Designing Wedding Shower Invites: A Step-By-Step Guide

Bridal shower invitations are a fun and creative way to kickstart the celebrations for the bride-to-be. Crafting the perfect invitation involves a blend of etiquette, creativity, and consideration for the bride's preferences. From selecting a theme that resonates with the bride to choosing the right words, there are many ways to make the invitations unique and exciting. With a variety of online tools and templates available, creating beautiful invitations is easier than ever, and you don't need any graphic design experience to make something special.

Using online tools

There are several online tools that can help you create wedding shower invitations. Here are some platforms you can use:

Canva

Canva offers a wide selection of bridal shower invitation templates to choose from. You can customize your invitation by adding images, illustrations, and graphics from Canva's library or uploading your own. You can also change the fonts and colours to match your theme. Once you're happy with your design, you can share it on social media, send it via email, or print it in high resolution. Canva also provides suggestions for the wording of your invitation.

Greetings Island

Greetings Island offers free and premium bridal shower invitation templates. You can customize the templates with your preferred font and colour and download them as digital images or PDFs to print or send online. Greetings Island also provides advice on invitation etiquette, themes, design elements, timing, and the guest list.

Paperless Post

Paperless Post offers customizable online bridal shower invitations that are easy to send via text, email, or shareable link. You can add registry links and directions, and track RSVPs in real time. They also offer stylish bridal shower party ideas for themes, decor, and shower favours.

Basic Invite

Basic Invite allows you to fully customize your online bridal shower invitations. You can add your own images, illustrations, and graphics, and choose from various colours, fonts, and styles. They also offer helpful tips for designing your invitations and provide a customer service team to assist you.

Evite

Evite offers free and premium online bridal shower invitations. You can choose from various themes and designs to create a beautiful invitation that matches your style.

Minted

Minted provides a platform for creating bridal shower invitations. They offer a free consultation with a stationery expert to help you design your invitations. They also provide a free wedding planning journal and other resources to help you plan your wedding.

Adding photos and messages

Choosing Photos:

Select photos that reflect the theme of the bridal shower. For example, if you're having a lingerie-themed bridal shower, you can use elegant lace patterns or stylish illustrations of lingerie as part of the invitation design. Similarly, for a fiesta-themed shower, consider using bold and festive patterns, sombreros, or illustrations of maracas and piñatas. You can also use photos of the bride-to-be or opt for illustrations and graphics from online libraries.

Adding Messages:

The wording of your bridal shower invitations should be simple, warm, and welcoming. You can start with a phrase such as "Please join us in showering the bride," "Let's honor the bride," or "The bride's big day is almost here," followed by the event details. Include the bride's name, the shower date, time, and location, as well as any RSVP or contact information. Most invitations are only about ten lines long, so keep the message concise and clear.

Customisation:

Feel free to customise your invitations by mixing and matching elements from different templates. You can upload your own photos and images or rearrange the layout. If you're using an online platform, they often offer a range of customisation options, including various fonts, colours, and graphics to choose from.

Printing and Sharing:

Once you're happy with your design, you can print your invitations in high resolution or share them online. To print, save your design as a PDF to ensure a high-quality print. To share online, use the platform's share button to send via email or directly post on social media.

Remember, the key is to be creative and have fun with the process!

Choosing a colour scheme

Start by considering the bride's style or, if it's a couple's shower, the couple's style. The colour scheme should reflect their personalities and the things they love. For example, if the bride is a fan of nature and the outdoors, consider a colour palette inspired by natural surroundings, such as green, brown, and neutral shades.

Think about the seasonality and location of the wedding shower. For instance, a spring wedding shower could feature a palette of pastel colours like blush, blue, and cream, while a summer shower could incorporate vibrant shades like hot pink, magenta, and berry. If it's a fall or winter event, consider warmer colours like maroon, navy, and mauve.

Select one or two main colours and then choose one or two secondary colours, including a neutral shade, to complement them. This will create a visually appealing combination. For example, a sage green and French blue combination can be enhanced with pale pink, gold, and cream.

Add an accent colour to give your invitations a unique touch. This could be a metallic shade like gold or silver, or a bold pop of colour like raspberry.

If you're using a theme for the wedding shower, make sure the colour scheme aligns with it. For example, a fiesta-themed bridal shower could use a lively colour palette with red, yellow, turquoise, and orange. A lingerie-themed shower could feature elegant lace patterns and pink tones.

Don't be afraid to get creative and experiment with different colour combinations. You can also draw inspiration from the couple's honeymoon destination or their favourite things, such as incorporating tropical flowers for a Hawaiian honeymoon theme.

Remember, the colour scheme you choose for the invitations can also be carried through to the event decorations, creating a cohesive and well-put-together look for the entire wedding shower.

Selecting a theme

Know the Wedding Theme

If you already know the theme of the wedding, you can carry this over to the wedding shower invitations. This is a great way to maintain consistency and give guests a sneak peek into the upcoming nuptials. For example, if the wedding will have a floral theme, you can design floral wedding shower invitations. This approach not only creates a cohesive look but also builds excitement for the main event.

Reflect the Bride's Personality

Incorporate the bride's favourite things, such as her favourite songs, books, or travel destinations, into the invitation design. This adds a personal touch and makes the invitations truly unique to the bride. For instance, if the bride loves the beach, you can opt for a beach-themed invitation with tropical flowers and ocean hues.

Choose a Fun and Festive Theme

A wedding shower is a joyous occasion, so why not embrace a playful theme? A lingerie-themed bridal shower, for instance, is an intimate and fun way to celebrate. Decorate with lace, satin, and pink hues, and incorporate fluffy pillows and scented candles. The invitations can feature elegant lace patterns or delicate illustrations of lingerie. Alternatively, a fiesta-themed bridal shower is a vibrant option, with colourful banners, floral arrangements, and a taco bar. The invitations can be designed with festive patterns, sombreros, and playful illustrations of maracas and piñatas.

Modern Twist: Couples Bridal Shower

For a modern and inclusive twist, consider a couples bridal shower, where both the bride and groom are celebrated. This theme is perfect for a relaxed atmosphere, such as a backyard barbecue or picnic. Blend feminine and masculine touches in the decorations, such as floral arrangements with rustic elements. The invitations can showcase this harmony with interlocking ring designs, floral motifs, or a combination of both.

Tea Party Sophistication

For a sophisticated take on the bridal shower, opt for a tea party theme. This timeless idea involves proper teacups, pastries, and elegant floral arrangements. The invitations should mirror this sophistication with teacup graphics, elegant fonts, and a pastel or classic white colour palette.

Remember, the theme you choose should resonate with the bride and be a reflection of her personality and preferences. By selecting a theme that she loves, you'll create a memorable and exciting prelude to the wedding day.

Wording and etiquette

The wording of bridal shower invitations should be simple, warm, and welcoming. A sample of some opening sentences is, "Please join us in showering the bride," "Let's honor the bride," or "The bride's big day is almost here." The bridal shower guest list typically includes close female friends and family members. This may include the bride's mother, sisters, bridesmaids, and other important women in her life. It is also acceptable to invite female relatives and friends from both sides of the couple's families.

A bridal shower invitation should include a warm greeting and request for the guest's attendance, followed by the bride's name, the shower time, and location address. It is also good to include any RSVP or contact details. Most bridal shower invitations are only about ten lines long. It is considered poor taste to include wedding gift information on the invitations to the ceremony, but a bridal wedding shower invite is expected to list where the couple is registered and designate the type of shower being given.

Bridal showers are typically held a few weeks to a couple of months before the wedding. This timing allows the bride to fully enjoy the celebration without feeling overwhelmed by last-minute preparations. Send bridal shower invitations out approximately 4 to 6 weeks before the scheduled date, allowing guests enough time to RSVP and plan their attendance.

Frequently asked questions