Cheap Menu Ideas: DIY Bridal Shower. Cheap DIY menu ideas for a memorable bridal shower. Budget-friendly menu ideas for your DIY bridal shower. Cheap and tasty menu ideas. Budget-friendly bridal shower. Affordable, impressive, and delicious.
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QUICK TIPS: Brunch bliss, Tea party vibes, Grazing table, DIY pasta bar, Dessert table, Mezze platter, and Salad station.
When it comes to planning a bridal shower, one of the most exciting aspects is undoubtedly the menu (and the fun games!)
Whether you’re hosting a cozy gathering or a lavish affair, selecting the perfect culinary delights can elevate the celebration and leave a lasting impression on your guests.
To help you create a memorable bridal shower experience, we’ve compiled a list of delicious menu ideas that are sure to delight your guests and make the bride-to-be feel extra special.
An affordable menu for your bridal shower enables you to allocate more of your budget to other essential elements of the bridal shower, such as decor, entertainment, or favors.
By saving on food costs, you can invite a larger guest list, ensuring that more loved ones can celebrate with you.
DIY and affordable menu options give you the freedom to infuse your personality and creativity into culinary choices, making your event more unique and memorable.
From delicious appetizers to mouthwatering desserts, there are plenty of cheap menu ideas that will delight guests while keeping costs down.
In this guide, we’ll explore a variety of affordable and easy-to-make dishes that are perfect for a DIY bridal shower, allowing you to focus on showering the bride-to-be with love and celebration without stressing about your budget. Let’s dive in and discover how to create a delicious and budget-friendly menu for a memorable bridal shower experience!
Cheap Menu Ideas DIY Bridal Shower
1. BRUNCH BLISS
Brunch-themed bridal showers have become the go-to vibe and for good reason.
Offering a mix of breakfast and lunch options, this menu choice provides a wide array of delectable treats.
Consider serving classic favorites like fluffy pancakes, croissants, crispy bacon, eggs Benedict, fresh fruit platters, and assorted pastries.
Yogurt parfaits are also super easy and cheap to put together! Paper (or recyclable plastic!) cups can be filled halfway through with yogurt and then topped with fruits like blueberries. Lastly, add granola for some crunch!
QUICK TIP: Pancakes, you can totally buy the frozen one if you are really pressured for time. Bacon, you can make it ahead of time. Instead of eggs benedict, maybe you can make omelets instead (easier to put together and cook!)
Fruit platters and assorted pastries are easily bought in-store!
Elevate the experience by placing them on wooden cutting boards or even the fun printed serving platters to match your bridal shower theme!
Don’t forget to offer a variety of beverages, including mimosas / sangria, freshly squeezed juices, and a selection of hot beverages.
You can rent out carafes or also bring your own coffee maker (those ones that use pods!) and have your guests help themselves with their coffee of choice!
Tiered serving platters or wooden chopping boards are great options to elevate serving!
2. TEA PARTY VIBES
Let’s not be only focused on the “usual” tea party vibes. We can totally modernize this and elevate it!
This does not have to be s super fancy one unless that’s your vibe.
Serve a selection of fine teas, both hot and iced, accompanied by delicate finger sandwiches with fillings such as cucumber and cream cheese, smoked salmon, or chicken salad.
QUICK TIP: You can pre-order mini sandwich platters and then serve them on a classy and elegant 3 tiered serving platter. You can cut the sandwiches into four squares to make them look more sophisticated.
Enhance the experience with scones, clotted cream, and an assortment of sweet treats like petit fours, macarons, and mini pastries.
Again, similar to the quick tip we shared with the sandwiches, scones, and mini pastries can be easily bought in-store.
How you can elevate these in-store bought products is by placing them on a serving platter, like a 3-tiered one.
3. GRAZING TABLE (this is one of our readers’ fave Cheap Menu Ideas DIY Bridal Shower)
This might not be the cheapest option if you purchase it. But, if you want to DIY this, you can definitely save a lot of money.
Fill the table with an array of artisanal cheeses, cured meats, fresh fruits, olives, nuts, and a variety of bread and crackers.
QUICK TIP: How you’ll save money here is to purchase these cheeses and cured meats in bulk. The same goes for bread and crackers.
Providing more bread and other jams on the table will help ensure your guests are not going to be left hungry.
Add a touch of elegance with beautiful spreads like flavored hummus, savory dips, and marinated vegetables.
This grazing concept allows guests to mingle and sample a wide range of delectable bites throughout the event.
4. DIY PASTA BAR
Pasta is always a crowd-pleaser, and a DIY pasta bar allows guests to customize their dishes to their liking.
Offer a choice of pasta types, such as penne, spaghetti, or bowtie, along with a variety of sauces like marinara, Alfredo, or pesto.
QUICK TIP: You will most likely need chafing dishes or even food warmers to ensure the sauces are hot through the eating time.
Provide an assortment of toppings like grilled chicken, sautéed vegetables, Parmesan cheese, and fresh herbs.
QUICK TIP: You can purchase rotisserie chickens and shred them to be used as pasta toppings!
Serve garlic bread or breadsticks on the side for a complete meal. Bread will always help ensure your guests feel full throughout the event.
5. DESSERT BUFFET
We had to include this because what is a bridal shower without desserts?
Create a tempting dessert buffet with a variety of sweet treats for guests to enjoy.
Include bite-sized desserts such as mini cupcakes, macarons, cookies, brownie bites, and fruit skewers.
Add some flair with a chocolate fondue station where guests can dip fruits, marshmallows, and pretzels.
A dessert buffet provides a delightful ending to the bridal shower.
5. MEZZE PLATTER
Yoga of Cooking describes that “A Mezze Platter is a traditional Mediterranean spread, made from a selection of small dishes such as hummus, tzatziki, dolmas, and tabbouleh.”
Include classics like hummus, tzatziki, olives, falafel, pita bread, and an array of fresh vegetables. Garnish with fresh herbs and a drizzle of olive oil for an enticing and shareable appetizer.
5. SALAD STATION (Cheap Menu Ideas DIY Bridal Shower)
6. SOUP & BREAD
Offer a couple of different soups paired with crusty bread or rolls. It’s comforting and economical. Serve in chafing dishes to keep warm.
7. DIY SALAD BAR
Set up a salad bar with a variety of greens, toppings, and dressings so guests can create their own salads.
PRO TIP: Shred roasted chicken from your local grocery and use it as protein for your salads make your life extra easy!
8. TACO & NACHO BAR
Create a build-your-own taco or nacho bar with tortilla chips, meat or beans, cheese, salsa, and guacamole.
PRO TIP: Purchase premade chili soup from your local grocery and add a heavy hitter for this fun taco and nacho bar without breaking a sweat!
〰️ Remember to consider the bride’s favorite foods and any dietary restrictions when choosing your DIY bridal shower menu.
These ideas allow you to customize the menu to fit your budget while ensuring that your guests enjoy delicious food. Plus, they add a personal touch to the bridal shower, making it even more memorable for the newlywed-to-be.
