Whether you are a bridesmaid, maid of honor, or the mother of the bride and have taken on the duty of throwing a bridal shower, you will want this day to turn out fantastic as you celebrate the upcoming wedding for the bride-to-be. No matter how much experience you have with planning a bridal shower, we understand the feeling of wanting everything to be perfect as this is the bride's significant moment to shine. If you are planning a fall or winter bridal shower, we will help you decide what to include in this important event. While gifts are one of the greatest parts of bridal showers, there are other elements that make up this fun day, which we will be sure to also include. In this article, we will help you create a bridal shower checklist of everything that will make this special day with friends, family, and loved ones a great memory. We will go over unique fall and winter bridal shower ideas, including food, games, decorations, and gifts that you should consider.

Bridal Shower Food Ideas

When deciding about the food options that you may want to serve at the bridal shower, make sure to incorporate some foods that the bride loves. Keep in mind the time of day that the bridal shower is being held to determine if you should serve lighter food options, finger foods, or a full meal. You can serve about everything, but how you display it is what really matters. Get creative, use cute trays, and ensure that everyone can easily access each dish.

First and foremost, try to have a variety of options. Everyone has some type of sweet tooth but serving only desserts is not ideal because people need balance when choosing between foods. Since most bridal showers are with family and friends, think about what everyone likes or what is popular where you live. For example, New Yorkers love big slices of pizza, Philadelphians love cheesesteaks, and people from Baltimore love crab cakes.

The following are great options for bridal shower foods, whether you are looking to throw a fall or winter themed shower:

Fall ideas:

1. Cured meats
2. Smores
3. Hot chocolate
4. Caramel apples
5. Mini Pumpkin pies
6. Mac and cheese cups
7. Chili
8. Mini cornbread loaves
9. Apple cider donuts

Winter ideas:

1. Hot soups served in bowls or cups
2. Sausage balls, meatballs, and cheese balls
3. Seafood, turkey, or chicken sliders
4. Mini cheesecakes
5. White chocolate peppermint pudding cookies
6. Strawberry parfaits
7. Classic funfetti ice cream cake
8. Powdered donuts
9. Vanilla cake pops
10. Pretzels dipped in chocolate, vanilla, or plain

Bridal Shower Game Ideas

While boardgames can be fun, printable bridal shower games are usually the ideal choice for these intimate events. These can be printed for free, or you can easily buy them online. Bridal shower games help break the ice between guests who may not know each other as they encourage each individual to talk, laugh, and ask for clues. When looking at printable bridal shower games, you can choose between so many cute, unique, and handcrafted ones.

Here are a few of our favorites that you should consider looking for:

1. How well do you know the bride?

In this game, everyone will determine how well they know the bride. Specific questions will be asked, and everyone will provide the answers they think are best.

2. Would she rather

The Would She Rather game asks questions about what would the bride rather. For example, it may ask would she rather go to Italy or Spain, and the guests must make a choice.

3. Bridal shower word search

This is similar to a regular word search, except it will have words that are related to the bride or wedding.

4. Bridal shower bingo

Bingo is always a fun idea. Bridal shower bingo will have words related to the bride, wedding, or something similar, and the guests must cover them with an object to get bingo. A great way to do bridal shower bingo is to have the guests guess what gifts they think the bride will receive, and they can mark their correct guesses if she does receive the specific gifts.

5. Guess the movie quote

Those who love movies will find this game to be easy. The printable cards will have several movie quotes, and guests will have a time limit to guess each one.

6. What is in your purse?

This game is a hit among the women at the bridal showers. Most likely everyone has a purse with several objects in it. For each object, there will be points given. Whoever has the most points will win.

7.What is on your phone?

For those who do not have a purse, this game may be a better match. It will ask about certain things in your phone, such as pictures, videos, contacts, music, and more. If the individual marks that they have these certain elements in their phone, they will earn points.

Bridal Shower Decoration Ideas

When you are decorating for a bridal shower, remember that you can make it look wonderful without spending a lot on backdrops or floral arrangements. Think about what the bride likes as well as her style and make this event all about her. Include little details that represent her, such as balloons, signs, garlands, and confetti.

Some of the items that you purchase for the bridal shower may become keepsakes for the bride, but there is a good chance that most of the products may be given away or sold after only using one time. Therefore, it is recommended to ensure that the bridal shower looks exceptional but try not to break the bank while doing so.

The following are a few different decoration ideas for fall and winter bridal showers:

Fall:

1. Consider doing a balloon arch with balloons that give you fall vibes. For example, orange or peach balloons are excellent choices.
2. Set up a harvest tablescape. This can include sliced figs, pomegranates, apples, and other fresh fruits that have fall colors.
3. Don't forget to include a leaf backdrop. These are wonderful DIY projects and can be used as photo backdrops for a fall bridal shower.
4. Place blankets on the edges of everyone's seat, or you can place a sheepskin throw only on the back of the bride-to-be's chair as a cozy and warm chair of honor.
5. If you are throwing a Halloween bridal shower, think about including spooky details, such as black cats, jack-o-lanterns, fortune teller booths, witch hats, and more.
6. Pumpkins are also a must for fall bridal showers! Set up a nice pumpkin presentation around the room for the guests to look at. Try including different pumpkin colors for a more ideal appearance.

Winter:

1. Provide wintry advice cards, where people can leave notes of advice for the bride-to-be.
2. Garlands always make everything look cozier and warmer. Consider a green winter garland to wrap around certain objects in the room.
3. Use winter-white centerpieces on the tables, such as white candles or white flowers.
4. Try to incorporate metallic details as these usually give a winter vibe.
5. If the bridal shower is close to Christmas, you can also place cute ornaments around the room and on the tables. Try to find several adorable wedding themed ornaments.
6. You can also get creative and include a letters to Santa box, which will actually be served as a card box for letters to the bride.

Bridal Shower Gifts

Whether you are thinking about purchasing bridal shower gifts for guests or bridal shower gifts for bride, these are great ways to show your love and appreciation for the people who are most important to you. When you are looking for gifts, don't forget that you do not need to spend a lot to show the individual how much they mean to you. In fact, some brides, bridesmaids, and guests have mentioned how the small gifts have meant more than the larger gifts because of the thought and purpose behind them. Below, we will tell you about a few gifts that we think every guest and bride should receive at a bridal shower.

1. Bride and Bride Tribe bags

These bride and bride tribe bags are adorable! They can be used to hold make up, keys, and other valuable items that can be taken on-the-go with you anywhere.

2. Diamond Pens

Diamond pens are an easy gift to hand out to guests. However, these are far more than ordinary pens. They are flashy and stylish with their bright diamonds on the end.

3. Bride Tribe Sunglasses

Since every guest is a part of the bride's bride tribe, providing them with glasses that say bride tribe is sure to be a hit! They can be worn any time of year when the sun is shining.

4. Bride and Bride Tribe Tumblers

The bride and bride tribe tumblers are one of the most useful gifts on this list as they will keep drinks at a cool or warm temperature. When an individual opens this gift, they will be impressed at how elegant and stylish these tumbler cups are.

5. Bride and Bridesmaid Slippers

The bride and bridesmaid slippers are very soft and have so much cushion in them. These are the perfect gift to give the bride at her bridal shower because she can wear them on her wedding day while getting ready. The bride can also give matching pairs to her closest friends as bridesmaid gifts.

6. Bride and Bride Tribe Water Bottles

Everyone needs to stay hydrated throughout the day. By gifting the bride or guests with these water bottles, they will be able to drink their water or other liquids in style.

7. Bride and Bridesmaid Robes

It is common for the bride to have photos taken of her getting ready before the wedding. When you give her a bride robe, you are giving her one of the most thoughtful gifts as she can wear it while she poses for pictures. She can also give her bridesmaids robes with the word "bridesmaids" on them to match her on her wedding day.

As you can see, there are a variety of different gifts that you can purchase for the bride, bridesmaids, and guests. The gifts do not need to be big and expensive to make a statement of your love and friendship, but you should put in careful thought when deciding what exactly the individual may like or use.

Bridal Shower Thank You Cards

After the bridal shower has ended, it is important that the bride send out thank you cards to everyone who attended her successful event. Everyone took time out of their lives to spend with her, celebrate her upcoming wedding, and to wish her well in her future with her significant other. They also most likely gave her a gift. Therefore, the least she can do is send out a personal card showing her appreciation.

A thank you card should express appreciation through words. These cards do not need to be long; they just need to acknowledge someone for their time, show appreciation for the gift, and have a few heartfelt words. Although this may seem like a small inconvenience, the person on the receiving end will value this gesture a lot. You can order thank you cards online, write a few personal words, and mail them out quickly.

Conclusion

When you are planning a bridal shower, the most important thing to remember is that it is a day to honor and celebrate the bride-to-be as well as create a magical event that she will remember for the rest of her life. With some assistance with planning and a few thoughtful touches, the bridal shower will turn out to be exciting for everyone. Once you decide on the perfect food to serve, the gifts to buy, the games to play, and the decoration pieces, the day will flow effortlessly. We hope that these unique fall and winter bridal shower ideas will help you plan your perfect event!