Unique Bridal Shower Locations & How to Choose One
A bride holding her ring hand out to a group of women with celebratory glasses of champagne. Image by Elizabeth Wahab.
A bridal shower is an opportunity to connect with loved ones who want to “shower” the bride with well-wishes and sometimes gifts. It’s a great way to support the future bride and enjoy interacting with her circle.
While there’s no one-size-fits-all answer for how a bridal shower looks, traditionally, they are held in spaces where guests can sit, chat, and enjoy each other’s company. But nowadays, some brides want unique locations to make their events stand out. And let’s not forget their desire to stay under budget!
Whether you are looking for a traditional location or want something to wow the crowd, let’s look at some bridal shower location ideas and how you can choose the very best one!
Popular Bridal Shower Locations
A future bride smiling at the camera near a bridal shower gift table, Image by Nathan Russet.
Restaurants
Amongst the most popular choices for bridal shower places, restaurants are a great option if you’re looking for an easy, all-in-one event.
You will have to pay for the space, service, and food, but you will save money on utensils, plates, and decor. Plus, you’ll save a lot of time because you won’t have to set up, serve food, or clean up!
Many restaurants have dedicated event rooms or spaces meant for large groups, so be sure to call ahead and book a reservation for the bridal shower!
Hotels
Hotels aren’t just for overnight accommodations. Many have gorgeous event spaces and even outdoor gardens where you can set up a beautiful bridal shower.
Just like restaurants, you’ll have to pay for food, drinks, and use of the space, but you’ll be able to sit back and enjoy the party rather than run around ensuring everything is going as planned!
Winery or Brewery
Wineries and breweries often have interesting decor and beautiful grounds, which make the perfect backdrop for a bridal shower.
You’ll have to pay for the space and beverages. Some breweries and wineries offer small menus that compliment their offerings, but you can bring charcuterie boards and platters to feed your guests.
This is a great option for the future bride who enjoys sampling different adult beverages and likes to kick back with her friends and family!
Event Venue
For larger bridal shower guest lists, you’ll need a space that’s well equipped to handle crowds. So they turn to event venues that are used to hosting larger parties. They often have more parking and restrooms to accommodate guests.
Event venues may be more costly than other locations, but you can’t beat their experience in running events, especially those with large guest lists. Some have catering and decorating services as well, so it’s a great option for people looking to pay a flat fee and then show up to party!
Creative and Unique Venue Ideas
A future bride posing by a welcome sign and flowers. Image by Luis Montejo.
The Aquarium or Zoo
While a trip to the aquarium or zoo is a great family outing, did you know many offer event spaces with special perks? Consider hosting a bridal shower at your local zoo or aquarium to impress guests and get up close and personal with the animals.
Most packages include space rental, plates and cutlery, and a special VIP animal experience, like feeding giraffes or holding baby animals. You’ll need to bring your own food and decorate the space. Plus, there will be tons of unique photo ops that will give the bride and her loved ones a fun way to remember the shower!
Karaoke Bar
If your bride-to-be loves singing, consider booking a room in a local karaoke bar. You can serve snacks and beverages and will not have to worry about too much decor.
Plus, the entertainment is free! You won’t have to plan any bridal shower games because the guests will be singing along to their favorite tunes and performing for each other!
Boat Tours
If you live by a body of water, like a lake, river, or ocean, there may be boat tours that offer party accommodations. This unique bridal shower location would make for an unforgettable shower!
You can host a stunning event on one of these cruises. Most last about two hours and offer a variety of food and entertainment packages. So you will pay a flat fee per guest and the crew takes care of the rest! You won’t need to worry about setting up or cleaning up.
Plus, your bridal shower guests will be able to take in stunning views as they sail around the lake or river!
Affordable Bridal Shower Locations
A future bride posing with a bridal shower guest in front of a wood backdrop. Image by Omar Lopez.
Church Halls
If your bride-to-be is a member of a religious institution, save money by hosting the bridal shower in their fellowship or event hall. Most places have tables and chairs and won’t charge parishioners for using the space.
You can also save money on decor by choosing a fun bridal shower theme and creating decorations yourself using craft supplies. Pick disposable tablecloths that match your theme and layer them with thrifted fabric for a more luxurious look on a dime.
Another great way to elevate this affordable bridal shower location is to create a selfie station. You can craft a balloon arch, drape fabric, and make a catchy sign that ties into the shower theme.
Bridal shower devotions are an excellent way to honor the venue space and your bride-to-be’s religious preferences.
State Parks
During the warm weather months, hosting bridal showers outside is a great way to enjoy nature and save money on the party budget.
Some parks offer pavilions and other areas perfect for gatherings, but you must reserve them ahead of time. Most parks charge a small fee, but you may find ones that allow you to use the space free of cost.
Plan a delicious picnic-themed lunch and utilize natural structures when decorating. For example, you can incorporate trees and bushes into your design and use them to support your decor. You can also plan fun yard games, like cornhole or ring toss to get your guests moving.
A Loved One’s Home
The most popular affordable bridal shower place is the home of a loved one! Not only is there no fee, but the host is often eager to help make the bridal shower a smashing success! Choose a home that is large enough to accommodate the guest list you’ve planned. You’ll want to ensure there’s a first-floor restroom and that your host is comfortable with the plan.
If the home has an outdoor space, you can keep the party outside to avoid excessive cleanup indoors. You also won’t have access to much freezer or fridge space, so plan catering accordingly so nothing spoils!
Community Common Room
If you live in a neighborhood or HOA that offers a clubhouse as an amenity, this could be a great location for a bridal shower.
Many community clubhouses are free for residents to use. The space typically comes with tables and chairs, as well as access to a utility kitchen. You must decorate the space and gather other supplies to host the bridal shower. You will also need to purchase food and beverages.
But if you’re using the space for free, these costs can easily be managed to ensure the bridal shower can stay within budget.
What to Consider When Choosing a Bridal Shower Location
A wooden welcome sign reading “welcome to Fabiola’s bridal shower” staged near a building. Image by Luis Montejo.
Planning a bridal shower, much like many aspects of the wedding, should reflect the guest of honor: the bride! Your location choice must consider her personality and interests. So, if your bride dislikes the great outdoors, a state park isn’t the best option for her bridal shower location.
Here are some important factors to consider before you settle on where the bridal shower will be held.
Budget: Before you make any major decisions, you must sit down and determine the event budget. This will help manage expectations and decide how much to spend in each category. For instance, if you find a low-cost venue, you can spend more on food and decorations.
Venue Size: Survey the venue to see if it’s large enough for all of your guests. It’s important that everyone feels comfortable and not overcrowded.
Layout: Scope out where the bathrooms are, where the food can be placed, and where the gifts will be displayed. Make sure there’s enough space for traffic to flow and pictures to be taken without obstructions.
Safety: Always be on the lookout for any features that may pose a safety hazard. For example, if you are allowing guests to bring children, you’ll want to make sure there are gates around any bodies of water.
Weather: If you’re considering hosting a bridal shower outdoors, always be mindful of the weather. You wouldn’t want the party to get rained out or have the guests leave with sunburns! Always make sure there is shelter from rain and sun if needed.
Conclusion
Bridal showers are a time-honored tradition where loved ones shower a soon-to-be bride with love and presents. If you’re hosting one, be sure to choose the best location for your special gal’s celebration.
No matter what your budget is, choose the location that best reflects who she is, and your bridal shower will be a hit!