Bridal Shower Brunch Ideas: Sample DIY Menu, Budget and Checklist

If you’re planning a bridal shower, there’s a lot to keep track of. Especially if you’re going to DIY the food. The best way to get organized is with a good list. If you don’t have one already, here’s a set of lists to get you started. First, look at the simple Bridal Shower Planning Checklist. There’s also a sample brunch menu for 20 people. Plus a budget and a grocery shopping list. The list includes drinks and a mimosa bar, plus ideas for games and decor for a perfect brunch bridal shower.

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Bridal Shower Planning Checklist

Set the budget
Choose the date
Decide on the guest list
Decide on a style and a theme
Choose your venue
Decide on the menu
Order a bridal shower cake
Plan the activities and games
Send the invitations
Purchase decor, favors, games and prizes
Check on the RSVPs and finalize your guest count
Do food preparation tasks - shopping, chopping and set up
On the day of - welcome your guests and have fun!

For more about setting your budget, guest list and date, read this next: Bridal Shower Ideas: Planning Themes, Activities and Food.

Drinks For a Brunch Bridal Shower

An easy way to serve drinks is by preparing a signature drink ahead of time. Then serving it in a punch bowl, or pitchers so your guests can help themselves. You could serve a classic brunch drink, like sangria. Or try one of these delicious Punch Recipes from Martha Stewart.

How to Set Up a Mimosa Bar

Another way to serve drinks at your brunch is by setting up a mimosa bar. Mimosa bars are fantastic because the drink is easy for your guests to make themselves. You only need a few inexpensive ingredients, but once you set them up in pretty containers, the result looks fabulous. All you need is sparkling wine, juice for mixing and some fruit garnishes.

First, you can choose champagne or sparkling wine. There’s a few different types, based on where they’re made. Most people like Prosecco for making mimosas. Since the juice is sweet, look for a bottle that’s dry - the label will say “Brut”. Prosecco will be easy on your budget, too. You can find good Prosecco for less than $20 a bottle. Or hit up Trader Joe’s for even better prices.

Typically, one bottle of sparkling wine will make 6 to 8 mimosas, depending on how your guests mix them. Buy enough for 2 drinks per person. Add a bottle or two of sparkling water to the table, for guests who want a non-alcoholic mimosa.

Once you’ve chosen your sparkling wine, decide what juice to mix it with. Here’s where you can make a beautiful display. Choose juices with different flavors and colors to make your drink bar look interesting. Then add some fruit garnishes in complimentary colors and you’ll have a fun and tasty mimosa bar.

Ideas For a DIY Mimosa Bar

Prosecco
Sparkling water
Orange juice
Blood orange juice
Grapefruit juice
Mango juice
Papaya juice
Peach juice
Pineapple juice
Passionfruit juice
Pomegranate juice
Orange slices
Strawberries
Raspberries
Blueberries
Pineapple chunks
Sprigs of mint

Supplies For a DIY Mimosa Bar

Food Safety For a DIY Bridal Shower

When you start planning your menu, think about the kitchen where you’ll be preparing your food. Whether the shower is at your home or a community center, put your food safety first. The sample menu below is simple, cold food. But it’s very important that it stays cold. Make sure you have space to store all the food until it’s time to be served. Don’t shop too far ahead and remember to check the expiry dates.

For cooking and storage temperatures, check the USDA website: The Best Bridal Shower Favor: Food Safety

Sample Menu For a Bridal Shower Brunch

If you’re doing DIY, the best food to serve is simple recipes with fresh ingredients. Your guests will be staying for 3 or 4 hours, so make sure you’ve got enough for everyone. You want to offer enough for your guests to have choices. The sample menu includes 2 types of sandwiches, plus a yogurt parfait bar, fruit and desserts. Once you add coffee, tea and juice it’s a delicious and filling meal that your guests will love.

Croissant sandwiches: turkey BLT and ham and cheese
Yogurt parfait bar: vanilla yogurt, strawberry yogurt, granola, peach jam, raspberry jam, honey, strawberries, blueberries, chopped peaches, coconut, almonds
Fruit tray: sliced oranges, pineapple, kiwi, cantaloupe, strawberries, blueberries and grapes
Desserts: bridal shower cake, tarts and cookies
Beverages: Mimosa bar, coffee, tea, juice and water

Sample Budget For a Bridal Shower Brunch

This sample budget is for 20 people. The food cost is based on average prices for the grocery list below. Your prices might be different, depending on where you live and what stores are available. Make sure to check your local grocery store before you finalize your budget.

Total Budget $700:

Food: $165
Beverages: $80
Mimosa Bar $150
Cake: $50
Decorations: $75
Games: $50
Prizes: $100
Invitations: $30

Grocery List for Bridal Shower Brunch Menu for 20 People

For the sandwiches, buy either mini croissants or regular croissants and cut the sandwiches in half. Then plan to have 1 or 2 per person.
If the grocery store doesn’t have all the fruit listed, feel free to change it up and buy what looks the nicest. To have enough for everyone, you’ll need about 15 cups of fruit.
If you have other favorites, you can substitute the yogurt types, as well. Plan on 1 cup of yogurt per person. A 32 oz container has 4 cups, so make sure you have 5 or 6 containers or yogurt, all together.
If you’re hosting any vegetarians, add a container of non-dairy, coconut yogurt.

For the Sandwiches:

Mini croissants x35
Deli turkey
Deli ham
Provolone cheese
Swiss cheese
Bacon
Lettuce
Tomatoes
Mayonnaise
Mustard

For the Yogurt Bar:

Vanilla yogurt - 32 oz containers x 2
Strawberry yogurt - 32 oz containers x 2
Greek yogurt - 32 oz containers x 2
Granola
Peach jam
Raspberry jam
Honey
Strawberries
Blueberries
Peaches
Slivered Almonds
Coconut

For the Fruit Tray:

Oranges
Pineapple
Kiwi
Cantaloupe
Strawberries
Blueberries
Grapes

Beverages:

Orange juice
Bottled water
Coffee pods - 2 boxes
Tea pods - 2 boxes
Creamer
Milk
Sugar

For the Mimosa Bar:

Sparkling wine - 8 bottles
Sparkling water - 2 bottles
3 or 4 types of juice - 4 bottles
Your favorite garnishes

To Do List For the Day Before the Bridal Shower

Food Preparation:

Cook the bacon for turkey BLTs.
Wash and slice lettuce and tomatoes for sandwiches.
Clean and slice fruit for the tray. Store in separate containers to keep it fresh.

Set Up the Tables and Decorations:

Iron and spread out your table cloths.
Set out the serving dishes and utensils.
Stack cups, plates, silverware and napkins at your food stations.
Set up a hot drinks area with a single serve coffee maker or a 12 cup coffee maker and electric kettle.
Add coffee pods, tea pods or tea bags, sugar dish, cups & spoons.
Decorate with centerpieces and favors.
Hang your balloon swags or banners.

Brunch Bridal Shower Decor

To Do List For the Day Of the Bridal Shower

Slice the croissants and assemble the sandwiches.
Assemble the fruit tray.
Fill the serving dishes for the yogurt parfait bar.
Put out cream for coffee and tea.
Set up the mimosa bar.

Schedule For a Bridal Shower Brunch

At 10:30AM
The Guests start to arrive
At 10:45AM - 11:30AM
You should start serving brunch.
At 11:30AM - 11:40AM
Thank your guests for coming, toast the bride.
At 11:40PM - 12:30PM
Play your bridal shower games and hand out prizes.
At 12:30PM - 12:45PM
Cut and serve cake, desserts, coffee and tea.
At 12:45PM - 1:45PM
Opening presents.
At 1:45PM
Groom arrives, greets guests.
At 2:00PM
Guests depart.

Want more ideas and inspiration? Follow my bridal shower board on Pinterest: Bridal Shower | Wedding Shower Ideas & Inspiration