Addressing Wedding Shower Invites: Etiquette And Format

Planning a wedding shower? One of the most important steps in making your event a success is sending out invitations and organising your guest list. The address on the wedding shower invitation envelope should have the same level of formality as the couple's wedding invitations. This means writing each guest's full name, including prefixes, and avoiding common abbreviations in the street address. Here are some tips on how to address wedding shower invitations to everyone on the guest list.

Guest of honour's name

The guest of honour's name should be the first thing you include on a bridal shower invitation. This is a no-brainer and will let the guests know whose special day it is.

If you are hosting a co-ed shower, be sure to also include the name of the bride's partner so that people know this is not a female-only event. However, if the shower is only for the bride, avoid mentioning her partner as this may confuse guests.

When addressing the guest of honour, it is best to use titles, especially if the shower is a formal occasion. For example, write "Mrs. Anne Jones" or "Mr. and Mrs. John and Anne Smith". If the couple does not share the same last name, be sure to include both of their names. For unmarried couples, write "Mr. John Smith and Ms. Anne Jones".

If the guest of honour has a professional title, such as "Doctor", "Professor", or "Reverend", it is perfectly acceptable to use this instead of "Mr." or "Mrs.". You can also use gender-neutral terms such as "Mx.".

For divorced or widowed guests, it is best to find out their preferred prefix and surname before sending out the invitations.

Date, time, location

When addressing wedding shower invitations, it's important to include the date, time, and location of the event clearly and accurately. Here are some tips and suggestions for ensuring your guests have all the information they need:

Date and Time:

Be sure to include the full date, including the day, month, and year of the wedding shower. It is best to write out the month in full (e.g., November 6, 2017) rather than using numerals to avoid any confusion. Also, specify the exact time the event will start and consider including the end time to give guests clarity and help them plan their day.

Location:

Provide the full address, including the street address, city, state, and zip code. Avoid using abbreviations for street names (e.g., "Street" instead of "St.") and state names. Write out the full address to prevent guests from getting lost or arriving at the wrong location due to GPS errors. If the location is a venue with a specific name, such as a restaurant, include that as well. For out-of-town guests or those unfamiliar with the area, consider including brief directions or parking instructions to make their travel experience smoother.

"Saturday, March 19, 2022, at 2:00 p.m.

330 W 22nd St, Norfolk, VA 23517"

"Sunday, September 18, 2022, from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.

757 Penny Lane, Oxford, MS 38655"

"Saturday, December 17, 2022, at 11:00 a.m.

507 Main St, Dallas, TX 75051"

"Saturday, July 16, 2022, at 4:00 p.m.

2010 Clipper Park Rd Suite 126, Baltimore, MD 21211"

Remember, it is essential to provide clear and accurate information about the date, time, and location to ensure your guests can confidently plan their attendance and arrive at the right place at the right time.

Host's name

When addressing wedding shower invitations, it is important to include the name of the host or hosts. This is so that guests know who to thank once the festivities are over and who to contact if they have any questions.

If there is more than one host, you can list all their names, for example: "Hosted by Aunt Linda, Aunt Ronda, and Aunt Leslie". Alternatively, if the shower is being hosted by all of the bridesmaids, you can include a line at the bottom of the invitation that says "Hosted by her loving bridesmaids".

The host's name and address should also be included as the return address on the envelope. This is so that any undelivered invites can be accounted for and so that guests know where to send a shower gift if the RSVP information includes an email address or phone number instead of a physical address.

If someone other than the host, such as a bridesmaid, is in charge of guest responses, their name and address should be included as the return address instead.

RSVP details

When it comes to addressing wedding shower invitations, proper etiquette should be followed. Here are some tips to ensure your invitations are addressed correctly and include all the necessary RSVP details:

Guest Names and Titles

Use titles and prefixes when addressing your guests. For married women, use "Mrs." followed by their first and last name. Widowed or divorced women are addressed as "Ms." while single women are addressed as "Miss". When addressing a married couple, use "Mr. and Mrs." followed by the husband's first and last name. For unmarried couples living together, use both names with "Mr." and "Ms." as appropriate.

It is important to include RSVP details on your wedding shower invitations. Here are some tips on how to do this effectively:

• Provide an RSVP date: Include a deadline for guests to respond, typically about two weeks before the event. This will help you plan catering, party favors, and other details.
• Specify the host's name and contact information: Guests should know who to contact when responding. Include the host's name, phone number, and/or email address.
• Request a response from all guests: You can ask for an RSVP from everyone, whether they plan to attend or not. This helps confirm final numbers and ensures everyone received the invitation.
• Provide alternative RSVP methods: In addition to a phone number, consider including an email address for guests who prefer this method of communication.
• Include registry information: Guests often want to know where the couple is registered to purchase gifts accordingly. You can include this information on the invitation or direct guests to the couple's wedding website.

Return Address

Include a return address on the wedding shower invitations. This is typically the host's address, as they will be managing the RSVPs. Use clear labels or print the address directly on the envelope, ensuring it matches the font and style of the front of the envelope.

Envelope Selection and Presentation

Choose a sturdy, high-quality envelope that matches the colour scheme of your invitation. Handwriting addresses with a smudge-proof pen is traditional, but printing or using clear labels is also acceptable. The invitation should be inserted into the envelope with the blank side facing the front, so the design is visible when the guest opens it.

Postage and Seals

Personalized stamps, such as an engagement photo, can add a unique touch to your invitations. Alternatively, select a wedding-themed design from your postal service. Use envelope seals or wax seals to close the envelope, or an envelope sealer to avoid licking each envelope.

By following these tips, your wedding shower invitations will not only be properly addressed but also provide clear and detailed RSVP instructions for your guests.

Registry information

The purpose of a bridal shower is to shower the bride with love and gifts, so it's important to include registry information when inviting guests. There are two ways to do this: by directing guests to the couple's wedding website or by naming the stores the couple has registered at.

For example, you could write: "For registry information, please visit [insert website here]" or " [Name] is registered at [Store 1], [Store 2], and [Store 3]." It's totally fine to include three stores or more. If you're including the website, you can also add a line such as, "If you wish to give a gift to the bride and groom..." to make sure your guests know that gift-giving is an option.

If you're creating a bridal shower invitation, it's acceptable to directly list where the couple is registered, as long as this appears at the bottom of the invitation. For example: "Laura is registered at Crate and Barrel" or "For registry information, please visit [insert website here]."

It's important to note that including registry information on wedding invitations is generally considered a faux pas. Wedding invitations are about building excitement for the celebration, and you want your guests to feel honoured and delighted to be included in your special day, rather than worrying about gifts.

Frequently asked questions