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

Planning a bridal shower? One of the first things you'll need to do is send out invitations to your guest list. The tone of the shower starts with the invitation wording, so you'll want to make it fitting and memorable. While the specific bridal shower invitation wording will depend on the theme and style of the shower, there are several essential details that every invitation must include. These are the guest of honour's name, the date, time, and location of the shower, the name of the host(s), and RSVP information.

Who to invite

Wedding showers are typically smaller and more intimate than the wedding itself, so it's okay to keep the guest list tight. The guest list usually includes the bride's closest friends and family members, such as her bridesmaids, mother, sisters, and future in-laws. In recent years, bridal showers have also included close male friends or relatives if the bride wishes.

It is considered proper etiquette to invite close relatives of the bride's spouse-to-be, such as their mother, sisters, grandmother, or another family member they are very close with. If the bride's future mother-in-law is hosting the bridal shower, expect more in-laws to attend, such as aunts and cousins.

If you are having a traditional bridal shower, it is customary to invite women from both sides of the family. This includes siblings, cousins, grandmothers, etc. The same goes for a groom-specific shower, where the male relatives from both families would be invited.

The wedding party is often involved in planning the wedding shower, so their invitation is almost assumed, but be sure to send out a physical invite as well. If you are having a joint wedding shower, invite both sides of the wedding party.

The bride's friends should also be at the top of the guest list, including the bridesmaids and any close friends who are not part of the wedding party.

If you have close co-workers, you can include them as well, especially if you socialise with them outside of work. However, you shouldn't feel obligated to invite all of your colleagues.

It is generally considered inappropriate to invite anyone to the wedding shower who is not also invited to the wedding. The only exception is for those who are invited to the wedding but cannot attend.

If you are having multiple bridal showers, you can invite the family and family friends from that side only, or you can mix both sides, depending on the locations.

Finally, if you are having a co-ed or couple's shower, be sure to include the name of the bride's partner on the invitation so that people know it's not a women-only event.

Date, time, and location

When writing a wedding shower invitation, it is important to include the date, time, and location of the event. Here are some tips and examples to help you craft this section of the invitation:

• Include the day of the week: Specify the day of the week along with the date. For example, "Saturday, November 6, 2023". This provides clear information to the guests.
• Spell out the date: Instead of using numerals, write out the month, date, and year. For instance, "November 6, 2023" instead of "11/06/23".
• Specify the time frame: If the event is being held at a specific venue for a set duration, include both the start and end times. For example, "1 PM - 4 PM". However, if you are hosting at your home and prefer a flexible end time, simply mention the start time.
• Provide the full address: Include the name of the venue as well as its full address, including the street name, city, state, and zip code. This ensures guests can easily locate the venue and prevents confusion. For example, "The Smith Home, 123 Main Street, Anytown, USA, 12345".
• Request an RSVP: Include an RSVP date and provide contact information for guests to confirm their attendance. You may specify a phone number, email address, or an online form for responses. It is also helpful to set an RSVP deadline at least one to two weeks before the shower to facilitate planning.
• "Please join us on Saturday, November 6, 2023, at 1 PM, at The Smith Home, 123 Main Street, Anytown, USA, 12345. Kindly RSVP by October 22 to Emma at [email protected]."
• "You are invited to a bridal shower on Saturday, the sixth of November, two thousand and twenty-three, from one o'clock in the afternoon onwards. The celebration will be held at the Four Oaks Lodge, 456 Oak Avenue, Anyville, USA, 67890. Please RSVP by phone to Jane at (555) 123-4567 by October 31st."
• "Come celebrate the bride-to-be on Saturday, 11/06/23, starting at 2 PM. We will be gathering at the Garden Tea House, located at 789 Rose Lane, Greencity, USA, 98765. Please RSVP online via the link provided by November 1st."

RSVP details

When it comes to RSVPs, there are a few key things to include in your bridal shower invitation.

Firstly, be sure to include an 'RSVP by' date. This gives you as the host enough time to plan based on the number of guests attending. It is recommended to make the RSVP deadline at least one week before the shower, but preferably two weeks out if possible.

Secondly, provide guests with a method of response. It is up to you whether you include a phone number, email address, or both. If including a phone number, specify whether you prefer a text or a call. You could also include a link to an online RSVP form. Be sure to include the name of the person they are RSVPing to. Here are some examples of how to request RSVPs:

• Please RSVP by [date] to [name and/or phone number]
• Kindly RSVP by [date] to [email address]
• RSVPs are appreciated by [date]
• Please let us know if you can make it by [date]

You could include a separate RSVP card with the invitation that guests can fill out and return, or simply include the information on the invitation itself.

Host's name

The host's name is an important detail to include in a wedding shower invitation. Here are some tips and examples to help you with this section of the invitation:

The Host's Name

• It is proper etiquette to include the host's name(s) on the invitation, whether it's the maid of honour, family member, sibling, or a close family friend.
• If the bridal shower is hosted by multiple people, such as the bridesmaids, you can include all their names or add a line at the bottom of the invitation that says, "Hosted by her loving bridesmaids."
• If the shower is held at someone's home, include the homeowner's name as the location, such as "Megan's Home" or "The Smith Home," to clarify who is hosting and where it will take place.
• Include the host's name so that guests know who to RSVP to and who to direct questions to.
• When co-hosting, you can use the "Add a Co-Host" feature on some online invitation platforms to ensure you both receive the same notifications.

Examples:

• "Hosted by Aunt Linda, Aunt Ronda, and Aunt Leslie."
• "Hosted by her loving bridesmaids."
• "Hosted by [Name] and [Name]."
• "Join us for a bridal shower hosted by [Name]."
• "You are invited to a bridal shower hosted by the bridesmaids."

Registry information

When it comes to bridal shower invitations, it is considered good etiquette to include registry information. This is because the purpose of a bridal shower is to shower the bride with gifts, and guests will want and need to know what to give.

There are two ways to go about this. One option is to direct guests to the couple's wedding website, where registry details can be found. For example, you could write: "For registry information, please visit [insert website here]." The other option is to list the stores the couple is registered at. For instance: " [Name] is registered at Bed Bath & Beyond, World Market, and Crate & Barrel."

If you are registered at multiple stores, you can list them all on the invitation or on a separate card. However, if you are concerned about space, it might be easier to simply include a link to your wedding website or registry. This is also a good option if you are worried about older guests who may not be comfortable using the internet. In this case, you can expect to field some questions about where you are registered from those who may not have easy access to the information online.

It is important to note that while it is acceptable to include registry information on bridal shower invitations, it is generally considered a faux pas to include this information on wedding invitations.

Frequently asked questions