When To Send Out Wedding Shower Invites

Wedding showers are a staple of the engagement period and an awaited joy for the bride-to-be. It is a celebration of the bride, usually consisting of her close friends, extended family, and future mother-in-law. The best time to send out wedding shower invitations is anywhere between four and eight weeks before the event. This gives guests enough time to book their calendars and find a gift, while also giving the host time to prepare for the final headcount. It is considered good etiquette to give guests who are travelling from out of town a little extra time, so sending out invitations at least two months in advance is advisable.

Invites should be sent 4-8 weeks before the event

Sending out wedding shower invitations at the right time is crucial to ensure that all your guests have enough time to prepare and be part of your celebration. Here are some instructive guidelines and tips on sending out your invites 4-8 weeks before the event:

Timing is Key

It is considered good etiquette to send out your wedding shower invitations around six weeks before the event. This timing is a widely accepted sweet spot, giving your guests ample time to plan and prepare. It also allows your guests to book their calendars and find gifts while giving you, as the host, sufficient time to finalise the headcount.

Consider Your Guest List

If you have many out-of-town guests or friends and family coming from a distance, it is advisable to send out your invitations earlier, around the eight-week mark. This will allow your guests to coordinate their travel plans and make the necessary transportation and lodging arrangements.

Save-the-Dates

For bridal or baby showers, it is a thoughtful gesture to send out early save-the-date notices, especially for out-of-town guests and key family members. This is particularly relevant during busy holiday periods or when guests tend to have fixed plans, such as a summer beach week or a winter ski trip. A simple e-vite or text message can be an effective way to give your guests a heads-up.

Finalising Details

While the timing of your invitations is essential, it is also crucial to ensure that you have all the necessary details included in your invites. This includes the basics such as the date, time, location, dress code, and RSVP information. You may also want to include wedding registry information, especially if there will be a gift exchange.

Planning and Preparation

It is always a good idea to start the process of designing and preparing your invitations earlier than you think you need to, especially if you are planning a complex invitation design or sending out paper invitations. This will ensure that you have enough time for printing and sending the invitations without causing undue stress.

In summary, sending out your wedding shower invitations 4-8 weeks in advance strikes a delicate balance between giving your guests ample notice and allowing yourself the necessary time to plan and prepare for your special event.

If there are many out-of-towners, send them earlier

If you're planning a bridal shower with many out-of-towners on the guest list, it's essential to give them a heads-up about the date as early as possible so they can coordinate their travel plans and be part of the celebration. While the general recommendation for sending out bridal shower invitations is between four and eight weeks before the event, it's advisable to allow more time for guests who need to travel.

Six to eight weeks is often considered sufficient for long-distance guests to make transportation and accommodation arrangements. However, some sources suggest sending invitations at least two months in advance or even twelve weeks in advance if half of the family lives abroad. This longer lead time ensures that out-of-town guests have ample time to organise their travel and lodging, decide on their attire, and purchase wedding shower gifts.

It's also a good idea to follow up promptly with anyone you haven't heard from to make sure they have enough time to book their travel. Additionally, having all the information available on a wedding website as soon as the save-the-dates are sent out can be helpful for guests. While this may require ironing out hotel room blocks and transportation details sooner than expected, it ensures that overseas guests have all the information they need, and it streamlines your to-do list.

In conclusion, when planning a bridal shower with many out-of-town guests, sending invitations earlier, such as six to eight weeks or even twelve weeks in advance, is recommended to ensure their attendance and a smooth planning process.

RSVPs should be set 2-3 weeks before the event

When planning a wedding shower, it's essential to consider the timing of your invitations and RSVPs. While there may be some flexibility in sending out the invitations, setting the RSVP deadline is crucial to finalising the event details. Here are some reasons why RSVPs should be set 2-3 weeks before the wedding shower:

Guest Convenience and Preparation

The RSVP deadline should give guests enough time to respond without causing last-minute stress. By setting the deadline 2-3 weeks in advance, guests can plan their attendance, book their calendars, and choose a gift if they wish to do so. This timeframe ensures guests have the opportunity to participate in the celebration without feeling rushed or overwhelmed.

Catering Requirements

If your wedding shower involves catering services, the caterers will require a final headcount a few weeks before the event. By setting the RSVP deadline 2-3 weeks in advance, you'll have the necessary information to finalise catering numbers and other related details. This ensures the caterers can adequately prepare and plan their services for your event.

Venue Arrangements

If your wedding shower is held at a venue, they may have specific requirements for final guest counts. The venue may need to arrange seating, tables, or other accommodations based on the expected number of guests. By setting the RSVP deadline 2-3 weeks in advance, you can communicate the expected number of attendees to the venue, ensuring they are prepared to host your event smoothly.

Gift Registry Management

Wedding showers often involve gift exchanges, and it's essential to have a gift registry completed before sending out invitations. By setting the RSVP deadline 2-3 weeks in advance, you allow guests sufficient time to explore the gift registry and make informed decisions about their gifts. This also gives the host time to manage the registry and ensure a variety of options are available for guests.

Final Headcount and Planning

As the host, having a clear understanding of the final guest count is crucial for planning purposes. Setting the RSVP deadline 2-3 weeks in advance gives you the opportunity to confirm the number of attendees and make any necessary adjustments to your plans. This includes arranging seating, preparing favours or place settings, and finalising any other details that depend on the number of guests.

Include the host's name and contact information for RSVPs

When it comes to wedding shower invitations, it's important to include all the necessary details so that guests can plan their attendance and participation in this special pre-wedding event. One of the key pieces of information to include is the name of the host(s) and their contact information for RSVPs.

The Host's Name

The bridal shower invitation should indicate who is hosting the event. This is typically the maid of honour, a bridesmaid, or a close relative of the bride. Including the host's name is essential, as it lets guests know who is throwing the party and who to contact if they have any questions or need additional information. On the invitation, the wording can be as simple as "Hosted by [insert host's name here]." Alternatively, if multiple people are hosting, you can list their names, for example, "Hosted by Aunt Linda, Aunt Ronda, and Aunt Leslie."

Contact Information for RSVPs

It's crucial to provide clear RSVP instructions on the invitation, including the name of the host or another designated person, along with their phone number, email address, or both. This information should be presented in a way that is easy for guests to spot. The RSVP deadline should be set for about two weeks before the actual shower, giving the host enough time to finalise catering, party favours, and other details. Here's an example of how to word it: "Please RSVP to [insert name and contact information] by [insert date]."

Combining the Host's Name and RSVP Information

You can also combine the host's name and RSVP details in the invitation wording. For instance, "Hosted by Juliette Wills, Maid of Honour. Please RSVP to Juliette by March 1 at 453-878-0789." This approach ensures that guests have all the necessary information in one place.

Other Important Details

In addition to the host's name and RSVP information, don't forget to include other key details such as the date, time, location, theme (if any), and the name of the guest of honour. The invitation should also include registry information or direct guests to the couple's wedding website for more details.

Include the name of the guest/s of honour

When it comes to wedding shower invitation etiquette, it's important to cover all the bases. One key element to include is the name of the guest/s of honour. This is an important detail as it lets guests know who the event is honouring and celebrating. It is also a way to ensure that the guests invited are clear on who the event is for, especially if there are multiple showers held for different people within the same social circle.

The guest/s of honour are usually the bride-to-be, and traditionally, the bridal shower guest list consists of her bridesmaids or attendants, closest female friends and relatives. However, it is also considered proper etiquette to invite close relatives of the bride-to-be's spouse, such as their mother, sisters, grandmother or another family member they are very close with. If the couple is having a joint or co-ed wedding shower, then the guest of honour could be either one or both of the people getting married.

The name of the guest/s of honour is an important detail to include in the invitation, along with other basics such as the date, time, location, dress code and RSVP information. It is also a good idea to include the host's name and their contact information for RSVPs, as well as the event type, such as "bridal shower" or "wedding shower".

It is also worth noting that the timing of sending out the invitations is important. Etiquette suggests sending out invitations between four to eight weeks before the event, with six to eight weeks being the ideal timeframe, especially if there are many out-of-town guests who need to organise travel and accommodations.

Finally, it is crucial to remember that everyone invited to the wedding shower should also be invited to the wedding itself. This is an important point to consider when finalising the guest list and sending out the invitations, to avoid any potential misunderstandings or etiquette breaches.

Frequently asked questions