Love in the Sun: 18 Stylish Summer Bridal Shower Themes to Celebrate
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Summer is the time to celebrate love under the sun, and what better way to honor your bride-to-be than with a bridal shower that matches her vibe? From garden parties to beachy bashes, these summer bridal shower themes are as bright and fun as the season itself.
No matter if your bestie wants something elegantly simple or totally over-the-top, we’ve got options that’ll make her pre-wedding celebration unforgettable. So grab your sunnies and get ready to throw a shower that’s bursting with summer love!
1. Garden Party
Got a bride who’s plant-obsessed or just loves being outside? A garden party might be perfect!
Look for venues already decorated with plants and flowers – you’ll save tons on decor. Just add some finishing touches to make it pop. For food, think light summer finger foods and sparkling cocktails. Toss in some edible flowers if you’re feeling fancy!
Plan some garden-themed games and activities like a ‘build your own bouquet’ flower bar that doubles as both a fun activity and take-home gift. Send guests home with “let love grow” seed packets and you’re golden.
To see this summer theme in full bloom, check out our garden party bridal shower guide.
Our Garden Party must-haves:
2. Beachy Bride
Picture this: sand between your toes, sun on your face, and a cool summer breeze. If that’s your bride’s happy place, a Beachy Bride theme is a no-brainer!
Start with invitations in sandy tones with ocean blue accents. For decor, scatter seashells, add sea glass votives, and throw in some fish netting. Boom – instant beach vibes.
Set up a DIY seashell jewelry station where guests can make their own beachy bling. Or have everyone write down marriage advice and pop it in a “message in a bottle” for the bride to read later.
Keep the food light and fresh – seafood, fruit skewers, and tropical drinks are perfect for those hot summer days.
Check out more beach bridal shower ideas with our guide.
Our top Beachy Bride must-haves:
3. Prosecco and Petals
Want something that screams “classy summer soirée”? Combine flowers and bubbles for a Prosecco and Petals theme.
Send invitations with floral designs and gold accents. Go all out with the flowers – think petal pathways, floral arches, and tables covered in the bride’s favorite blooms.
The star of the show? A DIY mimosa bar where guests can mix their own drinks with different juices and fresh summer fruits. For party favors, mini bottles of Prosecco or personalized champagne glasses are always a hit.
4. Vino Before Vows
Is your bride a wine enthusiast? There’s no better summer activity than sipping vino in the sunshine!
Host at a local vineyard or transform your backyard into a chic tasting room. If you’re doing it yourself, wine bottle centerpieces and charm favors add just the right touch.
Skip the registry gifts and give the bride something special like an anniversary wine box. Extra points if you fill it with wines from her favorite vineyard!
Check out our guide for more inspiration on hosting a Vino Before Vows summer bridal shower that’s truly to toast for.
Our Vino Before Vows Bridal Shower must-haves:
5. Traveling from Miss to Mrs
If your bestie loves traveling or is planning a destination wedding, this theme is perfect for those summer wanderlust vibes!
You can focus on one specific destination (like her honeymoon spot) or go with a general travel-themed bridal shower that captures the excitement of summer adventures.
Incorporate travel into all the details – from luggage tag favors (practical AND cute) to a “Where Were We” game. Add a fun twist to photos by having guests take “passport pictures” with travel props! For an extra special touch, consider gifting a DIY honeyfund where the bridal party chips in for activities at the couple’s destination.
Our Traveling from Miss to Mrs. must-haves:
6. Final Fiesta
Send your bride off with a splash of summer color with a final fiesta bridal shower theme!
The secret to nailing this vibe is bright colors – think pinks, oranges, yellows with pops of green and blue. Add fun accessories like mini sombreros or cactus confetti.
Hand out “let’s fiesta” cups that double as favors. Make the bride feel special with a floral fiesta veil while she opens gifts.
Most importantly, your food and drink menus better be on point. Load up on guac, set up a build-your-own taco bar, and mix ice-cold margaritas – perfect for beating the summer heat!
Our Final Fiesta Bridal Shower must-haves:
7. Oui, Paris!
Transport your guests to the City of Light with a Parisian-themed bridal shower that’s both romantic and perfect for summer evenings.
Send chic invitations hinting at French elegance. Decorate with black, white, and pink, plus Eiffel Tower centerpieces and string lights.
Serve classic French fare like quiche, croissants, and cheese platters. Don’t forget the French wines – they’re essential for toasting on warm summer nights!
Have guests share their favorite French recipes on cards for the bride. Send guests home with macaron-filled favor boxes or mini bottles of French champagne. Très chic!
Our Parisian bridal shower essentials:
8. Tropical Delights
Create an island paradise with a tropical theme that’s made for summer bridal shower celebrations!
Use bright invitations with palm leaves and exotic flowers. Decorate with tropical foliage, colorful tablecloths, and fun flamingo or pineapple accents.
Serve summer fruits, coconut shrimp, and mango salad. Don’t forget the tiki bar with fruity cocktails complete with tiny umbrellas!
For entertainment, have a limbo contest or set up a coconut shy game. Give out mini sunscreen bottles or tropical-scented candles as practical summer favors.
9. Her Last Rodeo (Western/Cowgirl)
Give your bride a boot-scootin’ good time with a “Last Rodeo” Western-themed bridal shower that’ll beat the summer heat!
Send country-style invitations featuring boots or horseshoes. Use hay bales for seating, bandana napkins, and mason jar centerpieces filled with wildflowers.
Serve hearty BBQ sliders, baked beans, and cornbread. Wash it all down with ice-cold root beer or whiskey sours from your “saloon” bar.
Challenge guests to a mechanical bull riding contest or lassoing competition and hand out cowboy hat favors or personalized bandanas to complete the theme. Makes for a perfect outdoor summer bridal shower on a sunny day!
Top picks for a Western-themed bridal shower:
10. I Do BBQ
Looking for a chill couples shower? An “I Do BBQ” is perfect for those lazy summer weekends!
Host in a backyard with plenty of space. Set up fun lawn games like sack races or water balloon fights for the particularly adventurous crowd.
The main menu is basically in the name – grill up burgers and dogs, paired with easy sides like pasta salad and veggies. Skip plastic utensil holders and use personalized kraft bags instead.
Serve big-batch summer cocktails in pitchers and keep beer and wine in coolers or a barrow of ice. Hand out koozies as favors that guests can use right away!
Our I Do BBQ Wedding Shower must-haves:
11. Brunch and Bubbly
If your bride loves classy but fun gatherings, a boozy brunch is perfect for a summer morning celebration!
Remember the three B’s: breakfast, bubbles, and bloodys. Set up a solid food and drink spread with plenty of refreshing options for hot weather.
Decorate with “brunch and bubbly” balloons and banners. Send guests home with personal Bloody Mary kits for their next summer brunch.
For a unique gift, have guests share their favorite brunch recipes in advance, then combine them into a recipe book for the bride.
Want more details on how to pull off this popular theme? Check out our full guide on how to host a bridal shower brunch in eight simple steps!
Our Brunch and Bubbly must-haves:
12. She Found Her Main Squeeze
Want a cheerful celebration for a bubbly bride? A lemon-themed “She Found Her Main Squeeze” shower is perfect for those sunny summer days!
This bright theme works wonderfully for spring and summer when cold drinks are a must. A cute themed sign is essential for announcing the celebration.
Serve lots of refreshing lemon-flavored drinks and desserts. We recommend lemon lush (also called lemon lasagna) – a no-bake treat that’s perfect for hot days!
Go all out with themed supplies from plates to napkins to create that perfect lemony summer vibe.
Want to know more about this fun and festive theme? Check out our best “she found her main squeeze” bridal shower ideas!
Our She Found Her Main Squeeze must-haves:
13. Boho Chic
Create a dreamy atmosphere with a Boho Chic shower featuring earthy tones and airy vibes that capture summer’s free spirit.
This theme is all about embracing a free-spirited feel with dreamcatchers, vibrant florals, and eclectic decor. Send out invitations with feathers and floral designs to set the mood. Transform your space with macrame decorations and cozy floor seating, hanging ribbon garlands and placing pampas grass everywhere to create that perfect boho summer vibe.
For activities, set up a flower crown station where guests can make their own summer headpieces and send everyone home with mini succulents or macrame keychains.
Check out our full guide for creating the ultimate Boho Chic bridal shower.
Our Boho Chic Bridal Shower Essentials:
14. She Got Scooped Up (Ice Cream Party)
What’s more summery than ice cream? Celebrate with a “She Got Scooped Up” theme that’s perfect for those hot summer days!
Send playful ice cream-themed invitations, and turn your venue into an old-fashioned ice cream parlor with pastel colors, striped straws, and sprinkles galore.
The star of the show? A DIY ice cream bar (of course!) where guests can choose their flavors and go wild with toppings. Keep up the supply of ice cream cocktails or floats to keep everyone cool. For more substantial fare, consider foods that also pair well with ice cream, such as waffles or crepes.
For favors, give out ice cream-shaped cookies or personalized scoops that’ll come in handy all summer long.
15. Something Blue Before I Do
Give a traditional concept a modern twist with a “Something Blue before I Do” bridal shower filled with cool blue tones perfect for a refreshing summer celebration.
Send elegant blue-themed invitations and decorate with various shades of blue in everything from tablecloths to balloons.
Keep guests occupied with a “blue beauty station” where guests can try blue nail polish or eye shadow, and play games testing everyone’s knowledge of wedding traditions.
Blue-colored refreshments are essential – blue-colored treats and cocktails will look amazing in your summer party photos! For favors, consider blue-hued treats or custom-made blue jewelry.
Something Blue Bridal Shower Essentials:
16. She’s Tying the Knot
Celebrate with a bow-themed “She’s Tying the Knot” bow-themed bridal shower that’s as fresh as a summer breeze! Choose sleek, simple invitations adorned with a bow image. For decorations, include lots of gorgeous bows on everything from cakes and cookies to decor and glassware, using bright summer colors.
Offer a ‘tie-the-knot’ race where guests compete to create sailor’s knots or tie a bow on a present. A bow-shaped claw clip is both cute and practical for a take-home favor—perfect for keeping hair styled in that summer heat.
What you need for a bow-themed bridal shower:
17. Love is Brewing
Perfect for coffee-loving brides, a “Love is Brewing” theme brings warm vibes to a summer morning celebration.
Start with coffee-toned invitations – kraft paper with coffee cup illustrations works great. Decorate with tea lights in coffee beans and café-style signage.
Have guests share their favorite coffee date ideas and play “Guess the Coffee Flavor.” Serve coffee cake, tiramisu, and affogatos – the perfect cool treat for a summer brunch – and send guests home with mini syrup bottles or coffee-scented candles.
Looking for more inspiration? Check out our ultimate guide to hosting the perfect Love is Brewing bridal shower!
Our Love is Brewing Shower Must-Haves:
18. She’s Fresh Off the Market
One of our favorite ideas for a summer bridal shower is a “She’s Fresh Off the Market” theme that captures the season’s bounty! Send rustic invitations with farmers’ market vibes, and transform your space with wooden crates of flowers, gingham tablecloths, and cute chalkboard signs.
Let guests get creative at a DIY flower bar making their own bouquets. Serve up a mouthwatering spread of artisan cheeses, fresh-baked bread, and colorful produce. Cool drinks like citrus spritzers or lavender lemonade are perfect refreshers.
Have guests share their favorite recipes on recipe cards for the bride. Send everyone home with sweet honey jars, seed packets, or market totes they’ll actually use!
Our She’s Fresh Off the Market must-haves:
Final Thoughts on Summer Bridal Shower Themes
Let’s be real – the shower theme is fun, but what really matters is celebrating your bestie before she ties the knot! These summer bridal shower theme ideas are just the backdrop for what’s actually important: making her feel special and creating memories that’ll last way longer than those Instagram posts.
So, whether you end up day-drinking mimosas at brunch or stuffing your face with tacos at a fiesta, the vibe should match your bride’s personality. That’s what she’ll remember when looking back on her pre-wedding celebrations – not whether your napkins perfectly matched your centerpieces!
Grab your sunscreen, pop some bubbly, and get ready to shower your girl with love. Summer bridal parties are all about good times with great friends… and maybe a killer playlist. Cheers to that!
