15 Best Bridal Shower Food Ideas (2024)

A bridal shower is the perfect time to break out all the girly appetizers — think finger sandwiches, pretty fruit salads, and miniature bites like chicken salad-stuffed croissants that you might find nestled atop a silver tray at high tea in a fancy hotel. But they don't have to be complicated when you're making them at home. From cheese balls to scones to quiches, you can turn to these bridal shower recipes for easy, no-mess appetizers that will help kick off any bridal shower or luncheon on a high note.

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Cucumber Party Sandwiches

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15 Best Bridal Shower Food Ideas (1)

You only need three ingredients (plus a few spices from your pantry) to make these dainty sandwiches, which you can cut into triangles or any shape you desire with cookie cutters.

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Strawberry Goat Cheese Bruschetta

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15 Best Bridal Shower Food Ideas (2)

Especially delightful in summer when berries are in season, these easy two-bite appetizers are as simple as slicing and toasting a loaf of Italian bread, then topping with creamy goat cheese, sliced strawberries, and a drizzle of balsamic vinegar.

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Chocolate Chip Cheese Ball

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15 Best Bridal Shower Food Ideas (3)

A variation on a traditional savory cheese ball, this one incorporates chopped pecans and miniature chocolate chips for a perfectly spreadable, crunchy concoction. Serve with salty pretzels to keep it from being overly dessert-like.

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Vietnamese Fresh Spring Rolls

15 Best Bridal Shower Food Ideas (4)

Hit up an Asian food market or supermarket well-stocked with international items to source ingredients like rice vermicelli, rice wrappers, and fish sauce. Once you nail the rolling technique, these transparent bites look so pretty on a platter.

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Spring Vegetable Tart

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15 Best Bridal Shower Food Ideas (5)

This colorful tart can be the centerpiece of your appetizer table. It's made with a flaky crust of puff pastry and topped with goat cheese plus mixed greens, broccoli, carrots, sugar snap peas, cherry tomatoes, and any other sliced vegetable of your choosing. Go ahead and slice into squares for easy serving.

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Chef John's Scones

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15 Best Bridal Shower Food Ideas (6)

For a bridal shower, you'll likely want to double the batch as this recipe normally only makes eight scones — each moist inside with a golden top, thanks to an egg wash before baking. Don't forget the fresh strawberry jam or clotted cream to serve on the side.

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Pigs in a Blanket

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15 Best Bridal Shower Food Ideas (7)

Who doesn't love a little nostalgia? This easy appetizer we all loved as kids can be made using co*cktail wieners instead, and any kind of prepared biscuit or roll dough of your choosing. Elevate it by serving with a variety of sauces for dipping, like spicy mustard.

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Caprese Appetizer

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15 Best Bridal Shower Food Ideas (8)

Make these mini apps made with mozzarella pearls, grape tomatoes, and fresh basil even cuter by using festive party picks in the bride's wedding colors instead of toothpicks.

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Southern Pimento Cheese

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Even if your shower isn't in the South, you can't go wrong with this crowd-pleasing dip. Pair with crudites like baby carrots and celery sticks, or buttery crackers.

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Layered Waldorf Salad

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15 Best Bridal Shower Food Ideas (10)

Break out the trifle dish for this show-stopping salad, layered with a variety of fruits and veggies in lots of textures and colors, tangy blue cheese, and a zesty lemon dressing. To simplify serving, you could make in individual cups.

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Tortellini Skewers

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If you can boil water, you can make these simple yet toothsome appetizers. Prepare a package of refrigerated tortellini as directed, then rinse with cold water and toss with prepared pesto before skewering onto toothpicks with cherry tomatoes.

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Hot Artichoke and Spinach Dip

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15 Best Bridal Shower Food Ideas (11)

Your whole kitchen will smell delicious as this dip bakes. Serve in a bowl placed atop a platter filled with warm pita triangles, baguette slices, or tortilla chips.

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Party Pinwheels

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Large guest list? No problem. This recipe makes a big batch of these fun party favorites, and it's easy to make a variety of flavors by changing up the tortillas you use (try spinach- or beet-hued ones) and swapping in whatever vegetables you have on hand.

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Guacamole My Way

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15 Best Bridal Shower Food Ideas (12)

The addition of diced Roma tomatoes and finely diced onion gives this bowl of everyone's favorite Mexican dip a little extra flair. Pair it with a big bowl of scoop-shaped chips made for dunking.

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Easy Mini Quiches

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15 Best Bridal Shower Food Ideas (13)

Elegant and tasty, yet simple to make using a muffin tin, this recipe starts with buttermilk bacon mix, onion, eggs, and cheese — but it's completely customizable, if you'd like to add in more veggies, other kinds of cheeses, or a handful of fresh herbs.

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15 Best Bridal Shower Food Ideas (2024)

FAQs

What food should you serve at a bridal shower? ›

The bridal shower food you serve should reflect the bride's personality and preferences, whether she loves goat cheese, fresh fruit, sweet treats, or savory bite-size appetizers and snacks. You may serve a sit-down meal or opt for an assortment of hors d'oeuvres and finger sandwiches for a casual atmosphere.

How much should you spend on food for a bridal shower? ›

For example, a buffet-style catering service would cost less than plated meals. However, you'll need to spend more at a bridal shower if you want guests to have the best experience. A budget of $30 to $100 per person is reasonable.

Who pays for food at bridal shower? ›

The food and drinks

However, many showers rely on the host to take care of the spread of delectable delights for bridal shower guests.

What is a cheap food for a bridal shower? ›

BRUNCH BLISS

Consider serving classic favorites like fluffy pancakes, croissants, crispy bacon, eggs Benedict, fresh fruit platters, and assorted pastries. Yogurt parfaits are also super easy and cheap to put together!

What do you serve at a 2 pm bridal shower? ›

For bridal showers that take place in the morning or early afternoon, Hammond suggests choosing buffet-style or co*cktail services with lighter fare and finger foods. If the celebration has a later start time, around dinner, the caterer recommends going for a heavier, more nourishing meal.

What is a good number of guests for a bridal shower? ›

I'm often asked how many guests should be invited to a shower, and I usually recommend keeping it to around 25 guests if possible.

How many people should be at a bridal shower? ›

How Many People Do You Invite to a Bridal Shower? Inviting between 30 and 40 people to the bridal shower is the sweet spot, with the understanding that some people probably won't be able to attend.

When to serve food at a bridal shower? ›

Many hosts and brides-to-be don't like to have everyone sitting silently during gift opening times. If you serve the food after games, but before gifts, it gives people something to do while the bride-to-be opens presents. It's less formal and more comfortable for everyone.

What is a typical finger buffet? ›

A finger buffet meal consists of food which may be picked up with the fingers (finger food), such as small (finger) sandwiches, canapés and vol-au-vents.

Who should not host a bridal shower? ›

Traditional etiquette dictates that the maid of honor—not the mother of the bride—should host the shower. Nancy is a freelance writer for MarthaStewart.com. Some etiquette rules were meant to fade away into oblivion, like the one about family members of the bride not hosting her bridal shower.

What does a maid of honor pay for? ›

"We often see the maid of honor assist in covering the cost of the bridal shower (often in conjunction with a family member of the bride), covering her own costs and some of the costs of the bride for the bachelorette party (in conjunction with the rest of the bridesmaids), her own travel to and from the wedding, a ...

Do you serve cake at a bridal shower? ›

It's not totally necessary to have a bridal shower cake, but cake is always a surefire way to commemorate an occasion.

What is the best dessert for a bridal shower? ›

French favorites like macarons and eclairs are beloved options for bridal showers, as are classic sweets like brownies, cupcakes, and cookies. For a brunch, try muffins, scones, or crêpes, and for a warm-weather soirée, consider frozen desserts like ice cream or sorbet.

What is protocol for bridal showers? ›

Since showers are intended for the bride's nearest and dearest, every shower guest must already be on the wedding guest list. Because it's understood that guests should bring a present to a shower, it's not appropriate to invite people whom you don't plan to include in the wedding.

Who traditionally pays for the bridal shower? ›

In short, the host is the one who pays for the bridal shower—or at least some of it. Most commonly, this is the maid of honor, but the couple's relatives, friends or even the to-be-weds themselves can all pitch in to cover the cost of the wedding shower.

What are the most popular dining styles for showers? ›

co*cktail or Finger Food Style: This style is popular for more casual or mingling events. Small bite-sized foods, appetizers, or finger foods are served, allowing guests to socialize and eat at the same time without the need for formal seating. 5. Brunch Style: Brunch showers are becoming increasingly popular.

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