Throw a Tuscan Themed Bridal Shower
A beautiful Tuscan alfresco bridal shower. Photo Credit: Remodr
Tuscany is the jewel of central Italy. From the stunning landscapes to the food and wine, there’s so much to love about this area. That means it makes the perfect bridal show theme!
If your bride-to-be loves food, Italian culture, and stunning scenery, a Tuscan-themed shower is the perfect choice. You’ll have an abundance of options to create a laid back, romantic bridal shower that channels the charm of Tuscany.
We’ve rounded up everything you need to know to play the perfect Tuscan-themed bridal shower for that special lady in your life. Keep reading to find out!
Tuscan-Inspired Decor and Ambiance
Rustic elements combine with fresh greenery and lemons to make the perfect Tuscan table setting. Photo Credit: Wedding Wire
As you begin planning your event, start by putting together the perfect Tuscan color palette.
Terracotta, olive green, sunflower yellow, and other warm earth tones combine to make the perfect color scheme. Add rustic materials like wood and wrought iron for that country-chic feel.
As far as decor, add colors and natural beauty with sunflowers, lemons, olive branches, ivy plants, and lavender. Not only will they look stunning against rustic elements, but they will add a beautiful aroma to the space.
Add rustic cases, terracotta pots, and rusted lanterns to craft an authentic, cozy space for your party.
Set up long rectangular tables end to end to create an authentic family dining experience. Incorporate burlap, lace, and rough cotton as table linens. Layering these fabrics will make guests feel like they are eating in an Italian cottage.
Add bright centerpieces featuring lemons and sunflowers for a pop of color, paying tribute to an Italian-themed bridal shower setting or a lemon-themed bridal shower. Set them in vases with beautiful Italian designs and voila! You have a Tuscan table setting.
Food and Drink Ideas
A food table filled with iconic Tuscan ingredients. Photo Credit: 123Wedding Cards
A Tuscan Feast Menu
It’s a no-brainer: you must offer delicious, mouth-watering Italian food at your Tuscan-inspired bridal shower.
But you don’t need to stop at the basic spaghetti and meatballs- there’s a whole culinary catalog full of fresh, cravable dishes you can easily DIY. Here’s a list of popular Italian dishes to make your food table shine.
Marinated olives - Create a charcuterie tray with different types of olives. Add options stuffed with feta or garlic for extra flavor.
Prosciutto-wrapped melon - This sweet and savory combo is unique, but your guests will enjoy sampling it!
Bruschetta - Whether you offer one variety or a build-your-own bruschetta bar, guests will enjoy the crusty Italian bread topped with olive oil, tomatoes, and basil.
Artisanal cheeses - Italians love their cheeses! Create a platter with popular varieties, like parmesan, pecorino romano, and fresh mozzarella.
Antipasta - This dish is a combo of cubed cheeses and meats marinated in Italian dressing.
Spinach and ricotta stuffed shells - Elevate basic stuffed shells by adding spinach and herbs to the ricotta mixture.
Chicken piccata - This classic chicken dish is big on flavor, but actually very affordable to offer to a crowd.
Eggplant or chicken parmesan - A fried eggplant or chicken cutlet is covered in marinara sauce and topped with mozzarella cheese.
Garden lasagna - Need a vegetarian dish? Substitute meat with veggies in your classic lasagna recipe.
No matter what menu you go with, you’ll need the right toppings and sides to make the meal authentically Italian.
Have a bread basket on every table with a variety of rolls and breadsticks so guests can sop up the sauce from their dishes like a true Tuscan.
You’ll also need a variety of grated cheeses. Parmesan is pretty standard, but there are so many blends that add a rich, smoky flavor to any dish.
Look for pecorino romano, a parmesan/romano blend, or a grated cheese seasoned with Italian seasonings.
DIY Pasta Bar
If you’re on a budget, a DIY pasta bar is a great way to offer a filling meal for pennies on the dollar, even if you have guests with dietary restrictions.
Start with different types of pasta, including a gluten free version. You can offer different shapes, like farfalle, rigatoni, or shells.
Then, have guests add their choice of toppings and sauce. Offer sauteed meats, veggies, and lots of parmesan cheese. For sauces, alfredo, marinara, and even a pesto will be delicious and give guests lots of options.
Delizioso Desserts and Beverages
Italian desserts are some of the most delicious in the world. Prepare miniature versions of the most famous ones, like tiramisu, panna cotta, and cannoli. You can also create an Italian cookie table with all sorts of Italian cookies.
For drinks, create a sparkling water bar with inclusions like muddled fruit and syrups. Buy Italian wines in bulk if you want to offer an alcoholic option.
Bellinis are also a great option and so very Tuscan. They are traditionally made with Prosecco and pureed peaches, but you can offer a variety of pureed fruits for your guests to choose from. This will allow them to create their own custom drinks!
Finally, if you want to offer alcohol but still stick to your budget, create a signature cocktail, like a limoncello spritz, and give it a cute name that reflects your bridal shower theme or the happy couple’s names!
Fun Activities and Entertainment
Bridal shower guests learn how to roll and cut fresh pasta. Photo Credit: Marianella Cooks
A photo booth is the perfect way to keep guests entertained and give them the opportunity to take fun photos for their feeds.
Fill a basket with props like mustaches, Venetian masks and signs with fun Italian phrases like “Mamma Mia!” or “That’s Amore”.
You can also organize fun activities your guests won’t forget. A wine tasting with high-quality Italian wines for guests to sample. Set up a pasta-making station with fresh pasta dough so guests can roll out and package their own pasta.
Both activities will have them talking about your Tuscan-inspired bridal shower long after it’s over!
And, of course, no bridal shower is complete without some fun, interactive wedding shower games. Play “How Well Do You Know the Bride?” or organize a wedding-themed scavenger hunt.
You can also plan some trivia quiz games on the bride and groom or Italian culture to keep guests engaged. Remember to pick up some fun bridal shower prizes to up the competition!
Shower Favors and Thank-You Gifts
Small bottles of olive oil make the perfect Tuscan-inspired bridal shower favor. Photo Credit: So Sweet Party Shop on Etsy
At the end of your shower, give your guests thoughtful, Tuscan-inspired favors they can use after the event is over. Mini bottles of infused olive oil or bottles of Italian wine with custom labels will give guests a taste of the Italian countryside.
Since gardening and cooking are two of the most common pastimes in Tuscany, send guests off with a potted plant of herbs, like rosemary, basil, or Italian parsley.
You can also hand out small jars of Italian seasoning blends that guests can use in their own kitchens. Custom-made Italian cookies and individually wrapped biscotti with instant espresso are some tasty treats guests will love.
If you are short on time, you can also offer DIY favors guests put together themselves. Set up jars of different varieties of dried pasta and have guests create their own custom blends.
You can also set up an infused olive oil station with herbs and aromatics so guests can add whichever flavors they’d like to their oils.
Your Venue Route
Your venue is one of the most important factors of your bridal shower. It’s where your guests will gather, so you’ll need enough space to fit everyone.
But it should also embody your theme. That way, guests will feel like they’ve been transported to a Tuscan villa.
Look for venues with Italian-style decor. Rustic Mediterranean architecture with arches and columns would be ideal to amplify your Tuscan theme.
If you cannot find a venue with these features, an outdoor garden will be the perfect backdrop for your Tuscan-themed bridal shower. You can add terracotta pots, lanterns, and rustic wood accents to transform that outdoor space to fit your unique theme.