Where did you have your bridal shower?

You could have it at a local park, a winery, or a small banquet hall.

My shower was at a restaurant. My family and his family live in two different states so it was in between both families so having it at someone's house was out of the question. We also live 4 hours from where it was and we only live in an apartment. We considered having it at our wedding venue, but it would've been way too expensive even with the discount they offered.

What's your host's budget? That would determine if it should be held in a private home or a venue, both for the venue fee and the amount of guests they can afford to host.

View Quoted Comment I’m not totally sure how many people I’d invite. I’d say roughly 30 guests. I’d like it keep it around $1000. We managed to keep it at $800 when we had our engagement party for 21 people at the restaurant and that includes decorations and cake! But I can be a little flexible on the cost.

My mother told me that she plans to have mine at a winery.

View Quoted Comment A winery is a fantastic idea. There are tons in my area. I can’t believe I didn’t think of that! Haha thank you!!

I had two showers hosted by different people (a local one where I currently live and one in my hometown on the other side of the country). The hometown one was hosted in a family friend's home, and the local one in a restaurant. I actually didn't get a say in the locations of the showers because that was up to the people hosting. Most people don't get a say in the matter either, but if the people hosting your shower are reaching out to ask you for your opinion, then you can probably tell them your ideas. One other thing to keep in mind is budget: my local shower hosted in somebody's home was potluck style and very inexpensive to host, but the restaurant shower was very expensive. So what you're envisioning needs to accommodate the budget of the host

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Sounds like your host's budget is pretty tight, which means it would make sense for them to have the shower at a private home (and you are lucky to have options there) in order to leave room for food and drink, decor, invitations, etc. in that $1,000.

There are a ton of great options! Kinda gotta match your vibe and personality so all these might not be right for you.


Does your apartment complex have a party or community room? Often you can rent them out. In DC I could get our room for $300 for the day.
A generic civic community room is often available free, these are often located inside your firehouse or police stations.
Quaint bed and breakfast or tea rooms are generally relatively inexpensive.
Are there any historic homes/mansions or gardens in your area? They typically love bridal parties because you're not loud, not messy, not out late!
Country club or golf courses usually have great spaces if they're not having their own event/tournament. This is especially cheap in off peak season but im assuming y'alls golf courses stay open and busy year round.
Top Golf has a party room that you can rent. I've had work meetings at their facilities. <and then played after!>
A coffee shop, winery, bakery <off hours of busy time> will usually allow you to use their space provided guests buy a coffee or maybe your host gets some snacks from them. Not Stabucks, but find your small town local places!
Good luck!

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I agree with this. Depending on the type of restaurant, $1000 is a pretty tight budget for a shower at a restaurant with 30 guests. In my city, it would be tough to find a restaurant with a private dining room with a food and beverage minimum as low as $1000. If you don't want to have it in a private dining room and don't care if it's in the middle of the restaurant, then this may not be a problem, but I would probably take up the offer of one of the people who offered to host it at their home

Mine was at my in laws house

You should not be hosting it, anywhere. When a few friends, in the bridal party or not, offer to give you a shower, maybe working with your family or maybe not >>> they will plan how big a party they want to give, what they are willing to spend, where, and when, and what will happen. This is way too far out for others to be planning it. Stay away from any shower planning, yourself. This is like a gift from the hostesses to you. It is not nice for you to plan the details, like you are ordering to your specifications. Let them.