Wedding Shower Invites: What To Include And Why

Planning a wedding shower is an exciting task, and the invitations are the first glimpse guests will have of the event. The wording of the invitation sets the tone for the celebration, whether it's formal, casual, modern, or humorous. There are a few key details that should be included in the invitation to ensure guests have all the information they need. This includes the name of the guest of honour, the date, time, and location of the shower, the name(s) of the host(s), and RSVP details. It is also proper etiquette to include registry information or a polite way to indicate that gifts are not expected. For a co-ed shower, be sure to include the groom's name so guests know it's not a girls-only event. The invitation can be playful and creative, but it's important to observe the rules and etiquette of invitation wording to avoid any faux pas.

Guest of honour's name

The guest of honour's name is the most important detail to include on a bridal shower invitation. It is essential to use the bride's full name (first and last) to avoid any confusion. If the bridal shower is a co-ed or couples' event, be sure to include the groom's name as well, so guests know it's not a girls-only celebration. Here are some examples of how to word the invitation with the guest of honour's name:

"Please join us for a bridal shower honouring [Guest of Honour's Name]."

"Help us celebrate the bride-to-be, [Guest of Honour's Name]."

"Let's shower [Guest of Honour's Name] with love."

"A bridal shower for [Guest of Honour's Name]: laughter, joy, and a whole lot of love!"

"Let's toast to the future Mrs. [Guest of Honour's Name]."

"Join us as we honour [Guest of Honour's Name] with a bridal shower."

"A toast to [Guest of Honour's Name] as she exits her bachelorette days."

"Come celebrate [Guest of Honour's Name] before she ties the knot."

"Showering [Guest of Honour's Name] with happiness and good wishes!"

If you are hosting a co-ed or couples' shower, you can use wording such as:

"Please join us for a wedding shower celebrating [Guest of Honour's Name] and [Partner's Name]."

"Join us in toasting the future Mr. and Mrs. [Guest of Honour's Name] and [Partner's Name]."

"We seek your esteemed presence at a bridal shower honouring [Guest of Honour's Name] and [Partner's Name]."

"In honour of [Guest of Honour's Name] and [Partner's Name], let's raise a glass to their upcoming nuptials."

Remember, the guest of honour's name should be the highlight of the invitation, and it is important to use clear and concise wording to ensure guests understand whose special day is being celebrated.

Date, time, and location

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

First and foremost, it is important to include the full date, day of the week, and time of the bridal shower. Spelling out the month in full can help prevent any confusion (e.g. "November 6, 2023, at 2:00 pm"). If your event has a specific end time, it is a good idea to include this as well so that guests know how much of their day to allocate to the event.

In terms of location, providing the full address, including the street name, city, state, and zip code, is crucial. This ensures that guests can easily find the venue and don't end up at the wrong location. If the bridal shower is held at a well-known venue, such as a restaurant, including its name can be helpful. However, if it is held at a private residence, it is considerate to specify whose home it is, for example, "at the home of Jane Smith."

Depending on the venue, you may also want to include additional information such as parking details or brief directions, especially for guests who are travelling from out of town or who are unfamiliar with the area.

When creating your bridal shower invitations, remember to use legible fonts for all the important details, including the date, time, and location, so that your guests can easily read and understand the information.

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 incorporate this detail effectively:

The Importance of Naming the Host

The host's name on a wedding shower invitation serves multiple purposes. Firstly, it lets guests know who is throwing the party, especially if there are multiple hosts involved. This information can be helpful if guests have any questions or need additional information about the event. Additionally, naming the host(s) makes it clear to guests who to thank for the wonderful celebration.

Wording Ideas for Different Scenarios

• If the bridal shower is hosted by the maid of honour or bridesmaids, it is customary to include their name(s) in the invitation. For example, "Hosted by Juliette Wills, Maid of Honour" or "Hosted by her loving bridesmaids".
• In cases where the shower is hosted by multiple people, you can list all the hosts' names, such as "Hosted by Aunt Linda, Aunt Ronda, and Aunt Leslie".
• If the bridal shower is hosted by the entire bridal party, you can simply add a line at the bottom of the invitation that says, "Hosted by the bridal party".
• When the shower is held at someone's home, it is a nice touch to include their name as the location, such as "at the home of [Host's Name]", followed by the address.
• If the host is planning and executing the event, their name should be included after "Hosted by". For example, "Hosted by Megan at The Smith Home".

Creative Ways to Incorporate the Host's Name

You can also get creative with the wording while still ensuring the host's name is prominently featured:

• "A celebration hosted by [Host's Name]"
• "Join us for a bridal shower honouring [Bride], hosted by [Host's Name]"
• "You're invited to a bridal shower hosted by [Host's Name]"
• "Let's shower [Bride] with love, hosted by [Host's Name]"
• "A bridal shower hosted by [Host's Name] to celebrate the future Mrs. [Bride]"

Remember, the host's name is an essential component of the invitation, providing clarity and allowing guests to express their gratitude. Feel free to use these examples as a guide and customise them to fit your unique wedding shower theme and style.

RSVP details

Paragraph 1: RSVP Date and Contact Information

It is essential to include an RSVP date to ensure you have an accurate headcount for food and drink orders. Specify a deadline for guests to respond, typically about two weeks before the wedding shower. Provide clear contact information, such as the name of the host or organiser, along with their phone number and/or email address. This makes it convenient for guests to confirm their attendance and ask any questions.

Paragraph 2: Preferred Method of Response

Indicate the preferred method of response for guests. For instance, you could include a statement such as, "Please RSVP by calling [Host Name] at [Phone Number] or via email at [Email Address] by [RSVP Deadline]." This ensures guests are clear on how to respond and provides them with multiple options to suit their convenience.

Paragraph 3: Online RSVP Option

Consider including an online RSVP option for guests, especially if you have a wedding website or an online form set up. You can direct guests to this option by providing a link or URL in the invitation. This modern approach simplifies the process for both guests and organisers, allowing easy tracking of responses and guest management.

Paragraph 4: Additional Instructions

If there are any specific instructions or requests regarding the RSVP, be sure to include them. For example, if you prefer guests to respond by a certain method (text message or phone call), kindly specify this in your invitation. Additionally, if you are using an online RSVP system, provide clear instructions on how to access and utilise the platform.

Paragraph 5: Guest Queries

Anticipate potential queries your guests may have and provide relevant details to address them. For instance, if guests are expected to account for dietary restrictions or other special requests, include a statement such as, "Please specify any dietary restrictions when responding." This ensures that guests have the opportunity to convey any important information that may impact their attendance or experience at the wedding shower.

Registry information

The purpose of a bridal shower is to shower the bride with love and gifts, so be sure to include registry information when inviting guests. You can do this in two ways:

The first is by directing guests to the couple's wedding website, along with a brief line such as "Please visit [insert names here] wedding website for gift and wedding registry information."

The second option is to simply name the stores the couple has registered at. For example, write: " [Name] is registered at [Store 1], [Store 2], and [Store 3]."

If you would prefer not to include registry information on your invitation, you can always include a polite note that says "No gifts, please" or "Your presence is the only gift we need."

If you are unable to attend the shower, but would still like to give a gift, a thoughtful option is to include a note such as "a gift card to our favourite store would be greatly appreciated" or "in lieu of a physical gift, we would be grateful for a donation to the honeymoon fund."

Frequently asked questions