Money as a couple: How to plan a bridal shower budget
A bridal shower budget covers the venue, food, decorations, games and small favours, and it's usually hosted by friends or family rather than the couple. In a worked example, a shower for 20 guests costs about 400, and splitting it between co-hosts keeps it light for everyone.
By Wealtie Team · 3 min read
Key takeaways
- A bridal shower budget covers venue, food, decorations, games and favours.
- In a worked example, a shower for 20 guests costs about 400.
- Co-hosts can split the cost, so no one carries it alone.
- Gifts should be optional and modest, especially if guests face other wedding costs.
How do you plan a bridal shower budget?
Agree who's hosting and how much each person can contribute, then plan the party around that amount. A bridal shower is a gathering, often of close friends and family, to celebrate someone who's getting married and help them prepare for married life. It's traditionally hosted by friends or relatives rather than the couple, which means the cost usually falls on the hosts.
Showers can be for any couple, and they can be as relaxed or themed as you like. Keeping the budget clear from the start makes planning easier and fairer. Talking to the person being celebrated about what they'd enjoy, like a brunch, a picnic or a games afternoon, helps you spend on what matters to them.
What does a bridal shower cost?
Here's a worked example for 20 guests, in round numbers that work in any currency:
| Cost | Amount |
|---|---|
| Food and drinks | 220 |
| Decorations | 60 |
| Cake | 50 |
| Games and favours | 40 |
| Invitations and extras | 30 |
| Total | 400 |
If four co-hosts share the cost, that's 100 each. Your own figures depend on the venue, the menu and how many guests you invite. Food and drinks are usually the biggest part, so that's where a homemade menu or a potluck saves the most.
Who pays for a bridal shower?
Usually the hosts: often close friends, members of the wedding party or relatives. When several people host together, agree the total budget and how to split it before anyone spends. Some groups split evenly, while others let each person contribute what they can. Writing down who's paying for what avoids confusion later.
Keep track of shared costs
One person keeping a simple list of costs and who paid makes it easy to settle up at the end. Paying back promptly keeps the friendship smooth. A shared note or group message listing costs makes the final split quick and clear.
How do you keep the cost down?
Simple choices keep a shower affordable:
- Host at someone's home or garden rather than a hired venue
- Choose a brunch or afternoon tea, which costs less than a dinner
- Make food yourselves, or ask each co-host to bring a dish
- Use digital invitations
- Make decorations, or reuse ones from other parties
- Choose games that need little more than paper and pens
How to host dinner on a budget has more ideas for feeding a group, and the baby shower budget has similar ways to keep a shower small.
Themes that cost little
A picnic in a park, a garden tea party, a recipe swap or a craft afternoon all make memorable themes for very little money. A theme can also guide food and decorations, so you buy less and everything feels planned.
How much should guests spend on a gift?
A modest amount. Many guests spend between 15 and 40 on a shower gift, often from the couple's registry. Since guests may also be paying for the wedding, travel and other events, keeping shower gifts small is considerate. Some showers ask for a recipe, a book or a handwritten note instead of a gift, which costs little and means a lot. Guests can also club together for one bigger registry item, which spreads the cost. How much to spend on a wedding gift covers the bigger gift.
How does it fit with other wedding events?
A shower is one of several celebrations around a wedding, alongside the engagement party, bachelor or bachelorette events and the wedding itself. For guests and hosts in the wedding party, the costs add up. Keeping each event modest, and not expecting everyone at everything, helps. It's fine for guests to attend some events and not others. The bachelor party budget covers another event that can be costly for friends.
How do you plan the timing?
Showers are often held a month or two before the wedding. Holding it on a weekend afternoon at someone's home avoids venue minimums and lets guests leave when they need to. Booking early gives co-hosts time to save and spreads the cost. Choosing a date that doesn't clash with other wedding events gives guests a break between expenses. Sending invitations four to six weeks ahead gives everyone time to plan.
How do you track shower costs in Wealtie?
Log your share of the shower in an events or gifts line in your expense categories, so you can see what a season of weddings costs you. A monthly limit in the budget tracker, with Budget Health, shows whether a busy month of celebrations is running ahead of plan.
Questions people ask
In a worked example, about 400 for 20 guests, covering food, decorations, cake, games and invitations.
Usually the hosts, often close friends or relatives, who agree a budget and split it.
Many guests spend 15 to 40, often from the registry. A recipe or handwritten note is a lovely low-cost alternative.
Host at home, choose a brunch or afternoon tea, make food, use digital invitations and choose simple games.
This article is general information, not financial, tax or legal advice. Your situation is your own; check the numbers that apply to you before you act on them.
