Planning a bridal shower for your beach-lovin’ bestie? You can’t go wrong with a nautical theme. Anchor her bridal shower with brilliant blue décor and channel the serenity of the sea.
“A nautical themed wedding shower can be anything that’s inspired by the water,” explains expert wedding planner Amy Nichols of Amy Nichols Special Events. “A nautical bridal shower is perfect for anyone who has a real connection to the water. Anyone who lives on the coast or grew up on the coast would love it.”
Take your best friend to sea with a nautical bridal shower fit for a mermaid.
If you’re throwing a nautical bridal shower, this is your go-to guide. Read on to discover professional event planning tips for throwing a maritime fête. Find inspiration for:
- Coastal Colors and Décor
- Nautical Bridal Shower Playlist
- Nautical Party Favors
- Nautical Bridal Shower Invitations
Jump to each section with the links above or read the whole guide to hosting a nautical bridal shower.
Coastal Colors and Décor
Colors will anchor your nautical bridal shower theme. For a traditional feel, create a palette founded in deep blues, bright whites, beachy sand tones and woodgrain. Want to mix it up? Amy suggests adding an unexpected pop of color to the classic blue and white. Try a bright pink or yellow.
You can also design a color scheme based on crystal shores, with light blues, shimmering teal and bold turquoise.
“You can also add deep green and driftwood, or paint outlines of waves in your décor,” says Amy.
More décor options include sailing staples like anchors, ropes and lifesaver rings. You can also make the shower mermaid-magical with a shells, sand dollars and fish netting. Of course, you can’t go wrong with marine life motif, either. Incorporate whales, fish, seagulls and anything else nautical.
Nautical Bridal Shower Playlist
Evoke ocean vibes with nautical and beachy tunes. Take your guests to sea with tracks like:
Bring on the beach vibes with a curated coastal playlist.
- “Beyond the Sea,” Bobby Darin
- “Under the Sea,” Little Mermaid
- “The Gilligan’s Island Theme Song,” The Wellingtons
- “Sailing,” Christoper Cross
- “Orinoco Flow,” Enya
- “Under the Boardwalk,” The Drifters
- “In the Navy,” Village People
- “Sittin’ On The Dock Of The Bay,” Otis Redding
- “Rock the Boat,” Hues Corporation
- “Ocean Avenue,” Yellowcard
- “Waves,” Robin Shchulz Edit
- “My Heart Will Go On,” Céline Dion
- “Surfin’ U.S.A.,” The Beach Boys
Nautical Party Favors
Looking for just the right gift to send your guests home with? Here are a few good ideas to start with.
Nautical Nail Polish
Who doesn’t love a new bottle of nail polish? Keep the nautical theme going by using the ocean tones you incorporate into the shower décor. Every time your guests paint their nails they’ll remember the happy event.
Bride’s Mates Tote Bags
Create tote bags that say “Bride’s Mates.” Design the totes with whatever motif you used in the cards and invitations, whether it’s anchors, boats, marine life or life savers.
Beach-Scented Candles
You can’t go wrong with candles. Pick a scent that smells like the ocean, the shore or driftwood. Take the candles to the next level by gluing on shells.
Sunglasses and/or Beach Towels
Nothing says nautical like sunglasses and beach towels. Plus, they’re something that comes in handy for everyone. They can be personalized, too, to commemorate the bride, the shower or the upcoming wedding date!
Bath Salts in a Bottle
Pour fine-grain bath salts into a sea glass, corked bottle. Add a tiny slip of paper that says “Thank You” and you’ve got your own message in a bottle.
Jewelry
While on the pricier side, you can’t go wrong with a necklace or bracelet adorned with a seashell or anchor charm. For the craftiest maids of honor, you can also consider making the jewelry by braiding together materials in the bridal shower colors.
Nautical Bridal Shower Invitations
Bridal shower invitations are the first glimpse guests get into the shower. It’s the stage for the whole affair – that’s why choosing a gorgeous invitation that evokes a nautical theme is so important. Your guests will be in a beach mood from the moment the invitation arrives.
“The invitation gives guests a fun preview of what’s to come at the shower,” says Amy.
When you set to work creating an invitation, there are few key pieces of information you’ll need, including:
- All the event’s logistical details (date, time, location, etc.)
- Registry information
- A guest list or guest count
The guest list is key because it helps determine your budget for invitations, which then influences the invitation you choose.
Once you’ve got the details in order, it’s time to design. Shutterfly® has endless options to choose from. All our bridal shower invitations are customizable. Here are a few of our favorite nautical bridal shower invitations, complete with design tips from wedding planner Amy.
This wedding invitation makes a subdued nautical statement.
Brilliant Banner Bridal Shower Invitation
This invitation uses the key nautical colors of blue and yellow, paired with a photo of the future Mr. and Mrs. It’s the perfect understated invitation for a nautical bridal shower.
Amy says you don’t always have to go overboard when designing with a theme in mind.
“Instead of blending it all together, you can focus on incorporating just color or a single-themed motif — anchors, shells, ropes, etc. You don’t always have to use colors, a motif, imagery and themed language. Sometimes less is more. Choose a couple elements and keep the invitation understated rather than campy.”
Keep it simple and classy with the Brilliant Banner invitation, designed by Yours Truly.
Set the tone for a sand-sational bridal shower with water color lettering.
Lovely Shower Bridal Shower Invitation
Here’s another opportunity to incorporate a photo of the bride-to-be for the ultimate personalized invitation.
“Using a photo, especially one with a beach shot or water-related image, is a great way to incorporate the nautical theme,” says Amy.
With crystalline blue lettering and a personal photo, the bride will fall in love with the Lovely Shower invitation designed by Float Paperie.
A seafoam-tinted invitation with a delicate shell sets a serene tone for a nautical bridal shower.
Ticket Corners Bridal Shower Invitation
From the second your guests open the card, they’ll know they’re in for a beautifully beachy bridal shower. This Ticket Corners invitation was personalized to feature a picture of the shore, complete with a lovely shell, to create a seaworthy invitation.
This template, designed by Yours Truly, allows you to add any photo you like. Channel nautical vibes with a photo of the sea, sand, waves, a yacht or any other coastal scene.
Personalize the Ticket Corners invitation and make it your own.
This glittering gold invitation sparkles like the sea.
Sparkling Bridal Shower Invitation
For the bride who loves the beach and glitter, you can’t go wrong with a glittering gold invitation with bold blue lettering. Petite Lemon designed this gorgeous template with whimsical cursive and bold serif to create a striking look.
Sail into the perfect nautical bridal shower with this Sparkling Bridal invitation.
Head to the shore for a seaside bridal shower.
Every Last Detail Bridal Shower Invitation
Send your guests to the beach with a bridal shower invitation fit for a mermaid. If the ocean is calling, this invitation is the answer. Personalize every last detail with this template from Yours Truly.
Create the Every Last Detail invitation for your bridal shower.
Personalized Bridal Shower Invitations
At Shutterfly®, personalized bridal shower invitations are always a click away. Designing with Shutterfly® is easy, simple, and affordable. When you’re in the designer seat, you’ll create exactly what you want for the perfect bridal shower. Browse our entire selection of easy-to-use, designer-made bridal shower invitation templates from Shutterfly®.
