Crafting Wedding Shower Invitations: Tips For Wording

Planning a wedding shower is an exciting task, and one of the most important steps is getting the invitations just right. The wording on your wedding shower invitations sets the tone for the entire event. The key details that you will want to include are the guest of honour's name, the date, time, and location, the host's name, and RSVP and registry information. You can also include optional details such as the dress code, especially if your bridal shower is a formal event.

The guest of honour's name

• "You are invited to a bridal shower honouring [Bride's full name]."
• "Join us for a bridal shower in honour of [Bride's full name]."
• "Let's shower [Bride's full name] with love."
• "A bridal shower for [Bride's full name]: laughter, joy, and a whole lot of love!"
• "Pop the Bubbly for the Bride to Be! Please join us for a bridal shower in honour of [Bride's full name]."
• "Join us for a sprinkle of love as we shower [Bride's full name] before her big day!"

Additional Tips:

• If the bride has a nickname that she is commonly known by, you can use that instead of her full name to add a personal touch.
• For a co-ed or couples' shower, you can include both partners' names, for example: " [Partner's name] and [Partner's name]'s friends and family invite you to celebrate their upcoming marriage."
• If the groom is also a guest of honour, his name can be added to the invitation, making it clear that the event is in honour of both of them.

Date, time, and location

When it comes to the date, time, and location of a wedding shower, there are a few key things to keep in mind to ensure clarity for your guests.

Firstly, it is important to include the full address of the venue, not just the name, to avoid any confusion and minimise the risk of guests turning up at the wrong location. It is also a good idea to provide directions and parking details, especially for those travelling from out of town.

Secondly, be sure to write out the day of the week, followed by the date, written in full. For example, "Saturday, September 10, 2019, from 12:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.". This ensures there is no ambiguity about when the event is taking place.

Thirdly, consider including an RSVP date and the preferred method of response, whether that be by phone, email, or text message. This will help you to get an accurate headcount for the event and finalise any necessary arrangements.

Finally, if there is a specific dress code, it is best to let your guests know in advance. You might want to include something like "Dress Code: Casual" or "Cocktail attire requested".

The host's name

When it comes to wedding shower invitation wording, it's important to include the name of the host(s). This is a key detail that should be featured in your invitation, along with the guest of honour's name, date, time, and location. Here are some ideas for how to word the host's name on your wedding shower invitations:

• "Hosted by [Name]"
• "Hosted by Aunt Linda, Aunt Ronda, and Aunt Leslie"
• "Hosted by her loving bridesmaids"
• "Hosted by the maid of honour, [Name]"
• "Hosted by the mother of the bride, [Name]"
• "Hosted by [Name] and [Name]"
• "Hosted by the bridesmaids, [Names]"
• "Join us for a bridal shower hosted by [Name]"
• "Join us for a celebration hosted by [Name]"
• "You are cordially invited to a bridal shower hosted by [Name]"

Remember, it's proper etiquette to include the host's name(s) on the invitation. This way, guests will know who to thank once the festivities are over. You can also include the homeowner's name if the location and host are different to avoid any confusion.

RSVP details

The RSVP card is a crucial part of your wedding stationery suite. It is an easy way for your guests to reply to your invitation, and it helps you to keep track of your headcount and guests' dietary needs. It is also a chance to give your guests a first taste of your wedding theme. Here are some tips for the RSVP details:

Wording

The wording of your RSVP cards should match the style of your wedding invitations. Whether your wedding is traditional, formal, or informal, you can adapt the wording of your RSVP cards accordingly. For formal RSVP cards, use wording such as "The favour of a response is requested by [date]". For informal RSVP cards, keep it simple with "Kindly reply", "Kindly respond", or "Please respond by [date]".

Deadline

Give a clear deadline for your RSVP, usually around one month before the wedding date and at least four weeks before to give yourself time to finalise details with vendors. For a destination wedding, send out RSVP confirmations at least two months before the wedding.

Format

You can choose to have a printed RSVP card that guests fill out and return by post, or you can opt for a digital response. If you are requesting a digital RSVP but have sent a paper invitation, include the relevant information such as a phone number, email address, or wedding website link on the invitation.

Information to Include

The RSVP card should include a clear deadline, a way for guests to indicate whether they will attend, space for guests to write their names, and any dietary requirements. You can also add details such as the dress code, your contact details, and the URL of your wedding website.

Creative Touches

To make your RSVP cards unique, you can leave some blank space for guests to write a note or share their thoughts. You can also add a creative twist to the wording, for example:

• "Yes, you will see our/my face(s)" / "Sorry, we’re/I’m busy that day!"
• "Can’t wait!" / "Sorry, I wish I/we could be there!"
• "Will be there to celebrate" / "Will be toasting from afar"

Registry information

The bridal shower is an opportunity to "shower" the bride-to-be with gifts, so it's important to include registry information on the invitations. This can be done in two ways: by providing the URL to the couple's wedding website or by listing the names of the stores where the couple is registered. For example: "For registry information, please visit [insert website here]" or " [Name] is registered at [insert store names here]."

If the couple is registered at multiple stores, it is acceptable to list all of them on the invitation or on a separate card. For example: " [Name] is registered at [Store A], [Store B], and [Store C]." Alternatively, you can provide a link to the couple's wedding website, where guests can find more details about the registry.

It is also possible to include registry cards provided by the gift registry retailers, which have the registry ID number and URL printed on them, or order custom enclosure cards with the registry link and a sentence of text.

If the bridal shower has a theme, such as a cooking or fiesta theme, you can pick a shower invitation that represents the theme and make guests aware of any special requests related to the registry. For example, "Please include a recipe to give to the bride-to-be."

Remember, it is considered impolite to include registry information on wedding invitations, but it is perfectly acceptable and even encouraged to include it on bridal shower invitations.

Frequently asked questions