Best Places To Buy Wedding Shower Invitations

Planning a wedding can be a stressful and time-consuming task. One of the first steps is to send out wedding shower invitations to your guests. There are many companies that offer a wide range of invitation styles, from rustic to vintage, classic, and formal. You can also choose from different paper types, such as standard signature paper, pearlescent paper, recycled paper, double thick paper, or triple thick paper. Some popular bridal shower themes include Brunch and Bubbly, Tea Party, Stock the Bar, and Brews Before I Dos. When choosing your invitations, consider the theme of your wedding and the time of year. You can also add your own creative touch to the wording of the invitations to make them more personal and fun.

Online vs. in-store

There are many options for purchasing wedding shower invitations, both online and in-store.

Online

Online wedding shower invitations are a cost-effective and time-efficient option. They can be customised with photos, fonts, and colours to fit your theme, and are often more affordable than in-store options. Online options also make it easier to track RSVPs and can be environmentally friendly, with some services offering recycled paper or paperless stationery. You can also order matching thank-you cards and envelopes with free guest addressing. However, online invitations may not be suitable for less tech-savvy guests, and there is a risk of emails ending up in spam folders.

In-Store

Purchasing wedding shower invitations in-store allows you to see and feel the quality of the paper and printing before making a purchase. It also allows for more personal interactions with the seller, who can offer advice and guidance on invitation design and etiquette. In-store purchases may offer a wider range of customisation options, such as different paper types, thicknesses, and finishes. However, the process may be more time-consuming, and the selection may be more limited compared to online options.

Online Options

There are numerous online platforms that offer wedding shower invitations, including Basic Invite, Greenvelope, Paperless Post, Evite, Punchbowl, The Knot, VistaPrint, Minted, Zola, Etsy, Papier, Artifact Uprising, Paper Source, Dear Annabelle, and Smythson. These platforms offer a range of designs, from modern and minimalist to whimsical and bold, and often provide additional wedding-planning features and services.

In-Store Options

When purchasing wedding shower invitations in-store, you can explore options at local stationery shops, specialty wedding stores, or large retailers that offer a variety of invitation designs and customisation options.

Budget options

There are many options available for those looking for budget-friendly wedding shower invitations. Here are some ideas to get you started:

• Etsy: Etsy is a great place to find affordable digital bridal shower invitations. You can simply purchase a template, edit it, and then download it to email to your guests. This option usually costs around $10 to $15, and you can often also print the invitations if you prefer. Etsy also offers a wide range of unique designs, so you're sure to find something that fits your style.
• The Knot Invitations: The Knot offers fun and elegant designs that can be customized with your event details and color preferences. Their invitations typically cost between $1 to $3 each, and they also offer bulk discounts. In addition to invitations, they provide matching save-the-dates, RSVPs, thank-you cards, and more.
• Zazzle: Zazzle has a vast selection of bridal shower invitation designs created by independent creators. Their cards usually fall between $2 to $3, and they also offer digital downloads for more affordable options. You can filter their designs by color, theme, size, and shape to find the perfect invitation for your event.
• Papier: Papier offers ethereal stationery designs, including floral wedding shower invites, for a sophisticated garden-themed party. Their standard printing costs around $2 to $3 per card, while foil printing is about $4 to $5 per card. Keep in mind that Papier does not allow for customisations beyond the text.
• Amazon: Amazon offers a wide range of bridal shower invitations at various price points. You can find simple and elegant designs, as well as more unique and themed invitations. Prices start as low as $5.49 for a set of 25 invitations, and many options include envelopes and stickers.
• Basic Invite: Basic Invite offers bridal shower invitations starting as low as $0.55 per card. They have a variety of designs to choose from, and you can completely personalise the invitations to match the theme of your party. They also offer unlimited colour options so you can create something truly unique.
• Ann's Bridal Bargains: Ann's Bridal Bargains offers cheap bridal shower invitations, with some options priced as low as $0.89 per invitation. They have a range of designs to choose from, including rustic and floral themes.

Matching stationery

Thank-You Cards

Some companies, such as Ann's Bridal Bargains, offer thank-you cards that match their bridal shower invitations. These can be a cute extra touch to your bridal shower invitations and a thoughtful gift for the bride-to-be.

Envelopes

Minted offers envelopes in a range of colours, with free professionally printed guest addressing. This is a great way to ensure your stationery matches and to add a luxurious touch.

Monograms

Monograms are a great way to tie your wedding shower stationery together. You could use a monogram wax seal to seal your envelopes in style, or even create your own monogrammed stationery.

Other Stationery

Depending on your theme, you could also match other stationery items such as favour tags, favour boxes, cocktail napkins, and custom party signs. These items can help you create a chic, cohesive theme for your bridal shower.

Timing and sending

The best time to send out wedding shower invitations is between four and eight weeks before the event. The six-week mark is a widely accepted sweet spot, with an RSVP deadline of at least two to three weeks before the event. This timeframe allows guests to book their calendars and find a gift, while also giving the host time to prepare for the final headcount.

If you have out-of-town guests, it is recommended to give them a heads-up about the date so they can coordinate their travel plans. You can do this by sending out a 'save the date' notification, which can be as simple as an e-vite or a text message. This is especially important if your event falls during a busy time of year, such as holidays.

If you are sending out paper invitations, it is recommended to start the process earlier than you think. This is to ensure that you have enough time to design, print, and send the invitations.

For bridal showers, it is customary to send out invitations six to eight weeks in advance. This gives guests enough time to make appropriate plans, such as arranging for travel or babysitters.

The guest of honour will determine the guest list for the bridal shower. They can choose anyone they want to invite, including friends, family, coworkers, and future in-laws. The host of the bridal shower, usually the maid of honour or another close friend, will send out the invitations.

Wording and tone

When it comes to the wording and tone of your wedding shower invitations, it's important to consider the style of your event. The language and design you choose will indicate whether your shower is formal, casual, traditional, or modern. Here are some tips and examples to help you set the right tone:

Key Information to Include:

• Guest of Honour: It is important to include the name of the guest of honour on the invitation. If it is a couple's shower, make sure to mention both the bride and groom to clarify that the event is not just for women.
• Date, Time, and Location: Provide the date, time, and location of the venue. Spelling out the month instead of using numerals can prevent confusion.
• Host Information: Including the name of the host or hosts is a nice touch. This lets guests know whom to thank after the event and provides additional contacts for party information.
• RSVP Details: Don't forget to include an RSVP date, along with the name and contact information (phone number and/or email address) of the person guests should reach out to.
• Registry Information: You may include registry details to guide guests in their gift choices. Provide the couple's wedding website link or list the stores where the couple is registered.

Traditional Wording:

Traditional bridal showers can use classic and elegant wording:

• "Please join us for a bridal shower honouring [name of bride]."
• "Help us shower [name of bride] with love."
• "Join us as we shower the soon-to-be Mrs. [name] with love."
• "Come celebrate [name of bride] before she ties the knot."

Modern Wording:

For a more contemporary feel, try something playful and creative:

• "A toast to the soon-to-be Mrs. [name]."
• "Let's help this Miss become a Mrs."
• "Pop! Fizz! Clink! Twirl! Help us celebrate our favourite girl, [name]."
• "Boots, brunch, and bubbly. Let's have a shower [name] is sure to remember."

Funny Wording:

Add a touch of humour to your invitations with lighthearted phrases:

• "Free booze and food! Come celebrate [name of bride] with us."
• "Let's prepare [guest of honour] for their happily ever after, with gifts, booze, and plenty of laughter."
• "Apparently [name of bride] is finally a fiancée? Come see for yourself at her bridal shower."

Themed Wording:

If you're hosting a themed shower, you can incorporate the theme into your wording:

• "You're cordially invited to [name of bride]'s bridal shower tea party. Wear your finest attire to toast the bride."
• "It's a star-studded lineup! [Guest of honour #1] & [guest of honour #2]'s Couple's Shower."
• "Don't be late for this very important date. Once upon a time, there was a bridal shower to celebrate [guest of honour]'s happily ever after."
• "All you need is love... and mimosas. Before this Miss becomes a Mrs., let's gather for brunch and give her best wishes!"

Remember, the wording and tone of your invitations will set the initial impression and expectations for your event. Choose a style that reflects the personality of the guest of honour and the theme of the celebration.

Frequently asked questions