Throwing a bridal shower for your friend or family member? Whether you’re the Maid of Honor, Mother of the Bride, or simply the bride’s bestie, this is a huge honor but, with great power comes great responsibility. This event is a central part of the lead-up to the wedding day. Ensuring that you get it right means brushing up on your bridal shower etiquette and getting to work.
The first step in this task is getting the bridal shower invitations out there. If you’re new to this and need to know where to start, you’ve come to the right place. Our guide will help you get the bridal shower invitation wording right on your very first try.
In This Article
Who to Invite to the Bridal Shower
Before putting pen to paper and writing your bridal shower invitations, you need to know who to invite. Getting your guest list prepped will save you time down the road. Ensuring that you don’t miss any VIPs is an absolute must, so take the time to consider who the bride wants in attendance (and double-check with her too). Here’s a quick example of who to invite:
- Bride
- Bridesmaids
- Maid of Honor
- Mother of the Bride
- Close family members
- Additional guests
Understanding who you’re writing the bridal shower invitations to will help you when it comes to the wording. Keep in mind that if you’re hosting a couple’s shower, you will need to consult both parties to make sure you don’t miss anyone. It’s better to be safe than sorry!
What to Include on a Bridal Shower Invitation
Now that you’ve compiled a list of guests, let’s talk about bridal shower invitation wording. Put simply, this handy card tells guests where the shower is, what they can expect, what time to be there and what to wear. You can also include some extra details to give them an idea of what to expect. (Note: This is especially important for a themed bridal shower).
If you’re still scratching your head in confusion, don’t panic. Let’s take a look at some of the essential elements that every wedding shower invitation should have:
Location
First things first, the bridal shower invitation should include the location. Popular places include restaurants, bars, community centers, the bride’s home, or even a bowling alley. Consider where the bride would prefer to celebrate and ensure you include this info front and center.
The guest of honor
The wedding shower is in honor of the bride (and, sometimes, the groom). The first thing you need to know on the bridal shower invitation is this fact. You might want to pop their name at the top of the invitation. You could write: ‘Please join us to celebrate the upcoming wedding of Julia and Chris,’ for example. The choice is yours!
Date and time
Next up, is something you definitely don’t want to forget: the date and time. The guests need to know when they should arrive at the bridal shower. Including the date, time, and any other information of this nature is a must. Display these details at the top of the invitation.
Special information
Throwing a themed bridal shower? Do you need guests to come in costume? Should guests bring a gift? Make sure that you cover all bases here. Much of the time, guests will know what is expected of them on the big day. But, when it comes to bridal showers, they may be confused. The more information you give them, the easier it will be when the event comes around. If the purpose of the shower is to give the bride gifts, providing guests with her registry information is very helpful.
The host’s name
Give yourself a shoutout on the wedding shower invitation. Since you’re the one hosting the event, let the guests know what’s going on. Chances are, the guests will want to thank you for your hard work when they see you. So, when it comes to the invitation wording, be clear about this.
RSVP details
Let’s face it, the chances of every guest showing up is slim. While everyone will doubtless want to attend the bridal shower, people often have conflicting arrangements and plans that stop them from doing so. With that in mind, the shower invitation should include details of how guests can RSVP to the bridal shower. Include a phone number or e-mail address.
RSVP deadline
Finally, be sure to include an RSVP deadline for the big day. The guests need to know when they should respond to the invitation. This is particularly important if you’re booking tables for the bridal shower, or if you’re ordering food for the event. In short, you need to know how many people will be attending the bridal shower well ahead of time.
Bridal Shower Invitation Wording Examples
Ready to get started on your bridal shower invitation wording? Finding inspiration can be tough. Luckily, we’ve got you covered. Let’s take a look at some of the best bridal shower invitation wording examples. Here are some ideas you could use:
Traditional Bridal Shower Invitation Wording
“Please join us in celebrating the upcoming wedding of Jennifer and Brad!
Date: December 12
Time: 12 p.m.
Address: Mario’s Eatery, Main Street
Hosted by the Maid of Honor, the event will be an early lunch. Pre-ordering required on Mario’s Eatery website. Please RSVP by Dec. 1 to [e-mail address].”
Casual Bridal Shower Invitation Wording
“Jennifer and Brad are saying ‘I do!’… But before that happens, please join us in showering the bride with love!
Come celebrate at Mario’s Eatery on Main Street on Dec. 12 at 12 p.m. We will be chowing down, so please pre-order your meal on the restaurant website.
Let Stephanie (the MOH) know if you can make it ahead of time. Drop her a message at [e-mail address] by Dec. 1. Best wishes!”
Themed Bridal Shower Invitation Wording
“Celebrate the bride-to-be!
We’re gonna party like it’s 1999… because that’s the last time Jennifer was single. Dress up in your fanciest old school clothes, bring a retro gift and plenty of alcopops. (Don’t worry… We will provide the pop tunes featuring TLC, Spice Girls, and Mariah Carey!)
Join us at 7 p.m. on Dec. 12 at Jennifer’s home. RSVP by texting Stephanie before Dec. 1. In the infamous words of Pink: ‘Let’s get this party started!’”
Quirky Bridal Shower Invitation Wording
“Let’s shower the bride together! (No soap required!)
Join us for Jennifer’s wedding shower at Mario’s Eatery on Dec. 12 at noon. Hosted by the Maid of Honor, Stephanie, you can expect fun, games, and even a giggle or two.
You can bring a gift or simply yourself! Dress to impress. Please RSVP by texting Stephanie by Dec. 1. You need to pre-order your meal on Mario’s website. See you there (hopefully)!”
Formal Bridal Shower Invitation Wording
“Dear [Name],
You are cordially invited to Jennifer’s bridal shower! Hosted by Maid of Honor Stephanie, the event will take place at Mario’s Eatery on Main Street on Dec.12 at noon.
The dress code is formal and you will need to pre-order your meal on the restaurant’s website. Gifts are not expected but always welcomed.
Please RSVP by Dec. 1 by e-mailing Stephanie. We look forward to celebrating with you!”
5 Simple Invitation Wording Tips
By now, you should be feeling ready to get started on your bridal shower invitation. Before you do, you might want a few extra tips to ensure your bridal shower invitations are the best they can be. Here are five simple things to keep in mind.
1. Keep things short
These are bridal shower invitations… not essays. Keep them short, simple, and to-the-point. Chances are that the guests will simply scan over their bridal shower invitation, picking out the relevant details. Do yourself a huge favor and don’t write too much.
2. Add some personality
Unless you want to go down the super formal route, be sure to add a little personal touch here and there. For example, you could use some slang or make a joke. Do whatever you feel comfortable with. Consider what type of event you’re hosting to help you along the way.
3. Avoid being inappropriate
If you are planning to make some jokes on the invitations, ensure that they are suitable for the guest list. For instance, jokes that make your best friends giggle, may make the mother of the bride blush. Don’t make that mistake. Keep things appropriate at all times.
4. Highlight the important details
Don’t get so wrapped up worrying about bridal shower wording that you miss out the main points. We’ve already covered the details that you should include here. When you’re writing your bridal shower invitations, ensure this information is at the top of the cards.
5. Add in some flavor
Never be afraid to add some flavor into the mix. Bridal showers are joyous events, filled with fun and humor. If the bride-to-be has a favorite band, go ahead and name-check them. If there’s a special menu item at the restaurant, recommend it to the guest list on the invitation. Spice things up with any extra information you want. You can get creative here and enjoy it.
Conclusion
Finding the ideal bridal shower wording doesn’t have to be hard. If you’re new to the realms of writing, you may want to draft the invitation wording and show it a friend for some pointers. The truth of the matter is that whatever you write will be perfect for the event that you’re hosting. What’s more, the sooner you send out the bridal shower invitations, the sooner you can start planning the bridal shower itself. What are you waiting for? Go ahead and get writing!
