Planning a Baby Shower? Here's How to Make It One to Remember

Whether you're planning a surprise for your best friend, celebrating your sister's growing bump, or organising your own baby shower (because why not?), there's one thing everyone wants – a day that's relaxed, memorable and full of lovely moments.

The good news? You don't have to squeeze everyone into your living room or spend the day washing up afterwards.

Hosting your baby shower at The Riviera Hotel in Alum Chine, Bournemouth means you can enjoy the celebration while we take care of the hard work.

Here's our guide to planning the perfect baby shower.

Why Choose a Hotel for Your Baby Shower?

Let's be honest – hosting at home sounds like a great idea... until you're moving furniture, cleaning the house, making sandwiches at 7am and wondering where everyone is going to park!

Booking a hotel takes all that stress away.

Instead, you can arrive, enjoy delicious food, catch up with friends and family, and actually be part of the celebration rather than running around topping up teapots.

At The Riviera Hotel, we're happy to help make your day extra special. You're welcome to bring your own decorations, balloons and cake, and if you'd like a helping hand, our team are always happy to assist with setting everything up before your guests arrive.

We'll provide table linen, chair covers and a choice of coloured sashes, leaving you free to focus on the fun bits.

The Perfect Space for Every Celebration

Whether you're planning an intimate afternoon tea with your closest friends or a larger celebration with the whole family, we have a space to suit.

For parties of 30 guests or more, our Britannic Suite offers a private space that's perfect for celebrating together, with plenty of room for games, gifts, delicious food and, of course, lots of photos.

No matter the size of your celebration, our experienced team will help you create a baby shower that's as relaxed, stylish and memorable as the mum-to-be deserves.

Picking a Theme Doesn't Have to Be Stressful

Scroll through Pinterest for five minutes and suddenly you're convinced your baby shower needs a balloon arch bigger than your house!

The truth is, the best baby showers don't have to be extravagant. A simple theme that reflects the mum-to-be is often all you need.

Some popular ideas include:

Neutral & Natural

Keeping the baby's gender a surprise? Soft creams, sage greens, woodland animals, clouds and wildflowers never go out of style.

"A Little One Is Brewing"

Perfect for afternoon tea lovers, with pretty teacups, floral decorations and plenty of cake.

Oh Baby!

Simple, elegant and Instagram-worthy with neutral balloons, dried flowers and personalised signs.

Storybook Magic

Celebrate the parents' favourite childhood books or Disney classics with themed decorations and sweet treats.

Remember, it's about celebrating the new arrival—not competing with Pinterest!

Food Everyone Will Love

No baby shower is complete without good food.

Afternoon tea continues to be one of the most popular choices, and it's easy to see why. Delicate finger sandwiches, freshly baked scones, sweet treats and plenty of tea (or fizz for the guests!) create the perfect afternoon.

At The Riviera Hotel, our baby shower afternoon tea packages offer a delicious and stress-free option, and if afternoon tea isn't your thing, we also have a range of buffet and dining options available.

Before confirming your menu, don't forget to ask guests about any allergies or dietary requirements so everyone can enjoy the celebration.

Don't Forget the Cake!

Whether you order a beautiful bespoke cake from a local baker or ask a talented family member to bake one, the cake is always one of the highlights of the day.

Cupcake towers are also becoming increasingly popular and make serving much easier.

Or, if your group loves getting involved, why not set up a cupcake decorating station? It's a fun activity and everyone gets to take home their own sweet creation.

Baby Shower Games That People Actually Enjoy

Not everyone loves baby shower games—but the right ones always get everyone laughing.

Some favourites include:

• Guess the Baby – Ask everyone to bring a baby photo and see who can match each picture to the right person.
• Baby Food Taste Test – Remove the labels and see who can correctly guess the flavours (some are definitely easier than others!).
• Pin the Dummy on the Baby – A fun twist on the classic party game.
• Nappy Challenge – Blindfolded guests race to put a nappy on a doll. It's much harder than it sounds!

And if games aren't your thing? Don't worry. Many baby showers are simply about catching up, sharing stories, enjoying great food and spoiling the mum-to-be.

Capture the Memories

Don't forget to take plenty of photos throughout the day.

A simple balloon backdrop or flower wall makes the perfect spot for pictures, and a guest book where everyone can leave messages, words of encouragement or parenting advice is something the parents will treasure for years to come.

Relax – We've Got Everything Else Covered

The best baby showers are the ones where everyone can relax, laugh and make memories together.

At The Riviera Hotel, we'll help take the stress out of planning, so you can focus on celebrating this exciting new chapter.

Whether you're organising a stylish afternoon tea, a larger family gathering or something completely unique, we'd love to help make your baby shower one to remember.

Ready to Start Planning?

If you're looking for the perfect baby shower venue in Bournemouth, get in touch with our friendly Events Team today.

Call us on 01202 763653 or email event@rivierabournemouth.co.uk to chat about your ideas, check availability and start planning a celebration that's every bit as special as the little one on the way.