4 Sweet Theme Ideas for a Summer Bridal Shower

Spring has sprung and summer is on its way! Some of you may be planning a few pre-wedding parties for the bride-to-be or you might be the bride looking for bridal shower inspiration to pass on to your bridal party. Either way, if your wedding date falls within the summer months, now’s the time to start planning the what, when, and where details of the bridal shower. Here are some ideas for a sweet summer shower that the guests and the bride-to-be will love.

1. Ice Cream Social

I scream, you scream, we all scream for ice cream! During the hot summer months it’s nice to cool down with a big ol’ bowl of [insert favorite ice cream flavor here]. You can go a number of ways with this theme. You could set up a DIY sundae bar complete with different ice cream flavors and a variety of toppings. You could also have a seated affair with individual ice cream bowls at each table along with a few toppings to choose from. Other ideas: ice cream cakes, fruit-infused popsicles, banana splits, and soda floats. I love the Ice Cream Parlour theme Amy Moss went with. Visit her site for a plethora of free downloadable tags, labels, and designs.

2. Sunflowers and Citrus

This theme combines two iconic summer symbols: sunflowers and citrus. It’s all very Under the Tuscan Sun. Decorations can include vases of sunflowers and lemons or limes, lots of yellow, rustic details, and candles. Serve fresh fruits, champagne or a citrus signature cocktail, pizza/pasta, and lemon cake.

3. Tropical

Transport everyone to a tropical paradise with bold, bright colors and patterns, pineapples and coconuts, hibiscus flowers, tiki torches, leis, and maybe even a limbo or hula dancing competition. For extra credit, ask guests to wear their favorite sundress (bonus for tropical prints). Hand out cute sunshades as favors and have a flower crown or lei making station as an activity.

4. Strawberry Shortcake

What says summer more than strawberry shortcake? This berry-inspired theme calls for shades of red and pink, a lemonade and sangria drink station, bowls of fresh fruit, strawberry cartons filled with flowers, finger foods (brie and strawberries on bread, berry kabobs, sandwiches), and of course a strawberry shortcake station.

Now that you’ve got the inspiration, it’s time to start planning. Keep in mind that, ideally, a bridal shower should take place one month before the wedding date and planning the shower should start about three months ahead of time. Have fun!