Hosting a baby shower comes with plenty of decisions to be made. Finding a place to host the baby shower is definitely at the top of your baby shower checklist!
The venue for a baby shower sets the entire theme of the party. If you are looking to throw a super elegant engagement, you may look for a higher end venue near you. If you are opting for a more casual affair, you may check into other, more relaxed sites to host your baby shower.
Picking a baby shower venue have you stressed? In this blog post, we will walk you through things to consider before booking a baby shower venue, as well as give a list of the best spots for the baby shower you are hosting. This fool proof method will have you on your way to hosting a beautiful baby shower in no time!
Things to ask yourself
As a host, you need to consider each of these questions thoroughly before committing to host the shower at a particular venue. Knowing the answers to these questions ahead of time can save a big headache from occuring the day of your event!
So, consider the following:
- What type of baby shower are you throwing?
- Who is invited? Is it coed?
- Will other children be in attendance?
- How much money are you wanting to spend on a baby shower venue?
- How long will the baby shower last?
- What do the new parents enjoy?
Now, let’s break these questions down and walk through different scenarios to help you decide on the perfect baby shower venue.
What type of baby shower are you throwing?
Knowing the tone you want to set at the baby shower is very important when deciding on your baby shower venue.
Does your baby shower have a theme? Are you wanting a super elegant party, or just something a bit more casual?
Knowing the answer to these questions can help you narrow down and eliminate certain venues. If you are throwing a shower for a mama that likes to keep it super casual, don’t opt for a country club setting but consider somewhere like someone’s home or a local park.
Knowing the tone and theme of your baby shower will greatly help you to figure out where to throw a baby shower.
Who is invited? Is it a coed baby shower?
If you are throwing a ladies only shower, you may opt for a more feminine venue. If you’re including the guys, you may want to do something more laid back and fun.
For coed showers consider a fun restaurant, a friend’s house with an awesome outdoor area for games, or even a local brewery (if the couple is into that). These types of venues provide for a relaxing atmosphere for both guys and gals to enjoy themselves!
Will other children be in attendance?
This is a big one–does the mama to be have lots of friends with kiddos that will be tagging along? Consider your guest list thoroughly when booking your venue.
If you are planning on lots of children attending the shower, you probably do not want to have the fanciest baby shower using your nicest china.
Baby showers with lots of kids can be a fun outlet to get creative with your hosting venue. Know someone with a pool? Make the baby shower a pool party! Have a cool local park nearby? Rent a pavilion and let the kids run wild!
How much money are you wanting to spend on a baby shower venue?
This is probably the most important thing you want to consider before committing to a particular baby shower venue.
Venues can get pretty expensive. You want to make sure and get prices on venues before you decide to host the baby shower at that particular spot. Call around and make sure you do price comparisons so that you are getting the best bang for your buck.
If you are hoping to spend little or no money at all on a venue, consider these options: someone’s home, a park, a local community center, or even a public library!
How long will the baby shower last?
Baby showers typically last 2-3 hours depending on the type of activities that will take place during the shower. You may host a baby shower shorter or longer depending on the venue, cost of rentals, and length of time the parents to be are available!
What do the new parents enjoy?
Using the venue location can be a super fun way to get creative and really express the personalities of the parents to be. Plus, how much fun would it be or your guests for you to mix up venue locations and do something totally unique?
Is the mama to be a huge reader? Why not host a shower at a library? Got huge history buffs on your hands? How fun would a baby shower be at a local museum?? Opting for something outside the box will be sure to be a fun time for everyone in attendance!
Venue locations for a baby shower
So now that we have walked through what you need to think about before deciding on a venue location for a baby shower, let’s jump into several options that would make a perfect location for any baby shower!
Cheap or Free Places to Have a Baby Shower
1. Someone’s home
Probably the most likely of baby shower locations, having your shower in your own, or someone else’s home can make for a perfect baby shower venue. You can decorate how you would like, and above all else, it’s free!
Having a baby shower in someone’s home can make for a special, intimate spot for a baby shower!
2. Local park
Live near a beautiful park? What better way to celebrate a new mama than to rent a pavilion or gazebo to have her baby shower?
Parks can be very inexpensive, and a beautiful backdrop to any baby shower. Plus, if other kids are going to be in attendance, what better place to host the shower than somewhere they can run and play? A park is an excellent option for a baby shower venue.
3. Online or Virtual Baby Shower
Thanks to the ease and convenience of social media, online baby showers are becoming increasingly popular and a perfect hosting venue for your baby shower.
Perks of online baby showers include the cost of the location (free!) , the ability to reach out and invite people who may live very far away from the new parents, as well as the ease of not having to prepare and take down a tangible baby shower party.
4. Drive by Baby Shower
During the pandemic drive by baby showers became really popular out of necessity. While we would much rather enjoy time with family and friends celebrating, the pandemic made it impossible!
A drive by baby shower is simply held at a specific house, either the baby shower host or the parents to be. Guests drive by to deliver well wishes, baby shower gifts, and send their love to the new parents!
5. Church
Hosting a baby shower at a church is a budget friendly place to throw a baby shower. If you are a member of a church check into reserving the banquet hall or a room for the baby shower. Some churches do not require their members to pay a fee for renting space. If you are not a member you will likely need to rent the space.
6. Sip and See Baby Shower
Also, known as a come and go baby shower! The Sip and See baby shower is great for hosting a baby shower in a small location or for a couple that is coming in from out of town.
We hosted a Sip and See shower for my aunt and uncle who lived about 4 hours away. They had lots of friends and family still in the area who wanted to celebrate with them. So we had the baby shower for 3 hours and anyone could drop in at anytime and stay as long (or as little) as they wanted.
Places to Rent to Have a Baby Shower
7. Community center
Hosting a baby shower at a community center can be an excellent and beautiful place to celebrate the new parents. Usually very fairly priced (or maybe even free), a community center spares you the hassle of having to prepare your home for a baby shower, and is usually large enough and has the appropriate facilities for any baby shower!
8. Restaurant
A restaurant is an obvious choice when it comes to finding a location near you for a baby shower. Lots of restaurants have large banquet rooms that can be rented, and the perks of having a baby shower at a restaurant are that you do not have to worry about cooking any food!
While restaurants might be a bit more expensive on the front end, the time and energy it would spare you in preparation and clean up might be well worth it!
9. Reception venue
Most any wedding reception venue would make an excellent location for a beautifully thrown baby shower. These types of venues usually have all the amenities you would need to throw a gorgeous baby shower for the new parents to be.
Check around for reception venues (or keep your eyes peeled when invited to weddings) for unique spots in your town or city to host a baby shower.
10. Country club
Country clubs are excellent venues for all kinds of gatherings, but especially baby showers. Most country clubs are impeccably decorated, and have all the resources one would need for throwing a baby shower.
While country clubs may be a bit more pricey, they often come with perks such as catering, a bar if needed, and beautiful views.
11. Hotel
Hotels usually have ballrooms or venue space available for baby showers. If you are hosting a larger baby shower party, this might be a good option!
Choose a hotel that is a landmark location in your area or offers a unique view. Locally we have a few hotels in the area that have been listed in Southern Homes and Gardens for their unique charm!
Outdoor Places to Have a Baby Shower
12. Roof Top Terrace
A roof top terrace is a beautiful option for a baby shower. I especially love a roof top terrace at night with the outdoor lighting. During the day, a roof top terrace offers beautiful views of the city scape.
This would be a great option for hosting a modern styled baby shower!
13. Fire Pit
Fire pits are perfect for fall baby showers and would be a lovely place to host a Smores themed baby shower!
When I think of fire pits, I think of fall, friends, and relaxing. You could easily host an outdoor party at your home with a fire pit in the backyard.
14. Beach
Host a co-ed, family friendly baby shower at the beach.
The beach is such a beautiful place to host a baby shower. I had never really thought about hosting a baby shower at a beach until we were visiting Miami Beach. A big baby shower was taking place right on the beach, and it looked like everyone was having so much fun!
The baby shower was held under 2 large beach tents with balloons for decorations. Kids and family members played beach games and went swimming in the waves.
A beach baby shower makes for easy party planning!
15. Mountains
Just like the beach, a mountains baby shower would be a lovely outdoor baby shower party!
Since we don’t live near the beach, the mountains are great option for hosting a fun baby shower. You can host the shower at a picnic area in the mountains. There are many great picnic areas in the mountains around us that are located near creeks.
A woodland theme baby shower would be so cute for a mountains location baby shower.
Unique Places to Have a Baby Shower
16. Tea Room
A tea room is a charming option for a baby shower.
Food will be made easy with a tea room baby shower! Mini sandwiches, afternoon tea, and a delightful atmosphere.
I love the idea of dressing up and having tea to celebrate a new baby!
17. Library
Is mom to be a book lover?
See if you can find a library with unique architecture or an interesting space to host a party. My city has a new library with beautiful stonework and gorgeous wooden doors. Inside they have a community room with a wall of windows that over look the woods. It’s such a pretty place to host any party!
A book worm theme would be lovely for a library baby shower venue!
18. Museum
Our local art museum has venue space that is often used for weddings and other events.
If mom to be is a lover of art and modern style, then this could be a really lovely event space! Remember to check and see if you need to rent tables, chairs, and other basic things for the space.
19. Botanical Garden
A botanical garden is a beautiful place to host a baby shower. The gardens can serve as the backdrop for your baby shower and you will need minimal decorations.
A succulent theme baby shower would complement a botanical garden baby shower venue.
20. Breweries
You have a baby in a bar? (in your best Reese Witherspoon voice) Yes, a baby shower at a bar is a modern trend in baby showers! If you’re hosting a diaper party for dad or a fun co-ed baby shower for both parents, a bar could be a great location.
Consider renting out space at a local beer garden with a “Baby is Brewing” theme. Provide drinks that mom-to-be and others who don’t drink alcohol will enjoy. Enjoy baby shower games, food, and fun in a relaxed atmosphere!
21. Zoo
Hosting a baby shower at the zoo is definitely unique, but it’s perfect for any animal lover! Zoos host birthday parties, weddings, and other events throughout the year. There is no reason they wouldn’t host a baby shower!
A safari theme baby shower would be so cute for zoo baby shower!
22. Tailgating Baby Shower
Any sports lovers out there?! Hosting a baby shower at a local sporting event would be a fun way to celebrate the parents-to-be newest little fan!
We live in a college town and Saturdays in the fall are made for football. Instead of trying to find a football free weekend in the fall, host the party in the parking lot! Include all your favorite tailgating foods and games!
This is a great co-ed baby shower option, that the guys are sure to get into! And it won’t feel like a baby shower, but more like a party.
In closing
Remember, anywhere that you choose to throw a baby shower will be super generous and extremely appreciated by the parents to be. Baby showers are about prepping the new parents for their upcoming arrival, so keep that in mind if you start to get stressed over selecting the perfect baby shower venue!
Things to remember to ask yourself before committing to host a baby shower at a particular venue:
- What type of baby shower are you throwing?
- Who is invited? Is it coed?
- Will other children be in attendance?
- How much money are you wanting to spend on a baby shower venue?
- What do the new parents enjoy?
Answering these questions can easily help you narrow down and decide on a venue that you would feel reflects the new parents, and is an enjoyable place for you to host a baby shower.
