Bridal Shower Brunch Ideas & Planning Tips
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When it comes to hosting a modern-day bridal shower, you can never go wrong with a classic brunch theme. Don’t believe us? Well, we did the research and the results are in… breakfast + bubbles + bloodys= brilliant!
Seriously, facts are facts my friend. So, if you’re aiming for MOH star status, throw your bestie a boozy brunch-themed bridal shower using our awesome ideas.
Now that we’ve convinced you, let us show you how to throw the greatest bridal shower brunch. From invitations and decorations to food, favors, games, and gifts, we’ve covered everything you need to know to pull off this bridal shower theme in eight easy steps.
Short on time? Here’s the easy version
Brunch is one of the most forgiving shower formats, because breakfast food is cheap, simple, and most of it can be made the day before. If you want easy bridal shower brunch ideas that still feel like a proper party, this is the stripped-back plan:
- Split the jobs: give each bridesmaid one area (drinks, food, games, gifts) so you’re not the only one running around.
- Make ahead: bake the French toast sticks and mini quiches the day before and warm them through in the morning. Fruit, pastries, and bagels need no cooking at all.
- Let guests serve themselves: a mimosa bar and a coffee bar run themselves once they’re set up, so nobody gets stuck playing bartender.
- Pick one game, not three: prosecco pong or ring toss is plenty for a three-hour shower.
- Skip the custom everything: while a room full of decorations is amazing if you have the time and energy, know that one welcome sign and a couple of table signs do the job as well.
Should You Host at Home or Book a Restaurant?
Before you order a single invitation, decide where the brunch is happening. It changes almost everything else on this list.
A bridal shower brunch at a restaurant takes the cooking and clean-up off your plate, which is a big deal if you’re also juggling a job, a bachelorette, and a bride who texts at midnight. The trade-offs:
- Private rooms often come with a food-and-drink minimum or a deposit, so ask before you fall in love with the space.
- Many restaurants limit how long you can keep the room. Check you’ll actually get three hours.
- Ask whether games and gift opening are OK. Some places are fine with it; others will want the table turned over.
- Decorations may be limited to what fits on the table, so plan for centerpieces and a sign rather than balloon arches.
- A set menu is easier to budget for than ordering off the full menu.
A bridal brunch at home gives you more control and usually costs less per guest, but it’s more work on the day. It works best when:
- The guest list fits comfortably in the space (seated or standing, be honest about it).
- You’ve got at least one or two bridesmaids helping with food and setup.
- You stick to make-ahead food and self-serve drinks (see the easy version above).
Neither is the “right” answer. If the group is big, the budget is flexible, or the host is already stretched thin, a restaurant is often the calmer choice. If you want it personal and affordable, hosting at home wins.
Bridal Brunch Invitations
The first step in nailing this theme is to send out shower invitations letting guests know to expect a brunch-style shower. As I’m sure you’re familiar with Etsy (and the internet in general), you know there are literally hundreds of different styles to choose from.
After doing some searching, the most popular phrases are “Bridal Brunch“, “Brunch & Bubbly“, and “Brunch With the Bride“. Pick one and carry it through the invitations, welcome sign, and table signs so everything looks like it belongs to the same party. We’ve pulled out some of our favorite invitations below.
Bridal Shower Brunch Decorations
One of the most important parts of any bridal shower is the decor, but it’s especially important for this particular theme. Lucky for you, there is no shortage of brunch-related decorations.
Keep the fun ‘bridal brunch‘ or ‘brunch & bubbly‘ phrases going with a welcome sign, sparkly banner, or jumbo balloons:
Don’t forget to add some fun table signs and you’ve got everything you need!
Game Ideas for a Bridal Shower Brunch
When it comes to hosting a bridal shower brunch, feel free to skip the generic games and opt-in for something that packs a little more punch. And by ‘packs a little more punch’ we’re talking about prosecco pong.
Never heard of it? Yeah us either, but we want to seriously thank whoever came up with the idea. Let’s be real, everyone loves a competitive round of beer pong or two, but it’s not quite bridal shower appropriate. Prosecco pong, however, totally is.
And if your guests aren’t really the drinking game type, how about playing good ol’ fashioned ring toss with a fun bridal spin?
The best part about this brunch-themed game is that it doubles as a DIY project!
Brunch-Themed Game Prizes
If you’re going to have brunch-themed games, then you’re gonna have to have brunch-themed game prizes to match. Keep it simple by putting together a coffee care package that includes a cute mug and a bag of Starbucks breakfast blend.
Want to get a little boozy with it!?
These Bloody Mary Mason Jar kits are the perfect brunch favor and are also another fun DIY project for all you craft queens!
MODERN MOH TIP: You can do the same thing with mimosas- champagne split, OJ, and a mini Grand Marnier are all you need!
RELATED: How to Host a Stock-the-Bar Shower
Bridal Shower Brunch Food Ideas
The key to any successful bridal shower brunch is to have bangin’ food…and holy moly are there plenty of options to choose from!
We love these baked French toast sticks as a quick and cute (and cheap!) finger-food choice:
Or these mini chicken and waffle sliders for a southern-style selection:
Get a little fancy with it by serving mini breakfast quiche in 4 yummy ways:
And if you’re serving dessert, these champagne cupcakes are an absolute must:
Drinks to Serve at a Bridal Brunch
Ok, food is important and all that, but the drinks are really where the fun begins!
Get your guests buzzing with energy by setting up a DIY coffee bar!
While there are many ways to set it up, we especially love this “You’ve Warmed My Heart” theme:
And brunch and bubbly are such an iconic combo, a DIY mimosa bar is a total requirement!
Check out our step-by-step guide on how to create the best bridal shower bubbly bar:
Take your booze bar game to the next level by featuring a build-your-own Bloody Mary station as well!
For more details, check out this comprehensive guide that features a homemade Bloody Mary mix recipe:
MODERN MOH TIP: Don’t forget the non-drinkers. An 11 AM start means some guests won’t want alcohol: drivers, anyone pregnant, and people who just don’t want to drink. Put sparkling juice or alcohol-free sparkling wine on the mimosa bar, and offer a virgin Bloody Mary with the same toppings. With the coffee bar as well, everyone has something to hold during the toasts.
Brunch-Related Favors for Guests
No good bridal shower brunch is complete without some festive favors!
Keep it yummy with edible options like these personalized champagne gummy bears or honey jars:
Stick to the bubbly theme by decorating champagne splits with these fun printed labels or bottle openers:
Really want to show off how clever you are? OPI makes a nail polish called “Be There in a Prosecco” (see what we did there?) and one called “Mimosas For Mr. & Mrs.” (so adorable!)
Brunch-Themed Bridal Shower Gifts
Last but certainly not least, you must get a brunch-themed gift for the bride.
If she and her future hubby like to spend their weekends out and about, keep it simple by grabbing a few gift cards to their most-frequented local brunch spots.
If the couple is more the homebody type, get creative with it by having guests contribute to a personalized recipe book filled with their favorite breakfast and brunch meals.
MODERN MOH TIP: Do both! That way the couple can celebrate however they choose.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is a brunch-themed bridal shower for?
A brunch-themed bridal shower is for any bride who loves bubbles, bloodys, and breakfast foods! It’s also great for any bride who is looking to have her bridal shower earlier in the day.
Want to add some extra sophistication? Think about tweaking the theme slightly to Pearls and Prosecco. All the bubbly, more glam!
What time should a brunch bridal shower start?
Typically a bridal shower brunch will start at 11 AM. This timing matches with the theme but also guarantees that no guests who are traveling long distances will have to get up too early to attend.
How long is a bridal shower brunch?
Like any bridal shower, this brunch-themed celebration should be around 3 hours long. This allows time for the traditional events to take place: eating, playing games, and opening gifts.
What do you serve at a bridal shower brunch?
The menu at a bridal shower brunch will usually include easy-to-serve breakfast foods like bagels, donuts, fresh fruits, and quiche. For drinks, there is typically coffee and juice served as well as cocktails like mimosas and bloody marys.
Can you have a breakfast bridal shower instead of a brunch?
Yes. If you’re starting earlier than 11, lean into breakfast rather than brunch. Put coffee first, add pastries, fruit, yogurt parfaits, and egg bites, and bring out the bubbly later in the morning. Most breakfast bridal shower ideas work just as well for a brunch wedding shower, so everything in this guide still applies. You’ll just shift the balance from cocktails to coffee.
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