The bridal shower is a celebration of the bride-to-be that welcomes both family and friends to the party. Traditionally it's been a girls-only event, but many modern couples are opting to plan a joint couple's shower. Of course, you're welcome to extend a bridal shower invitation to anyone you'd like to celebrate your upcoming wedding.

One of the first steps of planning a bridal or couple's shower is choosing your party’s theme. There’s no end to theme opportunities, and you can plan any activity or decor you like—just keep in mind that this isn’t the bachelorette party and that your grandmother may be there.

From tea time to beach bash, check out all 40 bridal shower theme ideas below, or jump to the collection you want to see most.

Elegant Bridal Shower Themes

Adventurous Couple's Shower Themes

Laidback Wedding Shower Themes

Other Bridal Shower Themes

Elegant Bridal Shower Themes

An elegant bridal shower is perfect for the classic couple who wants to celebrate with a beautiful and traditional party. The entertainment is food, conversation, and maybe some light party games, and the decor is chic and simple. If you’re interested in an elegant celebration, browse these bridal shower themes below:

1. Garden Gala

Start with a beautiful venue and host a garden party as everything’s beautiful and blooming. Light snacks, cocktails, and some fun games are all you need to make this party a hit. Nothing is simpler or more classy than a garden party.

2. Tea Time

Tea parties are a bridal shower classic and a great way to include everyone on your guest list. Rent or thrift adorable teaware, then gather some fresh flowers and your decor is pretty much finished! Simple and sweet pastries and a collection of teas to sample is all the entertainment you need with good company at your wedding shower.

3. Minimalist Mixer

Minimalism is super trendy and a great way to gather reusable decorations. When it comes to bridal shower decorations, less is more! Choose small centerpieces like lanterns and succulents, and place signs with simple calligraphy on a plain or acrylic background. A beautiful venue will carry most of the weight for a minimalist party.

4. Party in Paris

Ah, Paris—it’s everything classic romance and makes for a sophisticated party theme. French stripes, signs in French, and Eiffel Tower statuettes are easy, go-to decor. And, of course, what's a French shower without French food. Plenty of pastries, macarons, and a charcuterie board are delicious snacks that will elevate the party—and don’t forget wine to pair!

5. Lovely in Lemon

Fruit themes are hugely popular, and lemons may just top that list. They’re bright, refreshing, and so fun for a party. Decorate with yellow and white flowers with plenty of greenery, and of course lemons themselves. Host a lemonade and iced tea bar with a variety of flavors — lemon cupcakes and cookies are a must.

6. White Wedding

An all-white themed shower is chic and simple. The clean, delicate white colors will create an open, airy, and sophisticated atmosphere. White flowers with green stems add a natural bit of color without taking away from the theme. You can also add interest with strategic lighting, metallic accents, or patterns.

7. Boho Bash

Bohemian themes and decor are perfect for the casual couple. The best part of a boho bash is that there are plenty of opportunities to use thrifted and repurposed decor, so you can save some money and stay eco-friendly. Grab some decorative frames for signs, boho pillows for seating, and plenty of wildflowers for your hair and the centerpieces.

8. Vintage Soiree

Throw a party ‘70s style, or with whichever decade aesthetics you prefer. This is a perfect bridal shower theme for repurposing old furniture and decor. Collect vintage and intricate frames, as well as funky bottles and fabrics for tables and tapestries. Have your guests dress for the decade as inspiration to really throw it back.

9. Flannel and Frost

Decorate your party with evergreens, flannel fabrics, and Mason jar lanterns for a warm and inviting atmosphere for everyone. Cider drinks and spiced cookies are the perfect treats, and your guests will love playing group games and mingling.

10. Glitz and Glamor

Plan a more sophisticated evening party with glittered cocktail attire and hors d’oeuvres. Host a wine tasting as entertainment and decorate with a simple floral arrangement, candles, anything that sparkles, and a few gold accents for a glam party with your friends.

Adventurous Couple’s Shower Themes

If you’re looking for a unique bridal shower theme, engaging games, and an energizing party atmosphere, then these adventurous themes are for you. These bridal shower themes are great for representing you as a couple and celebrating the things you love most:

11. Tropical Luau

Source: Meagan Gibson

A tropical bridal shower is the perfect way to bring fun, sun, and the tropics to your party. Plan a party by the pool with fruity drinks, beach decor, and fun inflatables that double as photo props. Pool parties are great for large guest lists and as a theme for a couple’s shower.

12. Happily Ever After

What’s better than a fairytale party for your happily ever after? Greenery, fairy lights, books, and some nods to your favorite fairytale stories will bring this theme to life. You can incorporate several fairytale themes, or just go all-in for Alice in Wonderland. Choose whichever helps your bridal shower dreams come true.

13. Disney Dreamland

Invite all of your friends to be your guest and bring the magic of Disney to your celebration. Choose your favorite Disney stories and characters and get creative—set each table with a different centerpiece theme, or dive in with a costume party and dress as your favorite Disney couple. For this cute bridal shower theme, the only limit is your imagination.

14. Celestial Celebrations

The night sky is dreamy and romantic, and it makes for a great bridal shower theme. Delicate lights, deep blues, and some metallics will really make this theme shine. Get a print of the night sky’s constellations for your wedding date to include as decor and keep it for your home. If you’re into the metaphysical, you can take it a step further with tarot readings or astrological games.

15. Karaoke Lounge

Take a break from wedding planning and plan a karaoke party at home or out at a lounge — either way, you’re sure to have a good time. Prepare challenges with your favorite songs in a draw bag, or choose a genre to build your theme around. Push the theme further and ask your guests to come dressed as their favorite artists and perform to a music video.

16. Happy Holidays

Celebrate your favorite holiday and your engagement together with all of your loved ones. You’ll likely have decorations out already, so whether you choose Hanukkah, Christmas, or even New Year’s, throw a holiday party to remember. Plus, instead of traditional gifts, you can request holiday decor you can use for years to come.

17. Around the World

Source: Kati Rosado

Celebrate life’s big adventure with a trip around the world themed shower. Luggage, globes, and maps are all great decor pieces that are easy to find and use. Serve international favorites with their national flags, and include global monuments in your decor—like the Sphinx, Eiffel Tower, Leaning Tower of Pisa, or the Taj Mahal.

18. Drama and Dancing

Dress up and get to dancing! Have everyone dress their best and decorate with rich jewel tones and dramatic lighting. The most important part is the perfect playlist everyone will enjoy, so take suggestions from your guests leading up to the party. Prepare fun cocktails and plenty of snacks, and you’re ready to go.

19. Under the Sea

If you’re all-in on the mermaid aesthetic, this may be the theme for you. Cool color palettes and some iridescent or silver metallics are your theme’s core. Gather seashells, glass pieces, and simple greenery arrangements for centerpieces. This is a great chance to repurpose wine bottles as candlestick holders with sand and shells inside.

20. Beach Bash

Source: Amanda Hedgepeth

Beach themes are a bridal shower favorite. Subtle colors, seashells, and elegant candles can really elevate this theme if you’re looking for something more sophisticated or romantic. Of course, you can always plan a beach party with a pool, fun shades, and plenty of games.

Laidback Wedding Shower Themes

These laidback shower themes are for the casual couple looking to host a great party all of their friends and family can enjoy. Find 10 bridal shower themes and party ideas that are all about you and your guests, instead of heavily themed decor and entertainment:

21. Picnic Party

A picnic is a great casual party that’s easy to plan and everyone will enjoy. You can prepare snacks and sandwiches for all of your guests, or even host it as a potluck and have everyone share a favorite recipe. If you really want to dive all-in, pick up some picnic baskets and a classic checkered tablecloth, along with some fruit and pitchers of iced tea, then your decor is done!

22. Champagne and Cookies

Champagne and cookies may be the best way to celebrate anything, including your upcoming marriage. Choose a variety of cookies to try, then your favorite sweet champagne and sparkling juice, and your party is set! Fun, intricate trays and a table runner let your cookies be the decor.

23. Brewery Blowout

Save yourself time planning a dinner and drinks menu, and go to a local brewery instead. You can skip the decor, or bring a few simple centerpieces, and everyone will have a good time mingling and trying all of the local craft brews.

24. Backyard Bonfire

Source: Allie Dearie Photography

The best way to relax with your favorite people is around a bonfire with s’mores, tunes, and drinks. Make sure you have plenty of seating and snacks, and this party is good to go. If you want to build decor, collect old tins and trays to display the snacks and place lanterns and string lights around the party to add to the vibe.

25. Dinner Date

Invite your guests to the table to enjoy a homemade dinner of fresh, local cuisine. Check out your local farmers’ market and prepare a flavorful meal full of personality for your guests. If you’d like to share the experience further, schedule a cooking class for you and your guests to all brush up on some skills while making the perfect meal.

26. Rustic Romance

Rustic themes are hugely popular because they’re so romantic and graceful. Subtle decor is everything, with simple flower arrangements, lanterns and candles, and warmth all around. A rustic bridal shower is also super easy to DIY, and a lot of the decorations can be reused in your home decor.

27. Comfy and Cozy

Carina Skrobecki

Comfy and cozy is the theme of the season, so pull it into your party, too. Collect cozy pillows and blankets, and provide plenty of hot cocoa and other sweets for your guests. You can play your favorite bridal shower games or host a movie marathon for entertainment.

28. Cabin and Cocktails

If you’re looking for a change of scenery, renting a cabin in the country may be perfect for a winter camping trip. The decor is already set with the cabin aesthetic, and all you need is your outfit for the night and your favorite drinks.

29. Game Night

Game night is perfect for a night in with your friends, and everyone will warm up to each other quickly. Bring your favorite games and snacks, and get the party started. Decorate using Jenga pieces as a guest book for your friends and family to sign, and candy dice to top cupcakes.

30. Brunch and Bubbly

The bridal brunch is simple and welcoming to all of your guests, and gives plenty of opportunity for the couple’s family and friends to get to know each other. The menu is full of brunch favorites, and of course a mimosa bar adds to the decor and entertainment. A light floral arrangements and simple table settings are all you need to host a nice brunch.

Other Bridal Shower Themes

Some themes just don’t fit in a box. If you’re still looking for the perfect party idea, try one of these creative and trendy bridal shower theme ideas:

31. Candy Crush

Celebrate your engagement to your crush with candy! Sweet, delicious, and super aesthetically pleasing, candy is an affordable and easy way to cover decor and favors for your guests. Arrange gumball bowls, giant lollipops, and macaron towers as centerpieces, and serve colorful and bubbly drinks for a great summer fun party theme.

32. Sock Hop

Go back to the ‘50s with a fun sock hop themed party. Bring circle skirts and polka dots back for a night, and prepare a rocking playlist that will have everyone dancing. Retro signs and glass Coke bottles make for fun decor, and malt milkshakes are the perfect dessert.

33. Breakfast at Tiffany’s

What’s more glamorous and classic than Breakfast at Tiffany’s? Decorate with Tiffany blue, or even get some Tiffany’s gift boxes and candles as centerpieces. Channel your inner Holly Golightly with a little black dress, and gift pearls and sunglasses as themed favors to your guests.

34. Fair Food

Everyone loves the fair, and even if you’re not into rides, how can you say no to fair food? The carnival aesthetic is a lot of fun to play with — saturated colors and novelty lights can take you a long way, and a Ferris wheel statue would be great. Of course, the centerpiece of this theme is the food! Rent decorative machines if you can, and serve cotton candy, caramel corn, corn dogs, and more.

35. Bold and Bright

Fill your party with bright colors and bold decor to bring a ton of energy and fun to your party. Choose a handful of your favorite colors, or cover everything in rainbows. Either way, you’re setting yourself up for plenty of photo-ops and unlimited possibilities.

36. Fruit Fest

Fruit themes are fresh and fun and bring a bright tropical vibe without the need for grass skirts. Vibrant fruit arrangements are great centerpieces by themselves, but some flowers and decorative trays wouldn’t hurt. Don’t forget the fruit cocktails, coconuts, and novelty straws — this party is all about the drinks.

37. Winter Wonderland

Snow and ice are nature’s glitter, so embrace the sparkle and celebrate a winter wonderland. Glitter centerpieces and warmth from candlelight are sure to set the mood. Pinecones and frosted evergreens are great for adding texture and colors, too.

38. Classic Hollywood Chic

You can still have a glam party in the winter with a throwback to the silver screen. Decorate with jewel tones and gold accents, and centerpieces of pearls and ostrich feathers. Roll out the red carpet to a photobooth with props of faux-fur boas, beads, and other vintage accessories.

39. Potter Party

Invite all of your witch and wizard friends to celebrate with butterbeer and chocolate frogs. You can find recipes for all of your favorite magic treats and gift DIY wands and house badges to your friends. Marathon the movies, host a trivia game or play a quick Quidditch match. There’s plenty of Hogwarts fun for everyone.

40. Trim the Tree

Invite your guests to help you trim your holiday tree with DIY ornaments. Collect some craft instructions for your guests and gather supplies to create keepsake ornaments for you and your partner. Cookies and eggnog are sure to get everyone in the festive spirit.

Whether you’re hosting a throwback bash or a comfortable night in, your guests will be happy to receive their invites, so choose the bridal shower theme that suits you best. Once you have your theme, the fun can really begin! So get to planning, add some fun printable games or activities, and enjoy your perfect party.