Who Pays for the Bridal Shower? Your Questions Answered

A bridal shower is the perfect chance to show plenty of love to the bride-to-be before her big day. But while most of us are familiar with the event, you may wonder, “Who pays for a bridal shower, and what does it typically cost?”

Discover the answer and how to save money on hosting a bridal shower with this guide. We’ll also introduce you to one of our favorite ways to save money on bridal showers — digital invitations.

Who Pays for a Bridal Shower Traditionally?

Traditionally, the person paying for the bridal shower is the one hosting it. This was often the maid of honor (MOH), with contributions from the bridal party. Bridal shower etiquette suggested the bride’s mother or mother-in-law shouldn’t host, as this was in bad form. However, as times change and traditions shift, so does the opportunity to create a celebration that’s authentically yours.

Who Pays for a Bridal Shower Now?

Design: Becky Nimoy Stationery

It’s still often the host that covers most of the costs of the bridal shower, although the host can now be anyone in the bride-to-be’s life. The maid of honor, a bridesmaid, the bride’s parents, the soon-to-be in-laws, or a close friend are all great options.

While we still look at the bride as the guest of honor at the event (as they should be!), more and more couples are choosing to pay for the bridal shower or co-host a wedding shower themselves. We love the contemporary alternative of a wedding shower, as shown in this beautiful photo invitation, which celebrates the happy couple together as they embark on this exciting new journey.

How Much Does a Bridal Shower Cost?

Every bridal shower is unique, and some people spend a larger amount of their budget on them while others lean towards being low- to no- cost. The amount you pay will vary depending on whether you rent a venue or host at home and whether you bring in caterers or supply your own food and drink.

Typically, the cost of food for a bridal shower from a mid-range restaurant will be between $15 and $40 per head. So with an average of 30 guests, you could be looking at $450-$1,200 for the food. (More elaborate catering could run up to $150 per person.) On top of that, you’d need to factor in the cost of decorations, favors, entertainment, and possibly a venue rental fee.

7 Ways to Save Money on Planning a Bridal Shower

Costs are rising all the time, and wedding events attract a premium price. If you’re in charge of planning a bridal shower for someone special, here’s how to make your funds go further.

1. Set a Budget

Before you start buying party decorations and bridal shower favors, sit down and figure out what your budget for the event is. Have a rough idea of whether you can afford to go all-out on the details or whether you should look for DIY alternatives to those eye-catching floral displays you’ve seen on Pinterest.

If you’re also in charge of organizing other pre-wedding events, like the rehearsal dinner or bachelorette party, find a way to keep your planning as simple as possible. Ask the bride if there’s one she’d prefer you spend more of your time (and budget) on, or if she’s happy to combine events or even host a wedding shower with her partner. These decisions might influence your overall budget and spending decisions for the shower.

2. Decide Where to Save vs. Splurge

Managing a budget and planning a wedding shower or bridal shower comes with plenty of decision-making. You’ll be in charge of everything from finding the right venue to deciding which centerpieces to use. Make a list of areas you’re happy to dedicate budget to and other areas that are less important to you (and the guest of honor).

You might decide to host an incredible dining experience for the bride-to-be, where most of the budget is spent on hiring a private room in a restaurant and less on bridal shower decorations. Alternatively, you can host the party at home with handmade decorations and dedicate more of your budget to hiring an entertainer or a food truck.

3. Plan a Smaller Event

Bridal showers might typically have around 30 guests, but there’s no reason your guest list has to be that size. If you’re finding it hard to make your budget work, consider whether you can reduce your headcount. 

Keep the list small and only invite immediate family members and close friends of the bride-to-be, along with her bridal party. Not only will the event feel cozy, but it’s a useful way to save money and re-route those funds to something else — like a stunning bridal shower gift.

4. Go the DIY Route

An easy way to save money on wedding planning of any kind is to try a DIY approach. This works for not just bridal shower decorations but a whole host of other elements too.

Look for printable bridal shower games you can play, instead of bringing an entertainer in. Create your own playlist and use a speaker, instead of hiring a DJ. Ask your shower guests to bring a dish for a potluck feast, instead of hiring a caterer. There’s usually a DIY, budget-friendly version of anything wedding-related if you look for it.

5. Host at Home

Renting out an event space for the day or even just an afternoon can cost a considerable amount, especially if it’s an in-demand venue. An affordable alternative is to host the bridal shower or wedding shower at home.

Style your space with decorations, balloons, and lighting to create the right kind of party atmosphere. If your home isn’t set up for a celebration, see if you can use the home of a close family member or the bride’s best friend instead. 

6. Provide Your Own Catering

Like the wedding day itself, bridal shower catering can quickly get expensive. Unless you have a big budget or the bride-to-be has specifically requested it, you can usually save money by providing your own catering instead.

Arrange a delicious brunch with made-from-home favorites like pancakes and french toast. Host a buffet with finger foods and light bites that are quick and easy to prepare ahead of time. Plan an ice cream party or dessert party instead, and serve up store-bought favorites. There are lots of ways to make your budget go further when it comes to food and drink. 

7. Use Digital Invitations

Design: Signature Greenvelope

Our favorite way to make those funds last longer as the bridal shower host is to switch from paper invites to digital invitations. Instead of paying for expensive bespoke invitations or the supplies to make your own, you can send beautifully designed invites at a fraction of the cost online. Even better, if you want to go digital for multiple invitations, save the dates, or announcements throughout your wedding journey, an annual membership can lead to even more significant cost savings. 

Our digital invites aren’t just a money saver, but they’re also a great alternative for the environment — perfect if the happy couple is eco-conscious. Plus, you can personalize every design (including this striking Mediterranean-inspired invitation) to add the guest of honor’s name and your party details, giving you that bespoke feel without the heavy price tag.

Stay Within Budget With Online Bridal Shower Invitations

Planning a bridal shower is an honor, but it’s also one that often comes with a big financial commitment. Use the above guide to figure out who should host and who should pay for the bridal shower. Plus, follow the tips to save money when hosting this exciting pre-wedding day event.

One way to save is to use our bridal shower invitations to spread the word about the celebration. Upload your guest list, prepare the invitations, and send them right away or schedule them to go out later. Manage your guest list and RSVPs in one place, and send reminders to guests ahead of the event.