I like the arrangements better with sunflowers. When using sunflowers try to choose sunflowers on a smaller scale. I hope this helps. I have a feeling the bride will be VERY happy and thankful for your thoughtfulness with the things she loves!
Thanks for your advice. I will share your ideas with my co-hostess.
My daughter is getting married in 2 years and is just finishing college. With student loans and her fiance in the military she has asked me if it is appropriate for her to register at a salon for her hair and nails for her bridal shower. I am not sure if this is appropriate.
Rebecca,
this would be okay only for a spa bridal shower theme. Otherwise it would not be appropriate.
* here are some great links!
Rebecca,
* here is another idea….Pamper the Bride Shower Theme
actually this would be an awesome idea and easy to do! All the guests could receive a great lotion favor etc.
Rebecca,
* look at this
Hi I’m Sarah!
My older sister is getting married. I am her MOH and her only BM i am only 13. What do I do about the bridal shower? My mother thinks that it would be bad for her to hold the shower because it would be like give my daoughter gifts. My family (Aunts Gradmother)
thinks that i am not capable of holding a shower. But I am!
So my aunt is saying to have the shower at some big expensive restaurant which i disagree to 1: because i believe the guest would have to pay for their meal. and 2: It would cause cousin rivalry (my other cousins recently got married.)
Would the guest have to pay for their meals? If so how rude!
Who should hold the shower? Me, my Grandmother,my Aunt or my mother?
How do I handel the situation??????
Also I don’t know what to give as party favors? Any ideas?
I was thinking victorian or blue?
~Sarah
Hi Sarah!
) Since you will be hosting the shower, you should figure out what you can afford, so working up a budget would be where I began. You could all be involved in being hosts if you wanted. Working together and planning the shower and this would be easier by sharing expenses. If you don’t want to share hosting then host a separate shower of your own for your sister or you could just allow them to host the shower and you could treat your sister to lunch and a day of pampering ( just you two). Tell them how much it means to you to throw her a shower and you want the full experience of the MOH responsibilites, that it is a chance for you to do what all MOH do and that you would like their support. You could tell them, that you welcome their help( remember if anyone donates $$$ to the cause they become a host, so their names should be listed on the invite) but you know you can do this. Ask them to please don’t take this away from you, cause it means so much to you and this is a once in a lifetime moment.
It is rude for the guests to pay for their own meals. You are right! No guests should be invited to a party and have to pay for their food. It is part of what the hosts offer as part of the party. If you want to throw the shower then yes! cause MOH and/or Bridesmaids usually do( unless they are immediate family but these days that doesn’t really matter
* tips
* more tips
* here are some themes you might love, to help get you started
I love your take charge attitude on your MOH responsibilites! Your sister is very lucky to have you as her sister and her MOH! If you have any more questions please write back, I will help all I can! Good Luck!
Hi Sarah, I am the mother of a bride getting married soon and her sisters are 13 and 15… so I am paying for them, so that is what your mom should do, and the other bridsmaids should pitch in to help. But you need to make sure that your mom can afford what you want to do. So check with everyone in the wedding party and see what your budget is and then stick with it. There are many ways to have an inexpensive party and still give your sister the day you want her to have. Search online for ideas. Good Luck
For my shower, I bought my hostesses picture frames, I wanted to personlaize each one and make them each special…besides writting a little note in each, what else can I do?
Anne,
You could have a pic of you with each one of your hostesses and put that pic in the appropriate frame. Have them engraved with a special quote or saying. Or place them in a organza bag along with their fave candy, then attach a note to the candy ” Thank you for making my bridal shower so sweet”.
hello all, my mother in law’s friends are throwing me and my fiance a wedding shower and we live in another state. there are 11 hostesses. i am told i need to get them gifts, any ideas for gifts that a appropriate and don’t cost a fortune. what is proper ettiquette for a hostess gift?
jenna,
actually this is a personal preference but no, it is not necessary to give a gift. you could just pick out thank cards from hallmark etc. to send to the hostess’.
*the knot
* i do love the idea of corsages for the hostess “gifts”.
* i dont recall etiquette mentioning gifts for the hostess; only a varey nice thank you note
also if a hostess gift is given i would do so in a private atmosphere, even with a corsage they could wear it at the shower.
A hostess gift is for someone throwing a party that you would attend… a shower is for you and your fiance… a thank you card to each one is all that is needed, with a nice hand written note inside thanking them for their involvement, and your desire to have been there.
My daughter’s shower is arriving and my other daughter, who is the MOH, says I am supposed to pay for the shower. Is this true? In my time, the bridal party paid for the shower and threw one they could afford. What is proper?
amee,
the mothers are not suppose to pay for the shower, it is the moh’s responsibility along with bm chipping in.
*Bridal Shower Etiquette
I think it cheap of the mother not to pay for a bridal shower. it should be split half and half between groom and brides mothers. based one what family and friends they decide to invite.
if you having a low-budget bridal shower. then OK. still kinda shameful for mothers not to pitch in.
The mother of the bride already has the wedding (traditionally) to pay for. Tradition states that the bridal party helps the maid of honor to pay for the bridal shower, not the mother of the bride. Most mothers I’ve known have helped in a small way, but they have enough to deal with and pay for already, and that’s why it’s the maid of honors job to pay for the party. And no one has mentioned the bachelorette party!
Jen:
Obviously you are not aware of wedding protocol. At least in the midwest, the MOB does not throw the shower. Just what is your understanding of what the bridal party does? I’ve been to too many weddings where the so called bridal party does nothing but watch out for themselves and drink too much. It’s an honor to be asked to be in the wedding party, but if you cannot fulfill your obligations, decline the invitation.
I am throwing a party for my daughter who has lived with her fiance for two years! My problem is this : they pretty much have all their household stuff. I felt that she should have a shower so they have stuff that belongs to “both” of them. The shower will be relatively small and a picnic setting. How do “properly” let people know where they are registered? I also thought gift certificates would be a good idea.
Thanks for any suggestions
debbie,
through the invites. at the bottom of the bridal shower invite you can have where the bride is registered. it makes it easier than word of mouth. gift certificates have been such a touchy subject according to etiquette. but its getting more common and i do see the “rules” bending/changing. here is a statement from a real bridal shower:
Gift Certificate Theme
Submitted by: K. R. of Richardson, Texas
Every guest purchases a gift certificate from the local shops in the bride and Grooms hometown so that they can utilize them throughout their first year of marriage (i.e. grocery store, department stores, specialty shops, restaurants).
*Gift Certificate Party
*bridal shower theme ideas
i do like the idea of this shower previously i struggled with it especially over at favorideas’ the basics of bridal shower etiquette. which i have some comments on there. i am changing my mind…i would love a gift card/certificate shower!! it is so useful!! smile! remembering at christmas getting gift cards; i was like what can i buy?what can i buy!! loads of fun! so go for it!! with a picnic setting how perfect. it does make more sense especially with so many brides already having a home before they marry or encore brides who have been there and dont that. i do hope you all have fun with this!! check out
orientaltrading.com for some inexpensive decor.
also if the bride wants to register for gifts at a home remodeleing store, she can register for the things she will actually use along with gift cards. that way its a win win situation.
Dear Debbi,
I’ve been to bridal showers where the groom and bride have an establised home. So on the invites they call it a “Green Shower” where cash is given. So people gave gift cards to their favorite restaurant or food store.
Hope this helps.
It may not be tradition, but it’s acceptable. If you two are very close, you most likely know what she likes and she wouldn’t want anyone else throwing the shower for her.
Also, talk with your daughter about it. If she doesn’t want you to, maybe you can throw a shower with her and family members, and her friends can throw her a seperate one.
My mom threw my wedding shower and it was amazing!!!
joyce, no problem! cute idea by the way! hope these help and have a wonderful time planning this….
* Bridal Shower in a Box: How to Throw a Bridal Shower for a Friend Far Away
* ideas for shower games and themes
* Recipe Shower by Mail
I’ve been to a couple mail showers for baby showers though it could also work for a bridal shower. A cousin of mine lived out of state of the rest of our large family. Her aunts hosted a shower where the guests brought the gifts unwrapped. We had a nice lunch then showed the gifts off to each other. Afterwards we all set to wrapping our gifts. The gifts were then shipped out to the expectant mother along with a video tape of the shower.
Is It proper to put on the bridal shower invite’s regestired at so & so travel for the honeymoon????? Also if the grooms parent’s are paying for the shower is it right that they say the shower is given by bridesmaid when they don’t pay?
NO NO NO! Given by should be who pays for it. Say it’s Hosted by the Bridesmaids.
Help! I am having a really hard time planning my best friend’s bridal shower. The shower is at the end of August, and I want to do like a picnic or tea party theme. I have no idea what to give as a favor! Any suggestions on the favor or tips on how to make the shower better than ordinary? Thanks! ( This is the first shower I’ve thrown…can you tell?)
I understand that it is customary to give a gift to the hostesses of the shower. Can you give me some ideas of an appropriate gift?
Thank you,
Sandy
Hi Barbara, welcome!
Okay, first, breathe. It’s all good.
Now, second! Showers are kind of casual affairs, all about friendship … not meeting the Queen. So call up the hostess, don’t be nervous about asking questions!
Ask her if there’s a theme, or even a ‘dress code.’ (At some theme showers, the guests are asked to dress a certain way, like in all pink, or even ’80s style, etc.)
Then, are you worrying about what gift to get? Ask for the bride’s registry info. Chances are at least some of the registry’s online. Registries are a GREAT way to pick out a fairly inexpensive gift you know the bride will want. Failing that, a theme shower sometimes dictates what type of gift you get (household goods, wine, lingerie, grilling accessories for a couples’ shower … )
Hope that helps — if you still have questions, post back here!
OMG I was invited to a shower that is in 3 days what do I do? I have never been to one of these before she didn’t give me a theme shes giving me a invitation tomarrow so I don’t know themes and I really don’t know what to do please help
Helping with favors for a shower. It is a pottery shower for the handthrown pottery/dishes the bride has registered for. The favor is a ceramic/pottery heart filled with chocolate truffles. Any ideas for something cute to put on the favor tag?
I am attempting to plan a wedding shower for my sister. We both live out of town and so in planning this shower in our home town, I was wondering if there was a way to encourage guests to do gift cards or have gifts shipped to the Bride and Groom without affending them? I would really appreciate some help on this one. Thanks dm
The aunts are hosting a shower for our niece. Their is 130 people
invited to the wedding. The mother of the bride wants to invite
150 ladies to the shower. I thought only the women from the wedding
guest list get invited. Can we say anything to the mother that she is
inviting way to many ladies?
You are right! While I have heard of people inviting every woman going to the wedding to the bridal shower, it is still excessive. Inviting people to the shower when they are not invited to the wedding is actaully poor etiquite as they may be offended to never recieve that wedding invitation, which gives rise to the question, why would they be invited to the shower?
Unless she plans and pays for everything, she is definately crossing the line. On a side note it is very difficult to find a venue that will serve 150 without having to nearly double your budget, if not more. It takes a large crew of people to server all the food at once, even buffet style.
There are a lot of other issues with 150 women at a shower, nobody has the space or need for that many gifts, its very showy, nobody gets time with the bride-to-be, games are either irrellvant or big productions and it would take three hours to open all those gifts, which adds to the price of the venue, IF you can rent it for what is turning into a 5+ hr event.
Good luck in getting others to support you and talk some sense into mom so that you can enjoy the shower and not stress over it more than the bride will over her own wedding. -Alicia
Go to this web site for directions on how to make the little wedding dress on a hanger …
http://bumblebeelinens.com/weddingdresshankies.php
Hi,
Does anyone have directions for making your own bridal shower favor that is a bridal dress? They hang on a tiny hanger and
are so cute.
Laura,
I think maybe a cookie cutter or mini grater, something small and kitchen-gadget like is appropriate, or even a tiny bottle or sachet with the bride’s favourite spice/herb would be a cute idea. You can either attach a small card or label to personalize it, and it is something people can use/keep.
Cheers and good luck.
I would like to host a really nice bridal shower for my sister.
Do have any ideas to make the shower intimate and personal.
Does anyone have any ideas for some cute favors to give out at a bridal shower being held as a picnic in the park? Preferably something that I can make on my own.
I am planning a “recipe” shower, where guests will be asked to bring a favorite recipe along with an ingredient or tool (like a whisk) required to make it. This is the bride’s 3rd shower, so I thought I’d make it easy on everyone’s pocketbook! Any ideas for party favors for the guests??
Ellen I think that sending the gifts will be greatly appreciated by your bride to be if she is not in the state your guests are coming from. As for a theme, I have found that a tea theme has been popular this year. You can also see if you can find something in a color the bride likes, flowers she likes, a certain activity she enjoys.
Rose, for cinqo de mayo you could have candy in magharhita glasses for your favors, chocolates or hot tamales.
I would like to host a bridal shower for my niece, she is from out of town and how do I suggest to my guests that they purchase a gift from her registry and have it shipped to her rather than having her ship her gifts back with her. Any ideas for a menu/theme for a luncheon?
i need ideas for favors for a cinqo d mayo themed shower thanks
Carol: it depends on the group and the day, as well as the itenarary. For example, a fancy formal shower with a full dinner works best in an evening on either a Friday or Saturday. If you are going less formal, then an afternoon brunch is lovely. Also, if the shower is during the week in order to match schedules, you may need to do an evening so people are not at work.
Karen: It depends on the shower. If your guest list includes a fairly young, fun crowd – then go for it. On the other hand, if your guest list includes you ultra-conservative grandmother and great aunts, etc – then probably not.
Carol: I think late morning or any time in the afternoon is ideal for a shower.
Question: Is giving out personalized underwear (cute boy-short types) appropriate as a bridal shower party favor?
I would say yes, only if it is a very initmate guest list, and if everyone has a great sense of humour. dont forget about sizes…you dont want to offend anyone
What is a good time of day to have a shower?