Guide To Addressing Wedding Shower Invites Perfectly

Bridal shower invitations are an essential part of the wedding planning process, setting the tone for the celebration and giving guests a glimpse of what to expect. From rustic charm to whimsical fun, the invitation design should reflect the bride's personality and the shower's theme. Whether you opt for a traditional or modern look, there are a few key elements to include in your bridal shower invitations. This guide will ensure your invitations are both informative and stylish, impressing your guests and honouring the bride-to-be.

Who to invite

When it comes to wedding shower invitations, the guest list is usually more intimate than the wedding itself. The host (usually the maid of honour and/or the bridal party) should consult with the bride-to-be about how many guests she wants to invite. The bride's closest friends and family members are typically invited, such as her bridesmaids, mother, sisters, and future in-laws.

It is also considered proper etiquette to invite close relatives of the bride's spouse, like their mother, sisters, grandmothers, or other family members they are close with. If the bride has a good relationship with friends and family of her future spouse, they can also be invited.

It is important to remember that everyone invited to the wedding shower should also be invited to the wedding. This is to avoid offending anyone and to avoid the impression of pandering for gifts.

If you are planning to include a virtual component to your wedding shower, you can invite long-distance friends and family, even if you think they won't be able to make it.

The number of guests invited to the wedding shower depends on the venue, but it is usually between 30 and 40 people.

What to include

Wedding shower invitations should include the following key pieces of information:

• The name of the bride-to-be.
• The date and time of the wedding shower.
• The location and address of the wedding shower.
• The name(s) of the host(s) of the wedding shower.
• RSVP information, including a deadline to respond and contact information for the host(s).
• Any special instructions, such as a dress code or whether guests should bring a dish to share.
• A brief note about the purpose of the event, such as "Please join us in celebrating the bride-to-be!".

"Please join us for a wedding shower honoring [Name of Bride-to-Be]!

Date: [Date of Wedding Shower]

Time: [Time of Wedding Shower]

Location: [Name and Address of Wedding Shower Location]

Hosted by: [Name(s) of Host(s)]

RSVP by: [RSVP Deadline and Contact Information]

Attire: [Dress Code or Attire Request, if applicable]

We can't wait to celebrate with you!"

It is also proper to use the bride's wedding colors on the shower invites. If the bride has a specific color scheme in mind for the wedding shower, this should be reflected in the invitations.

When to send

The timing of sending out wedding shower invitations is a crucial aspect of the planning process. Here are some detailed guidelines on when to send out those invites to ensure a well-organised and enjoyable event for everyone:

Timing Considerations:

• It is recommended to send out wedding shower invitations about four to six weeks in advance. This gives guests enough notice and allows them to plan their schedules.
• For events with many out-of-town guests, consider sending invitations six to eight weeks in advance. This extra time is crucial for guests to arrange travel and accommodation, especially if they need to make long-distance travel plans.
• If you have a set date but are still finalising other details, consider sending "save the date" notifications. This way, guests can mark their calendars and anticipate the official invitation.
• The bridal shower is typically held anywhere from two weeks to two months before the wedding. This timing ensures it doesn't overlap with the couple's wedding planning and other pre-wedding events.

RSVP Management:

When sending out invitations, specify an RSVP deadline. This will help with venue selection, catering arrangements, and other logistics. Requesting RSVPs at least two weeks before the event is generally advisable for efficient planning.

Guest List Dynamics:

The guest list dynamics can also influence the timing of sending invitations. If you're inviting a mix of local and out-of-town guests, consider sending invitations in batches. Send the invitations to out-of-town guests first, giving them extra time, and then follow up with local guests closer to the four-to-six-week mark.

Holiday and Busy Seasons:

Be mindful of busy seasons and holidays when planning the timing of your wedding shower. Guests may have pre-existing plans during these periods, so sending out "save the date" notifications early can help secure their attendance.

Cultural and Regional Variations:

It's worth noting that the timing guidelines mentioned above may vary depending on cultural and regional traditions. Different communities may have their own norms regarding the ideal time frame for sending wedding shower invitations.

In conclusion, sending out wedding shower invitations at the right time is a delicate balance between giving guests enough notice and aligning with the broader wedding schedule. By following these guidelines, you can ensure that your guests have a memorable experience while also respecting the broader context of the wedding celebrations.

Bride's involvement

The bride's involvement in the planning of her bridal shower depends on whether the event is a surprise or not. If the bride is aware of the bridal shower, she will usually provide some basics that she would like at the event, including her preferred theme, guest list, date, time, location, activities, and other ideas to get the host started. It is then up to the host to use that input to bring the shower to life.

If the bridal shower is a surprise, the maid of honour and the bride's mother should work together to come up with a guest list they think the bride will be happy with. The bride can also be involved in the planning process by providing suggestions or ideas if asked by the host. However, it is generally considered good etiquette for the bride to sit back and allow the host to plan the shower, especially if she has a lot on her plate with wedding planning.

The bride-to-be can also be involved in the planning process by consulting with the host to choose a date that works for her and fits the wedding timeline. This date should be a couple of months before the wedding and take into account other wedding events, such as the bachelorette party, which some couples plan for the evening of the shower day.

The bride can also provide a must-invite list to the host, who will then create the full party guest list. The bride should double-check and approve the final list before the host sends out the invitations.

If the bride has specific dietary restrictions or preferences, she can communicate these to the host, who will then include a line on the RSVPs for guests to note any restrictions.

The bride can also provide a list of must-have songs to be included in the party's playlist.

Creative wording

The wording of your wedding shower invitations should reflect the tone of your event. You can be playful, funny, or creative with your bridal shower invitation wording to get the theme across. Here are some ideas for creative wording for your wedding shower invitations:

Funny or Lighthearted Wording:

• "Free booze and food! Come celebrate [name of bride] with us."
• "Pop the bubbly / [guest of honor]'s getting a hubby!"
• "Boots, brunch, and bubbly. Let's have a shower [name of bride] is sure to remember."
• "You doughnut want to miss this!"

Modern or Playful Wording:

• "A toast to the soon-to-be Mrs."
• "Let's help this Miss become a Mrs."
• "Pop! Fizz! Clink! Twirl! Help us celebrate our favorite girl!"
• "Join us for a sprinkle of love as we shower [Bride] before her big day!"

Traditional Wording with a Creative Twist:

• "Join us for a bridal shower in celebration of [name of bride] and her upcoming marriage."
• "Please join us in celebrating the bride-to-be at her bridal shower this [date of event]!"
• "Come celebrate [name of bride] before she ties the knot."
• "Join us for a boho-chic bridal shower to celebrate [Guest of Honor]'s upcoming marriage."

Surprise Bridal Shower Wording:

• "Shhh! It's a surprise! We're throwing Samira a bridal shower!"
• "Celebrate Samira's upcoming marriage with a SUPER-SECRET bridal shower!"
• "You're invited to a Surprise Bridal Shower for [Guest of Honor]! Keep our secret safe!"

Themed Wedding Shower Wording:

• "You're cordially invited to [name of bride]'s bridal shower tea party. Wear your finest attire to toast to the bride."
• "Love is brewing."
• "Join us for a garden-themed bridal shower to celebrate her upcoming nuptials."
• "Join us for a relaxing spa-themed bridal shower to celebrate [Guest of Honor]'s upcoming marriage."

Remember to include all the essential details such as the guest of honor's name, date, time, location, host's name, and RSVP information. You can also add creative touches by including a dress code or theme, and registry or gift information.

Frequently asked questions