Picture this: you have a monumental task ahead of you, to plan a brunch bridal shower for your friends and Bride. Whether this is a responsibility you’ve been given, or you’ve taken it upon yourself, you have to ensure that the bride gets the best bridal shower ever.
But there is a caveat. You have never planned a shower before. You do not know where to start or how to go about it without overspending.
You are probably wondering; how do you plan a budget-friendly bridal shower? What kind of food would you even serve at a brunch bridal shower?
Well, do not worry, because that’s why we are here, to give you the best bridal shower brunch ideas on a budget.
The first thing you need to do is create a checklist.
Bridal shower planning checklist
Yes, rustic weddings are still in style and will continue to be. According to this Wedding Forward article,
Imagine the bride-to-be arriving at her bridal shower and finding there are no guests because you forgot to send invites. Or guests arriving, and there is no food. That would be terrible, right? That’s why you need a checklist, to ensure that you stay ahead of everything.
- Set the budget
- Pick a date and time
- Choose a location
- Come up with a guest list
- Choose a theme
- Plan the menu
- Prepare games and activities
- Send invites
- Decide on the décor
- Confirm RSVPs
- Shop for food and prepare it
- Records gifts and their givers
- Send thank-you notes
How do you plan a budget-friendly bridal shower?
Now that you have a checklist, how do you go about planning the shower without denting your pockets?
1. Delegate duties
Planning a bridal shower by yourself is stressful. But delegating duties to friends, family, or the bridal party can help ease the stress. Reason? You have people to help you run errands and make decisions.
You can even ask them to split the cost of the party evenly with you, which would offset most of the financial burden on your shoulders.
2. Reduce the guest list
A small guest list is better for your finances. You do not have to invite everyone on the wedding guest list. 15 to 20 people would do. But before you invite anyone, consult with the bride first to get her must-invite list.
3. Keep the location simple
Venues are expensive, so if you want to keep the cost low, opt to host the party at your own house. If you do not have a place, ask other people, like the wedding party, if they would host.
4. Let the theme choose you
Part of planning a successful and budget-friendly bridal shower is learning to use what you have at your disposal for your benefit.
Take stock of any decorations you have or can get for free and then use them to decide on a theme. For example, if you get several vintage décor items, you could repurpose them to create a fantastic travel theme.
5. Send out e-vites
Sending out paper invites can end up being a rather costly affair. And since the bride will also send save-the-date and wedding invites, there is no need for bridal shower ones to be so formal. So, to minimize costs, you can send free invites through Facebook or DIY the invites.
Bridal shower decorations
Visit your nearest dollar store to buy filler decors such as balloons and streamers. You can also have friends and family donate tables and chairs or any other piece of decor they may have.
One advantage of brunch showers is that they are daytime events, meaning you won’t need to invest a lot of money in lighting.
Make sure to include beautiful flowers. Collect those in season and use them to create DIY centerpieces. Also, remember to include pictures of the bride and groom to give the event a personal touch.
What kind of food do you serve at a brunch bridal shower?
You do not need a full sit-down meal at a brunch shower. All you need is an adequate supply of appetizers and snacks.
However, if you are not careful, you can go overboard and end up spending more than you intended.
Consider things like finger foods, pancakes, charcuterie platters, quiche, and fruits for the menu. You can opt for a mini dessert bar with confections such as cupcakes, cookies, fruits tarts.
Food Safety for a DIY bridal shower
If hiring a caterer is an expense you cannot afford, you have to prepare the food yourself. You have to ensure the highest standards of food safety.
Don’t shop too early as some foods go bad quickly. Remember to check the expiry dates of the foods while shopping.
The kitchen you’ll be working in should be spotless, and you should have a place to store all the food as it waits to be served.
Wash fruits thoroughly under running water, and if you cut them up, store them at 40 degrees Fahrenheit (4 degrees Celsius) or below. The best way to do this is by placing the container of fruits over another filled with ice.
Drinks for a brunch bridal shower
All you need is one or two of your signature cocktails in a punch bowl or pitchers. You can choose to set up a mimosa bar or even serve up the classic sangria. You can include tea, juice, and water for the alcohol-free options.
Sample budget for a brunch bridal shower
The budget for a bridal shower depends on several factors, such as where you live and the grocery stores available in your area. Let’s look at a sample budget for 15 people
- Food – $200
- Drinks and Beverages – $200
- Decorations – $40
- Games – $40
- Invites – $20
- Total budget – $500
Sample DIY menu
Here is a sample menu that your guests are certainly going to love.
- Quiche – Bacon and cheddar cheese quiche
- Charcuterie platter – Bacon, ham, sausage, sliced bread, cheese, dried fruits, and nuts.
- Fruit tray – bananas, oranges, pineapple, grapes, strawberries, mangoes, blueberries
- Mini dessert bar – Cupcakes, fruit tarts, and cookies
- Drinks – Mimosa bar, tea, juice, and water
To conclude, bridal showers do not have to be expensive. You can still enjoy a peaceful afternoon with food, drinks, family, and the chief guest of honor, the bride-to-be. It is also a perfect opportunity to bond with other guests through fun games and activities. So start planning now.
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