A bridal shower devotional doesn’t have to be intimidating. In fact, it can be downright fun when you’ve got a secret basket of props and a “platter full of wisdom”!
How to Get Ready for a Bridal Shower Devotional (Without Losing Sleep)
Some years ago, I attended a bridal shower of the sweet, old-fashioned variety. Ladies sat in a church basement, brought gifts wrapped in pretty paper or tucked into tissue-stuffed bags, played the usual party game (you know the one), and someone gave a short devotional.
Well, I was the one asked to be that someone.
I turned down the invitation three times (bless the persistent folks who wouldn’t take no for an answer), but eventually I swallowed my nerves, put on my big girl pants, and said yes.
And you know what? It turned out to be a lot of fun.
If you ever find yourself in the same boat, nervous about sharing a devotional at a bridal shower, let me share what helped me most. Get marriage advice from some tried-and-true “experts.”
I was short on time and long on nerves, so I decided to gather some wisdom. I reached out to several women I admire who met these simple criteria:
- They love Jesus.
- They’ve been married for 20+ years.
- They’d describe themselves as happily married (most days, anyway!).
With a few quick Facebook messages, I asked one simple question:
“If you could give just one piece of advice to a newlywed couple, what would it be?”
I wasn’t sure how many would reply, but almost everyone did! Their advice was thoughtful, honest, funny, and heartfelt. I received so many good responses that I had to narrow them down to five (plus a bonus one for fun).
The Idea: Shower Devotional “Props” That Double as Gifts
Before we dive into the specifics, here’s the thinking behind my method.
I’ve taught little kids over the years, and one of my favorite tricks for holding their attention is what I call the “secret bag of props.” As I tell a story, I pull objects out of the bag to illustrate key points. It keeps things visual, engaging, and so much more FUN!
When I was preparing this devotional, I thought, why not try something similar, but grown-up friendly?
So I brought a tray and filled it with small, thoughtful gifts, each one representing a piece of marriage advice. As I shared each point, I reached into my “secret basket,” pulled out the matching item, and placed it on the tray. By the end of the devotional, the bride had a beautiful, meaningful (and practical!) platter full of reminders of the wisdom shared and the evening we all spent together.
Why Props are More Fun!
Here’s a quick video showing how to use props when speaking in public:
Here’s how it went:
Bridal Shower Devotional: Marriage advice for Newlyweds ~ A Platter Full of Wisdom
Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. Scroll to the bottom of the post for similar bridal shower gifts that go with this devotional.
I took the advice each friend gave me and paired it with a physical item that would serve as both a prop and a gift. Here is each piece of advice, along with its accompanying gift.
Marriage Advice #1: Be the Right Match
You’re the sugar. He’s the cream. Together, you make the perfect pair. Marriage isn’t about finding the perfect person. It’s about being the right person too. Work on your own heart more than you try to change your spouse.
Marriage Advice #2: Communicate!
Prop: A vintage cell phone (or toy phone)
No matter how long a person has been married, or how well a couple feels they “know” each other, your husband will never be able to read your mind. (To make the point, I held up my husband’s first cell phone, which was giant-sized and complete with a pull-out antenna…) Just as you keep up with regular updates on your phones, keep up with each other. Help your husband understand your heart, and listen carefully so you can understand his.
Marriage Advice #3: Prepare for the Empty Nest
I know it may be hard to believe right now, but the years with kids underfoot will be short compared to the years you’ll spend without them. When that last child leaves the nest, you and your spouse will turn to each other and say, “It’s just you and me.” Take steps through every season to keep growing your friendship so that when that time comes, you’ll still enjoy being with the man of your dreams.
Marriage Advice #4: Stay a Student
Marriage is a lifelong class. Keep learning! Ask questions, read books, and watch older couples you admire. Stay curious about your spouse. Growing together is part of the joy.
Marriage Advice #5: Turn the Page Quickly
[For this one, I read directly from the friend who wrote it. I had only met her a few months earlier. She and her husband have recently moved to South Africa to minister for the Salvation Army. In her words,]
“If I had to choose just one thing, it would be to turn the page quickly! Turn the page on resentment, anger, selfishness, pride, hurt, and bitterness. Don’t keep tabs. Simply turn the page. Show as much grace as you would want to receive. I could go on and on about things like encouraging your spouse. Laugh more. Oh, and communication! However, turning the page is at the top of the list. Isn’t that what God does for us? Forgive and forget. God makes all the difference.”
Bonus Advice: Ephesians 4:32
Kindness might sound simple, but it covers a multitude of marriage moments: tone of voice, daily habits, forgiveness, and generosity. Politeness matters. So does tenderness.
Here’s the direct quote from my friend who sent it to me,
“One day many years ago, I happened to read this verse shortly after I had been dismayed by the way some people treat their spouses: the things they say, the things they do (or don’t do), and the general demeanor between them. Kindness encompasses so many things: from general courtesy and politeness (please and thank you are still magic words) to holding your tongue in some cases, to being honest but kind in that honesty, to encouraging your spouse… Even fairly small kids begin to understand the concept of “being kind” from a very young age. It’s that simple, yet its effects are profound. Kind, tenderhearted, forgiving. I can’t think of better qualities to cultivate if you want a relationship to be successful.”
Ways to Make This Bridal Shower Devotional Your Own
You can use this devotional as a:
- Bridal shower speech
- Women’s ministry talk
- Gift idea for a bride-to-be
- Wedding keepsake basket
Use whatever props fit your style or the bride’s personality. Don’t be afraid to share a story or laugh a little along the way. A little humor goes a long way in a room full of women!
I’ve also provided some printables (below) to help you prepare.
Free Bridal Shower Printables: “Marriage Advice with Props”
Several of you asked for printables to go with this bridal shower devotional, so I just made some!
Sign up below to get them sent straight to your inbox and join our community of women who love meaningful moments, creative gatherings, and practical joy for everyday life.
Get my printable bridal shower set, including a printable “advice for the bride” sheet for guests and the “platter full of wisdom” that goes with this devotional.
More Bridal Shower Ideas:
- Here are more bride-to-be quotes, a list of more marriage advice from my Instagram followers!
- If you’d like to make a handmade gift, you could sew a fun “Mr & Mrs” pillow
- You can find a list of some unique ideas for weddings and bridal showers in my Amazon Shop
- One of these printable gift tags could help you dress up your gift in a hurry!
- Looking for a yummy bridal shower snack? Try one of the recipes in this round-up of 39+ berry recipes, or Texas Brownies, which are always a hit!
More Bridal Shower Resources
I’ve put together some handy invitation and party game sets to make bridal shower planning even easier!
ShopDevotional Props
I’ve gathered items similar to the ones I bought as “props” for this devotional, along with a few other ideas for a bridal shower gift. (They are Amazon affiliate products, for your shopping convenience.)
