Pool Party Bridal Shower Picnic
I hosted a Bridal Shower for my sister in the heat of summer, and here’s what we did.
Kayla’s wedding was set for September, so we knew her shower was going to be in the summer during Florida’s hottest temps. If you know my sister, you know she LOVES being in the sun more than anything. I knew I wanted to throw her a bridal shower that was as fun, vibrant, and memorable as she is. What better way to celebrate than with a pool party picnic? Here's how we turned our backyard into a beautiful and fun celebration spot that was truly one of the best showers I’ve been to (not to toot my own horn.)
Planning the Perfect Setup
So much pre-planning went into this party and I needed all the help I could get, I teamed up with the best there is, my mom. If you’ve ever hosted a party before, you know it can get EXPENSIVE, especially with the price of picnic tables and pillows galore. So we had to get creative and scour so many stores to find the best deals. Once I decided on the loose theme of “boho tropical” and the color scheme of pinks, oranges, & yellows…it was off to the races!
Picnic Tables
My mom bought one handmade foldable picnic table from Etsy that we used as the brides table. But for the rest of the tables, my husband and I scored some free pallets that we used as the table tops and then some leftover stepping stones from our yard as the “legs.” We stacked the stones on top of each other and placed in each corner under the table so that it became raised.
Tip: Check out some of your local construction businesses or Facebook Marketplace to see if you can find pallets for free.
Tablescape
We covered the pallets with white bed sheets I got from Goodwill (cheaper than tablecloths.) Each place setting had a woven charger, a colorful floral cloth napkin, and simple yet elegant plates and glassware. We then scattered some floral bud vases throughout the tablescape. It was the perfect blend of boho and minimal.
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Seating
We surrounded the tables with a variety of pillows and blankets and to be honest, accumulating alllllll of the pillows we needed was the hardest part.
We got our pillows from a variety of places and of course, shopped our own homes. Thank God for my mom who already had a lot of pillows on hand, but bought even more just to keep for herself. But some shops we found affordable prices or sales were: World Market, 5 Below, Hobby Lobby, & Amazon.
For the blankets, the majority of them are actually tablecloths we picked up from Home Goods. So much more affordable and fun!
Tip: Think of products that could serve an unintended purpose. For example, bed sheets as tablecloths and tablecloths as blankets.
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Decorations
Balloons and Garlands: And now for the sparkle! My cousin is fabulous at creating balloon arches, and she and my sister-in-law made this amazing balloon arch that wrapped around the tree in the yard, setting a beautiful backdrop for photos. And then they created a smaller version on a blank wall for another photo opp spot. The balloons were in shades of orange, pink, and gold with some faux tropical leaves sprinkled throughout. It added such a festive touch!
Floral Arrangements: In addition to the bud vase floral arrangements, I created this pineapple vase I saw on Pinterest and LOVE how it came out.
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Poolside Fun
Floaties and Games: The pool was, of course, the highlight of the party. We had an array of fun floaties, including flamingo ring toss and a game of “Junk in the Trunk.” (If you don’t know what it is - look it up, so funny!)
Towels and Sunscreen: To ensure everyone stayed comfortable and protected, we had a cart with extra towels and a selection of sunscreen.
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Food and Drinks
The bride wanted to keep the food light and healthy! So we set up a table under the covered patio, laden with a variety of fresh fruit, caprese skewers, vegetable platters with dip, chips and salsa, and an assortment of cookies kept everyone munching happily. For the main, we offered greek style chicken kabobs.
We had a drink station with refreshing options like cucumber water, iced tea, and a watermelon mojito. For those looking to celebrate with a bit of bubbly, we also had DIY mimosas with a variety of fresh fruits for garnishes.
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Final Thoughts
The day was a huge success, filled with laughter, good food, and great company! My sister was thrilled with her bridal shower, and it was the perfect way to celebrate her upcoming wedding.
Hosting a pool party bridal shower picnic might seem like a lot of work, but with some planning and a bit of creativity, it can turn into a beautiful and unforgettable event. Whether you have a big backyard or a smaller space, the key is to create a welcoming and fun atmosphere where everyone can relax and enjoy the celebration. Happy planning!
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Thanks for reading!
xoxo,
Hannah
I’m Hannah!
A homebody who strives to make the world a little more beautiful through design, fashion, & art.
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