The last thing you want to do when hosting something as special as a bridal shower for a close friend or family member is to forget something important on the bridal shower invitations. Here’s a checklist to help you remember all the important details plus a proofing checklist to make sure all those details are correct. Keep this info on hand and you’ll be sending those invites in no time with 100% confidence!

Checklist for Bridal Shower Invitation Wording

Invitation Wording Checklist

The Invitational Line
The invitational line refers to the line on any invitation that invites guests to your celebration. Typically, this line is listed at the top or at least within the first few lines of your invitation wording.

Event
For this invitation, we’re talking about a bridal shower. This is also where you would state a bridal shower theme such as a Kitchen Bridal Shower or Bridal Tea Party.

Guest of Honor
List the bride’s first and last name. Middle names are not necessary for bridal shower invitations unless you prefer more formal invitation wording. (Note: The groom’s name is optional. It’s slightly more formal than we often see on today’s bridal shower invitations but not uncommon. You may decide to add the groom’s name out of formality or if any of the guests are unfamiliar with the groom.

Event Date
We suggest always listing the numerical date as well as the day of the week to help solidify the date in the guest’s mind. For example: Saturday, May 4 vs. May 4. A year isn’t necessary unless you prefer a more formal wording style.

Event Location and Address
List the name of the location as well as the full address with zip code. Out of town guests will appreciate having the zip code on the invitation for navigation purposes.

Event Time
You would be surprised how often the time is forgotten on bridal shower invitations, especially if the time is already alluded to in the invitation wording such as a brunch or luncheon. List a specific start time and consider listing an end time if there are other festivities happening that day (bachelorette party, for instance).

Special Instructions
Special instructions are often needed for themed showers and can be placed wherever it makes most sense with your invitation wording. For example, if you’re hosting an around-the-clock bridal shower you will want to add a line explaining the goal of the shower.

RSVP Date
One week before the shower is usually sufficient unless catering is involved. If the event is catered, you will want to check with the caterer as to when they need a guest count. Be sure set your RSVP date a few days before the caterer’s date so you can text or call any guests who have not responded (it will happen).

RSVP Contact Information
You may ask guests to respond via email, phone call or text. Many hostesses are choosing to give guests all three options. See the example above for wording your response contact information.

Registry Information
Etiquette states that bridal shower registry information may be given with the invitation but not on the invitation itself. This rule is not always followed today but if you’re aiming for a more formal bridal shower, do not put the registry information on the invitation. Insert a separate information card with registry info. You can have information cards professionally printed or you can print your own. We also offer two-sided bridal shower invitations designed to accommodate registry information on the back rather than as a part of the invitation wording.

Hostess Line
This is typically the last line on the invitation. You may list one hostess or multiple, and you may choose to display just names or the phrase “hosted by” and name(s).

Proofing Checklist

Grammar + Punctuation
Have a friend check grammar and punctuation even if you’re confident in your skills. You never know what might slip through.

General Spelling
Consider typing your wording in a Word document to help with checking general spelling (and grammar) mistakes. ALWAYS triple-check the spelling of any names!

Readability
Make sure the fonts you’ve chosen are easy to read and that your wording isn’t too small or too large.

Check the Following Details

  • Day and Date – these two don’t always match up. Make sure you double-check that the date you’ve listed actually falls on the day you’ve listed.
  • Time – If you told a few guests you were planning an 11 a.m. brunch, make sure the bridal shower invitations say 11 a.m.
  • Address – The address is what will get guests to the bridal shower. Make sure all details are correct, AND take that extra step to test the address in Google Maps and Map Quest. There is nothing more frustrating than being led to the wrong location using the exact address given on an invitation.
  • RSVP Date – make sure this date gives you the amount of time you need to prepare/reserve food and decorations for the bridal shower.
  • Contact Information – Check for any typos in phone numbers and email addresses. It’s easy to mistype a number and not realize it until you’re not receiving any replies and you just can’t figure out why.

Want more information about hosting a successful bridal shower? Check out our blog post on Bridal Shower Basics.