20 Bridal Shower Charcuterie Board Ideas

A bridal shower charcuterie board feeds a room of guests without anyone stuck in the kitchen, and it can match the shower's colors or theme. Soft cheeses, prosciutto, berries, grapes and honey look pretty on their own, so a charcuterie board for a bridal shower is mostly about picking a palette and filling every gap. The same ideas work for a wedding shower, a couples shower or a bridal brunch.

Below are 20 bridal shower charcuterie board ideas, from a classic board and an elegant white and gold board to an engagement ring board, a bride's initial board, a tea party board, a grazing table for 30 and three dessert boards. Every board lists exactly what's on it, with amounts and how many it serves, and only one idea (the tuxedo strawberries) needs any cooking.

Bridal shower charcuterie board ideas

1. Classic Bridal Shower Charcuterie Board

Two whole bries, white cheddar, Havarti, prosciutto and one pretty salami rose, with strawberries, raspberries, green grapes, honey and fig jam. Serves 12.

What's on the board

• 1 large board, about 14 x 20 inches
• 2 brie rounds (8 oz each), left whole
• 8 oz white cheddar (a block), sliced (about 20 slices)
• 8 oz Havarti (a block), cubed (about 30 cubes)
• 8 oz sliced Genoa salami (about 24 slices): 8 for the salami rose, 16 folded
• 6 oz prosciutto (about 12 slices)
• 16 strawberries
• 1 lb green grapes
• 6 oz raspberries
• 3 oz Marcona almonds
• 22 round crackers
• 1/4 cup honey, in a small bowl
• 1/4 cup fig jam, in a small bowl

How to make it

1. Set the two bries and the honey and fig jam bowls on the board, well apart.
2. Make the salami rose: fold 8 salami slices over the rim of a small glass, each one overlapping the last by about half, then turn the glass upside down on the board and lift it off.
3. Fold the other 16 salami slices into a winding river and drape the prosciutto in loose ribbons beside it.
4. Shingle the cheddar slices in two rows and stack the Havarti cubes in two spots.
5. Fill in with the strawberries, grapes, raspberries and almonds, then tuck the crackers into short rows along the edges.

My recommended tip: Salami and soppressata pair well with buttery, creamy cheeses like havarti and gouda, which mellow the salt and spice of the meat.

2. White and Gold Charcuterie Board

An elegant board in whites and golds: brie, white cheddar, goat cheese, white chocolate and green grapes with golden pears, apricots, almonds and honey. Serves 10.

What's on the board

• 1 white marble board, about 14 x 20 inches
• 8 oz brie (a small round), left whole
• 8 oz white cheddar (a block), sliced (about 20 slices)
• 8 oz goat cheese (two 4 oz logs)
• 4 oz prosciutto (about 8 slices)
• 1 lb green grapes
• 2 Bosc or Bartlett pears, sliced and tossed in 2 tsp lemon juice
• 12 dried apricots
• 3 oz Marcona almonds
• 3 1/2 oz white chocolate (1 bar), broken into about 14 pieces
• 30 round butter crackers
• 1/4 cup honey, in a small bowl

How to make it

1. Set the brie, the two goat cheese logs and the honey bowl on the board.
2. Shingle the white cheddar slices in a long curved row and drape the prosciutto in soft ribbons beside it.
3. Slice the pears last and toss them in the lemon juice so they stay pale, then fan them in two spots.
4. Add the grapes in big bunches, then the apricots, almonds and white chocolate in small piles.
5. Fill the edges with the golden crackers.

Where to get it

Marcona almonds are near the specialty cheeses or with the nuts; white chocolate bars are in the candy or baking aisle.

3. Blush Pink Charcuterie Board

Soft pink and cream: mortadella and prosciutto with brie, white cheddar and Havarti, raspberries, rosy Gala apples, pastel Jordan almonds and raspberry jam. Serves 10.

What's on the board

• 1 board, about 14 x 20 inches
• 8 oz brie (a small round), left whole
• 8 oz white cheddar (a block), cubed (about 30 cubes)
• 8 oz Havarti (a block), sliced (about 20 slices)
• 6 oz thin-sliced mortadella (about 10 slices), folded in half
• 4 oz prosciutto (about 8 slices)
• 6 oz raspberries
• 2 Gala apples, sliced and tossed in 2 tsp lemon juice
• 1 lb red grapes
• 4 oz pastel pink and white Jordan almonds
• 30 water crackers
• 1/4 cup raspberry jam, in a small bowl

How to make it

1. Set the brie and the raspberry jam bowl on the board.
2. Fold the mortadella slices in half and shingle them in a row; drape the prosciutto in loose ribbons on the other side.
3. Shingle the Havarti slices in a row and stack the cheddar cubes in two spots.
4. Fan the apple slices skin side up so the pink shows, then fill in with the grapes, raspberries and Jordan almonds.
5. Line the water crackers along the edges.

Pro tip: Keep meats of a similar color apart and alternate colors as you go, so each one stands out instead of blending into one pile.

Where to get it

Jordan almonds (candy-coated almonds) are in the candy aisle or with wedding and party supplies. Mortadella is at the deli counter; ask for it sliced thin. Any red-skinned apple with a pink blush works.

4. Honeymoon Cheese and Honey Board

A honey tasting for the bride-to-be: a piece of honeycomb, clover honey and hot honey with five cheeses, prosciutto, soppressata, figs and walnuts. Serves 8.

What's on the board

• 1 board, about 12 x 18 inches
• 8 oz brie (a small round), left whole
• 7 oz aged gouda (a wedge), with about 8 slices cut
• 6 oz Manchego (a wedge), cut into triangles (about 6)
• 4 oz blue cheese (a wedge)
• 4 oz honeycomb (a piece), in a small dish
• 1/4 cup clover honey, in a small bowl
• 1/4 cup hot honey, in a small bowl
• 3 oz prosciutto (about 6 slices)
• 4 oz sliced soppressata (about 16 slices), folded
• 12 oz red grapes
• 10 dried figs, halved (20 halves)
• 2 oz walnut halves
• 32 thin crackers

How to make it

1. Set the honeycomb dish and the two honey bowls on the board, each with a small spoon.
2. Place the brie, gouda, Manchego and blue cheese well apart; cut about 8 slices from the gouda and lean them against the wedge.
3. Fold the soppressata into a curved row and drape the prosciutto beside it.
4. Fill in with the grapes, fig halves, walnuts and crackers.
5. Suggest pairings: clover honey on brie, hot honey on Manchego and a bit of honeycomb with the blue cheese.

Why it works: A chunk of sweet honeycomb tames the bold, salty punch of blue cheese.

Where to get it

Honeycomb is sold in some specialty cheese cases; stock varies, so a third honey works too. Hot honey is with the honey or the hot sauces.

5. "Main Squeeze" Lemon Shower Board

For a "she found her main squeeze" shower: lemon curd and lemon cookies with goat cheese, white cheddar, Monterey Jack, prosciutto, salami, blueberries and green olives. Serves 10.

What's on the board

• 1 board, about 14 x 20 inches
• 4 oz goat cheese (a log)
• 8 oz white cheddar (a block), sliced (about 20 slices)
• 8 oz Monterey Jack (a block), cubed (about 30 cubes)
• 4 oz prosciutto (about 8 slices)
• 6 oz sliced Genoa salami (about 18 slices), folded
• 1 lb green grapes
• 6 oz blueberries
• 18 Castelvetrano olives
• 12 lemon cookies (lemon shortbread or lemon wafers)
• 28 water crackers
• 1/2 cup lemon curd, in a small bowl

How to make it

1. Set the lemon curd bowl and the goat cheese log on the board.
2. Shingle the cheddar slices in a row, stack the Monterey Jack cubes and fold the salami into a winding river.
3. Drape the prosciutto in loose ribbons beside the salami.
4. Add the grapes and blueberries, then the olives in one small group away from the crackers.
5. Line the lemon cookies near the lemon curd and the water crackers along the edges; the curd is good on goat cheese and on the cookies.

Where to get it

Lemon curd comes in jars near the jams. Castelvetrano olives are bright green and mild, sold at the olive bar or in jars; any green olive works.

Themed charcuterie board ideas for a bridal shower

6. Bride-to-Be Initial Board

The bride's first initial (or the couple's new last initial) laid out flat in folded salami, with cheese, grapes, strawberries and crackers filling in around the letter. Serves 10.

What's on the board

• 1 large board, about 16 x 20 inches
• 16 oz sliced Genoa salami (about 48 slices), folded in half, for the letter
• 8 oz white cheddar (a block), cut in half, most of each half cubed (about 24 cubes) and a small piece of each left whole
• 8 oz Colby Jack (a block), cubed (about 30 cubes)
• 1 lb green grapes
• 15 strawberries
• 2 oz roasted almonds
• 30 round crackers

How to make it

1. Draw the letter about 12 inches tall on a sheet of paper, with strokes about 2 inches wide, and cut it out. Straight letters (A, E, H, K, L, M, N, T) are the easiest; curved letters take a little more salami.
2. Lay the paper letter on the board as a guide.
3. Shingle the folded salami along the paper in overlapping lines until the whole letter is covered, then slide the paper out.
4. Fill the open spaces around the letter with the cheddar pieces and cubes, the Colby Jack cubes, grapes, strawberries and almonds, keeping a clean edge right next to the salami so the letter stands out.
5. Line the crackers along the outside edges of the board.

7. Engagement Ring Charcuterie Board

A golden ring of shingled butter crackers with a "diamond" of white cheddar cubes on top and a whole brie in the middle, with meats and fruit all around. Serves 10.

What's on the board

• 1 large board, about 14 x 20 inches
• 40 round butter crackers, for the ring
• 8 oz white cheddar (a block): 16 cubes for the diamond, the rest sliced (about 10 slices)
• 8 oz brie (a small round), left whole
• 4 oz prosciutto (about 8 slices)
• 6 oz sliced Genoa salami (about 18 slices), folded
• 1 lb green grapes
• 14 strawberries
• 2 oz Marcona almonds
• 1/4 cup honey, in a small bowl

How to make it

1. Set the brie in the middle of the lower half of the board.
2. Shingle the crackers in a circle about 10 inches across around the brie, overlapping each one by about half, to make the band of the ring.
3. At the top of the ring, lay the 16 cheddar cubes flat in the shape of a cut gem: rows of 4, 5, 4 and 3 cubes, widest at the top and narrowing down to the ring.
4. Fill the corners outside the ring with the salami, prosciutto, cheddar slices, grapes, strawberries and almonds, and set the honey bowl in one corner.
5. Keep a little space right around the ring and the diamond so the shape is easy to see.

8. Something Old, Something New, Something Borrowed, Something Blue Board

One board in four sections: aged cheeses for "old", fresh mozzarella for "new", Spanish Manchego and quince for "borrowed" and blue cheese with blueberries for "blue". Serves 10.

What's on the board

• 1 large board, about 14 x 20 inches
• Old: 6 oz aged white cheddar (a block), sliced (about 12 slices), 7 oz aged gouda (a wedge), cubed (about 24 cubes) and 4 oz sliced Genoa salami (about 12 slices), folded
• New: 8 oz fresh mozzarella pearls, drained and patted dry, and 16 cherry tomatoes
• Borrowed (from Spain): 6 oz Manchego (a wedge), cut into thin triangles (about 10), 2 oz quince paste, cut into 6 small rectangles, and 4 oz sliced dry Spanish chorizo (about 24 slices)
• Blue: 4 oz blue cheese (a wedge), 6 oz blueberries and 6 oz blackberries
• 42 round crackers

How to make it

1. Divide the board into four sections in your head (or with a row of crackers) and give each one a corner.
2. Old: shingle the aged cheddar slices, stack the gouda cubes and fold the salami beside them.
3. New: pile the mozzarella pearls in a mound and add the tomatoes around it.
4. Borrowed: shingle the Manchego triangles with a quince rectangle between every few, and fan the chorizo beside them.
5. Blue: set the blue cheese wedge in its corner and pile the blueberries and blackberries around it, then fill every gap with crackers.

Where to get it

Mozzarella pearls come in tubs in the specialty cheese case. Quince paste (membrillo) and dry Spanish chorizo are often near the specialty cheeses too, but stock varies; fig jam is a good swap for quince paste.

9. Tea Party Bridal Shower Board

Cucumber and ham tea sandwiches with brie, white cheddar, shortbread, strawberries, grapes and lemon curd, made for a bridal tea. Serves 8.

What's on the board

• 1 board, about 12 x 18 inches
• For 12 cucumber finger sandwiches: 8 slices soft white sandwich bread, 4 oz cream cheese (softened) and 1/2 English cucumber, thinly sliced and patted dry
• For 9 ham finger sandwiches: 6 slices soft wheat sandwich bread, 2 tbsp butter (softened) and 4 oz thin-sliced deli ham (about 6 slices)
• 8 oz brie (a small round), left whole
• 6 oz white cheddar (a block), sliced (about 12 slices)
• 10 shortbread cookies
• 8 strawberries
• 12 oz green grapes
• 1/4 cup lemon curd, in a small bowl

How to make it

1. Make the cucumber sandwiches: spread cream cheese on 4 slices of white bread, cover them with overlapping cucumber slices and top with the other 4 slices.
2. Make the ham sandwiches: butter 3 slices of wheat bread, add the ham and top with the other 3 slices.
3. Trim off the crusts with a serrated knife and cut each sandwich into 3 fingers, so you have 12 cucumber and 9 ham.
4. Line the sandwiches in rows along one side of the board, alternating white and wheat.
5. Add the brie, cheddar slices, shortbread and lemon curd bowl, then fill the gaps with the strawberries and grapes.

10. Garden Party Shower Board

Crisp garden vegetables (radishes, snap peas, cucumber and tomatoes) with brie, goat cheese, Havarti, prosciutto, soppressata, strawberries and hummus. Serves 10.

What's on the board

• 1 large board, about 14 x 20 inches
• 8 oz brie (a small round), left whole
• 4 oz goat cheese (a log)
• 8 oz Havarti (a block), sliced (about 20 slices)
• 4 oz prosciutto (about 8 slices)
• 6 oz sliced soppressata (about 24 slices), folded
• 12 radishes, halved (24 halves)
• 16 sugar snap peas
• 1/2 English cucumber, sliced into rounds (about 16)
• 26 cherry tomatoes
• 11 strawberries
• 14 round crackers
• 1/2 cup hummus, in a small bowl

How to make it

1. Set the hummus bowl, the brie and the goat cheese log on the board.
2. Shingle the Havarti slices in a row, fold the soppressata into a winding river and drape the prosciutto beside it.
3. Group the radish halves, snap peas, cucumber rounds and tomatoes in their own little piles, like rows in a garden.
4. Fill in with the strawberries and line the crackers along the edges, away from the cucumber.

Where to get it

Sugar snap peas are in the produce section, often bagged near the salad greens.

11. Champagne Toast Shower Board

Cheeses and bites that suit a glass of bubbly: brie, Parmesan chunks, Gruyère, prosciutto, capicola, strawberries, almonds and honey, with an alcohol-free option on the side. Serves 10.

What's on the board

• 1 board, about 14 x 20 inches
• 8 oz brie (a small round), left whole
• 6 oz Parmesan (a wedge), broken into about 22 bite-size chunks
• 6 oz Gruyère (a wedge), sliced (about 12 slices)
• 4 oz prosciutto (about 8 slices)
• 4 oz sliced capicola (about 8 slices)
• 12 strawberries
• 12 oz green grapes
• 3 oz Marcona almonds
• 28 water crackers
• 1/4 cup honey, in a small bowl
• 1/4 cup apricot jam, in a small bowl

How to make it

1. Set the brie and the honey and apricot jam bowls on the board.
2. Break the Parmesan into rough chunks with the tip of a knife and pile them in two spots.
3. Shingle the Gruyère slices and the capicola, and drape the prosciutto between the cheeses.
4. Fill in with the strawberries, grapes, almonds and crackers.
5. Serve sparkling wine on the side, with sparkling white grape juice or sparkling cider for anyone skipping alcohol. Nothing alcoholic goes on the board.

Wedding shower charcuterie boards for brunch and a crowd

12. Bridal Brunch Board

Slices of lemon poppy seed and banana bread with brie, aged gouda, honey ham, prosciutto, fresh berries, honey butter and jam, for a late-morning shower. Serves 10.

What's on the board

• 1 large board, about 14 x 20 inches
• 1 lemon poppy seed loaf (about 14 oz), cut into 7 slices
• 1 banana bread loaf (about 14 oz), cut into 7 slices
• 8 oz brie (a small round), left whole
• 7 oz aged gouda (a wedge), with about 8 slices cut
• 6 oz thin-sliced honey ham (about 9 slices), rolled
• 3 oz prosciutto (about 6 slices)
• 12 strawberries
• 6 oz blueberries
• 12 oz green grapes
• 2 oz pecan halves
• For the honey butter: 1/4 cup softened butter and 2 tbsp honey, stirred together, in a small dish
• 1/4 cup strawberry jam, in a small bowl

How to make it

1. Stir the softened butter and honey together until smooth and spoon it into a small dish.
2. Set the honey butter, the jam bowl and the brie on the board.
3. Shingle the lemon poppy seed and banana bread slices side by side across one short end.
4. Cut about 8 slices from the gouda and lean them against the wedge; add the rolled ham and drape the prosciutto beside it.
5. Fill in with the strawberries, blueberries, grapes and pecans.
6. Serve coffee and juice, or mimosas with sparkling orange juice for anyone skipping alcohol, on the side.

Where to get it

Lemon poppy seed and banana bread loaves are in the bakery section, usually near the muffins; any quick bread or pound cake works.

13. Mini Croissant Sandwich Board

Split mini croissants with turkey, ham, Swiss, Havarti, butter lettuce and two spreads, so guests build their own little sandwich. Serves 8.

What's on the board

• 1 large board, about 14 x 20 inches
• 8 mini croissants, split
• 6 oz thin-sliced deli turkey (about 9 slices), folded
• 6 oz thin-sliced deli ham (about 9 slices), folded
• 6 oz sliced Swiss cheese (about 8 slices)
• 6 oz sliced Havarti (about 8 slices)
• 8 butter lettuce leaves
• 1 lb red grapes
• 13 strawberries
• 1/2 cup honey mustard, in two small bowls
• 1/4 cup mayonnaise, in a small bowl

How to make it

1. Split the croissants with a serrated knife.
2. Line the split croissants in one row along one side of the board, each top resting on its bottom half.
3. Fold the turkey and ham into loose rows down the middle of the board.
4. Shingle the Swiss and Havarti slices in rows beside the meat and stack the lettuce leaves at one end.
5. Add the three spread bowls with small spoons, then fill the gaps with the grapes and strawberries.

Where to get it

Mini croissants are in the bakery section, often in clamshell packs.

14. Bridal Shower Grazing Table for a Crowd

A whole table covered in brie, cheddar, smoked gouda, goat cheese, three meats, fruit, baguette and crackers, for a big shower. Serves 30.

What's on the board

• 1 table, about 3 x 6 feet, covered with white butcher paper
• 4 brie rounds (8 oz each), left whole
• 32 oz white cheddar (four 8 oz blocks): two sliced (about 40 slices), two cubed (about 60 cubes)
• 2 smoked gouda rounds (7 oz each), left whole
• 12 oz goat cheese (three 4 oz logs)
• 16 oz sliced Genoa salami (about 48 slices), folded
• 12 oz prosciutto (about 24 slices)
• 8 oz sliced soppressata (about 32 slices), folded
• 3 lb green grapes
• 8 oz red grapes
• 2 lb strawberries (about 32)
• 12 oz blueberries
• 8 oz Marcona almonds
• 2 baguettes, sliced (about 48 slices)
• 60 round crackers
• 36 water crackers
• 1/2 cup honey, in two small bowls
• 1/2 cup fig jam, in a small bowl
• 1/2 cup raspberry jam, in a small bowl

How to make it

1. Cover the table with butcher paper and tape it underneath at the corners.
2. Set the bries, gouda rounds, goat cheese logs and the four bowls down the length of the table, spread apart.
3. Fold the salami and soppressata into two long winding rivers and drape the prosciutto in loose ribbons between them.
4. Shingle the cheddar slices in rows and stack the cubes in several spots, then add the grapes in big bunches, the strawberries, blueberries and almonds.
5. Fan the baguette slices and crackers along both long edges so guests can reach them from either side.
6. Set out about half of everything at the start and keep the rest covered in the fridge to refill, since meat and cheese shouldn't sit out more than 2 hours (USDA FSIS).

Where to get it

White butcher paper is sold in rolls with the kitchen wraps or with party supplies.

15. Budget Bridal Shower Board

Block cheddar and pepper jack cut two ways, hard salami, pepperoni, two colors of grapes, apples and store-brand crackers make a full board for 12 for less. Serves 12.

What's on the board

• 1 large board, about 14 x 20 inches
• 16 oz sharp cheddar (two 8 oz blocks): one sliced (about 20 slices), one cubed (about 30 cubes)
• 8 oz pepper jack (a block), cubed (about 30 cubes)
• 8 oz sliced hard salami (about 24 slices), folded
• 4 oz sliced pepperoni (about 60 slices)
• 1 lb green grapes
• 1 lb red grapes
• 2 apples, sliced and tossed in 2 tsp lemon juice
• 3 oz roasted peanuts
• 26 round crackers
• 1/4 cup strawberry jam, in a small bowl

How to make it

1. Slice one block of cheddar and cube the other, and cube the pepper jack.
2. Set the jam bowl on the board, then fold the salami into a winding river down the middle.
3. Shingle the pepperoni in two long rows and the cheddar slices in another; stack the cubes in the corners.
4. Add the grapes in big bunches and fan the apple slices in three spots.
5. Fill every gap with crackers and small piles of peanuts.

Where to get it

Block cheese, hard salami and store-brand crackers cost less than pre-sliced or specialty versions, and grapes are a low-cost filler most of the year.

16. His and Hers Couples Shower Board

One board split down the middle: brie, prosciutto, berries and honey on "her" side, smoked gouda, summer sausage, cheddar, cornichons and mustard on "his". Serves 10.

What's on the board

• 1 large board, about 14 x 20 inches
• Hers: 8 oz brie (a small round), left whole, 4 oz prosciutto (about 8 slices), 8 strawberries, 6 oz raspberries and 1/4 cup honey, in a small bowl
• His: 14 oz smoked gouda (two 7 oz rounds), left whole, 1 summer sausage (about 12 oz), sliced (about 24 slices), 6 oz sharp cheddar (a block), cubed (about 20 cubes), 10 cornichons and 1/2 cup whole-grain mustard, in two small bowls
• Down the middle: 12 oz green grapes and 24 round crackers

How to make it

1. Run the green grapes and a line of crackers down the middle of the board to split it in two.
2. Hers: set the brie and the honey bowl on one side, drape the prosciutto beside them and fill in with the strawberries and raspberries.
3. His: set the two smoked gouda rounds and the two mustard bowls on the other side, fan the summer sausage slices in a curve, stack the cheddar cubes and tuck in the cornichons.
4. Use the rest of the crackers to fill gaps on both sides.

Where to get it

Summer sausage is with the packaged meats near the deli; cornichons are in jars in the pickle aisle.

17. Bachelorette Night Charcuterie Board

A bolder board for the night out (or in): pepperoni, spicy soppressata, pepper jack, brie, aged cheddar, chocolate pretzels, dark chocolate and hot honey. Serves 8.

What's on the board

• 1 board, about 12 x 18 inches
• 4 oz sliced pepperoni (about 60 slices)
• 6 oz sliced spicy soppressata (about 24 slices), folded
• 8 oz brie (a small round), left whole
• 8 oz pepper jack (a block), cubed (about 30 cubes)
• 6 oz aged cheddar (a block), sliced (about 12 slices)
• 12 oz red grapes
• 10 strawberries
• 10 chocolate-covered pretzels
• 3 1/2 oz dark chocolate (1 bar), broken into about 8 pieces
• 10 green olives
• 10 round crackers
• 1/4 cup hot honey, in a small bowl

How to make it

1. Set the brie and the hot honey bowl on the board.
2. Shingle the pepperoni in two long rows and fold the soppressata into a winding river.
3. Shingle the cheddar slices and stack the pepper jack cubes.
4. Add the grapes, strawberries and olives, keeping the olives away from the crackers.
5. Fill the last gaps with the chocolate pretzels, dark chocolate and crackers.
6. Serve cocktails or mocktails on the side; nothing alcoholic goes on the board.

Why it works: Pairing spicy soppressata with hot honey is bold, so juicy strawberries are there to cool you off.

Bridal shower dessert charcuterie boards

18. Bridal Shower Dessert Board

A white and pastel dessert board: frosted sugar cookies, mini cupcakes, meringue cookies, shortbread, white chocolate pretzels, Jordan almonds, berries and lemon curd. Serves 16.

What's on the board

• 1 extra-large board, about 16 x 24 inches
• 14 white-frosted sugar cookies
• 12 mini vanilla cupcakes with white frosting
• 10 vanilla meringue cookies
• 16 shortbread cookies
• 16 white chocolate-covered pretzels
• 4 oz pastel Jordan almonds
• 8 strawberries
• 6 oz raspberries
• 12 oz green grapes
• 1/2 cup lemon curd, in a small bowl

How to make it

1. Set the lemon curd bowl near one end of the board.
2. Line the sugar cookies and shortbread in long shingled rows.
3. Group the cupcakes in two clusters and pile the meringues beside them.
4. Add the pretzels in a curving row and the Jordan almonds in small piles.
5. Fill the gaps with the strawberries, raspberries and grapes.

Where to get it

Meringue cookies are in the cookie aisle or the bakery; stock varies, so vanilla wafers work too. Mini cupcakes are in the bakery section.

19. Cake and Cookie Shower Board

Pound cake slices, wedding-themed sugar cookies and butter cookies with a bowl of vanilla frosting for dipping, plus berries and grapes. Serves 12.

What's on the board

• 1 large board, about 14 x 20 inches
• 1 pound cake (about 16 oz), cut into 12 slices
• 12 decorated sugar cookies (dress, cake or ring shapes)
• 12 butter cookies
• 1 cup vanilla frosting, in a small bowl, for dipping
• 17 strawberries
• 6 oz raspberries
• 6 oz blueberries
• 12 oz green grapes

How to make it

1. Set the frosting bowl near the top of the board with a small spoon.
2. Shingle the pound cake slices in two rows down one side of the board.
3. Lay the decorated cookies in a single layer so the designs show, and shingle the butter cookies in a curve.
4. Fill the gaps with the strawberries, raspberries, blueberries and grapes.

Where to get it

Wedding-themed decorated sugar cookies are a specialty item: look in bakery cases, ask a local bakery or order online, since stock varies. Plain white-frosted sugar cookies work if you can't find them. Pound cake is in the bakery section or the freezer case.

20. Tuxedo and Gown Strawberry Board

Chocolate-dipped strawberries dressed for the wedding: 8 tuxedo berries with bow ties and buttons and 8 white "gown" berries with lace lines, with biscotti, dark chocolate and fruit. Serves 8.

What's on the board

• 1 board, about 12 x 18 inches
• 16 large strawberries, washed and completely dry
• 12 oz white chocolate chips
• 6 oz semisweet chocolate chips
• 10 almond biscotti
• 3 1/2 oz dark chocolate (1 bar), broken into about 16 pieces
• 6 oz raspberries
• 12 oz green grapes
• 2 oz Marcona almonds

How to make it

1. Dry the berries. Wash them early and dry them completely, leaves and all; any water makes the chocolate seize.
2. Dip in white. Melt the white chocolate chips in the microwave at 50% power in 20-second bursts, stirring each time, until smooth.
3. Hold each strawberry by its leaves, dip it about two thirds of the way, let the extra drip off and lay it on a parchment-lined sheet pan. Save the leftover white chocolate.
4. Chill 20 minutes until firm.
5. Make the tuxedos. Melt the semisweet chips at 50% power, 30 seconds at first and then in shorter bursts, stirring each time, until smooth.
6. Take 8 of the white berries and dip one side at an angle into the dark chocolate, then the other side, leaving a white V down the front for the shirt; lay them back on the parchment.
7. Spoon the rest of the dark chocolate into a zip-top bag, snip a tiny corner and pipe a small bow tie at the top of each V and three dots below it for buttons.
8. Make the gowns. If the leftover white chocolate has thickened, melt it again at 50% power in 20-second bursts, stirring each time. Spoon it into a second bag and pipe thin crisscross lines or dots over the other 8 berries for a lace look.
9. Chill 20 minutes until firm. Serve the same day.
10. Build the board. Line the tuxedo and gown berries in pairs down the middle, then add the biscotti, dark chocolate, raspberries, grapes and almonds around them.

Where to get it

Pick large, firm strawberries with fresh green leaves for dipping. Biscotti are in the bakery section or near the coffee.

How to make a bridal shower charcuterie board

1. Pick a palette or theme. Match the shower: white and gold, blush pink, garden party, tea party or "something blue". Choose foods that fit the colors.
2. Plan the amounts. For an appetizer board, about 2 ounces each of meat and cheese per guest is plenty; double it if the board is lunch.
3. Set the anchors first. Place the whole cheeses and small bowls of honey or jam, spread apart, then fold the meats into rows or a winding river between them.
4. Fill every gap. Tuck in grapes, berries, nuts and crackers until almost no board shows, keeping the crackers away from anything wet.
5. Time it for the party. Build it shortly before guests arrive, keep extra food in the fridge for refills, and don't leave meat and cheese out more than 2 hours (USDA FSIS).

Planning the sweets table too? See our dessert charcuterie board ideas. Short on time? Try our easy charcuterie board ideas.

Bridal shower charcuterie board FAQ

What goes on a charcuterie board for a bridal shower?

Start with two or three cheeses (a soft brie plus a firm cheese like white cheddar or Havarti), one or two meats such as prosciutto and Genoa salami, crackers, fresh fruit like strawberries and grapes, and a little honey or jam. Pick foods in the shower's colors: whites and golds, blush pinks or greens for a garden party.

How much charcuterie do you need for a bridal shower?

For an appetizer board, plan about 2 ounces each of meat and cheese per guest, plus a handful of crackers and fruit. If the board is the main meal, such as a lunch shower, double it. A board about 14 x 20 inches feeds about 10 to 12 guests.

How far ahead can you make a charcuterie board for a bridal shower?

Build the meat, cheese and fruit up to 3 hours ahead, cover it and keep it in the fridge. Add crackers right before serving so they stay crisp, and don't leave it out more than 2 hours (USDA FSIS).

How do you make a wedding shower charcuterie board look elegant?

Keep to a short color palette, leave round cheeses whole, fold the meats into neat rows or one winding river, and fill every gap so almost no board shows. A white marble board, white and gold foods, or one salami rose as a centerpiece makes a simple board look dressed up.

Is a bridal shower board different from a wedding charcuterie board?

Yes, mostly in size. A bridal shower board usually feeds 10 to 30 guests and can follow a playful theme, like a ring, the bride's initial or "something blue". A wedding charcuterie board or grazing table for a reception has to feed many more people, so it is usually a long table refilled by caterers.

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