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View CartWhether you're looking for fall bridal shower ideas for yourself or a loved one, capture the spirit of autumn with the event: think crisp and clear days, changing leaves, abundant harvests and warm fabrics. Let the richness of the season make a mark on your special day by incorporating traditional motifs—pumpkins and apples, for instance—into the menu, activities and decor. Or, go for a more subtle expression that reflects an autumnal color palette. Consider hues ranging from bold reds and golds to more modest blush and peach tones. Get inspired by the season with more fall wedding shower ideas and themes.
If you're planning a late fall or winter wedding, the time for your shower (typically held two months before the Big Day) takes place during this season. Make the most of the event with a theme that pays homage to autumn's hallmarks.
Autumn begins a period of transition, signaled by cooler temperatures and leaves' shifting hues. Work these elements into your bridal shower by bringing nature into the design. From table runners and centerpieces featuring fall foliage to warm drinks that keep you toasty on chilly days, use the simple elegance of the season as a central theme of the party. For a centerpiece, combine candles along with acorns, pinecones and fall flowers in glass hurricane candle holders. (Add in dahlias, sunflowers, goldenrod or garden mums for striking color.) Bring in a rustic twist with burlap wound around simple glass vases or mason jars. If you prefer a more subtle take, rely on white pumpkins to inject seasonal influence without overwhelming the party's color palette. Layer on gold accents for contrast and shine.
If you're looking for a unique way to celebrate an upcoming fall wedding, consider going bold with a Halloween theme. Think spooky decor, macabre table settings and tasty witches' brew for a party that falls near the holiday. Invite guests to attend in costume and put a ghostly twist on traditional bridal activities by using custom-printed cards for bingo and other games. When it comes to prizes, opt for gifts that winners can use for All Hallows' Eve: mini cauldrons filled with candy, skeleton servers or bottles filled with spiced wine. Let the holiday influence the dessert table as well. Dark chocolate or pumpkin spice cupcakes lend a harvest feel, especially when decorated for the holiday.
Toast to gratitude with a Thanksgiving-themed shower. In addition to serveware and place settings that nod to the holiday, this theme brings a moving sense of thankfulness to the get-together. If you're planning the shower for a loved one, set up a station where guests can write something that they’re grateful for about the bride or groom. In keeping with the season, opt for leaf-shaped cards in autumn shades that guests can fill out and clip to a card tree. Another crafty idea has guests writing their names on small wooden hearts; affix them to a picture frame that the happy couple can display in their home. For the meal, offer dishes that riff off the traditional Thanksgiving feast, such as turkey tacos with Brussels sprouts slaw followed by pumpkin crème brûlée. If you're throwing the shower at home, consider making the event a potluck where the amateur chefs can contribute their favorite dishes and recipes.
For a couple who are major gridiron fans, incorporate their love of this autumn game into the wedding shower. Create a casual vibe with a tailgating party that serves up barbecue, beer and football-shaped cookies. Indicate the theme on the invitation and encourage guests to wear their favorite team’s gear. When it comes to centerpieces and decor, think pennants and mini football helmets. For a fun activity, set up a corn hole toss or an oversized tumbling tower game.
While a home- or restaurant-based shower is always an option, consider taking advantage of the crisp autumn weather and colorful surroundings with an outdoor location. And while you’re at it, there’s no need to limit the festivities to a traditional lunch or brunch timetable either.
If the shower is scheduled before the weather turns cold, take the party outside in the yard, public park or nature preserve. Whichever way you go, opt for a venue with trees for a beautiful backdrop. To combat potentially chilly weather, serve fall beverage staples—apple cider, pumpkin spice lattes and hot chai tea—out of thermal carafes. Take advantage of the unique setting with lawn games or a group hike. Be sure to dress the table for the event with a floral or seasonal centerpiece, placemats and simple dinnerware to really elevate the meal. Arrange desserts on a tablecloth-clad folding table, using covered cake trays and servers that showcase the sweets while protecting them from the elements. For a cozy twist, host your outdoor shower in the evening. After a warm meal, invite guests to wrap themselves in blankets and huddle around a campfire to roast marshmallows or make s'mores while sharing stories about the newlyweds-to-be.
Throwing the party in a quaint farm setting is ideal for a harvest theme that provides vistas of autumn scenery. Look for apple orchards, pumpkin patches or small farms that also specialize in event hosting for an authentic experience. Some venues even offer farm-fresh fare, too. When it comes to the table arrangements and centerpieces, work fall produce into the display—think gourds, pears or miniature pumpkins. Or drape a fall garland across the table's center for a rustic approach. Take guests on a hayride, and let them have their hand at picking apples or pumpkins for take-home favors. For dessert, latticed apple or pumpkin pies are a delicious way to keep with the theme. Consider presenting a few varieties of pie on raised cake pedestals for a tasty photo op.
Let the lush environment of a botanical garden create a memorable naturescape for the wedding shower. Many provide both indoor and outdoor spaces brimming with color. When it comes to the place settings, incorporate floral hues into the tablescape. Blush and peach tones complement an autumn color palette while offering plenty of opportunity to contrast with bold reds and subtle blues. Incorporate edible flowers into the meal, tossing nasturtiums into a fresh salad or adding some violets and pansies on a white-frosted layer cake. For favors that fit the location, gift small potted plants or bulbs to take home. For instance, consider frost-hardy pansies or daffodil and tulip bulbs.
Put a fall twist on your favorite bridal shower activities to keep with the day's theme. For a simple approach, have game cards for bingo or other games printed on seasonal stationery. Or try one of the following to delight your guests.
If you're looking for a hands-on alternative to a traditional brunch shower, celebrate the pair's special day by organizing a workshop where guests can learn (or perfect) a fun skill. Or, host a DIY workshop at home. The following engaging bridal shower activities can be enjoyed indoors.
Whichever you choose, have guests take their creations home as shower favors.
If you're hosting the bridal shower at a non-traditional venue such as a farm or pumpkin patch, child invitees will likely participate in activities alongside the adults. If you're planning the event in a restaurant or banquet hall, choose indoor activities that are engaging but not disruptive. Think about offering separate prizes for kids—candy, pumpkin decorating kits or small toys. If there are enough children in attendance, plan a special game with them in mind, or put a kid-friendly twist on a classic to keep them engaged. Here are a few examples:
Let the season inspire the event's menu, too. From hot drinks and spiced cocktails to vegetable-rich dishes and pumpkin desserts, fill guests up with warm harvest fare.
Whether you're hosting the shower out of a venue or from the comfort of home, develop the menu with the season in mind. Base dishes around autumn vegetables, such as Brussels sprouts, sweet potatoes, butternut squash, artichoke and eggplant. Add in a lean meat such as chicken or turkey for an entree. Or, combine farm-fresh vegetables in a grain bowl or over pasta for vegetarians and meat-eaters alike. Whichever way you go, remember to include a fall bridal shower centerpiece. Taper candles also complete the mood.
Savor the taste of autumn with apple-infused cocktails or drinks spiced with cinnamon and cloves. Spiked apple cider, pumpkin wine or hot buttered rum call to mind cool autumn evenings, while coffee and hot tea may be more appropriate for daytime gatherings. If you're planning on a specialty cocktail, offer a mocktail version for younger guests and non-drinkers in attendance. For a formal look, serve each drink in stemware. Or, keep it casual with stemless glasses. Add in garnishes—cinnamon sticks or apple slices, for instance—to elevate the presentation.
Bring your favorite seasonal flavors to the table with a cake or cupcakes that showcase fall’s bounty. Caramel, cinnamon apple and pumpkin spice give off a cool weather vibe to all kinds of desserts. For all-season favorites such as dark chocolate or French vanilla, use sliced persimmon or pumpkin-flavored frosting to give sweets a seasonal twist. Showcase all of autumn’s delicious flavors by serving a variety of small cakes or cupcakes elevated on cake stands and tiered servers.
From apple and pumpkin to pecan and chocolate cream, pies herald the autumn season. If you're planning on showcasing the pastries before dessert time, consider displaying an array of eye-catching lattice tops or mini pies. Use small cookie cutters to add leaf and apple designs to the crust before baking, a trick that not only looks festive but provides a visual cue to the pie filling. For guests with a sweet tooth to satisfy, top slices with vanilla ice cream drizzled with caramel or chocolate sauce. Looking to add a variety of fall treats to the pie offerings? Stack apple cider donuts or chocolates on a tray with cinnamon sticks as a garnish.
Did you find something to inspire your planning? Whether you're throwing a shower for a loved one or gathering inspiration for your own, show us your fall bridal shower ideas at the hashtag #CrateStyle.