Bridal Shower Invitations

When you are choosing your bridal shower invitations there is a huge range of themes and formats.

Inviations can be informal to very traditional. It can be something that you choose to flow with your wedding theme or something totally different, it is up to you.

Most people would assume that the easiest way to invite everyone would be to pick up the phone and make a few calls, the only problem there is that you would not get to speak to everyone at the one time, you may get answering machines, leave a message that gets lost or forgotten about and then you could end up playing phone tag with everyone as well.

Another idea which there is no cost involved is by email, this is certainly an affordable option, however you must take into consideration that not everyone is connected to the internet or if they are they do not check there emails often.

The best way and most traditional way is to post your invitatations.

If you are having a large formal shower you may wish to have them printed by the person who is doing your wedding invitations, or if you are having an informal party you may like to buy them from a stationery shop or even most larger deptarment stores carry inviations for everything these days, or you may even prefer to be creative and make something yourself.

The internet is another great source for invitations, where you can choose from a huge variety of styles and formats. If your budget permits, or if the bride’s family is contributing, having the invitations custom printed at a print shop is another option. Alternatively, you can purchase card stock, design the invitation and print it, all on your own computer.

Keep in mind the timeline for your party. If you have scheduled it two months prior to the wedding (six weeks at the very latest), and you allow a month’s advanced notice for the invitations, you really need to give yourself about six weeks to two months lead time in organizing the whole event.

Your should include the following informationin your inviations:

Name of the bride-to-be.
Date of the Shower.
Time of the Shower, e.g. 2 PM - 5 PM. (It is best to put both the beginning and end times on the invitation so that the guests can plan their day.)
Address where the shower is being held.
Name and phone number of the hostess/hostesses.
A deadline date for the RSVP. (This is usually about two weeks prior to the shower date.)
Bridal Shower theme. (If applicable).
Home decorating colors. (If applicable).
It is helpful to enclose a map of the shower location.

Schedule for a Bridal Shower at the Home of the Hostess

Hostess greets guests and offers drinks and appetizers. Some introductions are made.

When all the guests have arrived, the hostess has each guest introduce herself and explain her relationship to the bride-to-be.

Icebreakers: These can be shower games or other activities that help your guests interact.

Food is served. This can be appetizers, a buffet or a sit-down lunch, tea or dinner.

Toast to the bride-to-be.

The bride-to-be opens her gifts and then the gifts are passed around for the guests to admire.

The bride thanks the hostess for giving the shower and thanks the guests for celebrating with her.

Time for individual conversations.

Shower favors are given to guests. (If they have not been provided at a place setting.)

Hostess thanks the guests for coming - individually, if possible.

For Bridal Shower & Kitchen Tea Games please view the next page