22 Bridal Shower Ideas on a Budget That Still Bring the Fun

Now that you're engaged, it might feel a little overwhelming to think of all of the prewedding events to plan. That's why it's helpful to consider bridal shower ideas on a budget since the average bridal shower cost can give you less wiggle room for your wedding day budget. Thankfully, we have you covered with bridal shower ideas that are as fun as they are bargain-friendly. We even spoke with a wedding expert, Mel Sallese of Haven 33 Creative, who has experience with making wedding showers even more economical for couples. She shared her cost-effective tips and tricks that can make your day even more memorable. Let's dive into some affordable bridal shower ideas that help get your loved ones excited for your wedding. To learn even more about wedding budgets in your area, use The Knot Budget Tool.

1. Reusable Bridal Shower Decor

If you're buying new decor, consider items that are reusable for other prewedding parties or even your wedding day. Sallese also recommends for your bridal shower decorations, "Plan the theme around things you already own, like milk glass vases (chic) or wood bowls (Bohemian)."

2. Printable Bridal Shower Games

Save a bit of time and money by printing wedding shower templates online. Many sites, like Etsy, have ready-made games for your event, or you can create your own themed games on Canva as a low-cost option. These games typically include classics like bingo, guessing games and scavenger hunts, which won't require you to buy extra things.

3. Paper Flowers and Garland Decor

Making your decor is a great cost-saving hack, and using paper flowers or garlands means you can reuse them or create them out of affordable materials. Sallese adds another way to save money on DIY decor: "Ask friends and family if they have any arts-and-crafts items lying around that they would be willing to donate or join your local Buy Nothing Facebook group."

4. Paint and Sip Activity

Have your own paint-and-sip party at home with just a few budget-friendly supplies and your favorite drinks. For this at-home bridal shower idea, you can easily find art supplies, like paint and canvases, at a dollar store, and you can even ask guests to bring in their favorite champagne or wine while everyone paints. (Plus, everyone gets to take home a special keepsake of their art.)

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5. Budget-Friendly Invitations

Sending out invites shouldn't be expensive, and you can find plenty of budget-friendly bridal shower invitation options over on The Knot Paper. Filter by certain design styles to fit your shower theme and aesthetic and even by different price ranges to fit your budget.

6. Homemade Photo Booth

Who says you need a fancy photo booth at your bridal shower when you can easily make one yourself? All you need is a backdrop, disposable cameras (or your phone on a circle light), some props and voila. You now have the perfect station to snap memorable photos with your loved ones at a low cost.

7. Mini Spa Station

Pamper your guests to a mini spa at your wedding shower with just a few simple items. Creating a spa station gives everyone a chance to relax and unwind, so set out some hand scrubs, nail polish and maybe even some face masks for a spa-themed wedding shower they're sure to enjoy.

8. Treat Station Bridal Shower Favors

Wedding shower favors are a great way to thank your guests, and one cost-effective idea is having a treat station of grab-and-go snacks. Consider making it a candy bar, cookie bar, cupcake station or some of your favorite local sweets to make the day even more special.

9. DIY Drinks Bar

Mimosa bars are all the rage, and you can get creative with what type of drinks your guests can customize. This affordable option is easy to have fun with, and you can try out options like a lemonade bar or, as our wedding expert, Sallese, suggests, "Have a flavored water bar. All you need is water and your favorite fruits or tea."

10. BYO Picnic

Take advantage of a local park or your backyard for a low-cost venue with an exciting theme: a picnic. Ask guests to bring their own picnic basket or favorite picnic snacks (this will help cut down the cost of food) and set up the perfect glam picnic with comfy pillows, floral arrangements and outdoor games.

11. DIY Balloon Arch

A balloon arch is a fun way to elevate any decor on a budget, and they're easy to make on your own. You can incorporate your color palette, fun design elements (like stickers or shaped balloons) and it even makes a great photo spot for your wedding shower.

12. Homegrown Bouquets and Flower Displays

If you've got your own garden, then you can save money by making your own arrangements out of your backyard flowers and greenery. This also makes them more sentimental, bringing a bit of your home to the shower venue. To save money, Sallese says, "If you're using flowers for decor, choose flowers that are in season or grown locally."

13. Affordable Bridal Shower Venues

Throw your shower at your home, a local park or a family member's backyard to make it more budget-friendly. If these choices don't offer enough space, however, you can also check out The Knot Vendor Marketplace to find affordable places to have a bridal shower near you and filter by a range of prices, including inexpensive and affordable options.

14. Thrifted Afternoon Tea Shower

Afternoon tea is a classic theme that never goes out of style, and you can visit thrift stores or estate sales to snag some authentic decor for your day. Shop around for teacups, table runners, vintage-style decor and signage while serving guests mini bites and delicious teas.

15. Potluck Style Menu

One of our favorite bridal shower food ideas on a budget is making it a true blending of your families with a potluck-style menu. Ask guests to bring their best recipes to let everyone sample some tasty eats. Sallese says, "Have your wedding party get together the night before to prep food… You can also cut your own fruit and veggies versus buying pre-cut."

16. Book or Recipe Swap

Speaking of recipes, ask guests to fill out your guest book with recipe cards as their gift to you so you can start your married life by creating classic foods from your friends and family. Or, if you want to fill your new home with some books, consider a book swap. Ask guests to bring their favorite books and write a special note inside the cover to create a library of gifts you'll enjoy for years.

17. Polaroid Guest Book

Set a Polaroid by your entrance and a guest book for your loved ones to snap a lasting memory. You can even prompt them to leave their favorite wedding advice or date night tips beside their entry or make sure you take a photo with each guest as a special keepsake.

18. Low-Cost Games

Thankfully, there are plenty of affordable games you can play during your shower that your guests will enjoy, such as classic guessing games or gift bingo. Sallese also recommends, "Choose games or activities that you don't need to buy things for, like having your maid or matron of honor create a rehearsal bouquet from the tissue paper and ribbons as you open gifts."

19. Brunch-Themed Shower

Planning your event between meals means you can offer your guests appetizers or light snacks instead, like with a bridal shower brunch. Not to mention, this lets you get creative with your menu, such as the mimosa bar mentioned before or even an omelet station, which is low-cost and lets guests customize to their tastes.

20. More Intimate Guest List

One way to make your shower more budget-friendly is by making it a more intimate affair. Cutting down the guest list means buying fewer supplies, but it also gives you a chance to really spend time with your friends and family on the day of the party.

21. Buffet-Style Food

Who doesn't love a buffet? Grab food from your favorite places and set up a buffet for your bridal shower, and this helps save money while giving your guests a taste of something they're sure to love. (One option is everyone's favorite burrito spot, thanks to the Chipotle catering cost being affordable for small or larger groups.)

22. Fairy Light Decor

Even if you don't have old holiday lights gathering dust somewhere, fairy lights are an easy option for brightening up a venue and making the theme even more magical. (How about a cottagecore shower?) Plus, Sallese has a pro tip for saving even more money: "If you're planning far in advance and want, for example, a Halloween-themed shower, purchase decor items the year before, right after the season ends, when items are on clearance."