Should You Hand Out Wedding Invites At Wedding Showers?

Bridal showers are a chance for the bride's nearest and dearest to meet and bond, often featuring fun games, delicious food, and gifts. The host is usually responsible for sending out invitations, but they may delegate this task to a trusted member of the bridal party or family. It is important to send out invitations with enough notice, especially if there are out-of-town guests. This article will explore the etiquette around handing out wedding invitations at bridal showers.

Who should send the invites?

The host of the bridal shower is usually the person who sends out the invitations. This role is typically taken on by the maid of honour, bridesmaids, or the bride or groom's mother. However, nowadays, just about anyone can host a bridal shower, including co-workers.

If the host decides to delegate tasks, they should assign a trusted member of the bridal party or family to mail the invites. It is important to ask the couple to approve the guest list before sending the invitations. The couple may want to be surprised, but it is safe to assume that they want to be somewhat involved in the planning.

If the family does not offer to send out the invitations, it is okay for the bride to send them out herself.

When to send them?

When it comes to sending out bridal shower invitations, timing is key. As a general rule, it's best to mail the invitations four to six weeks before the event to give guests enough notice. However, if you're expecting a lot of out-of-town guests, it's considered good etiquette to send the invitations even earlier – around six to eight weeks in advance. This will give your long-distance guests more time to organise travel and accommodations, decide on their outfits, and purchase gifts.

While it's important to send the invitations with plenty of time, you'll also want to make sure they go out after the wedding invitations have been sent. This will help to avoid any confusion and ensure that guests have a clear understanding of the events they're invited to.

If you're working with a tighter timeline or on a budget, digital shower invitations are also an option. These can be sent via email, and you can use creative e-card sites to add a personalised touch. Just remember to include all the essential details, such as the date, time, location, dress code, and RSVP information.

Who to invite?

Bridal showers are typically intimate celebrations with the bride's nearest and dearest female friends and family members. This includes the bridesmaids, bride's relatives, close friends of the bride, and the mothers of the bride and groom. It is also considered proper etiquette for close relatives of the groom, such as their mother, sisters, or another family member they are very close with, to attend the shower. If the groom's mother is hosting the bridal shower, expect more in-laws to attend, such as aunts and cousins.

It is important to note that everyone invited to the bridal shower should also be invited to the wedding. This is because it is usually expected that guests will bring a gift to the shower, and it would be inappropriate to invite someone to the shower who is not invited to the wedding. The only exception to this is an office shower, where it is not always possible to invite all colleagues to the wedding, but they may still want to celebrate with you.

If the wedding is a small affair, you can invite guests who are not attending the wedding but that the bride would still like to celebrate with. It is also becoming more common for couples to have a joint or co-ed wedding shower, so male guests can be included if desired.

The host of the bridal shower and the guest(s) of honour should make the final call on the guest list. The couple should also approve the guest list before invitations are sent out.

What to include in the invites?

When it comes to what to include in wedding shower invites, there are several key pieces of information that should be communicated to the guests. Here's a detailed and direct guide on what to include, to ensure your invites are instructive and focused:

Date, Time, and Location

The date, time, and location of the wedding shower are essential details that should be clearly stated on the invitation. Be sure to include the full address of the venue, so that guests can easily find it.

Name of the Guest(s) of Honour

It's important to include the name of the guest(s) of honour, such as the bride-to-be or the couple, so that guests know exactly whose wedding shower they are being invited to.

Event Type

Specify the type of event, such as "bridal shower", "wedding shower", or "couple's shower". This helps to set the tone and expectations for the celebration.

Host's Name and Contact Information

The host's name and contact information, such as a phone number or email address, should be included on the invite. Guests can then easily reach out with any questions or to RSVP.

RSVP Information and Deadline

In addition to providing contact information for RSVPs, it's helpful to include an RSVP deadline. This will give guests a clear timeframe to respond within and help you finalise the guest list in a timely manner.

Dress Code

Informing guests of the dress code in advance allows them to plan their outfits accordingly. This is especially important if there is a specific theme or level of formality for the wedding shower.

Registry Information

If the couple has a wedding registry, it is considered proper etiquette to include this information on the invitation. This way, guests who wish to purchase a gift can easily find out what the couple would like or needs.

Special Requests

If there are any special requests or instructions for guests, be sure to include them on the invitation. For example, if you would like guests to bring a recipe card or contribute a dish, it's helpful to give them advance notice.

Theme

Including the theme of the wedding shower on the invitation can help guests understand what to expect and allow them to participate more fully in the celebration.

Purpose of the Event

A brief note about the purpose of the event, such as "Please join us in celebrating the bride-to-be!" adds a nice touch and reminds guests of the happy occasion.

Guest List Finalisation

Before sending out the invitations, it's important to finalise the guest list in collaboration with the guest(s) of honour. This ensures that everyone invited to the wedding shower will also be attending the wedding itself.

How to send them?

There are a few options when it comes to sending out bridal shower invitations. The traditional method is to send them by snail mail. This adds a personal touch and is a more formal approach. It is also a good idea if you want to include any small gifts or favours for the guests.

However, in today's digital world, it is becoming more common to send invitations online. This can be a more cost-effective and efficient option, especially if you have a large guest list. You can use email or creative e-card sites to send your invitations.

If you are sending invitations by mail, it is recommended to send them four to six weeks in advance. For digital invitations, you can afford to send them a little later, with two to three weeks' notice being sufficient.

It is also important to remember that bridal shower invitations should be sent out after the wedding invitations. This is because the bridal shower is a more intimate gathering, usually reserved for the bride's closest friends and family. So, it is essential to ensure that anyone invited to the bridal shower is also attending the wedding.

Finally, don't forget to include all the essential details on the invitations, such as the date, time, location, dress code, and RSVP information. You may also want to include the bride's wedding registry information to make gift-giving easier for the guests.

Frequently asked questions