A bridal shower invitation has an awkward job: it is hosted by someone other than the guest of honour, usually asks for gifts, and often needs to explain a theme — all without sounding like an invoice.
The shower is for the bride. The invitation is for the guests.
Everything below is written to be copied and edited. Replace anything in [SQUARE BRACKETS] and delete whatever does not apply to your shower.
What belongs on a bridal shower invitation
- Who it honours — the bride’s name, usually first name only among friends, full name for a wider guest list
- Who is hosting — this matters more than people expect. Guests want to know whether to thank the maid of honour or the bride’s mother
- Date, start time, and venue — with an end time if it is a brunch or tea, so guests can plan their day
- RSVP date and method — two weeks before is the usual minimum
- Registry or gift guidance — see the wording below, because this is the part people agonise over
- Theme or dress code, if there is one
Formal bridal shower wording
Use this register when the guest list spans generations, or when the shower is being held at a restaurant or club rather than someone’s home.
You are invited to a bridal shower
in honour of
[BRIDE’S FULL NAME]
Saturday, the fourteenth of April
at eleven o’clock in the morning
The Magnolia Room, [ADDRESS]
Hosted by [HOST NAMES]
Kindly reply by [RSVP DATE]
A slightly warmer formal version
Please join us for a luncheon
celebrating [BRIDE] before her wedding day.
[DAY], [DATE] · [TIME]
[VENUE], [ADDRESS]
Given with love by [HOST NAMES].
RSVP to [CONTACT] by [RSVP DATE].
Warm and relaxed wording
This is the register most showers actually want — friendly, clear, and not stiff.
Before she says “I do,” let’s celebrate [BRIDE]!
Join us for an afternoon of food, drinks, and good company.
[DAY], [DATE] at [TIME]
[VENUE]
RSVP by [RSVP DATE].
[BRIDE] is getting married — and we’re throwing her a shower.
Brunch, mimosas, and far too many photos.
[DAY], [DATE] · 11am–2pm
[VENUE]
Let [HOST] know by [RSVP DATE].
Casual and modern
She’s getting married! 💐
Bridal shower for [BRIDE]
[DAY], [DATE] · [TIME]
[VENUE]
Bring a recipe card if you like. RSVP by [RSVP DATE].
Theme-specific wording
Kitchen tea / stock the kitchen
[BRIDE] is trading her takeaway menus for a proper kitchen.
Join us for a kitchen tea — bring a favourite recipe and, if you like,
something small for the kitchen.
[DAY], [DATE] at [TIME] · [VENUE]
Garden party
A garden shower for [BRIDE]
[DAY], [DATE] · [TIME]
[VENUE]
Florals encouraged. Hats optional but admired.
RSVP by [RSVP DATE].
Co-ed shower (sometimes called a “Jack and Jill”)
Co-ed showers need wording that makes clear everyone is invited — otherwise partners assume the invitation is for one person.
[BRIDE] & [PARTNER] are getting married,
and we’re celebrating both of them.
A co-ed shower — everyone welcome.
[DAY], [DATE] · [TIME] · [VENUE]
Food, drinks, and a very competitive game or two. RSVP by [RSVP DATE].
How to word the registry line
The etiquette rule people half-remember is that you never put registry details on a wedding invitation. A shower invitation is the exception — the whole event is built around gifts, and guests genuinely want the information.
Any of these work:
- “[BRIDE] and [PARTNER] are registered at [STORE] and [STORE].”
- “Registry details on the RSVP page.”
- “In lieu of a gift, we’re collecting recipes and advice for the couple — bring a card.”
If the couple genuinely wants nothing, say so plainly and give guests something else to do, or they will bring gifts anyway:
No gifts, please — [BRIDE] means it.
Bring a handwritten recipe instead, and we’ll bind them into a book.
The host question
Traditionally the shower was hosted by someone outside the immediate family, on the logic that family should not be soliciting gifts on their own behalf. That convention has largely relaxed — mothers and sisters host showers all the time now — but the invitation should still name the host clearly, because guests use it to work out who to reply to and who to thank.
When several people host together, list them all: “Given with love by [NAME], [NAME], and [NAME].”
Timing
Showers are usually held two to eight weeks before the wedding. Send invitations four to six weeks ahead — earlier if guests are travelling or if it falls near a holiday. Set the RSVP date two weeks before the shower so the host can give the venue a number.
Ready-made designs
If you want the wording above on something that looks the part, our bridal shower invitation templates pair each design with a colour palette you can carry into the decorations. Every one is free to send to up to 10 guests.
Related reading: wedding invitation wording, baby shower wording, and how to send digital invitations.