When it comes to planning or being part of a wedding, it’s easy to feel like the bills just never end. One easy way to save a little extra cash for the big day is to get creative when planning pre-wedding events. Whether you’re a maid of honour deep in planning mode or a bride just looking to cut back on costs for her guests, read on for our best bridal shower decoration ideas on a budget.
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Opt for Reusable Decorations
You might be surprised at how easy it can be to repurpose decorations between events if you get creative. When shopping for decorations, keep that in mind and avoid anything that specifically references the bridal shower, and instead opt for more generic options. Instead of buying banners, balloons and table decor that says “bride” or “bride to be”, opt for simpler options that say “Congratulations” or just have a pretty pattern instead. Even better, ask your friends and family if they have any pretty decor they can contribute, too! All of these items can be re-used for future pre-wedding events like engagement parties and bachelorette parties.
Make Your Own DIY Centrepieces
Creating a beautiful tablescape can seem intimidatingly expensive, but using bud vases, in-season flowers and thoughtfully placed candles can make for an affordable option that’s seriously stylish. The key is in mixing up the heights, textures and colours as you go. And lucky for you, we have a step-by-step guide on how to do exactly that. Bonus: the bud vases and candle sticks can be repurposed for the wedding, too!
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Skip the Storebought Trinkets
Instead of sending everyone home with little store-bought gifts or game prizes they’ll probably never use, save that money for more important wedding essentials. We promise, your guests won’t miss them! If you still want to send everyone home with a little token of your thanks, you can never go wrong with some homemade sweet treats wrapped up with a pretty bow.
Build a Floral Table Trellis
If you’ve always admired those stunning floral table trellises on your social feeds, this DIY is for you. It does require a little elbow grease, but the results are so worth it. Using copper piping from the hardware store, you can build your very own trellis to fit the exact length of your table by following this video. Depending on your bridal shower theme, you can hang pretty florals or herbs to match the event’s vibe.
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Borrow a Venue
A major way to cut down on bridal shower costs is to skip the pricey restaurant shower and opt to host it at home instead. If you don’t have the space in your own home, find out if a friend or family member with a large backyard or living room would be open to hosting it for you. Everyone is eager to celebrate the bride, and we have a feeling they’ll be excited just to be involved.
Make the Most of Grocery Store Blooms
As much as we adore the talented work of a florist, it’s undeniable that florals can eat a huge chunk of your budget when planning any event. To save on cost, opt for grocery store blooms instead (Costco has a great flower section, too!), and do the arranging yourself. If you’re unsure where to start, follow our step-by-step guide for creating a designer-style bouquet.
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Find Free Games Online
Everyone loves a bridal shower game, and the best part is, there are endless free options to discover online! Bridal bingo, bride trivia, and “Would She Rather?” are all classic options that you can easily find pretty, printable versions of online that can be customized to the bride.
Create a Floral Heart Arch
Whether you’re looking for a big decor statement piece or a sweet photo station backdrop, a floral heart arch (made using pool noodles and faux flowers) is the perfect budget-friendly option. Inspired by high-end floral installations, you can follow our step-by-step instructions for how to DIY this at home. Plus, since it uses faux flowers, you can prep this weeks ahead of the event and have one less thing on your list when the day arrives.
Make Your Own Paper Flower Bouquets
No flower budget? No problem. Using a few affordable craft supplies and these simple instructions, you can DIY your very own crepe flower bouquets that look just as pretty and will last *way* longer. These can be re-used for future wedding events, or just be placed around your home as sweet decor.
