Creative Bridal Shower Charcuterie Board Ideas
A charcuterie board is the perfect way to bring your bridal shower guests together and serve them delicious snacks with ease! But just because a charcuterie board is easy doesn’t mean it has to be boring.
A bridal shower charcuterie board can contain meats and cheeses, desserts, drinks, and even veggies. There’s many creative ways to incorporate unique charcuterie board ideas into your upcoming bridal shower.
We’ve gathered 20 unique ideas to inspire your next charcuterie board adventure!
Types of Charcuterie Boards
Meat and Cheese Charcuterie Boards
Classic Charcuterie Board
The age-old charcuterie board, grazing table, or brunch spread has swept across the world in popularity and is now the gold standard in entertaining.
There are so many ways to bring charcuterie boards to your events but the very first way is with a variety of meats, crackers, cheeses, fruits, and nuts.
This gives everyone something not only that they know they will enjoy but the opportunity to try something new.
Having everything in small bite-sized options, with the proper serving utensils and cheese knives, also makes sure that the board is elegantly set.
2. Charcuterie Cups
As charcuterie boards have gained in popularity, everyone is attempting to make them in innovative and trendy ways. The latest in the charcuterie craze is individual charcuterie cups.
Whether brought on by the pandemic or just wanting to allow for individual selections, cups have become the new go-to for charcuterie.
The benefit to having individual cups is that everyone has a sampling of everything, they are more sanitary because they are not shared, and they can come in a variety of options for different dietary needs.
3. Baked Brie Cheese Board
Are you looking for something warm and cozy to bring to your shower? Look no further than baked brie cheese.
Topped with amazing fruit compotes, honey, and nuts these cheese boards bring a warm element to your charcuterie.
4. Take-Out Charcuterie Boards
From Chick-fil-A to Dunkin Donuts or Buffalo Wild Wings no one knows your bride’s indulgences better than you!
Having a fun take-out charcuterie board is a perfect way to get the party started with familiar favorites!
Brunch Bridal Shower Charcuterie Boards
Waffle Boards
When it comes to brunch boards none are more versatile than waffle boards!
They can be done as the ever-classic pancake and waffles, chicken and waffles with a side of hot honey, or savoring a warm waffle board with a mix of toppings. Waffles are a classic and they are easily shared, especially when in smaller sizes.
2. Mimosa Boards
Mimosas are a staple at every brunch bridal shower, and arranging a charcuterie board for your bubbly is the perfect way for your guests to enjoy this classic drink.
Having an array of juices, champagnes, and garnishes is the best way to make your board look full and encourage your guests to try new things when it comes to their mimosas.
Springs of rosemary, mint leaves, and edible flowers bring color to your cocktails, while pre-speared fruit will make it easy for your guests to top them.
Having non-alcoholic options clearly labeled will allow everyone to feel included and bring options for all.
3. Pastry Charcuterie Boards
The way to ensure that your charcuterie board is not a platter or a spread is to showcase the theme and add complementary items that enhance it.
Having a pastry board is not just about all the different pastries you can fill it with. A well-balanced pastry board will have jams and honey, small samplings of fresh fruit, and different textures. All of these are beautifully organized into a stunning board that fits perfectly with a tea party-themed bridal shower!
4. Bagel Charcuterie Boards
Maximizing your options for breakfast or lunch with a bagel charcuterie board! Spread a variety of cream cheese flavors with their respective toppings and arrange toasted, cut bagels and you have your very own bagel board.
This is a creative and new way to bring bagels to your bridal shower brunch!
5. Classic Brunch Spread
Any gorgeous bridal shower has a delicious brunch with mimosas and time with the girls. The classic brunch charcuterie board brings all of those delicate brunch flavors in a beautiful display for you and your guests to devour.
Vegan and Vegetarian Charcuterie Boards
Vegan Charcuterie Boards
Whether your bride-to-be is vegan or you want to have some exclusively vegan options for your guests, there are a few ways to produce a vegan charcuterie board successfully.
If you want to make it look like a more traditional cheese board with plant-based and dairy alternatives such as Beyond Meats or vegan cheese, make sure everything is clearly labeled and also separated by physical distance from any other options you may have for your guests.
Mainly focusing on leafy greens, pickled options, nuts, and vegan dips will ensure your vegan charcuterie boards are full and vibrant.
2. Fruit Boards
Having multiple charcuterie boards laid out on a grazing table is a great way to have your guests mingling at a central point in the room, but also ensure that you have enough food to go around.
Having a charcuterie board solely dedicated to fruit is such a treat! We love the idea of a tropical or summer selection for those summer bridal showers. You can also use the larger fruits such as pineapples, or watermelons as bowls.
3. Vegetarian Charcuterie Boards
The subtle differences between vegan and vegetarian bring the difference in your dairy-based dips and cheese options. You have more room with a vegetarian board to include dairy products and a selection of cheese.
Fruit options in vegetarian boards tend to be the star of the board so make sure that there are plenty of colorful options available to satisfy your guests.
4. Veggie-Only Charcuterie Boards
Just like the fruit option, having one board dedicated to veggies will help with traffic at your grazing table but also keep the items available.
If you are hosting a fall shower consider having one with squashes and pumpkins as the focal point.
5. Mixed Salad Board
When organizing a salad board, it’s best to look at wedge salads because they are the easiest to serve and grab.
This means that you can organize them on any board and fill the rest with gorgeous toppings and dressings.
6. Bread and Butter Boards
Bread and butter is a classic staple for any gathering that involves food. Now in a charcuterie style, bread bowls have turned into butter boards.
Spreading butter with complimentary flavors, antique butter knives, and edible flowers or herbs onto a gorgeous wood-cutting board surrounded by warm bread is a welcome invitation for anyone to sit at that table.
For a vegan option, be sure to include some butter alternatives as well.
Dessert Bridal Shower Charcuterie Boards
Chocolate Fondue Charcuterie Board
Nothing says dessert like a warm chocolate fondue charcuterie board! Making individual, delectable bridal shower charcuterie boards for each table is the perfect way for your guests to indulge in this chocolate treat.
To create more options, consider using a few different types of chocolates for the fondue.
2. Fruit and Dessert Board
Perfect for a sweet treat without the guilt of too many calories, a fruit and dessert charcuterie board is a crowd-pleaser!
Use a variety of dips, such as hazelnut, chocolate, icing, or peanut butter, and a large selection of fruits to make all your guests rave.
3. Hot Chocolate Charcuterie Boards
Hosting a bridal shower, especially one in the fall and winter months, is best accompanied by a warm and decadent treat like hot chocolate. So treat your girls to a bridal shower charcuterie board of hot chocolate?
You can use powdered hot chocolate or even hot chocolate bombs, and arrange your tray with cookie straws, candy canes, caramels, chocolate spoons, and, of course, marshmallows. This will surely give your guests the warm fuzzies.
4. Smores Charcuterie Board
Having a smores charcuterie board is a must if your bridal shower is somewhere with a fireplace or small roaster. You can create a unique board by using a variety of graham cracker flavors and incorporating dips, such as peanut butter or hazelnut.
Winter and Fall bridal showers rejoice! This sweet charcuterie board is just for you!
5. Cookie Board
Just one more to tickle your fancy and bring such a conversation starter to your shower. A cookie charcuterie board! Made to look like a classic charcuterie out of cookies!
You can always opt for a more traditional cookie board with macarons, classic chocolate chips, and merengues but with cookies, you are only limited by your sugary sweet imagination.
How To Create a Perfect Charcuterie Board
Charcuterie boards have understandably gained so much popularity over the years. They are the perfect way for hosts to create an impressive and edible visual display for their guests.
They also allow their guests the opportunity to sample different types of food in small portions. Charcuterie boards are easy enough to create. You need a large and clean board, usually made of wood, and you want to ensure that it is the right shape for what you are serving.
If you need sides, rounded edges, or a handle for your board, you need to plan what you want and then work on the actual board itself.
Then, you bring together a variety of proteins, cheeses, and crackers with savory and sweet accompaniments to be decoratively arranged on these serving trays.
The best way to remember the portioning of your board is with the 3 3 3 3 rule.
3 meats
3 cheese
3 starches
3 accompaniment
Always work with seasonal ingredients that bring a lot of color to your board and fill the board in order by largest to smallest.
When creating your charcuterie board, remember to incorporate something for everyone. Every guest at your bridal shower may not eat meats, dairy, or desserts, so it’s important to include a few extras just in case.
DIY Vs. Professional Charcuterie Board Creation
When you are catering your event, there will always be a meat and cheese board option, and some even go a step further and have other more creative options available.
However, charcuterie boards are so DIY-friendly that everyone usually creates them based on their events, themes, and preferences. If you feel you are pressed for time by gathering the supplies or arranging all the boards or cups, then have these catered.
But you can always ask for some helping hands when setting up for your event and make them yourself. Charcuterie boards are about bringing your guests together to mingle or welcome your guests to their tables.
Spreading them throughout your event will allow for multiple conversation hubs and bring everyone on a tasty culinary journey. DIYing a charcuterie board is usually half, if not a third, of what it costs to cater it, so spend your bridal shower budget wisely.