Fun bridal shower ideas to spoil the bride-to-be.

From the Roka to the Mehendi and the Haldi, pre-wedding ceremonies are often just as cherished as the wedding day itself. A bridal shower is a relatively new pre-wedding ceremony that's now warmly embraced by many modern brides. This meaningful celebration is the perfect opportunity for the bride's closest friends to shower her with gifts, games, cake and blessings before her big day. Get ready to spoil the bride-to-be with these bridal shower ideas that will leave her smiling all the way to the mandap.

Planning tips and etiquette for a seamless bridal shower.

Curious about when to throw a bridal shower? Or who should be included on the guest list? Whether you follow traditional bridal shower etiquette or prefer something more fluid, the most important thing is to consult the bride-to-be to understand her ceremony timeline and preferred guests. Ideally, the bridal shower takes place 3-6 months before the wedding and prior to the bachelorette party. The guest list will traditionally include the bride's female friends and family members. Use Adobe Express to create gorgeous bridal shower invitations with the date, time, venue and dress code.

Decorating ideas to make the bridal shower shine.

There are loads of expressive possibilities when it comes to bridal shower decorations. Depending on the bride's preference, the theme can tie in with the wedding style, such as boho or vintage or be something completely unique. Use the bride's personality for ideas – is she passionate about things like wine, travel or art? If she's got a green thumb, make it a garden theme with plenty of greenery, floral centrepieces and a poster decorated with "Let Love Bloom". If the couple are going on a honeymoon, use their destination as decor inspiration.

Handmade touches to decorate with love.

If you're in charge of the bridal shower budget, keep costs low by hosting at your house and making the decorations yourself. Homemade bridal shower decorations are a crowd-pleaser because they add a personalised touch. Decorate the space with photo card garlands made from jute and use pegs to attach photos of the bride's besties. Turn an ordinary armchair into a bridal throne with luxurious fabrics and flowers. Create a DIY photo booth by stringing fairy lights or colourful ribbons on a wall for guests to snap memories. Add more pops of colour with flowers and balloons.

Bridal shower games and activities to keep the fun flowing.

Bridal shower games and activities are a must to break the ice and create a fun atmosphere. Keep things light and festive with games such as "Wedding Emoji Pictionary" where you create a series of emojis that represent wedding-related words or phrases for guests to guess. Or "How Well Do You Know the Bride" where you create colourful game cards with personal questions about the bride for guests to answer to win a prize. Lead a Bollywood dance tutorial, or hire a professional henna artist for some stylish pampering. Build-a-bouquet stations are also popular with fresh flowers for guests to assemble into a beautiful bridal bouquet or floral crown to take home.

Festive food, drinks and bridal shower cake ideas.

Bridal showers are about fun, laughter and delicious food and drinks, of course. If the budget allows, create a DIY bar or hire a bartender to whip up themed mocktails and cocktails. Keep the bridal shower menu tasty and stylish with yummy finger foods such as samosas, charcuterie cones, pakoras and mini dhoklas. When laying out the food, make the cake the delicious centrepiece and arrange other dishes in front of it. Decorate the table with floral arrangements and lanterns. Use cute place cards to label the dishes.

Bridal shower gifts and favours to delight the guests.

Bridal showers are all about showering the bride-to-be with friendship, love and gifts. Common gifts include jewellery, household items, elegant tableware, or experiences like spa or restaurant vouchers. And if you’re the organiser, don't forget to include gifts for the guests. These bridal shower favours can be something small, such as mini succulents, diya candles and lip balm or something grander, such as personalised mithai boxes, artisanal soaps, handloom dupatta or stole fabrics, or a custom fragrance that guests make at the shower.

Useful things to know.

Here are some tips to help you plan the perfect bridal shower.

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