How to Word Bridal Shower Invitations

The bridal shower kicks off the wedding festivities and gives friends and family the chance to “shower” the bride-to-be with love. (And lovely gifts!) So whether you are throwing the bride a formal brunch or having a fun themed party, the invitation needs to convey the right message.

Not sure how to word your bridal shower invites, or feeling confused about what they need to include? Follow the comprehensive guide below to understand the ins and outs of bridal shower invitation etiquette.

Bridal Shower Invite Wording Goals

No matter what type of shower you are throwing, the wording of your bridal or wedding shower invitation should accomplish the following goals:

• Tell the critical information. The bride and groom’s names, the date, time, and location of the event. If there’s a dress code, it’s best to let your guests know ahead of time.
• Set the tone for the shower. The invitation should convey if it’s a formal affair, casual gathering, or theme party.
• Include a link to an online registry. Or if it’s a theme shower, what type of gift the bride is wishing for.
• The host’s or hosts’ names.
• Include RSVP information (email or phone number). Plus, the date guests should RSVP to the shower by. For a virtual bridal shower, make sure to include the meeting links, or if it’s a surprise bridal shower, include the logistics of how the event will run.

Basic Template for Bridal Shower Invitation Wording

If you are writing out your own shower invitations, be sure to include all the information below. Once you’ve included all the basics, you can customize it to feel more authentic and use language tailored to the bride-to-be.

The Bride’s Name

The bride’s name should be front and center. Her name may appear high, low, or center, depending on the design—but it should be clearly legible. You can write out the bride’s first name only, or first and last name. (If it’s a formal affair, you may want to write Ms. Zoe Kavits, for example.) But that’s optional. As for the groom, only include his name if it’s a co-ed wedding shower.

Essential Information

This is the section where you’ll include all the logistical information the guests need to know. Include the date of the shower, the venue name, venue address, and the start time. To make it very clear, write out the day of the week, followed by the date, also written out. (For example, Saturday, September 10, 2019, from 12:00 p.m. to 3: 00 p.m.)

RSVP Section

The RSVP section is crucial for the host to get a proper headcount before the big day. Include the date guests should RSVP by and how exactly to RSVP. You can include a phone number, but email may be easier to track. Ask guests to text you for a more informal RSVP.

Alternatively, if you have a good idea of how many guests to expect, you can write “regrets only” to your phone number or email address instead.

Registry Information

Let guests know where they can purchase a gift off the registry. You can write out a link to her Zola wedding registry.

Theme Information

If your bridal shower party has a theme to it, pick a shower invitation that represents the theme (baking supplies for a cooking shower, or maracas for a fiesta, for example). Then make guests aware of any special requests (“Please include a recipe to give to the bride to be.”)

Host’s name

Who is hosting the shower? If there are multiple hosts, you can write out their first and last names, or first names only, depending on how much space you have.

What to Write On Your Bridal Shower Invites

Now that you know the basic components of what to include, you can get started writing out your bridal shower invite. Below are some examples of what a simple, formal, fun, themed, or co-ed couple’s shower invitation wording might look like.

Keeping It Simple

Please join us for a pre-wedding party in honor of Meghan Markle

The Mark Hotel 25 E. 77th Street, New York, NY
Monday, February 18, 2019 12:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.

Hosted by Serena Williams and Amal Clooney RSVP to [email protected] by February 1
Meghan is registered at Harrods

Formal Bridal Shower

Please join us for a bridal shower in honor of Ms. Ellie Goulding

Saturday, July 1 at 1 o’clock Castle Howard York

Hosted by the bridesmaids

Regrets only +44.666.8888

Ellie is registered at Crate and Barrel and Bloomingdales

Informal/Fun Bridal Shower

Brunch and bubbly! Join us for a bridal shower celebrating Zoe Kravits

or

Here comes the bride! Join us for a shower celebrating Katie

Saturday, September 10 at 11 a.m. Gjelina Restaurant | Back patio

Text 310.880.9974 to RSVP

zola.com/wedding/katieandtom2006/registry

Theme Bridal Shower

Stock the kitchen! Join us for a recipe & kitchen shower honoring Giada De Laurentis

Saturday, September 16, 2020 12 p.m. to 3 p.m. The Drummond Ranch 95 Farm Drive, Pawhuska, Oklahoma

Hosted by Ree Drummond RSVP to [email protected] by September 1

Please bring your favorite recipe for Giada on the enclosed recipe card

Co-ed Shower

Please join us for a couple’s shower honoring Meghan and Harry

or

Please join us for a wedding shower celebrating the lovely couple Harry and Meghan

Monday, February 18, 2018 at 6 o’clock in the evening

The Mark Hotel 25 E. 77th Street, New York, NY

Hosted by Kate and William RSVP to Kate by February 1 Text 949.657.8888 or email [email protected]

Meghan and Harry are registered on Zola zola.com/wedding/meghandharry2018/registry

Browse Zola’s Invites + Paper Designs for more ideas