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Formal Bridal Shower Invitation. William Arthur.

Formal Bridal Shower Invitation. William Arthur at FineStationery.com.

I asked the experts at FineStationery.com what is commonly printed on the shower invitations ordered there, and this is what they said:

"There are invitations available for you to purchase blank and print on your home computer. However, most of our invitations come printed with whatever text you send us. There are lots of different ways to invite someone to a Bridal Shower. The most important thing to remember when selecting wording, is to have fun and let the wording set the tone for the party. For example, a casual party should use casual text on the invitation. While a formal shower will require a more refined selection. The most typical wording for a shower invitation is:

You are (cordially) invited to a bridal shower

honoring

Jane S. Friend

on Sunday, enter the date, at enter the time.

You can have fun with the wording as well."

DEAR RETRO HOUSEWIFE

Weddings

Bridal Party Invitations, 2007-08-05

Dear Retro Housewife,

What should I write down on greeting card for bridal party?

Hostess

RE: Bridal Party Invitations

Dear Hostess,
A bridal shower invitation must contain all the pertinent information for the guests to be able to decide whether they are able or wish to attend, RSVP to the hostess, arrive on time and at the proper location, purchase a gift, and have a reasonable idea of what the dress code will be. Anything beyond that is a matter of style and preference. So here are the "must include" items:

Who the shower is for. (the brides name)

Date and time of the event.

Location of the event. (If you are the hostess, it could be your home address, for example.)

Brief description of what you are planning, e.g. "An Evening Dinner", "Cocktails and Fun", "Rock Climbing and Meditation". A smart invitee will be able to surmise what she should wear based on this, and will not show up wearing 4 inch stilettos to your rock climbing shower.

Registry information - It is much less tacky for you as the hostess to identify where the bride has registered, so if she has registered, by all means put it down!

RSVP information. Do you as hostess wish to be surprised by how many guests arrive? If not, then include your contact information. That includes at a minimum, your name, address and phone number. Other available communication methods, such as your email address, IM handle, SMS address or website could also be included if you think this will make it easier on your guests to reply to you. On the fancier end, you could include a reply card for the invitee to mail back to you. If you choose this route, please pre-stamp the cards or envelopes. The cost should be minimal unless you are inviting hordes of people, in which case, if you can't afford stamps, you should rethink your guest list.

Special Circumstances: invitee may bring a guest of specified or unspecified gender, party is a surprise so please keep quiet, adult oriented entertainment scheduled, or whatever else is important enough for your guests to know in advance.

Examples of bridal shower invitations:

RH

Here is a nice description of the events at a bridal shower from December, 1950.

Miss Umberger Is Feted At Shower

Miss Roxanna Umberger, bride elect of January, was the inspiration Tuesday evening for a delightful bridal party and shower given by Mrs. R. Eugene Waugh and Miss Betty Brown at Mrs. Waugh's home on West Front street.

Upon arrival Miss Umberger was presented a corsage of white carnations. She was wearing a pretty green faille¹ frock. Games were in play in the living room and winners of prizes were Mrs. Henry Lackey, Mrs. David Jolly and Miss Helena Gryder. Their prizes were in turn given to the honoree.

A delightful refreshment course of ice cream, cake, mints, pickles and coffee carried out the bridal color note. The honoree was given crystal by Mrs. Waugh and linen by Miss Brown. She was showered with gifts from the dozen guests present.

¹ faille - A slightly ribbed, woven fabric of silk, cotton, or rayon.