The 9 Most Popular Bridal Shower Themes | Côtier Brand (2024)

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What color does the bride wear to her bridal shower? ›

"Typically, the first formal pre-wedding event is your bridal shower, and this is a great party to own the tradition of the bride in white," Fritz says.

Your bridal shower can be a reflection of your personality and interests. Whether you want a cute and kitschy theme like a "She Got Scooped Up" ice cream party, or you want to keep it elegant with a garden party luncheon, these bridal shower themes will fit any taste and style.

It's traditional for the bride, or the couple, to wear white at the bridal shower. This also includes pastel shades, like blush or soft blue, that can be photographed as looking white. All other colors—like bold, bright colors and prints—are fair game.

For a spring bridal shower, dresses in soft, pretty colors are always a good bet. Florals are perfect for the season! Look for spring dresses with sweet, romantic details like balloon sleeves and bows–and lace is a perfect fabric or embellishment.

Avoid wearing white, black, or anything that may detract from the wedding festivities. Bridal showers can range from formality, location, and season, so be sure to dress to fit the occasion.

Typically the Mother of the Bride's dress should complement the bridal party's color palette. Not necessarily match with the bridesmaids, but choose a color in the color family. The most popular color for the mother of the bride to wear is navy or a royal blue, followed by blush or a shade of nude.

Black and white is one of the most classic color combinations, and it makes a sophisticated backdrop for a bridal shower. Prescribe a specific dress code where everyone—except the bride—dresses in black.

In short, the host is the one who pays for the bridal shower—or at least some of it. Most commonly, this is the maid of honor, but the couple's relatives, friends or even the to-be-weds themselves can all pitch in to cover the cost of the wedding shower.

It's a fresh and modern take on bohemian style. With vibrant colors and floral patterns, it's fun & feminine. Weddings aren't the only thing that need boho-love. Set the tone with your bridal shower!

Traditional etiquette dictates that the maid of honor—not the mother of the bride—should host the shower. Nancy is a freelance writer for MarthaStewart.com. Some etiquette rules were meant to fade away into oblivion, like the one about family members of the bride not hosting her bridal shower.

What should an older woman wear to a bridal shower? ›

Pay Attention to the Dress Code

For more formal affairs, she advises guests to lean into fancy styles, like midi dresses and pantsuits, without going over the top. For guests who don't have a specified dress code to follow, opt for pieces that you would wear to a nice brunch or an elegant social gathering.

No matter the season, a floral dress outfit feels festive and chic for a bridal shower guest. Lean into the prominent colors of the season; for example, in spring and summer choose bright and pastel colors that feel joyous. For fall, we love a floral dress in deep, rich hues like burgundy or burnt orange.

Choose a bridal shower dress for guest that is elegant and feminine, and that makes you feel comfortable and confident. You can opt for a midi or maxi dress, a jumpsuit, or a skirt and blouse combination. Avoid wearing too revealing or casual clothing, as it may not be appropriate for the occasion.

Nude shades and white dresses with colorful prints are fine, but solid whites should be reserved for the star of the show: The Bride. Stay away from red. It may seem trite, but red is considered to be a “vulgar” hue associated with adultery. Not exactly appropriate for celebrating your friend's upcoming nuptials.

The maid of honor traditionally takes on the role of chief shower planner. But she isn't a one-woman show: She relies on the bridesmaids to help her with planning logistics. On the day of, the girls run the party, making sure everything goes smoothly and that guests are taken care of.

While white seems to be the shade most brides choose for a bridal shower, both Brickman and Cartledge agree that there's no rule on what color you should wear. "A lot of my brides don't opt for white at all, instead choosing a color that makes them feel confident or matches their wedding," Cartledge says.

Black and white is one of the most classic color combinations, and it makes a sophisticated backdrop for a bridal shower. Prescribe a specific dress code where everyone—except the bride—dresses in black.

Bridal showers typically have three common dress code options: formal/co*cktail attire, semi-formal attire, and casual attire. Following the dress code ensures that you blend in with the atmosphere and show your respect for the occasion.

If you're not sure where to start, we have a few suggestions! – Choose a color scheme that matches the bride's wedding colors. – Use imagery that represents the theme of the shower (e.g., rustic if the shower is taking place at a farmhouse). – Keep the wording simple and to the point.