Cheap Menu Ideas: DIY Bridal Shower. Planning a bridal shower on a budget? Affordable and budget-friendly options. With affordable yet mouth-watering options, you’ll create a memorable and interactive celebration without breaking the bank!
QUICK TIPS: Brunch bliss, Tea party vibes, Grazing table, DIY pasta bar, Dessert table, Mezze platter, and Salad station.
This site contains affiliate links. For more info, please see our full disclosure.
Planning a bridal shower on a budget? You don’t have to sacrifice style or taste to create an unforgettable event. When you DIY your menu, you get to serve delicious food, create moments for your guests, and stay well within your budget. These affordable ideas are all about combining creativity and simplicity, so your food feels both special and accessible. Whether you’re hosting a brunch, tea party, grazing table, or pasta bar, these cheap menu options deliver big on flavor and affordability. You’ll be able to mix and match finger sandwiches, fresh salads, savory bites, hearty pasta, and sweet treats without breaking the bank. Many of these dishes use ingredients you can easily find at your local grocery store or buy in bulk, making the menu cost-effective yet impressive. You don’t need to hire a caterer or order fancy platters—just smart planning and a few DIY stations.
Imagine hosting a sweet afternoon tea with charming finger sandwiches, mouth-watering desserts, and refreshing beverages—all while keeping costs low. These budget-friendly options are more than just tasty; they can spark conversations and bring your guests closer together. You can even turn your menu into a fun activity with ideas like a DIY dessert station or a “build-your-own” sandwich bar, making it both cost-effective and interactive.
Guests will love the interactive feel of a build-your-own pasta bar with different sauces, meats, and vegetables that they can customize. Or you can create a grazing table filled with cheeses, cured meats, fruits, nuts, and bread, all beautifully arranged for an effortless and elegant touch. For a brunch-style shower, you can serve quiches, pancakes, yogurt parfaits, and fruit platters, easy to prep ahead and easy to enjoy. If tea is more your style, set up a modern tea party with delicate sandwiches, scones, and mini pastries. Dessert fans? You’ll adore a DIY dessert buffet with mini cupcakes, cookies, brownie bites, and sweet dips like chocolate fondue for a fun, interactive finish. By opting for a mezze platter, you can offer hummus, tzatziki, pita, olives, and fresh veggies, a simple spread that feels worldly and luxe without the price tag. Another great option is a salad station, where guests build their own fresh greens with toppings like tomatoes, nuts, cheese, grilled chicken, and colorful dressings. Soup and bread always work too: a couple of comforting soups and crusty rolls or baguettes make for a warm and cozy bridal shower menu.
With easy-to-make, affordable dishes like quiches, salads, and bite-sized appetizers, you’ll create a warm and inviting atmosphere that’s sure to impress. Whether you’re planning a casual afternoon or a light brunch, these budget-friendly bridal shower menu ideas gives you both control and creativity, so you can tailor it to the bride’s favorite flavors and dietary needs. You’ll save money without sacrificing style, making your shower feel both meaningful and fun. By doing it yourself, you’ll also create moments of connection—guests will mingle around the food stations, customize their plates, and chat as they build their perfect bites. You’ll be proud of what you bring together and the joy you help create. Plus, once it’s all set up, you can sit back, enjoy the shower, and focus on celebration rather than serving. You don’t have to choose between beautiful food and budget savings, you can absolutely have both, and you’ll nail it. Now, let’s dive into these cheap, delicious menu ideas that make your bridal shower unforgettable, thoughtful, and totally on point.
SIDE NOTE: Presentation and setup will elevate these “cheap” menu ideas. Tiered serving platters and rented chaffing dishes will make a world of difference!
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 pressed 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 (without the crust of course!)
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 : Cheap Menu Ideas DIY Bridal Shower
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 throughout the eating time.
Provide an assortment of toppings like grilled chicken (or shredded rotisserie 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: “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)
A salad station for your bridal shower is a fun, customizable option that your guests will love! Here’s what you should include to make it a hit:
- Greens Variety
Offer a few options for leafy greens, like romaine, mixed greens, and spinach. This way, guests can choose their favorite base for the salad. - Toppings Galore
Provide a variety of toppings like cherry tomatoes, cucumbers, shredded carrots, red onions, avocado, olives, and bell peppers. These will let everyone add a burst of color and flavor to their salad. - Protein Options
Add some hearty protein choices like grilled chicken, shrimp, or even a vegetarian option like chickpeas or quinoa. This will make the salad more satisfying. - Cheese Selections
Offer a few cheese options like feta, goat cheese, parmesan, or shredded mozzarella. The variety adds richness and flavor to each salad. - Nuts and Seeds
Include nuts like almonds, walnuts, or sunflower seeds for a little crunch and healthy fats. They can take a salad from basic to extraordinary! - Dressings
Set out a selection of dressings for your guests, like balsamic vinaigrette, ranch, honey mustard, or a creamy Caesar. Make sure there’s a mix of light and creamy dressings to suit all preferences. - Extras
Consider adding fun extras like croutons, crispy bacon bits, dried cranberries, or sweetcorn to add sweetness or texture to the salads. - Bowls and Utensils
Make sure there are plenty of bowls and salad tongs so guests can easily build their salad. You could even include some small plates for guests who want a bigger serving. - Beautiful Garnishes
For a finishing touch, offer some garnishes like fresh herbs (parsley, basil), a squeeze of lemon, or even a sprinkle of pepper to elevate the salad experience.
With a salad station like this, your bridal shower will have a refreshing and interactive element that your guests will enjoy customizing to their tastes!
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.
Pick soups that are hearty and meaty like Chicken and Wild Rice Soup, Mini Meatball Soup, and Beef and Vegetable Stew.
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.
