The parties before the party

Bridal Shower

For whoever is hosting: what to set out, games that work with guests who have never met, a mimosa bar, favors, and a few gifts the bride will actually keep using.

24 products, each chosen by I Do with a note on why.

Prices marked ~ are estimates. Check the retailer for current prices and availability.

Hosting7

  • Bride-to-Be Sash and Crown (opens Amazon in a new tab)

    Our pick: Bride-to-Be Sash, Crown and Headband Set

    The one shower and bachelorette accessory almost everyone buys, so buy a good one.

    ~$10 (approximate)

    View on Amazon: Bride-to-Be Sash and Crown (opens in a new tab)
  • Bride Sash (opens Amazon in a new tab)

    Our pick: Bride Sash, White and Silver

    A simple white satin sash with Bride in silver script.

    ~$10 (approximate)

    View on Amazon: Bride Sash (opens in a new tab)
  • Short Pearl Veil (opens Amazon in a new tab)

    Our pick: AOREAS Short Pearl Veil, White

    A short tulle veil scattered with pearls, on a comb.

    ~$10 (approximate)

    View on Amazon: Short Pearl Veil (opens in a new tab)
  • Shower Card Box (opens Amazon in a new tab)

    Our pick: White and Gold Paperboard Card Box

    Somewhere for the cards at a shower.

    ~$5 (approximate)

    View on Amazon: Shower Card Box (opens in a new tab)
  • Advice Cards and Box (opens Amazon in a new tab)

    Our pick: STOFINITY Advice Cards with Wooden Box

    A card at every seat gets far more written than a station does, and the box collects them for later.

    ~$15 (approximate)

    View on Amazon: Advice Cards and Box (opens in a new tab)
  • Guest Book and Pen (opens Amazon in a new tab)

    Our pick: Gold Foil Guest Book with Pen and Sign

    Put it somewhere guests pass on the way in, not tucked in a corner.

    ~$15 (approximate)

    View on Amazon: Guest Book and Pen (opens in a new tab)
  • Another option

    Personalized Guest Book (opens Amazon in a new tab)

    Our pick: Linen Photo Guest Book with Names and Year

    The guest book is the thing you keep forever, so this is the one to personalize: linen.

    With your names and date

    ~$25 (approximate)

    View on Amazon: Personalized Guest Book (opens in a new tab)

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Don't forget, nothing to buy

  • Ask the bride about games first; some would rather not be the center of attention.
  • Every paper game needs a pencil for each guest.
  • Start the gift list as gifts are opened: who gave what, for the thank-you cards.

Games4

  • Bridal Shower Games (opens Amazon in a new tab)

    Our pick: Printed Party Bridal Shower Game Set, 50 Guests

    Five printed games that give a shower a bit of structure, with enough cards for fifty guests.

    ~$25 (approximate)

    View on Amazon: Bridal Shower Games (opens in a new tab)
  • He Said She Said Game (opens Amazon in a new tab)

    Our pick: Printed Party He Said She Said Game, 50 Guests

    The shower game that works with guests who have never met: who said it, the bride or the groom?

    ~$15 (approximate)

    View on Amazon: He Said She Said Game (opens in a new tab)
  • Half Pencils, 50 (opens Amazon in a new tab)

    Our pick: Gersoniel "Happily Ever After" Half Pencils, 50 Pack

    Fifty short pencils printed with happily ever after.

    ~$10 (approximate)

    View on Amazon: Half Pencils, 50 (opens in a new tab)
  • Wedding Mad Libs Cards (opens Amazon in a new tab)

    Our pick: Kate Aspen Mad Libs Cards, Set of 50

    The dinner-hour problem is strangers at a table; a fill-in-the-blank card gives everyone a script.

    ~$15 (approximate)

    View on Amazon: Wedding Mad Libs Cards (opens in a new tab)

Brunch and mimosas4

  • Mimosa Bar Sign, Acrylic (opens Amazon in a new tab)

    Our pick: Andaz Press Mimosa Bar Acrylic Sign, 7.5 x 11 in, Stand Included

    A clear acrylic mimosa bar sign with its own stand, so the drinks table explains itself.

    ~$15 (approximate)

    View on Amazon: Mimosa Bar Sign, Acrylic (opens in a new tab)
  • Champagne Stoppers (opens Amazon in a new tab)

    Our pick: Cuisinart Stainless Champagne Stopper

    Every brunch ends with half-full bottles.

    ~$10 (approximate)

    View on Amazon: Champagne Stoppers (opens in a new tab)
  • Miss to Mrs Napkins (opens Amazon in a new tab)

    Our pick: AUDREE Miss to Mrs Gold Foil Napkins, 50

    Shower napkins with the right words on them.

    ~$5 (approximate)

    View on Amazon: Miss to Mrs Napkins (opens in a new tab)
  • Plastic Champagne Flutes (opens Amazon in a new tab)

    Our pick: Prestee Plastic Champagne Flutes, 100 Count

    For the toast or the send-off when the venue does not supply glassware.

    ~$30 (approximate)

    View on Amazon: Plastic Champagne Flutes (opens in a new tab)

Favors3

  • Hand Cream and Lip Balm Favors (opens Amazon in a new tab)

    Our pick: Hand Cream and Lip Balm Sets in Organza Bags, 30

    A shower favor that gets used: a hand cream and a lip balm, already bagged.

    ~$20 (approximate)

    View on Amazon: Hand Cream and Lip Balm Favors (opens in a new tab)
  • Mr and Mrs M&M's (opens Amazon in a new tab)

    Our pick: M&M's Mr. and Mrs. Milk Chocolate, 2 lb

    Edible favors are the ones that go home.

    ~$45 (approximate)

    View on Amazon: Mr and Mrs M&M's (opens in a new tab)
  • Personalized Candle Favors (opens Amazon in a new tab)

    Our pick: Personalized Scented Candle Favors

    Small scented candles with your names and date.

    With your names and date

    ~$50 (approximate)

    View on Amazon: Personalized Candle Favors (opens in a new tab)

Activities1

  • Blank Recipe Book (opens Amazon in a new tab)

    Our pick: Write-In Recipe Book, 140 Recipes

    The shower's recipe-card activity, bound: each guest writes a favorite recipe in the book.

    ~$20 (approximate)

    View on Amazon: Blank Recipe Book (opens in a new tab)

Gifts for the bride5

  • Mrs. Mug (opens Amazon in a new tab)

    Our pick: Sweet Water Decor Mrs. Bone China Mug

    Fine bone china with a gold handle and Mrs.

    ~$25 (approximate)

    View on Amazon: Mrs. Mug (opens in a new tab)
  • Bride Tumbler (opens Amazon in a new tab)

    Our pick: In My Wifey Era 40 oz Tumbler

    The tumbler everyone brings to the shower, so we picked a good one: insulated, with a handle and straw.

    ~$20 (approximate)

    View on Amazon: Bride Tumbler (opens in a new tab)
  • Bride Makeup Bag (opens Amazon in a new tab)

    Our pick: Bride Patch Makeup Bag

    Holds the touch-up kit on the day and every trip after it.

    ~$10 (approximate)

    View on Amazon: Bride Makeup Bag (opens in a new tab)
  • Mr and Mrs Wine Glasses (opens Amazon in a new tab)

    Our pick: Slant Mr and Mrs Stemless Wine Glasses, Pair

    The standard shower gift, and a cheerful one.

    ~$10 (approximate)

    View on Amazon: Mr and Mrs Wine Glasses (opens in a new tab)
  • Something Blue Eye Patches (opens Amazon in a new tab)

    Our pick: Patchology Something Blue Under-Eye Patches

    Cooling blue under-eye patches for the morning of: a something blue that actually helps.

    ~$20 (approximate)

    View on Amazon: Something Blue Eye Patches (opens in a new tab)

Missing something?

Know a product that would help other couples? Let us know and we'll take a look.

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Bridal Shower · Wedding Shop · I Do