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CostHelper.com > Weddings  > Bridal Shower

Bridal Shower Cost

How Much Does a Bridal Shower Cost?

low costLow: $10-$15 per person
low costMedium: $15-$40 per person
low costHigh: $40-$150 per person

Related Topics:

Bachelorette Party

Rehearsal Dinner

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Typical costs:
  • A bridal shower can cost $10 to $15 or less per person for simple refreshments at the host's home followed by a low-key activity. Ideas for food include: a light spread with dips and hors d'oeuvres, a dessert buffet, a gourmet picnic lunch of sandwiches and salads, or even elegant pizzas. The Food Network has more ideas and recipes. Ideas for activities include: putting together favorite recipes brought by each guest to create a personalized cookbook for the bride-to-be, having a scrapbooking session or playing traditional shower games. TheKnot.com has a guide to games.
  • A typical bridal shower can cost $15 to $40 per person for a lunch or party in a private room at a mid-range restaurant, followed by an inexpensive activity. Food ideas include: high tea, brunch at an inn, lunch at an Italian restaurant, aThai restaurant or a French bistro, or a seafood feast. Activity ideas include taking jewelry-making lessons, attending a journal making class or going to a paint-your-own pottery studio.
  • A more elaborate bridal shower can cost $40 to $150 per person and up for an elaborate meal and/or a fairly expensive activity -- or both. Food ideas include a catered party with a spread of elegant hors d'oeuvres, or a multi-course luncheon at a country club or a brunch at a restaurant in an elegant hotel.
  • Activity ideas include getting manicures or pedicures at a spa, taking a themed cooking class or having an outdoor adventure. TheKnot.com has a guide to adventure activities for showers.
What should be included:
  • The host of a bridal shower usually purchases invitations, food, beverages and favors.
Additional costs:
  • Some hosts provide favors for guests and prizes for winners of games. Favors and prizes can cost anywhere from $3 to $30 or more each. Gifts and favors tend to follow the theme. For example, a gift for a garden-theme shower might be terra cotta pots filled with seed packets and garden tools and for a kitchen-themed shower, a pretty recipe box and cards. Beau-coup.com offers bridal shower favors and gifts.
  • If hosting a large, upscale shower at home or outdoors, it might be necessary to rent flatware, stemware, tables, chairs and possibly even a tent.
Shopping for a bridal shower:
  • It is becoming more common to throw a shower that centers on homemade gifts. Examples include asking each guest to bring a favorite recipe, a piece of relationship wisdom or even a scrapbook page about the bride-to-be and her fiance.
  • TheKnot.com offers a 10-step guide to shower planning.
  • Hosts usually choose a theme for the bridal shower and ask guests to bring a gift that relates to the theme. Possible themes include kitchen, garden or lingerie. BridalGuide.com offers a guide to showers that includes theme suggestions. And Brides.com has a primer on choosing a shower style.
Article updated July 2007
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Recent Posts
Amount: $0.00 total bridal shower budget
Posted by: Cookie in Providence, RI.Purchased: July, 2007
Type: Number of Guests: 40-50
Hello,

I recently had to step down as maid of honor due to the financial costs of the shower that the maitron of honor had accumulated. I first off have to mention that when I was asked to be in the wedding, I was not told that I would be the maid of honor in addition to the existing maitron of honor. This was mentioned to me in a casual manner later on. Is it common for there to be both?
7 months before the wedding, the maitron of honor had estimated the costs to be around $300 per bride's maid (of which there are 6), and this would not include all of the details to complete the event. I was told that the bride was expecting something "big". The guest list was being estimated at 40-50 people. Is this normal? When all is said and done, I estimated a total of $400 to be a part of this bridal party. Due to a difficult and demanding financial year, I was not prepared for the financial responsibilites of the shower. And so I had to step down, or not pay a few bills. Was I wrong in doing so?
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Amount: $300.00 total Bridal Shower budget
Posted by: Bridesmaid in CHICAGO, IL.Purchased: May, 2008
Type: BridesmaidNumber of Guests: 40-50
Why cant people work together and consider all the aspects involved before saying yes to stand up? Everyone wants to be in the pretty dress and be an "oh so special" maid of honor but then when it comes down to everything else that this honor entails, they complain and freak out and seriously upset the bride, groom and the other bridemaids! Then they do things cheaply and its embarrassing. Ladies, think about this BEFORE you say yes and if you cant afford it, decline politely and just be a good guest and enjoy the festivities.
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Amount: $0.00 total can't get blood from a stone
Posted by: Happily Married in Warwick, RI.Purchased: July, 2004
Type: brideNumber of Guests: 30
It's true, when you agree to be in a wedding you have to expect to shell out a little money- but often the dress and shoes and travel expenses to the wedding already strain the attendants enough. My MOH threw me a beautiful shower at her home, in her average sized backyard. She rented a tent, tables and chairs, but made all the food herself and decorated beautifully. She didn't charge the other girls in the party money but asked them to bring balloons or flowers. Granted, not everyone has the time or inclination to cook and host at their home, but there are other options. What's most important is celebrating this time in the bride and groom's life, not showing off with luxurious extravagances. I preferred to have my good friends stand up with me on my wedding day with a few bucks left in their pockets and happy to be there instead of insisting on people doing things they couldn't afford. Trust me, what you remember is the fun you had, not what type of favors you gave out or that you had the most expensive flower in your centerpiece.
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Amount: $300.00 total Bridal Shower Cost
Posted by: Bridesmaid and soon to be bride in Toledo, OH.Purchased: July, 2008
Type: bridesmaidNumber of Guests: 40-50
CHICAGO-- I totally agree with you! When you are asked to be apart of such a special day it is an honor. There is nothing worse than cheap being the theme of any event! Above all else, leave the bride alone! It should be a surprise- a nice surprise!
Also, I'm glad to see Cookie from RI, crumbled!
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Amount: $150.00 total Bridal SHower Budget
Posted by: a user in Rockalnd ct, NY.Purchased: August, 2008
Type: BridesmaidNumber of Guests: 32
I am actually the bride and I asked each of my 7 girls if they could afford my wedding and overpriced shower (coordinated NOT hosted by my mother--the control freak) I am not in a financial place to afford much these days but I offered to help the girls and even pay for their dresses if need be. One of my bridesmaids can't afford to pay for the shower and this is understood. I am grateful to have such wonderful friends who knows their friendship is much more important to me than money! *I did have 2 friends choose not to be in the weddign due to finances and they did not want me to pay their part so they gracefully bowed out which I totally respect them for!
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Amount: $1,230.00 total Bridal Party From Hell
Posted by: Aggravated & Annoyed by Stupid People in Undisclosed, NH.Purchased: 2008
Type: Outside/ TentNumber of Guests: 50
I'm the maaitron of honor in a wedding and 1/2 the wedding party is absolutely crazy! First the total spent includes a catered lunch which the mother of the bride insisted on paying. Each bridesmaid was only asked to pitch in $90. From the start they were non-responsive and univolved. They finally chimed in about 2 weeks before hand. Now of course I just kept the ball rolling with what I was doing because I wasn't going to let them ruin this day for my friend of 10 years. When they did chime in I sent a list of a few minor items still outstanding which they picked from. After the shower I sent receipts and info for all the other items such the tent rental, decorations, cake, favors etc and I got - I never agreed to pay you any $$ and I will not pay you any $$.

I will admit I shouldn't have assumed that they knew what proper etiquette is but how about offering something. THEY SUCK!
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Amount: $600.00 total Bridal shower costs
Posted by: Lily in Williamsburg, VA.Purchased: June, 2009
Type: 2pm heavy hours d'oeuvresNumber of Guests: 22 RSVP yes (9 maybe), 50 invited
I planned for 30 because there were so many maybes. I did it at my house and spent nearly $300 on an amazing cake, fruit basket, small sandwiches, pickles and chips. Also had spiked lemonade and drinks and spent $65 on drinks. I made favors myself and those are not included in the cost. I bought dollar store decorations and balloons. $26 per person if planning for 22 people, $19 pp if all 30 showed up. I planned it by myself and then split costs with mother-in-law and my Mom.
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Amount: $75.00 total Over the Top Bridal Shower
Posted by: Was it a wedding or a cash grab? in Toronto, Other.Purchased: June, 2009
Type: BridalNumber of Guests: 120
My daughter and I just attended the daughter of a friend (not a real close one but a friend) this past Sunday. The shower was held at a banquet hall. It was a sit down luncheon with 6 courses, there were waiters walking around with trays of mixed drinks. There was red and white one on each table. A three tier cake. 2 tables full of Italian pastries and clear containers in which all the quests were told to fill and take home with us. On the way out the door the bride to be handed us each a lovely pink box decorated with a printed thank you note from her. I had no idea that I would be attending such an elaborate affair for a wedding shower. My envelope contribution which I felt was more than fair for a shower gift left me feeling nassiated the rest of the evening. My daughter says she felt the same. This friend used to send a joke or two daily and I have not heard from her. Should I call her? Should I offer more money at least to cover what my daughter and I ate? I feel so sick inside. I should also mention the bride is italian and she is marrying an italian. Also, the printed shower invitation said Monetary gifts preferred. So i knew to give a card with money.
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Amount: $500.00 total Where southern meets northern
Posted by: Maxed out in Detroit metro area, MI.Purchased: August, 2009
Type: BridalNumber of Guests: 50 or more
The bridesmaids are planning to host a shower for $15 per person, with invites, followed with prizes, brides gift, and favors. I have been in a wedding before (another out of state wedding) which didn't cost this much. I have never been to a shower where bridesmaids had to pay for a luxury luncheon at a resturant. Where I come from (in the south), close relatives hosted it at the house which made it feel intimate and informal. I can't believe by the time I am done paying for hotels, dress accessories, gifts, travel, etc. that I'll be maxed out in credit card debt! Weddings today get too out of hand!
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