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Updated May 15, 2024Everything You Need to Throw the Ultimate Beach-Themed Bridal Shower
Transport your guests to paradise.
We love the idea of personalizing a wedding shower to make it feel special. If the bride-to-be loves sand and the sea or is having a beach wedding, lean fully into the aesthetic with a beach-themed bridal shower. Whether you can easily get to the waterfront or need creative ways to bring the shore to you, we're here to help you plan the ultimate beach prewedding party. We have ideas for an elegant seaside shower or a glittery mermaid-themed bash—and everything in between.
Throwing a beach wedding shower doesn't have to mean anchors galore and navy-and-white-striped everything (unless you want it to, of course). Consider a SoCal vibe with bright colors and surf-shack vibes, or lean toward something more elevated and romantic with lanterns, roses and a decadent raw bar. The good news? A waterfront setting is so pretty it'll do most of the work for you—all you need are a few finishing touches to make the gathering extra special, like beach-themed bridal shower favors and decorations (more on that below).
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If you're a city dweller hoping to simulate the ocean breeze at an apartment or a local restaurant, these easy-to-pull-off ideas will instantly transport your guests to paradise. Just choose the vibe your guest(s) of honor will love the most, then get those beach bridal shower invitations in the mail pronto.
In this article:
- Beach-Themed Bridal Shower Ideas
- Beach-Themed Bridal Shower Favors
- Beach-Themed Bridal Shower Decorations
Beach-Themed Bridal Shower Ideas
When it comes to beach bridal shower ideas, the opportunities are endless. Go for a chic boho theme or a fun under-the-sea vibe—whatever feels like the best way to celebrate the wonderful bride-to-be or couple.
Elegant Oceanside Bridal Shower Theme
You can't go wrong with a classic beach-themed bridal shower. Transport your guests to a seaside oasis with this idea. To pull it off, you'll need light and airy decor. Use sheer, neutral linens on the tables (like white and cream) and dried flowers for your decor. To bring the theme to life, incorporate natural wood materials for a breezy, beachy bash.
Surf Shack Bridal Shower Theme
Your beach-themed bridal shower doesn't have to use all-white decor. Go for a surf shack-inspired look with fun colors (think: yellow, orange, pink, blue and green) and wooden accents. Keep things feeling casual with minimal decor and beach rattan accessories.
Boho Beach Bridal Shower Theme
Put a bohemian twist on a typical beach theme setup. Stick with neutral linens and decor, and then add in dried flowers and pampas grass. Use earthy, muted tones like rust, cream and blush to achieve a true boho vibe.
Under the Sea Bridal Shower Theme
While an under-the-sea-themed bridal shower seems difficult to pull off, it really comes down to color. Fill your space with aqua blue wherever you can: the walls, the chairs, the napkins, the table settings. Then, add in colors of the ocean (bright pink, orange, green and yellow) to bring the theme to life. Keep flowers to a minimum and instead opt for long strings of leafy greenery—like eucalyptus—for a seaweed-inspired look.
Mermaid Bridal Shower Theme
Photo: Ashley Kelemen
If the bride-to-be is obsessed with all things mermaid, this theme is for you. Pull inspiration from the under-the-sea look by using aqua blue as your base. Then, add in pretty pastel hues (we love pink and purple), shiny glass accents and boho pampas grass. Take it to the next level by incorporating seashells too.
Nautical Bridal Shower Theme
Your nautical bridal shower theme doesn't have to be over the top. Achieve the vibe by incorporating distressed wood, white linens and navy blue accents. We love the idea of creating sea-inspired centerpieces to take the aesthetic one step further. Use bunches of white flowers, greens and wooden accents.
Tropical Bridal Shower Theme
A tropical theme is all about using the different colors in nature. Use a sunset color scheme (blush, orange and yellow) in addition to green for an island vibe. The number one plant we recommend getting? Palms! Look for mini palm trees, palm leaves and dried palms as well. Finally, play with airy decorations and lighting to enhance the theme (think: string lights and lanterns).
Beach-Themed Bridal Shower Favors
Parting gifts for your guests are always a nice gesture. Let them bring the seaside vibe home with one of these beach bridal shower favors. We've got creative with beach-inspired twists on traditional party favors as well as outside-the-box ideas.
Flip-Flop Bottle Openers
Photo: Etsy
Bottle openers are a classic souvenir, and these ones are designed in the shape of a flip-flop making them the perfect favors for a beach wedding shower. Nothing says "a day on the sand" like flip-flops (except maybe a nice piña colada). Have them personalized with the details of the celebration for a sweet keepsake.
Pastel Cocktail Bombs
Photo: Etsy
Here's a cool mermaid-inspired favor for you: cocktail bombs. The pastel colors are right on theme. Plus, they're made with natural flavors. Simply drop one into sparkling water to create a delicious mocktail (or cocktail if you add liquor).
Seaweed Face Masks
Photo: REVOLVE
Give your wedding shower guests the gift of happy, hydrated skin. These seaweed-inspired sheet masks are a skincare god-send and an excellent beach-themed favor idea.
Starfish-Shaped Soap
Photo: Etsy
Soap is a classic for a reason, and this crowd-pleaser is shaped like a starfish to complement an "under the sea" or mermaid theme. It'll look gorgeous on your tables, and your guests can use it after the event. What's not to love?
Mermaid-Inspired Eyeshadow
Photo: Sephora
For a luxurious beach-themed bridal shower favor, gift your guests a mermaid-inspired eyeshadow. We love this golden-pink color because it's fun but still wearable.
Sea Turtle Tracking Bracelet
Photo: fahlo
These bracelets might be a splurge as far as favors go, but they're for a good cause. A percentage of each purchase goes toward protecting sea turtles all over the world and every bracelet tracks a real turtle. It's a beach-themed wedding shower favor that you and your guests can feel good about. Plus, it comes in a selection of stylish colors.
Nautical Personalized Rocks Glasses
Photo: Etsy
Glassware personalized with the details of your event makes a great keepsake. Guests can reuse them over and over again, and every time, it serves as a reminder of that fun and meaningful day. These rocks glasses have an anchor illustration that ties in with a nautical bridal shower theme.
Tropical SPF Lip Balm
Photo: eos
How about a beach-themed wedding shower favor that'll help your guests keep safe in the sun? We love a good lip balm, and eos (aka evolution of smooth) is known for its hydrating lipcare products. This one is SPF-infused to protect from harmful rays and it has a delightful coconut and pineapple taste (there's that piña colada again). If you're going for a tropical vibe, these useful mementos are a must.
Starfish Bottle Stoppers
Photo: The Knot Shop
Bottle stoppers are tried-and-true souvenirs because they're just so useful! It's the type of thing you'd never think to buy for yourself, but if you got one as a gift, you'd use it all the time. This starfish one plays up the beach theme perfectly.
Sea Salt Caramel Chocolates
Photo: Ghirardelli
Who doesn't love salted caramel? Send each guest home with a few of Ghirardelli's indulgent dark chocolate sea salt caramel squares. Thanks to the sea salt, they're the perfect edible favors for a beach bridal shower.
Beach-Themed Bridal Shower Decorations
The key to pulling off a themed party is in the details. Check out our favorite beach-themed bridal shower decorations below, including banners, table decor and more.
Beach-Themed Wedding Date Banner
Photo: Etsy
What's a wedding shower without a banner? We love this one because it simply lists the wedding date, so it could work for any to-be-wed or couple.
Colorful Dried Flowers
Photo: AFLORAL
Say hello to your beach bridal shower centerpieces. Swap fresh flowers for dried blooms to play up the beachy boho theme. This bouquet includes pastel hues that add a subtle pop of color and work especially well if you're planning a mermaid-inspired bash.
Beach-Themed Bridal Shower Signs
Photo: Etsy
Save time and money decorating your event with these printable signs for favors, food and drink stations, and cards and gifts. Each one is illustrated with a pretty shell and starfish pattern. Hang them around the space to bring the beach theme to life.
Unique Seashell Wreath
Photo: Williams Sonoma
Feel free to get creative with your beach-themed bridal shower decorations. Instead of traditional flowers or confetti, why not decorate tables with a stunning seaside-inspired wreath? This beautiful creation is assembled by hand and features lots of nautical nods like starfish, shells and pops of ocean blue.
Sparkly Seahorse Balloon
Photo: Etsy
Balloon arches look great, but if you're DIY-ing it, they take a lot of time and effort. Instead, bring your whimsical beach bridal shower to life with this giant sparkly seahorse balloon.
Beach-Themed Bridal Shower Welcome Sign
Photo: Etsy
Set the tone for the event instantly with this pretty beach-themed welcome sign template. The subtle landscape design illustrates painterly waves on a white background.
Faux Monstera Leaves
Photo: Michaels
Monstera leaves are the emblem of tropical beach-themed decor. Adding greenery to your wedding shower will instantly brighten up the room. Simply place this reusable centerpiece in a vase to zhuzh up the gift table, drink station or welcome area.
Surf Shack Welcome Sign
Photo: Etsy
Create your own little surf shack with this unique welcome sign. Your guest of honor can even bring it home as a reminder of the special day. The Etsy seller is happy to work with you to customize the text so you can make it work for your event.
Mermaid-Inspired Table Runner
Photo: Etsy
Unleash your inner mermaid with this fun table runner. Simply lay it out on top of colorful linens, and you're done.
Beach-Themed Bridal Shower Games
Photo: Etsy
Not only will these beach-themed bridal shower games provide entertainment, they'll also serve as extra decoration on your tables. There are six options for guests to enjoy, including "Would You Rather?" and "Who Knows the Bride Best?"
Naoimh O'Hare contributed to this article.
