How to Throw a Bridal Shower in Your Own Backyard

Trying to figure out how to host a beautiful bridal shower that will be exciting for everyone? When you’re planning a bridal shower, settling on the venue is the biggest consideration. And sometimes the answer may be right in front of you: your backyard.

Choosing to throw a bridal shower in your own backyard is a fun and affordable way to celebrate this special time, plus can allow you to add a lot of personal touches. The drawback? It requires an extra level of planning for the host. If you’ve decided to go this route, here are six tips to help you plan the best shower for the couple-to-be.

Consider the Time of Year

One factor to keep in mind when planning your backyard shower is the time of year. Depending on the season this will play a big role in determining how you should plan ahead and also what your guests level of comfort is. Try to think ahead and anticipate what having your event during a particular time of year means.

Fall, spring, and summer are ideal times to host an outdoor bridal shower. If you’re in an area where the seasons change, fall can provide a beautiful natural backdrop for your shower.

If you want to opt for a summertime bridal shower, pay attention to both the hottest time of year and the hottest time of day. If mid-afternoon is the hottest time of the day, for example, plan to have the party earlier or later in the day, so guests aren’t uncomfortable and sweating. If it’s a cooler time of year, consider telling guests to layer up or have a system in place to keep them warm. Do some research and see what works best for you.

Photo Credit // Unsplash

Think About Bugs and Noise

While the great outdoors is beautiful, it can also be a little tricky. If you’re thinking about having a shower in the spring or summer, bugs and other pests may be an issue that needs to be addressed. Do a little research on when mosquitos and other critters in your area are the most active. From there you can better pinpoint a time for the shower ensuring maximum comfort for yourself, your guests, and the couple getting married.

Another factor you’ll want to keep in mind is noise. Depending on the time of day and your relationship with your neighbors, you’ll definitely want to give them a heads up about the party. It’s also a good idea to ask them to avoid doing lawn work during the duration of the shower, so everyone can hear one another and have a great time.

Consider the Flow of the Space

When you have guests over they usually end up in the kitchen or another room in your house you didn’t originally plan to have the party in. Think about the flow of your space for your backyard shower. Guests will have to use the bathroom, someone will want a drink refill or seconds on bridal shower food, etc. Think about these details ahead of time, so you can anticipate people’s needs, but also control the flow of the space.

To minimize guest’s need to go indoors, set up a drink station outside. And think about directing guests to a downstairs bathroom rather than an upstairs one. Also think about where to place the food to help keep more folks outside versus inside.

You’ll also want to think about where in the backyard you’ll be hosting guests. Do you have an outdoor deck or finished patio, or will you host people on the lawn? Either way, make sure the ground is level, so people can move around safely and comfortably. You’ll also want to clean the area beforehand.

Make It Festive

Although a backyard shower generally has a more laid-back vibe, you’ll definitely want to make it festive with some decorations. Have fun with the theme and keep the couple’s preferences in mind, but going classic with a garden party theme is never a bad idea. Feel free to get a little creative and take some fun risks with colors, flowers, balloons, streamers, and other shower favors you may find. Finding a color palette that will match with the bridal shower theme will make bridal shower decorations easier. Once you have a color palette, you can match the cake and dessert table with the bridal party decor to achieve a unified feel. You’ll also want to set aside an area specifically for the gifts. Don’t forget to make it stand out, too. Make a fun sign using glitter pens, ribbons. flowers, or maybe even a personalized chalkboard.

The same goes for the welcome sign. Having a sign with the date, the couple’s names, and other thoughtful details will make the guest's entrance feel special and can act as a centerpiece for the party. Putting floral arrangements throughout the space is another nice touch as well. Try to incorporate the couple’s favorite flowers, giving them another special surprise for when they walk in.

Think About the Menu

*Photo Credit * // Unsplash

Because a backyard shower tends to have a more casual vibe this is also something that will translate to the menu. Think about the couple getting married and try to work their favorite foods into the menu. Just don’t forget to think about the weather. You’ll want to pick an array of items that are both seasonal and will do well outside.

Salads are always an excellent way to go and there are a variety of ways to approach this menu item. Try to use seasonal ingredients and things that don’t require a lot of attention once set up.Buffet style is also a great way to go and allows guests to eat at their leisure. Planning for a cookout with ice cream and pink lemonade can also be a fun and casual way to feed your guests and really get them to enjoy the backyard vibe.

If you have a larger budget and want to do a more elevated meal, having something catered can also be an option and frees you up to focus on other parts of the party. Having passed hors d'oeuvres or even a sit down lunch or dinner with waiters is always lovely, but it really all depends on what vibe you’re going for and how much you plan to spend.

Have a Plan B

When you’re hosting any kind of party, there will inevitably be some kind of snafu. Sometimes the weather doesn’t cooperate or there’s an issue with the food. In these situations it's best to have a plan B.

Think about renting a tent if that’s in your budget, or if it’s a small guest list, perhaps you already have a tent that may work to help shield people from the elements. If a tent isn’t an option, be prepared to host your guests inside. You may need to rearrange the furniture a bit to accommodate people, so try to enlist some friends or family to help. Once you’ve got the space situated, all that’s left to do is get the food and decorations ready. Typically, all the same things you planned for outside can be used inside.

Having a backyard shower really allows you to have a lot of flexibility and enables you to control every aspect of it. Although there are some larger planning concerns that need to be taken into consideration, it will allow you to have exactly the kind of shower you want and you can put your homey touch on it. A backyard shower will definitely be one to remember and all the added personal details and party decorations will really make the couple getting married feel special and loved.