How to Make a Formal Bridal Shower Invite
Even though a wedding shower is generally a less formal get-together than the actual wedding, some brides prefer formality nonetheless. If you are hosting this type of shower, creating a formal invitation conveys the right tone and style. It lets guests know that the shower is a more refined tea, luncheon or brunch -- rather than, for example, a risque lingerie hen party at a local tavern.
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Things You'll Need
- Guest lists
- Card stock and matching envelopes
- Insert cards (optional)
- Computer and graphic design program
- Printer
- Mailing lists
- Pens
Instructions
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Shower invitations may be saved as part of the wedding album. Determine the location and theme of the wedding shower. If you are hosting an afternoon tea at a local tea shop or country club, make sure that you’ve reserved the location. Find out how many people the venue can hold, as this will influence how many guests to invite and how much stationery you'll need.
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Select the card stock, along with matching envelopes -- and small insert cards, if desired. Get about a dozen extra, in case of printing errors or blotches on the envelope. Although ivory or white reflects formality, a pastel card stock with black ink is also acceptable, if it reflects the wedding colors.
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Review the guest list with the bride. If she's having more than one shower, you don't want to invite the same guests. Input the guest list into your computer -- in a spreadsheet or simple word processing program. Create a checklist with column headings that include name, telephone number, invitation sent, RSVP information and gift description.
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Design the invitation on the computer. Since this is a formal invitation, select a cursive font for the text. Adding a subtle silver or gold border, or small picture in the bride’s colors, will not detract from the formality -- if you'd like to add such elements. Make sure the typeface is legible and that the wording is simple and easy to understand.
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Center the text, and avoid punctuation by using line breaks instead. For example:
"Paula and Carolyn cordially invite you to a bridal luncheon
in honor of Debra Smith on Saturday the 25th of November
at 2 p.m. at Acacia Country Club in Beechwood Village.
Please RSVP with your phone number and time to call." -
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Indicate proper attire by describing it as "dressy-dressy" or "dressy-casual" near the bottom, if desired. Adding this may not be necessary, if your design adequately conveys formality, but it helps avoid any misunderstandings. On the insert, list where the bride is registered or hand-write this information at the bottom of the invitation.
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Print out a copy to make sure all the spacing is correct and legible. Adjust the design, if needed, before printing multiple copies. Once you are happy with the invitation, print out the rest.
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Address all envelopes by hand, and make certain that you use the proper formal form of address. Use a title -- such as Dr., Rev., Senator or Honorable -- for those who have them; Mrs. for married women; Ms. or Miss for single women; and their formal first and last names. While some invitations use printed labels on the envelopes, a hand-written envelope conveys the personal touch as well as the formality of the event. Of course, if you have awful handwriting, printing labels in a legible cursive script is advised. Because this is a wedding shower and not the wedding, the traditional second envelope inserted inside the outer envelope is not needed.
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Send invitations four to six weeks before the shower, so the guests have plenty of time to plan, respond and purchase their gifts.
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Tips & Warnings
To save time, check out the formal wedding and shower invitations kits that are available at online and retail establishments. They offer all the components needed. All you have to do is add the text and address.
References
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