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The Go-to guide for throwing an incredible wedding shower on a budget!

Are you planning a wedding shower but feeling overwhelmed by the cost? Don’t worry. 

You can throw an incredibly special occasion without spending a fortune.

This guide will show you how to have a fantastic wedding shower without breaking the bank.

So get ready to celebrate your friend or loved one’s big day in style!

But, before we go over wedding shower ideas, first, let’s discuss what a wedding shower is.

What is a wedding shower?

A wedding shower is a pre-wedding event held a few months before the wedding day. Like a bridal shower, the purpose is to give (shower) the couple with gifts.

The difference between a wedding shower and a bridal shower is quite simple.

According to an article from theknot.com, a bridal shower is for the bride. A wedding shower is for the couple.

When deciding on which pre-wedding event you want to do, consider what your purpose is.

If you want to celebrate the couples union, go for a wedding shower. 

If you wish to have a pre-wedding event to focus on the bride, have a bridal shower or a bachelorette party

If you want to celebrate getting engaged, go with an engagement party.

Why plan a wedding shower on a budget 

A). Wedding showers or Jack and Jill wedding showers are gender-inclusive.

B). Having a wedding shower helps you avoid having to throw separate pre-wedding events.

C). A wedding shower is a pre-wedding event that a couple can do together and will save you money in the long run.

That’s why I love the idea of a co-ed wedding shower. You can spend less cash on your celebration and still have fun!

Wedding shower gift ideas on a budget

The average wedding shower gift is around $50-$75, according to an article from brides.com

But what if you don’t want to spend $50 on a wedding shower gift? 

No worries!

There are plenty of ways to give a wedding shower gift without spending a fortune. 

Here are some cheap wedding shower ideas:

-wine or champagne glasses

-matching coffee mugs

-a set of towels

-a throw blanket

As more couples wait to get married later in life, be mindful of what wedding shower gift you pick out.

They may already have some items on a typical wedding registry. So, try to avoid giving them things they already have.

Choose a wedding shower gift for the couple, like a piece of artwork for their home. Or you can get them a gift certificate to a department store.

Wedding shower food ideas on a budget

1. Make your wedding shower food in batches

To save a few bucks, cook your wedding shower food in batches. 

Making batches of food will save you time and money. Especially if you prep and make the food batches the night before.

2. Create a food bar or station for your guests

This is a great way to serve food without spending more money. You can create a build-your-own taco or mash potato bar.

Taco bar at a party

3. Offer wedding shower foods that are both savory and sweet

 You can make sweet and savory cupcakes. Another option you could do is to serve guests meat or fruit-filled patties. (In my culture, we called these foods empanadas).

This way, you can please all your guests’ taste buds without making separate dishes.

Wedding shower decoration ideas on a budget

Make sure you pick a gender-neutral wedding shower theme that will appeal to everyone.

4. Choose an easy party theme 

When planning your wedding shower theme, pick a simple party theme. The more specific or complex your party theme is, the more expensive your decorations will be.

5. Enhance your wedding shower theme by using color 

Let’s imagine that you chose a wedding shower with a wine party theme. 

Instead of buying actual wine party decor, you could get cheap solid color tablecloths. Buy them in burgundy, red, and tan, and use those as your base.

Then use some wine bottles and glasses as decoration. You can even use real grapes for decoration as well.

Cheap wedding shower ideas

6. Choose a wedding shower venue already decorated

One way to save money on decorations is to choose a space with lots of interior decoration.

If your wedding shower is at a restaurant, incorporate the decorations to fit your wedding shower theme.

7. Throw your wedding shower on a weekday

Opt for a Thursday or Friday night during the week so you can take advantage of venue discounts 

8. Book a creative space

Places like studios, coffee shops, and community rooms will save you more money than traditional wedding venues. 

If you need a unique venue to rent within your budget, use a website called peerspace.com. They allow you to search for venues in your local area.

9. Host your wedding shower at home or at a friend’s home  

Renting a venue for your wedding shower can be expensive. If you find it hard to book a venue, consider hosting your wedding shower at someone’s home instead.

10. Cut the time 

Wedding showers don’t have to be all-day events. Consider having a shorter celebration to save on costs.

11. Play wedding shower games!

What better way to ensure that you’re guests will enjoy themselves than by playing a few games? 

Make sure to have some form of party entertainment at your wedding shower.

In an article from Thespruce.com, they suggest playing a game called the newlywed game. The newlywed game is fun for everyone to play.

Wedding shower themes for couples on a budget

There are lots of wedding shower themes that you can do regardless of your budget. 

If you’re looking to spend less cash on your wedding shower, take a look at the shower themes below:

12. I do, Brew 

An I do, Brew theme is a Hipster-inspired wedding shower that is perfect for the couple who loves all things craft beer. 

13. Smooth sailing

For the couple who loves all things outdoors, choose a nautical theme. Incorporate a nautical theme for your sailing enthusiast friends. 

14. Love is in the air 

For the couple that loves to travel, having a “love is in an air” wedding shower theme is perfect. 

You can decorate with balloons and make DIY hot air balloon decor for your wedding shower.

15. Score

This sports theme is a wedding shower theme for the competitive couple. You can buy sports-themed party decorations at your local dollar store. 

16. Love is brewing (a cafe-themed wedding shower).

Instead of throwing a tea party, you can throw a coffee and brew party to bring out your inner barista. Serve frappucinos and pastries.

17. Getting hitched (A wedding shower with a rustic theme). 

A rustic theme is a popular wedding shower theme because you can do it on a budget. You can buy cheap burlap fabric and mason jars to use as decoration. 

Cheap wedding shower favors

Wedding shower favors are a small token to show your appreciation for guests. But, you don’t have to spend lots of money on wedding shower favors.

18. Set aside a budget for party favors and stick to it

You might feel tempted to spend more on wedding shower favor options. But you must stick to your budget. Also, Buy your wedding shower favors in increments. 

That way, you can avoid spending the entire budget at once.

mini plant wedding shower favors on a table

19. Choose practical wedding shower favors  

Your guests will appreciate practical wedding shower favors. Practical wedding shower favors will go over well for both men and women.

Some practical yet cheap wedding shower favor ideas include:

-Pens

-Mini plants

-Magnets

-Keychains

-bottle openers

-coasters

So, think about what your guests might like and need. 

20. Buy your party favors in bulk

If you ever bought party favors in bulk, chances are you’ve had a few of them left over. 

21. Flip your leftover party favors

Use those leftover wedding favors as accent decor for your wedding shower centerpieces. This way, you avoid spending any extra money on accent decorations. 

Add the wedding favors to each centerpiece, and you’re good to go!

Planning a wedding shower doesn’t have to be stressful or expensive.

If you’re feeling overwhelmed at the thought of planning a wedding shower on a budget, you can relax.

As you can see, there are plenty of fun and affordable ideas to consider.

Using a little creativity and helpful tips from this blog post, you can pull off a successful shower, even if your budget is tight.

Which of these ideas for throwing a cheap wedding shower do you think will work best for you?

Let me know in the comments below.

If you found this blog post helpful, Be sure to share this post with your friends. They may need some affordable wedding shower inspiration too!

As always, happy celebrating!

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