22 Travel-Themed Bridal Shower Ideas for the Adventurous Bride

Consider this your list of must-haves for a wanderlust-inspired party.
22 Ideas for a Travel-Themed Bridal Shower
Photos from top left: Etsy, Amazon, Etsy, Etsy
Jamie Kravitz - The Knot Contributor.
by
Jamie Kravitz
Jamie Kravitz - The Knot Contributor.
Jamie Kravitz
The Knot Contributor
  • Jamie writes e-commerce articles for The Knot Worldwide, with a focus on gift ideas, registry and planning advice.
  • Previously, she was a dating writer at Elite Daily and a contributing writer for Martha Stewart Weddings.
  • Jamie holds a BFA in Writing, Literature and Publishing from Emerson College.
Updated Jun 19, 2023
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A travel theme bridal shower is an opportunity to celebrate all the places a couple has been while also preparing them for their greatest adventure yet: marriage. This wedding shower theme is ideal for the bride-to-be with a bucket list that's pages long, or for the pair who can't wait to add even more stamps to their passports after they say "I do." Planning your travel-themed bridal shower doesn't need to feel as daunting as fitting a week's worth of outfits into a carry-on—we're answering your call button with this list of everything you need to pull off a first-class party. From travel-themed bridal shower centerpiece ideas to souvenir-worthy favors for the crew, here's how to celebrate the couple before they embark on the journey of a lifetime.

In this article:

Travel-Themed Bridal Shower Centerpieces

If you don't know where to begin when it comes to your party decor, check out these travel-themed bridal shower centerpiece ideas, ranging from vintage-style suitcases to handmade paper flowers.

1. Bon Voyage Centerpiece Props

Paper photobooth travel-themed bridal shower props
Photo: Amazon

Top off custom floral centerpieces or DIY arrangements with these travel-themed props. Each kit includes 21 cute paper cutouts, like passports, compass motifs and suitcases, plus the wooden dowels.

2. Recycled Map Paper Flowers

Recycled map paper flower wedding bouquet from Greencycledesigns
Photo: Greencycledesigns

These paper flowers made from maps are a special way to add personal details to your travel-themed bridal shower centerpieces. With the custom request option, you can highlight the couple's hometowns, the place where they met or the state they now call home. Display the paper roses individually or use them to make sustainable bouquets.

3. Blue Cardboard Suitcases

Blue and gold cardboard suitcases for your travel-themed bridal shower
Photo: Amazon

Stack these suitcases on the welcome table or split them up individually on various tables to accent your centerpieces. The baby blue color is perfect as a 'something blue' detail, but you can choose from more than a dozen other colors and patterns to match your decor.

4. Vintage Travel Place Card Template

Vintage travel-themed place cards for your bridal shower
Photo: MossAndTwigPaperCo

Whether you're setting the table for a sit-down brunch or putting out food buffet style, these custom label map printables are made to be folded so they can stand on their own. You can use them as place cards or to label food and drinks so guests can scope out the different options. These are especially helpful for those with dietary preferences, because you can easily mark what's gluten free, nut free, vegetarian or vegan.

Travel-Themed Bridal Shower Cake Decorations

Decorate your bridal shower dessert table with these adventure-inspired details, including travel-themed paper plates, cake toppers and novelty cookies.

5. Gold Adventure-Themed Cake Topper

Gold cake topper reading Let the Adventure Begin
Photo: Amazon

A decorative topper will quickly complete your travel-themed bridal shower cake, whether it's a homemade confection or something you picked up from the local bakery. This one features elegant calligraphy-inspired script and a built-in dowel.

6. Cute Travel-Themed Paper Plates

Travel-inspired paper plates for the perfect bridal shower decor
Photo: Zazzle

Plates and utensils are must-haves if you're serving food, but you can make them part of your travel-themed bridal shower decor, too. Set out these adorable paper plates and let guests help themselves to treats and desserts.

7. Travel-Themed Cupcake Toppers

Travel-themed cupcake toppers for your perfect bridal shower decor
Photo: CatchSomeRaes

You can stick these cute cupcake toppers in more than just frosted confections. A combination of pink airplanes, heart-shaped map cutouts and brown suitcases adorn toothpick toppers you can pop in mini sandwiches and sliders, let guests use to skewer fruit and cheese, or even mix with fresh flowers for easy centerpieces.

8. Handmade Airplane and Suitcase Cookies

Handmade travel-inspired sugar cookies from SweetasPiDesigns on Etsy
Photo: SweetasPiDesigns

These beautifully detailed cookies look almost too good to eat...almost. According to reviews, they're as delicious as they are pretty, so make sure to take a picture before you take a bite.

Travel-Themed Bridal Shower Backdrops

Whether you're looking for an oversized photo backdrop or a simple banner to hang above a doorway, these travel theme bridal shower backdrops are just the ticket.

9. Glitter Miss to Mrs. Banner

Glittery gold Miss to Mrs banner or bunting for your bridal shower
Photo: BrideAndChic

Choose from gold, silver or black glitter for this "traveling from Miss to Mrs." bridal shower decoration. We'd recommend hanging it above the gift table, dessert table, or against a blank wall as a cute photo backdrop.

10. Love Is An Adventure Backdrop

Love is an Adventure backdrop for your bridal shower
Photo: Amazon

If you're working with a lot of extra space at your party venue, try this travel-themed bridal shower backdrop designed to look like a world map. It's accented with a stacked suitcase illustration and the quote, "Love is an adventure" for a perfectly on-theme look. Hang it behind the gift chair for some added decoration while the bride is opening gifts.

11. Adventure Awaits Banner

Travel-inspired Adventure Awaits bunting for your bridal shower
Photo: Amazon

You'll need plenty of travel-themed bridal shower decorations to help round out the vibe. How cute is this banner spelling out "adventure awaits" with colored map accents? Hang it above the dessert table or make the most of the Insta-worthy design by using it as the backdrop for a photo booth.

12. Traveling From Miss to Mrs. Bridal Shower Welcome Sign

Traveling From Miss to Mrs. Bridal Shower Personalized Welcome Sign
Photo: Zazzle

A floral-adorned welcome sign announcing that "She's traveling from Miss to Mrs." will help set the scene for your travel-themed bridal shower. If you prefer to stick with a simple "welcome" message, you can edit and print your own travel-themed welcome sign with this digital download.

Travel-Themed Bridal Shower Games

No party is complete without at least one activity that encourages your guests to mix and mingle. We've picked a few travel theme bridal shower games that tie into your theme and start some fun conversations.

13. Travel-Themed Photo Props

Travel-inspired photo booth props for your bridal shower
Photo: WhimsicalStarStudio

Attach these printables to sturdy craft sticks and set them up alongside a few Polaroid cameras for instant photo booth fun. Don't forget the extra film!

14. Customizable Advice Card

Customizable advice card for your travel-themed bridal shower
Photo: yescome

Put a fresh, travel-themed spin on a bridal shower tradition with these travel advice cards. Friends and family members can share their best tips for the couple and sign their names. Not only will the pair come away with plenty of useful advice, but the cards also serve as memorable keepsakes from loved ones.

15. Travel Photograph Guessing Game

Travel-themed photo guessing game for your bridal shower
Photo: SomeDoodles

This unique bridal shower game is ready-made for a pair of adventurers. Print, frame and number up to 10 photos of the couple in various locales. Then, have guests use the response cards to record their guesses.

16. Newlywed Date Night Ideas Game

Newlywed Date Night Ideas Game for your travel-themed bridal shower
Photo: MossAndTwigPaperCo

Set the lovebirds up for those nights when they aren't traveling by having guests fill out these date night idea cards as a bridal shower activity.

Must-Have Travel-Themed Bridal Shower Decorations

Looking for a few ways to upgrade your travel bridal shower? These editors' picks are the finishing touches you'll need, from favors to tabletop decorations.

17. Globe Guest Book

Personalized globe guest book for your bridal shower
Photo: TheLetteringStudio

In place of a traditional guest book, have everyone sign this globe, which can be customized with a hand-lettered quote of your choice, along with the couple's names and a date in black or gold ink.

18. Personalized Satin Eye Mask

Personalized satin sleep masks for your bridal shower from handmadesupplyer on Etsy
Photo: handmadesupplyer

Personalized favors for the bridal party will make your travel-themed bridal shower even more special. Add a name or monogram to these satin eye masks that come in both adult and kid sizes for better beauty sleep before the big day. These also make great favors for a destination wedding.

19. Love Is An Adventure Invitations

Love is an Adventure travel-inspired bridal shower invitations
Photo: Zazzle

Establish the party theme from the start with these pretty floral bridal shower invitations that read, "Love is an adventure" above your wedding shower details. A faded world map background, gold sparkle accents and vintage suitcase illustrations serve as details you can carry through the day's festivities.

20. Luggage Tag Bridal Shower Favors

Travel-themed bridal shower invitations in the shape of luggage tags
Photo: LetterandLeather

Send guests home with an on-theme bridal shower favor they'll actually use. These gorgeous leather luggage tags come in more than two dozen color combination options and are fittingly embossed with the text "And so the adventure begins," complete with a little airplane taking flight.

21. Miniature Candy Globes

Miniature candy globes for your travel-themed bridal shower
Photo: The Knot Shop

Provide guests with a sweet sendoff by placing a couple of individually wrapped treats, like chocolate truffles, inside of these mini globe favor holders. Bonus idea: Hand them out as bridal shower game prizes.

22. Travel-Themed Printable Sign Bundle

Travel-Themed Printable Sign Bundle for your bridal shower
Photo: Printable Moment

Designate the different stations of the party with punny signs using these editable, printable templates. There are seven signs, including "guest check-in," which you can use to indicate that attendees should sign the guest book; "luggage drop off" to place by the gift table; "passport photos" for a photo booth or selfie backdrop; and "baggage claim" to put where guests can pick up their party favors.

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