Bridal Shower Venues for Hire in Melbourne

Your Guide to Hiring Bridal Shower Venues in Melbourne

Where should you throw a bridal shower?

Of course, the last word belongs to you (and the bride). However, we have a few recommendations worth checking out:

• Private dining room

A private dining room is a separate space in a restaurant, where guests can enjoy a welcome sense of privacy away from the main dining room. It is also indoors, so you don’t have to worry about the weather. With many private dining rooms, you can customise the menu according to the bride's preferences. One thing that may be an obstacle is that very often private dining rooms are just the right size to fit the table, which means no space for dancing and other activities. However, remember that it is not a hard and fast rule, and you can find large dining rooms that will provide you with enough space!

• Bars, pubs, restaurants and cafés

Bars, pubs, and cafés offer a more casual, relaxed kitchen tea. Very often they charge a minimum spend fee which means that as long as you spend an agreed-upon minimum amount of money on food and drinks, you will not be charged a hire fee for the venue! Events at bars, pubs, restaurants and cafés are not particularly private unless you hire the whole place or a private function room. So you may find a few bystanders overseeing your fun. Some venues have features such as balconies and rooftops, which can provide a unique atmosphere and stunning views, however, it can be a risky option due to weather conditions. So before booking the venue make sure the weather won’t thwart your plans. Some venues have a retractable roof that can protect the guests from inclement weather.

• Others

Looking for something extraordinary that will make guests' jaws drop? Why not hire a gaming room, virtual room, a BBQ donut boat or a VIP bowling space? Check out gardens, BBQs and community centres as well. It is even possible to hire party buses and boats for a kitchen tea that your guests will never forget. So if you are searching for a unique option, hop on Tagvenue and explore by yourself!

Bridal shower to-do list:

• Create a budget 

Plan exactly how much money you are willing to spend on a venue, decorations, activities, food and drinks as well. Planning your expenses will help you prioritise what is worth investing in and what you just can skip since it won’t really matter in the end.

• Pick a date 

Probably the best time to throw a kitchen tea is the weekend since most of the guests have a day off and are available for the party. However, weekend prices are significantly higher than during the week. If the kitchen tea is organised as a surprise for the bride, make sure the date works with her schedule. 

• Create the guest list

There is no party without people and the same goes for bridal showers. Remember to invite those the bride feels most comfortable with. It is supposed to be a relaxing party before the big day!  So focus on inviting only her closest relatives and friends. You can create beautiful invitations online if you don't want to bother yourself with writing them all by hand! Do you crave something extraordinary? Wouldn't it be fun to invite all the guests through a video?

• Select a theme

Selecting a theme should be all about what the bride likes, her hobbies, favourite colours and interiors. There are quite a few themes to choose from for a fancy bridal shower such as an old-fashioned tea party, which can be held both indoors and outdoors, and gives you the chance to dress up. It’s a great option for brides who want a more sophisticated party and love everything floral and dainty!

Does the bride adore the sensation of sand on her feet, mild breeze and the sound of waves crashing on the seashore? A beach bonanza is the option for her then, it is all about coastal vibes! A destination theme would be ideal if the bride is having a destination wedding. Offer the guests a sense of excitement by decorating the kitchen tea according to the wedding destination! A backyard picnic is the way to go if the bride fancies casual parties. Blankets, pillows, lights, barbecue, beer, hamburgers and other typical food will do the job! 

• Choose a location

Your go-to location should be a space convenient for most of the guests, somewhere where all of you can meet. If you are planning to hire a venue, remember that in the suburbs, the hire fees are usually cheaper. 

Our Top 3 locations for a kitchen tea are:

Yarra Valley - a picturesque region surrounding the Yarra River in Victoria. It features a wide range of natural features, wineries, vineyards and stunning venues! 

The CBD - a variety of excellent venues that combine Victorian and contemporary design! From rooftops, through private dining rooms to shuffleboards. Take your pick!

Richmond - a multicultural district featuring restaurants and pubs with delicious cuisine from all over the world! Here you will find plenty of good dining spaces for a bridal shower. 

• Set the menu

For some, the best part of the party is - the food! Don’t let the guests starve. Make sure you create a schedule for the event. Also, make sure to check if any guests have food allergies or are vegans or vegetarians. Always inform the venue ahead of time if you will need special food options.

• Plan activities

Looking for activities for kitchen tea? Keep the guests entertained with bridal shower games. 

• Shower the bride with gifts!

Make the bride feel special by buying a gift that shows how much you wish her well in her new married life.

FAQs about Bridal Shower Venues in Melbourne

How much does it cost to hire a bridal shower venue in Melbourne?

Prices for hiring a bridal shower venue differ depending on the type of the venue, size, location and standard. Usually, venues in the CBD are more expensive than in the suburbs. The cost for hiring a kitchen tea venue in Melbourne's CBD ranges from $1500 to $4000 minimum spend per session. In the suburbs, you can find venues for about $500 to $2000 minimum spend per session. (All data according to Tagvenue.com)

Are bridal showers and hens parties the same?

No. A hens party is typically a special night out for a bride to be and her best friends. It’s definitely a chance for them to let their hair down before the big day. A bridal shower is a more formal event and may include her family members as well as her future mother and sister-in-law. Gifts are an important part of the bridal shower as well.

Who throws the bridal shower?

Bridal showers are typically organised by the maid of honour, bridesmaids, bridal attendants, and/or close friends of the bride. Nevertheless, nowadays, everything is changing and traditions no longer have to be obeyed, unless you want them to be. This means even a bride can organise her own bridal shower!

How many bridal showers can be given?

Feel free to have as many as you wish! Remember, however, to invite different guests to each party. Only close family and friends are usually invited to a shower party multiple times. Therefore, it is imperative that you contact other close friends of the bride and make sure that they are not planning to hold a party for the same group of people.