Deborah Chan
Planning a wedding shower? The invitations are one of the most important parts of the process. The right wording will ensure guests understand what's happening and who's invited. Here are some tips on what to include on wedding shower invitations to make them informative and exciting.
The Must-Haves
- Guest of honour: Include the name of the guest of honour (the spouse-to-be) on the invitation. If it's a co-ed or couples shower, add both names.
- Date, time and location: Provide the date, time, venue name and address to avoid guest confusion and last-minute calls or texts for information.
- RSVP details: Include an RSVP date and the name and contact details of the person guests should respond to.
- Host's name: It's proper etiquette to include the host's name(s) on the invitation, whether it's the maid/matron of honour, family member or a close friend.
- Registry information: If you're including registry details, provide the URL of the online registry or the name and location of the store. Alternatively, if the couple doesn't want gifts, add a polite note such as Your presence is the only gift we need.
Optional Details
- Dress code: Include an indication of the dress code, especially if it's a formal event.
- Theme: If you're having a themed event, give guests a heads-up so they can dress appropriately and bring gifts that fit the theme.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Guest of honour's name | Name of the bride, or the couple if it's a co-ed shower |
| Date, time and location | Include the address of the venue to prevent guests from getting lost |
| RSVP details | Include a date, name and contact details for guests to RSVP to |
| Host's name | Include the host's name so guests know who to thank |
| Registry information | Include the URL of the online registry or the name and location of the store |
| Theme | Include the theme so guests know what to wear and what gifts to bring |
| Dress code | Include the dress code if it's a formal event |
Who to invite
Bridal showers are usually for a specific group of friends and family. It's important to clearly state who in the household is invited so that attendees know whether it is kid-friendly or meant for only certain household members.
The guest of honour's name should be included on the front of the invitation. If it's a co-ed shower, be sure to also add the groom's name so people know it's not a women-only event. If the shower is only for the bride, avoid mentioning the groom as this may confuse guests.
If you are having a couples shower, you may also include both names on the invitation.
If you are having a themed event, you may want to include this information on the invitation so guests can dress appropriately and bring gifts that fit the theme.
It's recommended to send out invitations a minimum of four to six weeks in advance of the shower. It's also recommended that you mail paper invitations instead of sending out e-vites, especially if the shower includes family members such as grandmothers, older family, or older family friends.
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Date, time, and location
When it comes to the date, time, and location of a wedding shower, there are a few key things to include in the invitation to ensure clarity for your guests.
Firstly, it is important to provide the specific date and time of the event. To avoid any confusion, it is recommended to spell out the month and year rather than using numerals. For example, "Saturday, November 6, 2023, at 2 pm".
In addition to the date and time, the venue's name and full street address should be included. This ensures that guests can easily find the location and prevents them from accidentally arriving at the wrong venue due to GPS errors.
If the wedding shower has a specific theme or dress code, it is helpful to include this information as well. For instance, if the event is formal, casual, or has a particular theme like a tea party or a beach party. This allows guests to dress appropriately and, in the case of a themed event, bring gifts that fit the theme.
It is also a good idea to include RSVP details, such as the date by which guests should respond, as well as the name and contact information (phone number, email, or online form) of the person managing the RSVPs. This ensures that you have an accurate headcount for food and drink planning.
"Join us for a bridal shower brunch as we send Bethany into married life.
Date: Saturday, November 6, 2023
Time: 11 am to 2 pm
Location: Sunrise Cafe, 5830 Johnson Road"
"You're invited to a Surprise Bridal Shower for Samira!
Date: July 19, 2023
Time: 12 pm to 3 pm
Location: Maya's home, 907 Orange Grove Lane
Please park down the street and walk over. Samira will be arriving at 12:30 pm."
"Let's celebrate Cynthia's upcoming marriage with a crafty bridal shower!
Date: September 17
Time: 3 pm to 5 pm
Location: Cynthia's new home. Address: 123 Elm Street
Come ready to get messy!"
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RSVP details
- Provide an RSVP deadline: It is important to include a clear deadline for guests to respond by. This will help you plan the event effectively, including ordering the right amount of food and drinks. A deadline also helps ensure that guests respond promptly. For example, you could write, "Kindly RSVP by [date]."
- Specify the RSVP method: Guests should be informed of the preferred method for responding to the invitation. This could be a phone number, email address, online form, or postal address. For instance, you could say, "Please RSVP by phone at [phone number] or by email at [email address]."
- Include the host's name: Guests should know who to contact for responses and any queries. Include the name of the host or hosts, such as "RSVP to [name of host] by [date]."
- Request confirmation or regrets: You can opt to request a response from all guests, whether they plan to attend or not. This helps ensure you receive responses from everyone and confirm final numbers. Alternatively, you can request "regrets only," meaning only those who cannot attend will respond.
- Provide additional instructions: If there are specific instructions or details guests should be aware of when responding, be sure to include them. For example, if guests need to bring something or wear a particular dress code, mention it in the RSVP details.
- Consider including a separate RSVP card: You may choose to include a separate RSVP card with the invitation for guests to fill out and return. This can make it easier for guests to respond and for you to keep track of responses.
- Follow up with guests: If you haven't heard back from all guests by the RSVP deadline, don't hesitate to follow up. It's common for some guests to need a gentle reminder to respond.
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Host's name
The host's name is an important detail to include on a wedding shower invitation. Here are some tips and examples to guide you:
The Host's Name:
- It is proper etiquette to include the host's name(s) on the invitation. This could be the maid/matron of honour, a family member, a sibling, or a close family friend.
- If there are multiple hosts, you can include all their names, such as "Hosted by Aunt Linda, Aunt Ronda, and Aunt Leslie."
- Alternatively, if the bridesmaids are planning the shower, you can simply add a line at the bottom of the invitation, such as "Hosted by her loving bridesmaids."
- Including the host's name lets guests know who to thank once the festivities are over and who to contact for any questions or RSVPs.
- The host's name should not be more prominent than the bride's name. The bride should always be the centre of attention on the invitation.
- If you are using electronic invitations, such as Paperless Post, you can utilise the "Add a Co-Host" feature to ensure that all hosts receive the same notifications and information.
Examples:
- "Hosted by her sister Marie at 1235 Juniper Road."
- "Hosted by Yvonne Taylor at Sunrise Cafe. Registry information available below."
- "Hosted by Hannah's sister, Chelsea, at 901 Blue Jay Boulevard."
- "Hosted by Andrea DuPont at Queen Victoria's Tea Room."
- "Hosted by the bride tribe for a trip to Malibu."
- "Hosted by Darcy at the bride's beautiful new home."
- "Hosted by Isla at Parker-Malone Day Spa. Choose an option in the Guest Survey for treatment scheduling."
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Registry information
It is customary for guests to bring or send a gift to your wedding, whether they can attend or not. However, listing your registry information on your wedding invitation appears demanding and can be interpreted as expecting a gift. It is also considered impolite to ask for gifts or money directly. So, where do you put your registry information?
One option is to include an informational insert in the envelope with a link to your wedding website. Your wedding website is a one-stop shop for guests to access all your wedding information, so they will expect to find your registry there. This is a subtle approach when asking for gifts. You can also include an RSVP date, the name of the person guests should contact, and a phone number or email address for RSVPs.
Another option is to list the stores you are registered at on a separate card or insert in the invitation. For example, " [Name] is registered at Bed Bath & Beyond, World Market, and Crate & Barrel." Alternatively, you can list your wedding website URL on the invitation, with registry details available there.
If you are having a bridal or couple's shower, it is acceptable to directly list where you are registered at the bottom of the shower invitation.
Finally, word of mouth is a polite way to let your guests know about your registry. Share the details with your immediate family, bridesmaids, and groomsmen, and let them know they can spread the word.
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Frequently asked questions
The must-haves for a wedding shower invitation are the guest of honour's name (the spouse-to-be), the date, time and location (including the address of the venue), and RSVP details. It's also good to include the host's name(s) and registry or gift information.
It's not considered appropriate to ask for cash gifts outright. Instead, provide the couple's registry details and let guests choose whether to contribute to a cash fund on the registry. If the couple doesn't have a registry, you can rely on word of mouth and ask the wedding party or close friends and family to spread the word.
You can include a note with your invitation such as "Your presence at the shower is enough, but if you wish to bring a gift, the couple would appreciate [specific item or theme]".
It's helpful to include an indication of the dress code on the invitation. This could be as simple as "Dress code: Casual" or "Dress code: Formal".
Include an RSVP date, as well as a way for guests to confirm their attendance, such as a phone number or email address. You can also request "regrets only" instead of asking for a response from everyone.
