Crafting Invites For Baby And Wedding Showers

Creating invitations for a baby shower or a wedding shower is a fun and creative process. Whether you're celebrating a new arrival or an upcoming marriage, invitations are a key part of the planning process. You can choose to send paper or digital invites, depending on your budget and preference. Paper invites are traditional and can double as keepsakes, while digital invites are more cost-effective and versatile. When designing your invitations, include key details such as the name of the honoree, date, time, location, and RSVP information. You can also add special instructions, like dress code or gift registry details. For baby shower invites, you may want to include the mother's and/or father's name, and for wedding showers, the bride-to-be's name is essential. Get creative with your wording and design, and don't forget to proofread!

Choosing a theme: from colour schemes to animals and nature

When it comes to creating invitations for a baby or wedding shower, choosing a theme is a crucial step. Whether you're opting for a colour scheme, animal theme, or nature-inspired design, the options are endless. Here are some ideas to get you started:

Colour Schemes

If you're going for a colour-coordinated invitation, consider the classic baby shower colours: pink for a girl and blue for a boy. However, if you're keeping the baby's gender a surprise or prefer a gender-neutral approach, soft neutrals like dusty pink, beige, or mint green create an elegant and modern look. For a vibrant and playful feel, incorporate bright colours like yellow, orange, or red.

Animals

Animal themes are always a cute and whimsical choice for baby showers. You can go for a jungle or safari theme, featuring elephants, lions, and giraffes. Or, opt for a woodland animal theme with owls, bees, and butterflies. If you want to add a touch of magic, include dinosaurs, mermaids, or unicorns. For a farm-themed shower, choose animals like pigs, cows, or horses.

Nature

Incorporate the beauty of nature into your invitations with a variety of themes. A rustic forest theme might include trees, leaves, and other woodland elements. Alternatively, a starry night or celestial theme can be a whimsical take on a nature-inspired design. You can also draw inspiration from the seasons, such as a winter wonderland theme with snowflakes and icy blues.

Combining Themes

Don't be afraid to mix and match themes to create something unique. For example, combine a colour scheme with an animal or nature theme for a fun and personalised invitation. You can also incorporate your chosen colours, animals, or nature elements into the fonts, stickers, and orientation of your invitation for a cohesive look.

Remember, the key is to choose a theme that reflects the honouree's personality and style, creating a memorable and joyful event for all.

Wording: what to include and how to make it fun

The wording of your baby shower or wedding shower invitation is important as it sets the tone for your event. It should also include all the information your guests need. Here are some tips on how to make your invitation fun and what to include:

• The type of event: Let your guests know what kind of event they are being invited to. For a baby shower, you can include phrases like "Join us for a baby shower to celebrate the mom-to-be" or "We are tickled to say a sweet baby is on the way!". For a wedding shower, you might say "You are invited to a bridal shower in honour of [bride's name]" or "Let's shower the bride with love!".
• Details about the guest(s) of honour: Include the name(s) of the parent(s)-to-be or the bride-to-be. You can also include the baby's name and gender if the parents want you to. For a wedding shower, you might include a line like "Join us in celebrating the blushing bride, [bride's name]".
• Host information: Be sure to include the host's name and contact information so guests know who to reach out to for more information.
• Date, time and location: Include the date, start and end times, and address of the event. If it is a virtual event, provide instructions on how to join online.
• Refreshments: Let guests know what to expect in terms of food and drinks. This is especially important for guests with dietary restrictions.
• Registry information: Provide clear details on how to access the gift registry. You can also include gift suggestions if there is no registry.
• RSVP details: Include the deadline for guests to respond and the host's contact information.
• Theme: If there is a theme, you can incorporate this into the invitation wording and design. For example, for a safari-themed baby shower, you might say "Join us for a wild celebration!".
• Dress code: Let guests know if there is a specific dress code, especially if it relates to the event's theme.
• What to bring: If there are any special requests or if you want guests to bring something specific, be sure to include this information. For example, "Please bring a pack of diapers for a chance to win a prize!".
• Fun and creative wording: Add a playful phrase or cute saying to make your invitation stand out. For example, "There's a bun in the oven and we can't wait to celebrate!".
• Personalised message: Include a personalised message for each guest to make the invitation more special and memorable.
• Visuals: Consider adding visuals such as baby-themed illustrations or photos to complement the wording and enhance the overall design of the invitation.

Sending invites: traditional vs electronic

When it comes to sending out baby shower invites, you have the option of going the traditional route with printed invitations or choosing the modern approach of electronic invites. Both methods have their own advantages and can be tailored to suit the style and theme of your event.

Traditional Invites

Printed invitations add a special touch to your baby shower and offer a more intimate and personal feel. You can choose from a variety of options, including pre-printed invitation cards, which are convenient and readily available in stores. These cards usually offer a range of templates and designs to select from, although they may be more generic and may not align perfectly with your theme. If you're crafty, handmade invitations are a wonderful way to showcase your creativity and add a unique, personalised touch. You can use card stock, markers, paints, and even glitter to create your own designs or incorporate toddler artwork for an adorable twist. Custom-printed invitations are another option, allowing you to work with a graphic designer or use online tools to create a professional-looking invite that aligns with your theme. Don't forget to include unique envelopes and stamps, or even hand-deliver them to make a lasting impression.

Electronic Invites

Electronic invitations are a popular choice for those seeking a quick, convenient, and informal approach. They are especially useful when inviting guests who live far away or overseas, ensuring they receive the invite promptly. There are several ways to send electronic invites, including using e-invite services, email, or social media. E-invite services often provide customisable templates, easy tracking of RSVPs, and automatic generation of attendee lists. Emails can be used to attach invitation images or simply include the event details in the body of the email. Social media events, on the other hand, offer a central spot for invites, RSVPs, event updates, and guest interactions. This option is great for coordinating gifts, discussing potluck contributions, and allowing guests to ask questions. However, it's important to consider that not everyone uses social media, and privacy settings should be adjusted accordingly.

Whether you choose traditional or electronic invites, it's essential to include key details such as the event date, time, address, host information, and any special instructions for guests. With electronic invites on the rise, it's also worth noting that virtual baby shower invites have evolved to include stunning designs, customisable details, and even animations, bridging the gap between old-school and modern invitation styles.

RSVP: how to make it easy for guests to respond

When creating your baby shower or wedding shower invitation, there are several ways to make it easy for your guests to respond. Here are some tips to ensure a smooth RSVP process:

Provide Clear Contact Information:

Clearly state the host's contact information on the invitation. This can be a phone number, email address, or mailing address, depending on the preferred method of response. For example, you could include a phrase such as “RSVP by texting Lily James at 111-222-3333" or "RSVP by emailing Lily James at [email protected]."

Set a Deadline:

Include an "respond by" date on the invitation. This will help you plan catering, favors, and seating arrangements. It also creates a sense of urgency for your guests, encouraging them to respond promptly.

Online RSVP Options:

Consider using a greeting card or e-invite service, which often provides an easy way for guests to respond with just a click of a button. These services can automatically generate a guest list for you, making it convenient to track RSVPs.

Social Media Events:

Creating a social media event for your baby shower or wedding shower can make it easy for guests to respond and interact with each other. They can ask questions, coordinate with other attendees, and stay updated on any event changes or updates. However, keep in mind that not everyone uses social media, so you may need to use an alternative method for those guests.

Follow-up:

After sending out the invitations, consider following up with a phone call or email to ensure that all your guests received the invitation and know how to respond. This is especially important for mailed invitations, as they may get lost in the mail or delivered to the wrong address.

Provide Pre-addressed and Stamped Envelopes:

If you're using mailed invitations and prefer your guests to mail back their responses, include pre-addressed and stamped envelopes with the invitations. This saves your guests time and effort, making it more likely that they will respond.

Online Event Pages:

Some websites and services offer "Create your event page" options, which provide a full event management service, including RSVP tracking, reminders, and other features. This can streamline the entire process, making it easier for both you and your guests to manage responses.

Gifts: registries, suggestions and other ideas

Gifts: Registries, Suggestions, and Other Ideas

When it comes to baby showers, gifts are not obligatory, and some parents-to-be may already have everything they need. However, if gifts are desired, it is common to include details of a gift registry or gift suggestions in the invitation. This can be done by providing a link to an online registry or listing the stores where the parents-to-be are registered. Alternatively, for a more subtle approach, the host can spread the word verbally.

If the parents-to-be prefer monetary gifts or gift cards, this can also be mentioned in the invitation. For example: "We already have everything we need, so no need to bring a present. Cash and gift cards are welcome, but not required!". Another option is to suggest that guests contribute to a specific fund, such as a baby supply fund or a fund for a larger purchase like a stroller. This can be done through platforms like Babylist, which allow guests to contribute to dedicated funds for specific items or goals.

For wedding showers, it is also common to include registry information in the invitations. This can be done by listing the stores where the couple is registered or providing a link to their wedding website, where guests can find more information. It is generally considered a faux pas to include registry information on wedding invitations, but it is perfectly acceptable for bridal shower invitations.

Frequently asked questions