UNIQUE Book Themed Bridal Shower Ideas [TIMELESS + AFFORDABLE] (2024)

As an experienced event planner, I'm thrilled to share a delightful array of ideas for a book themed bridal shower that will leave everyone enchanted. From literary-inspired decorations to creative activities, this blog post is your one-stop destination for crafting a memorable and elegant celebration that celebrates the bride's love for books. Let's embark on a journey through the pages of creativity and romance to make this special day truly unforgettable!


Pre-Planning:

  1. Set the Date and Time:

    • Decide on a suitable date and time for the bridal shower.
  2. Select a Venue:

    • Choose a location that suits the theme, such as a cozy living room, a garden, a library, or a rented event space.
  3. Determine the Guest List:

    • Collaborate with the bride to create the guest list, considering her closest friends and family.
  4. Theme Selection:

    • Choose a specific book, author, or literary theme that resonates with the bride.

Invitations:

  1. Design Invitations:

    • Create book-themed invitations that match the chosen theme. Include RSVP details and any special dress code.
  2. Send Invitations:

    • Send out the invitations well in advance to ensure guests have ample time to respond and make arrangements.

Decorations:

  1. Purchase Decorations:
    • Plan and buy decorations that align with the book theme, including banners, book page garlands, and table centerpieces.

Activities and Entertainment:

  1. Plan Activities:

    • Organize book-related activities like a book swap, literary trivia, or a book reading session.
  2. Select Entertainment:

    • Consider music playlists that complement the theme and any special entertainment, like a live acoustic guitarist or a literary-themed game.

Food and Drinks:

  1. Create a Menu:
    • Design a menu featuring food and drinks inspired by the chosen book or author. Consider naming dishes after characters or settings.

Bridal Shower Cake:

  1. Order or Bake a Cake:
    • Order or bake a cake that fits the book theme, such as one with a book cover design or literary quotes.

Party Favors:

  1. Choose Favors:
    • Decide on bookish party favors like bookmarks, mini books, or personalized bookplates for guests.

Dress Code:

  1. Suggest Dress Code:
    • Suggest a dress code that encourages guests to wear book-themed attire or outfits inspired by the chosen theme.

Gifts and Well-Wishes:

  1. Designate a Gifting Area:
    • Create a space where guests can present their bridal shower gifts and share well-wishes with the bride.

Photo Booth:

  1. Set Up a Photo Booth:
    • Arrange a photo booth with book-themed props and backdrops for guests to take memorable photos.

Thank You Cards:

  1. Prepare Thank You Cards:
    • Have thank you cards ready for the bride to send to guests after the bridal shower.

Timeline and Schedule:

  1. Create a Timeline:
    • Develop a detailed timeline for the bridal shower, outlining when each activity or part of the celebration will take place.

RSVPs and Follow-Ups:

  1. Track RSVPs:
    • Keep track of guest RSVPs and follow up with those who haven't responded as the date approaches.

Party Day:

  1. Decor Setup:

    • Ensure all decorations are set up as planned, including table settings and centerpieces.
  2. Activity Coordination:

    • Coordinate the timing of activities, games, and entertainment.
  3. Food Preparation:

    • Prepare or arrange for catering according to the selected menu.
  4. Capture Memories:

    • Assign someone to capture photos and videos throughout the event to preserve memories.
  5. Enjoy and Celebrate:

    • Lastly, relax and enjoy the book-themed bridal shower with the bride and guests, celebrating this special occasion together.

Genre Themes

I find genre-themed parties quite fascinating as they offer a specific framework while allowing plenty of room for creativity. You can organize enjoyable activities that align with the chosen genre and encourage your friends to embrace characters from books that fit within that particular literary style.

Genres to consider:

  • Horror
  • Fantasy
  • Action and Adventure
  • Romance
  • Mystery
  • Thriller
  • Children's

Author Themes

Another delightful concept is to select a renowned author and build activities around their most famous literary works.

Authors to explore:

  • William Shakespeare
  • Stephen King
  • Agatha Christie
  • Roald Dahl
  • J.R.R. Tolkien
  • Edgar Allan Poe
  • Virginia Woolf
  • Enid Blyton
  • Dr. Seuss
  • Jane Austen

Book Theme

Centering your party around a beloved novel or series can be an absolute blast! Just ensure that the chosen book offers a plethora of recognizable elements for your friends to immerse themselves in.

Consider books like:

  • Lord of the Rings
  • Alice in Wonderland
  • Romeo and Juliet
  • The Hunger Games
  • Charlie and the Chocolate Factory
  • A Game of Thrones
  • A Court of Thorns and Roses
  • Sherlock Holmes

BYO Book Theme

Here's an incredibly enjoyable idea – a 'bring your own book theme.' Later in the celebration, your friends can turn it into a game. Invite everyone to dress up as a character from their favorite book or bring an item that represents their top literary choice. You can even award prizes for the best costumes or most intriguing objects and engage in a guessing game where participants try to identify each other's favorite books! It's a win-win for all involved.


What is a good bridal shower theme?

A good bridal shower theme can reflect the bride's interests, hobbies, or personality. Popular themes include garden party, beach, vintage, tea party, and, as mentioned before, book-themed bridal showers.


How far in advance should a bridal shower be booked?

Bridal showers are typically planned and booked a few months before the wedding. A common timeframe is around 2 to 4 months prior to the wedding date, but it can vary depending on the preferences of the bride and her bridesmaids.


Who pays for bridal shower?

Traditionally, the bridal shower is hosted and paid for by the bridesmaids or close friends and family members of the bride. However, nowadays, it's common for multiple people, including family members and friends, to contribute to the costs or for the bride herself to share in the expenses.


Do people have guest books at bridal showers?

Guest books are not as common at bridal showers as they are at weddings, but some people do choose to have one. It allows guests to leave special messages or well-wishes for the bride, which can be a nice keepsake.


What color does the bride wear to the bridal shower?

There are no strict rules regarding the color the bride should wear to her bridal shower. Typically, brides choose to wear a white or off-white dress, but it's ultimately a personal choice.

Who picks the theme for the bridal shower?

The theme for the bridal shower is often chosen by the person or people hosting the shower. This could be the bridesmaids, close friends, or family members. However, it's essential to consider the bride's preferences and consult with her to ensure the chosen theme aligns with her tastes.


Who should not host a bridal shower?

There are no hard and fast rules, but traditionally, it's considered inappropriate for the bride's immediate family to host the bridal shower. This is because it may appear as if they are seeking gifts for their own family member. Friends, extended family, or bridesmaids typically host the shower.


What is the average cost of a bridal shower?

The cost of a bridal shower can vary widely depending on factors like location, number of guests, and chosen activities. On average, a bridal shower can cost anywhere from $100 to $500 or more. It's essential to plan according to the budget of the host(s) and the bride's preferences.


UNIQUE Book Themed Bridal Shower Ideas [TIMELESS + AFFORDABLE] (2024)

FAQs

What is a good budget for a bridal shower? ›

That works out at $300 to $800 for a 20-person party but can go as high as $150 per person or $3,000 for a 20-person shower. Based on these estimates and an average bridal shower guest list of 35-50 people, a reasonable budget for a bridal shower is between $350 and $7,500.

How do you plan a low key bridal shower? ›

Tips for a budget-friendly bridal shower
  1. Host at home. ...
  2. Work with a co-host. ...
  3. Send online invitations. ...
  4. Keep the guest list small. ...
  5. Get creative with decor. ...
  6. Keep the appetizers simple. ...
  7. Organize a potluck. ...
  8. Plan games for entertainment.
Apr 19, 2022

Who pays for the bridal shower? ›

In short, the host is the one who pays for the bridal shower—or at least some of it. Most commonly, this is the maid of honor, but the couple's relatives, friends or even the to-be-weds themselves can all pitch in to cover the cost of the wedding shower.

How many people should be at a bridal shower? ›

Bridal Shower Guest List Size. An intimate bridal shower for 15 people is perfectly normal, as is a 50-person coed shower that feels more like a co*cktail party. A variety of factors can influence the size of the guest list, such as: the shower location.

What colors should the mother of the bride wear? ›

Typically the Mother of the Bride's dress should complement the bridal party's color palette. Not necessarily match with the bridesmaids, but choose a color in the color family. The most popular color for the mother of the bride to wear is navy or a royal blue, followed by blush or a shade of nude.

What is the difference in a wedding shower and a bridal shower? ›

The bridal shower is designed for just you and the girls while the wedding shower is a co-ed party where the bride and groom both get showered with gifts and love. If you're a bride who loves to party and celebrate, then have both a wedding shower and bridal shower!

How much should a mother in law spend on a bridal shower gift? ›

The Average Cost of a Bridal Shower Gift

According to Opperman, bridal shower gifts tend to be less expensive than wedding gifts. "Many people spend around $50 to $75, whereas closer friends and family may spend upwards of $100," she says. "However, the amount you want to spend is up to you."

What can I do at a bridal shower instead of games? ›

Here, we spoke with wedding planning experts on the latest-and-greatest bridal shower activities and fun bridal shower games:
  • Create a signature co*cktail during the bridal shower. ...
  • Create a sweet memory book for the bride-to-be. ...
  • Play wedding traditions trivia… ...
  • ...or couples trivia. ...
  • Collect date night ideas.
Jun 29, 2021

What not to do when planning a bridal shower? ›

Don'ts
  1. Don't confuse the bridal shower with the bachelorette party. These are two separate events. ...
  2. Don't post every aspect of the shower on social media. ...
  3. Don't invite anyone who isn't invited to the wedding. ...
  4. Don't give raunchy gifts at the bridal shower. ...
  5. Don't feel like you have to plan the whole shower yourself.
Aug 8, 2023

Who should not host a bridal shower? ›

Traditional etiquette dictates that the maid of honor—not the mother of the bride—should host the shower. Nancy is a freelance writer for MarthaStewart.com. Some etiquette rules were meant to fade away into oblivion, like the one about family members of the bride not hosting her bridal shower.

What does maid of honor pay for? ›

"We often see the maid of honor assist in covering the cost of the bridal shower (often in conjunction with a family member of the bride), covering her own costs and some of the costs of the bride for the bachelorette party (in conjunction with the rest of the bridesmaids), her own travel to and from the wedding, a ...

What is the mother of the bride responsible for? ›

As the mother of the bride, it is one of your responsibilities to act as a hostess at the wedding and reception to make sure the guests are comfortable. So, on the day, make sure you welcome guests, ensure everyone is looked after.

What type of food do you serve at a bridal shower? ›

Finger sandwiches: Sandwiches made with a variety of fillings, such as cucumber and cream cheese, chicken salad, or egg salad, are a classic choice for a bridal shower. Appetizers: Small bites, such as bruschetta, mini quiches, or cheese and fruit platters, are another popular option.

Should a bride throw her own bridal shower? ›

"Hosting one for yourself may give the impression that you're asking for presents." To avoid this implication, Chertoff recommends having bridesmaids, the mother of the bride, or another close loved one or friend host the shower for you.

Who throws the bridal shower if there is no bridal party? ›

If there are no plans for a shower two months in advance of the wedding, it is safe for the bride to go ahead and ask her maid of honor to host a shower for her. If the bridal party is not able to host the shower for financial reasons, the bride may ask her mother or the mother of the groom to host the shower.

Does the bride do anything for bridal shower? ›

The bride will open her gifts in front of the guests and often express her gratitude with a short speech. And opening gifts isn't the only thing the bride does at this event. In addition to gift giving, bridal showers may also involve playing games, eating great food, and having the bride's favorite drinks.

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