A brunch and bubbly bridal shower is a fun way to celebrate the bride-to-be and give her a nice sendoff into married life. As the name suggests, it involves gathering for a mid-morning brunch with champagne or other sparkling wines. This type of bridal shower allows the guests to indulge in delicious food and drinks while honoring the bride. It’s a more modern and relaxed alternative to a traditional afternoon tea bridal shower.
When to Have a Brunch Bridal Shower
Brunch bridal showers are often scheduled for late morning on a Saturday or Sunday. This allows people to sleep in a bit rather than having to be up and ready too early. 11am or 12pm are common start times.
Having it on a weekend also makes it easier for guests to attend. Friends and family may appreciate not having to take time off work to attend a midday event.
Aim for 1-2 months before the wedding date. This gives the bride time to use any gifts she receives at the shower while still feeling like a pampered bride-to-be. It also allows guests time to have gifts shipped if needed.
Where to Host a Brunch Bridal Shower
Brunch bridal showers can be hosted at:
- Restaurants – Many restaurants offer private rooms or semi-private spaces that can be booked for large parties. Having the shower at a restaurant takes the hassle out of cooking and cleaning up.
- Hotels – Hotel restaurants or ballrooms often provide excellent brunch menus and drink packages. The ambiance is usually elegant for bridal celebrations.
- Cafes – For smaller groups, hosting the shower at a cafe is an intimate option. Brunch items like waffles, crepes, and omelets make good menu choices.
- Catering halls – Bridal showers are common events at catering halls. They handle all the food, drinks, tables, chairs, linens, and servers.
- Private residences – Having it at someone’s home allows for a casual, DIY vibe. The menu can be potluck style or catered.
The location should suit the size of the guest list and formality of the event. Aim for a space that fits everyone comfortably while setting the desired tone. Consider if things like AV equipment for slideshows or music are needed.
Who Typically Hosts
Bridal showers are hosted by friends or family members close to the bride. Here are the most common host options:
- Maid of honor – As the bride’s right hand gal during wedding planning, the maid of honor often takes on planning and hosting the bridal shower.
- Mother of the bride – The bride’s mom traditionally helps plan wedding-related celebrations, including engagement parties, showers, and bachelorette parties.
- Bridesmaids – The ladies in the bridal party may team up to co-host and split up shower planning duties.
- Family – Other family members like sisters, aunts, or grandmothers sometimes host the shower.
- Couple – Occasionally the bride and groom jointly host a “couples shower” with both their friends and family.
The bride should not be involved in planning or paying for her own bridal shower. The host usually covers costs and handles invitations, food, drinks, decor, activities, and favors.
Who to Invite
Typical shower guest lists include:
- Bridesmaids
- Female family members – mom, grandma, sisters, aunts, cousins
- Close friends of the bride
- Coworkers, neighbors, or acquaintances – optional
- The bride’s fiance can be included in a couples shower but traditionally does not attend a bridal shower thrown for just the bride.
Bridal showers are usually intimate gatherings with a guest list under 50 people. Invite those closest to the bride so she feels surrounded by love and support.
Brunch Menu Ideas
The brunch menu sets the tone for a fun, relaxed shower vibe. Include a mix of savory and sweet dishes:
Savory
- Quiche
- Frittatas
- Lox and bagels
- Avocado toast
- Breakfast casseroles or stratas
- Waffles or crepes
- Parfaits with yogurt, granola, fruit
- Fruit salad or platter
Sweet
- Pastries
- Muffins
- Coffee cake
- Scones
Drinks
- Mimosas
- Bellinis
- Other sparkling wine or champagne
- Fresh juice
- Bloody Marys
- Coffee
- Tea
Having a DIY bar with mix-ins like flavored syrups or purees allows guests to customize their drinks.
Signature Shower Cocktails
Name a signature cocktail after the bride for a personalized touch. Here are bridal-themed cocktail ideas:
Blushing Bride
- 2 oz rosé champagne
- 1 oz St. Germain elderflower liqueur
- Top with cranberry juice
- Lemon twist garnish
Bridal Bash
- 1.5 oz bourbon
- 1 oz triple sec
- 0.75 oz lemon juice
- 0.5 oz simple syrup
- 4 basil leaves
- 2 strawberries
Bridesmaid Punch
- 2 parts pink lemonade
- 1 part vodka
- 1 part triple sec
- Top with champagne
Float flowers or herbs in drinks for added fun.
Bubbly Bar
A bubbly bar with different sparkling wines, juices, garnishes, and glassware encourages guests to craft their own mimosa or bellini creations.
Sparkling wines:
- Champagne
- Prosecco
- Cava
- Rosé
- Moscato
Juices:
- Orange
- Grapefruit
- Pineapple
- Peach
- Cranberry
- Pear
Garnishes:
- Orange slices
- Olives
- Grapes
- Peach slices
- Pineapple wedges
- Strawberries
- Basil
- Rosemary
Offer flute glasses, wine glasses, and juice glasses so guests can find their perfect pairings.
Signature Shower Mocktail
For guests who don’t drink alcohol, create a specialty “mocktail” to make them feel included. Examples:
Blushing Bride Mocktail
- 1 oz rosewater
- 1 oz grenadine
- 4 oz lemon-lime soda
- Lemon wedge
Bridal Spritzer
- 3 oz sparkling lemonade
- 1 oz rose syrup
- Top with club soda
- Fresh raspberries
Table Setting Decor Tips
White linens with greenery, fresh blooms, and candles make classic bridal shower decor. For brunch, also incorporate:
- Place settings – Mix rounds, squares, and rectangles for eclectic place settings. Add white china or gold/rose rimmed plates.
- Cloth napkins – Choose lace, ruffles, or tulle for a bridal vibe.
- Centerpieces – Low arrangements let guests chat across the table. Use white flowers, greenery garlands, fruits, or berries.
- Menu cards – List the brunch menu items at each place setting.
- Favor bags – Clear bags tied with ribbon can hold wedding favors or bridal shower swag.
Scatter votive candles for low light during daytime brunch hours. Tie ribbons around napkins, chairs, or vases for pretty detailing.
Entertainment Ideas
Keep guests engaged with fun shower activities and entertainment:
- Bride trivia – Test how well guests know the bride with trivia questions and small prizes for winners.
- Newlywed game – The bride and groom answer questions separately about their relationship, habits, or preferences and see how many they get right.
- How well do you know the couple? – Guests answer questions about details like the bride and groom’s favorite foods, first date, proposal story, etc.
- Advice cards – Have guests fill out note cards with marriage tips for the bride and groom that get compiled into a memory book.
- Wedding day predictions – Everyone writes predictions for the wedding day like “first to get drunk at the reception” or “most likely to weep during vows.”
- Romantic movie quiz – Test guests knowledge of rom-coms and iconic romantic movie scenes.
Hire musicians or a DJ to play during brunch for ambiance. Consider lawn games like cornhole or oversized Jenga. Photo booths and props encourage social sharing.
Bridal Shower Games
Traditional bridal shower games are a fun way to get people mixing and laughing. Popular options include:
Toilet paper wedding dress – Break into teams and see who can create the best “wedding dress” design on a model using just toilet paper, tape, and scissors.
Don’t say “bride” – Guests get a clothespin to wear and anyone who says the word “bride” loses their clothespin to the person who caught them. The person with the most clothespins at the end wins.
Guess the price – Bride holds up wedding items like toasters, cake servers, lingerie, etc and guests have to guess the price. Person with the most correct guesses wins.
Left/right bridal shower game – Guests pass around a gift with music playing. When the music stops, whoever is holding the gift has to participate in a bridal shower themed activity.
Toilet paper wedding dress – Break into teams and see who can create the best “wedding dress” design on a model using just toilet paper, tape, and scissors.
Keep games short, inclusive of all guests, and focused on celebrating the bride. Alternative activities can be done instead for showers with mixed age groups or preferences.
Gift Opening Etiquette
Bridal showers traditionally involve the bride opening gifts in front of guests. Here are some gift opening etiquette tips:
- Have a gift table ready where gifts can be placed upon guest arrival.
- Appoint helpers to assist the bride in stacking gifts and keeping track of who gave each gift.
- Provide a chair and small trash can for discarded wrapping paper and gift bags.
- Bride opens each gift slowly and shows to the group what it is.
- Bride should gracefully accept all gifts – no negative reactions!
- Helpers record what each gift is and who it came from in a notebook or app.
- Bride takes time to thank and acknowledge each gift giver.
- If guests seem restless, gifts can be grouped and opened in batches instead of individually.
Gifts are usually opened towards the end of the shower before dessert, but timing depends on preference.
Brunch and Bubbly Bridal Shower Favors
Bridal shower favors serve as keepsakes for guests. Ideas include:
- Personalized champagne flutes
- Hangover kits with water, juice boxes,Advil, etc
- Mini bottle of champagne or bubbly
- Monogrammed mimosa glasses
- Coffee or tea packs
- Mini cupcakes, cookies, or doughnuts
- Custom favor boxes or bags
- Candles, matches, perfumes, lotions
- Photo booth print strips
Tie favors in with the brunch theme or wedding details. Favors can also double as decor on the tables during the event.
Budget and Costs
Brunch bridal showers cost an average of $20-$60 per guest with most spending around $35-$45 per person. Here’s a budget breakdown:
| Item | Average Cost |
|---|---|
| Venue rental fee | $200-$800 |
| Catering | $15-$25 per person |
| Bar packages | $10-$20 per person |
| Non-alcoholic beverages | $2-$5 per person |
| Cake/dessert | $3-$8 per person |
| Decorations | $100-$300 |
| Tableware rentals | $100-$300 |
| Favors | $3-$10 per person |
| Entertainment | $100-$500 |
| Gratuity | 15%-20% of subtotal |
Final costs depend heavily on the number of guests, location, menu options, and extras like entertainment. Look for ways to save like potluck style catering, discounted daytime rental rates, or DIY decor.
Conclusion
Brunch and bubbly bridal showers offer a fresh alternative to traditional showers. Guests can enjoy yummy brunch fare, flowing mimosas, and champagne toasts to the bride. Play up the theme with blush pink or white decor accents, bridal photo backdrops, and favors like personalized champagne flutes. Schedule fun bridal games and entertainment to bring everyone together to celebrate the bride before her big day. With thoughtful planning, it will be a fête to remember!