Guide To Filling Out Wedding Shower Invitations

Planning a bridal shower involves a lot of work, and it all starts with the perfect invitation. Bridal shower invitations are similar to wedding invitations in that they provide important details about the event, but they can be more playful in style. Here are some tips on how to fill out a wedding shower invitation:

- Include the name of the guest of honour (the bride-to-be) and, if it's a co-ed shower, the spouse-to-be as well.

- Specify the date, time, and location of the bridal shower. Be sure to include the full address to avoid any confusion.

- Provide RSVP details, such as the deadline for responding, and the name and contact information of the host.

- If there is a theme, such as a lingerie shower or a fiesta-themed shower, include this information on the invitation so guests can dress appropriately and choose gifts that fit the theme.

- Include registry information or, if the couple prefers no gifts, state this on the invitation.

- Indicate the dress code, whether it's casual, formal, or something specific like Florals welcome.

- Send out invitations at least four to eight weeks in advance to give guests enough time to plan and RSVP.

The guest of honour's name

The bridal shower invitation should always include the name of the guest of honour, i.e. the bride-to-be. This is considered the most important detail to include on the invitation. The invitation should be centred around the bride, with her name featured at the top, perhaps accompanied by a greeting.

If the bridal shower is a co-ed or couples' event, the name of the bride's partner should also be included. However, if the shower is exclusively for the bride, then the partner's name should be omitted to avoid confusion.

• "Please join us for a bridal shower honouring [insert name of bride here]."
• "Help us shower [name of bride] with love."
• "Come celebrate [name of bride] before she ties the knot."
• "Join us for a bridal shower in celebration of [name of bride] and her upcoming marriage."
• "Let's help this Miss become a Mrs. Honoring [insert name of bride here]."
• "Join us in giving [name of bride] a bridal shower she'll never forget."
• "Join us for a sewing circle bridal shower as we celebrate the beautiful and talented [name of bride]."

Date, time, and location

When filling out a wedding shower invitation, it's important to include the date, time, and location of the event. Here are some tips and suggestions for this section of the invitation:

• Include the full date, including the day of the week, month, and year. For example, "Saturday, March 19, 2022". Spelling out the month is preferred over using numerals to avoid any confusion.
• State the exact time the event will start. You may also include the end time to give guests clarity and help them plan their day.
• Provide the full address of the venue, including the street address, city, state, and zip code. For example, "330 W 22nd St, Norfolk, VA 23517". Including the venue name can also be helpful, especially if it is a well-known location.
• Consider adding brief directions or parking details, especially for guests who are travelling from out of town or who are unfamiliar with the area.
• If the event has a specific theme, such as a lingerie shower or a fiesta, include this information on the invitation. This will help guests prepare appropriately, whether it's dressing for the theme or purchasing gifts that fit the theme.
• If the event is outdoors, such as a garden party or pool party, indicate this on the invitation so guests can dress accordingly.
• The bridal shower is typically held two to three months before the wedding. When choosing the date, confirm with the bride-to-be to ensure it works with her schedule and doesn't conflict with any last-minute wedding preparations.
• It is recommended to send out invitations at least four to eight weeks in advance to give guests enough time to plan and RSVP.
• "Saturday, March 19, 2022, at 2:00 PM, 330 W 22nd St, Norfolk, VA 23517"
• "Sunday, September 18, 2022, from 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM, 757 Penny Lane, Oxford, MS 38655"
• "Saturday, December 17, 2022, at 11:00 AM, at the home of Libby Ryan, 507 Main St, Dallas, TX 75051"
• "Saturday, July 16, 2022, at 4:00 PM, 2010 Clipper Park Rd Suite 126, Baltimore, MD 21211"

RSVP details

• RSVP Date: It is essential to set an RSVP date to ensure you have enough time to finalise the details, such as catering and drinks. This date should be at least two weeks before the bridal shower.
• Contact Information: Include the name of the person guests should contact, along with their phone number and/or email address. This information will make it convenient for guests to respond and ask any questions they may have.
• RSVP Instructions: Clearly instruct guests on how to RSVP. You can include a separate RSVP card with the invitation that guests can fill out and return, or provide the RSVP details directly on the invitation.
• Deadline Reminder: It is helpful to remind guests of the RSVP deadline to ensure timely responses. You can include a phrase such as "Kindly RSVP by [date]" or "RSVPs appreciated by [date]."
• Guest Survey: If you require specific information from guests, such as dietary restrictions or gift preferences, consider including a guest survey with the invitation. This will help you gather the necessary details to plan the event effectively.
• RSVP Wording: The tone of your RSVP wording should align with the overall style of the bridal shower. For a formal event, use wording such as "Kindly RSVP to [host's name] by [date]." For a more casual gathering, you can use phrases like "Text or call [host's name] to let us know you're coming!"
• Early Reminders: If you have not received responses from all guests by the RSVP date, it is appropriate to send a friendly reminder. This can be done through a phone call, email, or text message, depending on your preferred method of communication.

The host's name

When filling out a wedding shower invitation, it's important to include the host's name so that guests know who is throwing the party and who to contact for questions. Here are some tips and examples to help you with this:

• It is proper etiquette to include the host's name on the invitation. This could be the Maid/Matron of Honor, a family member, a sibling, or a close family friend.
• If there are multiple hosts, you can list all of their names, such as "Hosted by Aunt Linda, Aunt Ronda, and Aunt Leslie."
• Alternatively, if the bridesmaids are planning the shower, you can add a line at the bottom of the invitation, such as "Hosted by her loving bridesmaids."
• If you want to keep it more general, you can simply write "Hosted by [insert host's name]" or add the host's name next to the address or RSVP information.
• For a more all-inclusive approach, you can use phrases like "Hosted with love by family and friends."
• If the host prefers not to be named, you can leave out the "hosted by" section entirely or just include the host's name without mentioning their role.

Examples:

• "Hosted by Juliette Wills, Maid of Honor"
• "Hosted by Jessie Brenner"
• "Hosted by Libby Ryan"
• "Hosted by Karen"

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 on the invitation. There are two ways to do this:

• Direct guests to the couple's wedding website. You can write: "For registry information, please visit [insert website here]."
• List the stores the couple is registered at. For example: " [Name] is registered at [Store 1], [Store 2], and [Store 3]."

If you only have room for one extra line on the invitation, you can simply direct guests to the wedding website for more information.

If you are registered at multiple stores, you can include this information on a separate card or insert. This could be a quarter sheet of cardstock that matches the invitation.

Another option is to include the registry information on the wedding website only and direct guests there for more information. This approach may be preferable if you do not want to include registry details on the invitation or if you are registered at multiple stores.

If you do not wish to receive gifts, you can include a note on the invitation that says, "No gifts, please" or "Your presence is the only gift we need."

Frequently asked questions