Who hosts the bridal shower?

“Traditionally, the bridal shower is hosted by the maid of honor and bridesmaids, ” explains Miller. “However, as brides and weddings have gotten less traditional, family members, close friends, and even neighbors can host a shower; brides can even have multiple showers hosted by different groups,” she says.

Are there other DIY bridal shower favor ideas?

Miller suggests incorporating a fun DIY project as part of the shower, the result of which guests can then take home and you can use at your wedding. Her suggestions: Handmade paper that can be used in a guest book, or wax candles that can become part of a tablescape.

The 16 Best Bridal Shower Favors of 2022

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Yes, the bridal shower is where the bride will be, well, showered with gifts, but it’s also the perfect opportunity to treat the guests to a little something special. They've come from near and far to celebrate the bride. The shower is a time to relax, unwind, and enjoy time together—and to get excited about the upcoming nuptials.

A small, thoughtful favor can go a long way toward showing gratitude and appreciation, and hey, who doesn’t love to leave a party with a fun little goodie? Bridal shower favors are by no means a requirement, though they are a nice thank you for your guests, says Sarah Miller, an Event Director with Paulette Wolf Events. If you do one, keep it small; something like a personalized mini bottle of your favorite rosé or scented candle is a great option. Or, gift them something they can use during the event, whether it's sunscreen for a poolside party or sweet treats to nibble on throughout the day.

Meet the Expert

Sarah Miller is an Event Director with Chicago-based Paulette Wolf Events.

Read on for the best bridal shower favors.

Wine Dine and Design Personalized Hand Sanitizer Labels

Pretty meets practical, thanks to these adorable stick-on labels made to fit perfectly on the pocket-sized Bath & Body Works hand sanitizers. (Note, you’ll have to buy those separately.) The chic font and subtle eucalyptus design work well with any color hand sanitizer and/or décor theme; we also love these as an addition to hotel welcome bags.

Vine Wedding Mini Bridal Shower Champagne Bottle Labels

Any and every type of wedding celebration calls for champagne, and this easy-to-design label template is the perfect way to customize the bride’s favorite bottle of bubbly. Download the template and edit the text, then simply print and add to mini bottles.

5 Star Succulents Wedding Favor

Succulent Wedding Favor — Courtesy of Etsy

Long-lasting and pretty much foolproof, succulents are a surefire gift that your guests will be able to hang onto long after the party is over. These come shipped complete as a kit, and do require a little bit of DIY effort to plant each succulent into the included handmade, wooden planter. The end result is totally worth it, and can easily double as the perfect place setting and favor at any bridal shower.

Fanus Home Magnet Favors

This itty-bitty, teeny-tiny magnetic bouquet complete with the couples names is an ideal option for those looking for an affordable favor. Choose from seven different colors of flowers, as well as a mixed option that blends five hues.

Engraved Your Way Engraved Champagne Glass

Set these out at each place setting at the bridal shower; they’re great for sipping mimosas or champagne out of during the event (obviously), and double as a great favor for your guests to bring home. Engrave the stemless flutes with each guest’s name, the wedding hashtag, or any other fun phrase that resonates with the group.

Kara's Vineyard Wedding Wine Bottle Stoppers

Ideal for either a vineyard- or garden-themed wedding, the floral applique on these stoppers is sure to please. Not to mention that there are nearly 30 colors to choose from, and they come with free organza favor bags to make wrapping them up a breeze.

The Fussy Hostess EOS Lip Balm Holder

A lip balm alone would be a cute favor, but go ahead and up the ante and pair it with this personalized card. Customize it with the bride’s name and shower date (you can even add a photo), then print them out and pop in an EOS lip balm (not included). Mix and match the colors of the lip balms, or choose just one for a more cohesive look.

Westing Organics Personalized Rose Bath Bomb Favors

Give your guests an easy way to create an at-home spa experience with these 100% natural bath bombs that are scented with rose essential oils and smell just as good as they look. The handmade, heart-shaped minis come topped with real rose petals, all you have to do is customize the wording on the packaging.

Cookiebox Store Wedding Clear Macaron Packaging Box

Is there any dessert more decadent and feminine than the macaron? We think not. Pick up the bride’s favorite macarons, then use these pretty boxes to package them up. They come complete with customizable labels where you can add the wedding date and couple’s initials, as well as an array of different colored ribbons to choose form.

My Wedding Favors Heart Shaped Trinket Dish

Spread the love but contain the clutter. These heart-shaped, ceramic dishes are sweet and functional, the perfect spot to corral jewelry, keys, or loose change.

Uncommon Goods Edible Gold Lollipops

Lollipops aren’t just a great favor idea for a kids party. This totally grown-up, totally sophisticated version is a perfectly sweet option to use as a favor for any shower. Each is handmade and filled with (completely edible) 24K gold leaf, a great way to add a little bit of extra sparkle to the special day.

Cool Moon Design Hello Gorgeous Cosmetic Bag

Gift her something that she'll actually use to stay organized on vacations and big events (like, your wedding). Made of linen, it's pretty enough to use as a clutch if needed.

Pholk Honeysuckle Rose Face Mist

Ideal for any and all skin types, this spritz relies only on natural and organic ingredients to hydrate and balance your complexion. It feels refreshing and smells divine, the perfect mid-day pick-me-up. The price point is slightly higher, so consider it for events with a smaller guest count, and/or to use as a prize for shower games.

Pop Fizz Designs Store Hair Ties

Pop Fizz Designs Store Bridesmaids Gifts Hair Ties — Courtesy of Amazon

We have yet to meet someone who couldn’t use a few extra hair ties, truly the definition of arguably the most practical gift of all time. Still, these are still cute enough to work as a great wedding favor and come as a set of three in festive prints and colors on a witty card.

Lazy Perfection by Jenny Patinkin Rose on Rose Face Roller Petite

Face rollers are all the rage, and this particular one makes for the perfect shower favor. Not only is the rose quartz especially pretty, but the crystal is also known to promote feelings of love—how perfect for wedding festivities is that? It also comes in a mini case that’s ideal for travel.

The Ultimate Guide to Bridal Showers

World Market Gold Telescoping Tabletop Frame

Picture frames are a guaranteed crowd-pleasing gift, always. Use these as a place card, putting a photo of the bride with each guest into each frame. They come in two different sizes that can easily be mixed and matched, and the gold finish makes for a vintage and girly feel.

What to look for in bridal shower favors

Something small

If guests are traveling in from out of town for the shower, it's especially important to keep the size of the favors small—or just go with something edible that they won't have to pack in their luggage. It's also helpful to keep the costs down if the guest list is sizable—if you're having a small shower, you may be able to splurge a bit more for guests.

Anything that goes with your wedding theme

Having a destination wedding? Consider something like a monogrammed luggage tug, which is a gift that's both fun and practical, says Miller. Or think about the color palette and overall vibe of your wedding and find a gift that fits with that theme.

FAQ

Who hosts the bridal shower?

“Traditionally, the bridal shower is hosted by the maid of honor and bridesmaids,” explains Miller. “However, as brides and weddings have gotten less traditional, family members, close friends, and even neighbors can host a shower; brides can even have multiple showers hosted by different groups,” she says.
Are there other DIY bridal shower favor ideas?

Miller suggests incorporating a fun DIY project as part of the shower, the result of which guests can then take home and you can use at your wedding. Her suggestions: Handmade paper that can be used in a guest book, or wax candles that can become part of a tablescape.

Why Trust Brides

Brides contributor Melanie Rud has nearly 15 years of journalism experience covering the beauty and lifestyle space for some of the biggest magazines and websites out there. She’s also a bride-to-be, currently planning her own wedding and getting ready for her bridal shower next month

Meet the Expert

Sarah Miller is an Event Director with Paulette Wolf Events in Chicago. With over 15 years of experience in the industry, Miller works with both the corporate division and high-end social division, producing a wide array of events, weddings included.