Fall Bridal Shower Ideas and Inspiration

Everyone has a favorite season. If your best friend is the kind of lady who gets wide-eyed over leaves changing color, pumpkin spice lattes, amber hues and autumn holidays, she’s going to love a fall bridal shower.

“Creating a fall bridal shower can be done by simply incorporating autumnal colors and elements. A fall themed bridal shower can serve a good diversion from a couple’s wedding theme. A couple getting married in the spring or summer may enjoy the twist of a fall-themed shower,” says Susan Cordogan, the expert wedding planner behind Big City Bride in Chicago.

Read on to learn how to create the perfect fall bridal shower, with more tips from Susan. Discover ways to incorporate:

Jump to each section with the links above or read the whole guide to hosting a fall bridal shower.

A Cornucopia of Colors and Décor

 

Evoke a rich, fall feeling with a color pallet inspired by the season.

“Cozy warm colors like oranges, yellows and browns are traditional fall tones. These colors are easily found in natural elements during fall months,” says Susan.

Russet, burgundy and gold are also key autumn colors to infuse into a fall bridal shower.

fall décor including corn, flowers and a candle with burlap

Bring the feel of fall to your bridal shower with corn, candles and flowers.

Beyond color, there are other motifs you can introduce to create a seasonal look.

“Berries add texture and color and are great accents to autumnal décor. Branches are another fantastic option that can give the space an instant boost,” says Susan. “Burlap, twine, wires and pressed leaves are all beautiful ways to tie in fall, as well.”

Consider decorating pumpkins, gourds, leaves, acorns and pinecones with beautiful paint to blend color and motif.

“Fall is also a great time to incorporate candlelight. Since fall days are shorter, light can be a perfect accent to décor … or even become the décor,” says Susan.

Fall Food, Desserts and Drinks

Beyond color, food is a fantastic way to pull together a fall theme. If you’re having a traditional, sit-down dinner, Susan says gourds are the way to go.

“Using food throughout the overall theme can give you brilliant décor and delicious cuisine. Hollowing out pumpkins or squash for soup or stew, incorporating gourds and branches, and adding leaves are easy and economical décor,” says Susan.

Just Desserts

Another delectable option is to stick with just desserts. Pie is a particularly seasonable dessert for a fall bridal shower. Create a spread of pumpkin, pecan and apple pies, or any other flavor the bride and guests love.

Pumpkin Spice and Everything Nice

cup of hot chocolate surrounded by leaves

A hot chocolate bar is the perfect touch for a fall bridal shower.

Nothing says fall quite like pumpkin spice, and these days, you can find practically anything in pumpkin spice flavor. From crackers to cookies to nuts to ice cream, it takes no more than a trip to the local grocery store to find a smorgasbord of pumpkin spice goodies. You can also enlist the best baking bridesmaid to whip up some pumpkin spice treats from scratch.

Hot Chocolate Bar

Consider incorporating a hot chocolate, apple cider and coffee station. Add flavored syrups, cinnamon, whipped cream and a dish of marshmallows so your guests can create their favorite hot beverage. Include Bailey’s, Kahlua, bourbon or rum to make the party extra festive.

Take your hot chocolate bar to the next level by creating custom mugs for each of your guests. Each mug could have a phrase about love, the guest’s name, or the date of the bridal shower or upcoming wedding.

Your guests can take home the mugs as personalized party favors. Every time they take a sip, they’ll remember the special day you all celebrated the bride-to-be.

Seasonal Songs

Set the stage for a fantastic fall bridal shower with a custom playlist inspired by blustery weather:

  • “Baby It’s Cold Outside,” Dean Martin
  • “Sweater Weather,” The Neighborhood
  • “September Song,” Frank Sinatra
  • “Harvest Moon,” Neil Young
  • “November Rain,” Guns N’ Roses
  • “Leaves that are Green,” Simon and Garfunkel
  • “Autumn in New York,” Ella Fitzgerald and Louis Armstrong
  • “Wake Me Up When September Ends,” Green Day
  • “Autumn Leaves,” Eva Cassidy

Fall Bridal Shower Invitations

If you believe love is in the details, use professionally designed Shutterfly® templates and then make them your own.

“Templates are a great guide to creating the perfect invitation,” says Susan. “Don’t be afraid to experiment with all the available customization options within the template to create a fabulous invite.”

When it comes to incorporating the fall theme, bridal shower invitations are no exception.

“The invitation should always indicate the overall theme or feeling of the event. Fall is such a fun theme — take full advantage of ways to incorporate the overall theme into the invitation,” explains Susan.

Here are a few of our favorite fall bridal shower invitations.

orange and gold bridal shower invitation with water

This water color and gold bridal shower invitation makes a subdued fall statement.

Gleaming Bride Bridal Shower Invitation

The feel of fall abounds in this gold and russet invitation. Beautifully classy and understated, this invitation features water color roses and timeless handwritten lettering.

This Gleaming Bride invitation, created by pottsdesign, will bring a smile to your guests’ faces when they open it.

 

 

shower invitation with gold polka dots

Bring on the sparkle and shine with a bridal shower invitation that blends fall colors with dazzling glitter.

Dotted with Love Bridal Shower Invitation

With LOVE front and center, this glittering invitation will get everyone in the mood for the upcoming bridal shower. Invitations don’t get much more exciting than a glittering background with gold foil.

Vanilla Print’s template was designed with gold polka dots and bold red accents to create a happy fall feel.

Make the Dotted with Love invitation your own.

 

bridal shower invitation with red roses

This vintage invitation will put your guests in the mood for a crisp fall bridal shower.

Vintage Garden Bridal Shower Invitation

This classic invitation captures the spirit of autumn with delicate florals offset by bold mulberry tones. The details on this invitation are exquisite, with a sweet little bird and elegant cursive turning the card into a work of art.

Brejer designed the Vintage Bridal template with the fall bride in mind.

 

 

bridal shower invitation with photo of path covered in fall leaves

Right this way to a lovely fall bridal shower.

Every Last Detail Bridal Shower Invitation

Bring fall to life by adding whatever photo you like to the Every Last Detail invitation. The background can be the custom photo you choose, whether you add a fall-themed image or a personal photo, you can’t go wrong with this custom invitation. Consider adding a photo of the future Mr. and Mrs.

“Photo bridal shower invitations are a great way to introduce the couple to family and friends who may not have had the pleasure of meeting either the bride or the groom yet,” says wedding planner Susan Cordogan.

Create the Every Last Detail invitation for your bridal shower.

 

bridal shower invitation with flowers and ornate lettering

Feminine and delicate, the rich hues of this bridal shower invitation are sure to put your guests in a festive mood.

Gleaming Blossoms Bridal Shower Invitation

With plum and gold foil accents, this bridal shower invitation is perfect for a fall bridal shower. The gentle diamond background is soft and lovely, just like the bride to be.

Create the Gleaming Blossoms invitation for an elegant fall bridal shower.

 

 

 

Personalized Bridal Shower Invitations

Ready to design your own personalized bridal shower invitation? Shutterfly® is a brand bridesmaids trust when it comes to selecting and creating the perfect invitation for their best friend’s big day. Browse our entire selection of gorgeous, infinitely customizable bridal shower invitation templates.