8 Bridal Shower Theme Ideas to Inspire Your Pre-Wedding Party
Photography by McLellan PhotographyWhen it comes to wedding planning, while your big day is, without a doubt, the main event, it's essential to think about the pre-wedding events, too! From hen dos, stag dos and sten dos to engagement parties, bridal showers, and more - there are so many occasions to have fun with your besties in the lead-up and ensure the bride-to-be feels extra-special. We're here to help you plan the best pre-wedding event with our favourite bridal shower theme ideas of 2024!
What is a bridal shower?
A bridal shower is not the same as a hen party, typically the maid of honour will host a bridal shower in addition to the hen party. But what's the difference?
- A bridal shower is a traditional pre-wedding celebration where friends and family "shower" the bride-to-be with gifts to help her set up her new home, often including games, food, and drinks in a more relaxed setting.
- A hen party celebrates the bride-to-be's last days of singledom, typically organised by her friends.
While bridal showers are more closely associated with American weddings, they're also gaining traction amongst UK couples. Both celebrations are centred around the bride-to-be, but a bridal shower is often more focused on gift-giving and socialising in a traditional setting, and a hen party is more about having fun and creating lasting memories with friends before the wedding.
Eight of the trendiest bridal shower theme ideas of 2024
So, where do you start? Themes are the perfect way to make your planning just that little bit easier, offering a simple way to organise a cohesive event sure to be remembered. An overarching theme will help guide the rest of your decision-making, making your job as maid of honour or bridesmaid heaps easier. From the colour palette and décor to the food and games, themes provide all the inspo you need to throw a memorable celebration!
With so many pre-wedding events to plan, we promise - themes will be your savour! Check out our hen party theme ideas for even more inspo. While for 2024, bridal shower themes are all about pastel tones, classy features, beautiful florals and dainty accents, popular hen party themes are all about bold pink shades and disco balls!
Found her Main Squeeze
If you're hosting a bridal shower in the summer months, there's nothing better than bold, bright, and summery hues to ensure everyone glows! The "Found her Main Squeeze" bridal shower theme is a fun and colourful take on the exploding citrus trend popular for 2024 weddings. Think gorgeous yellow dresses, garden party vibes and punchy cocktails!
Petals and Prosecco
For those who can't get enough of spring and summer garden parties, "Petals and Prosecco" is the perfect bridal shower theme for you. There's nothing quite as stunning as beautiful pastel floral arrangements, a gorgeous table set-up, or even a picnic with tasty picky bits and prosecco! Who doesn't love some bubbles? Better yet, why not spruce up your prosecco and add an extra-special twist with a pimp your own prosecco station with fresh fruits and tasty juices and purees.
Tea with the Bride-to-Be
Nothing screams bridal shower like a spot of afternoon tea, and we think "Tea with the Bride-to-Be" is the perfect bridal shower theme idea for a classy affair with guests of all ages! Think delicious platters of cakes, sandwiches, sweet treats, beautiful decor and stylish tea-length dresses to cover the theme from every angle. If a wild hen party is on the cards, a laid-back bridal shower might be just what your bride-to-be needs.
She's Tying the Knot
If you're the type to keep up with trends, you'll know that wedding bows have made a resurgence in the trends this year so far. So far, 2024 brides can't get enough bows, and if we're honest, neither can we! The "She's Tying the Knot" is a fun and creative way to incorporate bows into your bridal shower theme. Think dramatic oversized bows draped across chairs, stylish hair accessories, and a trendy oversized surprise bow to adorn the back of your dress.
Love is Brewing
If your bride is the type to be keen on caffeine, why not incorporate her one true love into the bridal shower theme? While you may be sceptical so far, hear us out! Warm hues of chocolate brown have been topping the charts since August 2023 and have carried through to 2024! Micro trend, where? For the perfect "Love is Brewing" bridal shower, opt for a gorgeous slinky and silky brown dress and ensure you have an abundance of espresso martinis on standby! We adore this theme for upcoming autumn weddings.
They Give Me Butterflies
We're all familiar with the saying (or even feeling) of getting butterflies when you're near your special someone - there's nothing better! So why not incorporate this into your bride-to-be bridal shower with the "They Give Me Butterflies" theme? Execute this bridal shower theme with whimsical and dainty decor and delicate pastel hues with outfits that match the girly vibe.
Something Blue Before I Do
For those after a traditional touch, you'll love the "Something Blue Before I Do" bridal shower theme. The history behind the blue part of something old, new, borrowed and blue exists to defend the happy couple from evil eye, as for many, blue stands for love, purity and fidelity. So, if you're hunting for a bridal shower theme idea with meaning and purpose, this one is perfect! It also makes for a memorable opportunity to gift your bride-to-be with something blue for her wedding day!
Love at First Spritz
There's nothing that signals a girly day like Aperol Spritz galore, and who says you can't organise a bridal shower around everyone's favourite beverage? Perfect for summer weddings, think bold hues of orange to decorate and wear, plus flowing drinks. We particularly love this bridal shower theme idea for destination weddings. Imagine a "Love at First Spritz" bridal shower theme before jetting off to Italy for the big day!
Choosing the perfect bridal shower theme for your bride-to-be
If you're a bestie on a mission, themes are the best way to ensure your bride-to-be gets pre-wedding events sure to go down in history.
If you've now got your bridal shower theme idea selected, you might want to consider your hen party theme, too. While hen parties typically happen months before the wedding day, bridal showers typically take place a lot closer - sometimes just weeks before the big day. So, wherever you are in the planning process, the Rock My Wedding team are here to help you along the way. Don't forget to check out our hen-do planning checklist for the ultimate guide!
