baby shower invitation wording & etiquette

Planning a baby shower? So exciting! There are many different types of baby showers — including sprinkles, gender reveals, and sip and sees, just to name a few — and in this article, we’ll provide everything you need to know to create the perfect invitation for each one.

Before we get into the baby shower invitation wording ideas and sample designs for each style, there are a few basics you need to know.

  • Start by choosing a baby shower invitation design that reflects the mom-to-be’s style, the type of shower she and her family would like to have, and the theme of the event. Minted’s huge range of baby shower invitations all feature wording that perfectly complement their designs for you to simply tweak with the details of your event.
  • Invitations should be mailed out in the fifth month of pregnancy for a shower that takes place on the sixth or seventh month of pregnancy.

Okay — now you’re ready to dive into the details!


what to include


Anatomy of a Baby Shower Invitation
  1. Insert Card
    Accompany the invitation with an extra card with wishes for baby book requests, diaper raffle tickets, and more.
  2. Guest of Honor
    Honor the mom-to-be or both parents by listing their name(s) on the invitation.
  3. Registry
    Let guests know where the family is registered to take the guess work out of gifting.
  4. RSVP
    Provide the host’s contact information and a “respond by” date if your planning requires an exact guest list.

No matter what theme or style of shower you host, there are certain elements that should be included in baby shower invitation wording, like the mother’s name, baby shower time and date, address of the party, and RSVP info.


1

Guest of Honor

Traditionally, the mother-to-be is the guest of honor at the baby shower. That said, if you’re hosting a couples’ shower, then you should list both parents as the guests of honor. A few ways you can designate the guest of honor in your invitation wording are…

  • “For…”
  • “In honor of…”
  • “Honoring…”
  • “Celebrating…”
  • “[Parent’s name] and [Parent’s Name] are having a baby!”

2

Where and When

This is one of the most straight-forward portions of your invitation wording. It is always best to include the full address of your venue, as well as a start and end time of the event.


3

RSVP Details

There are a few ways the host can handle shower RSVPs, so clarity is key here. It is also wise to include an RSVP deadline for guests so you can plan catering, favors, and seating accordingly.

  • Text or Calling. If you’d like guests to contact you via phone, be sure to include your full name and phone number (including area code). The RSVP wording could look like “RSVP by texting Lily James at 111-222-3333.”
  • Email. Include the host’s full email, or you can create a unique baby-shower email that the host and parents-to-be have access to. If you’re going this route, RSVP wording could look like “RSVP by emailing Lily James at lilyjames@gmail.com.”
  • Mail. If you’d like your guests to mail back their RSVP forms, be sure to include an insert card with a pre-stamped and pre-addressed envelope in their invitation.

4

Dress Code

Baby showers were traditionally a pretty dressy affair (think women in their Sunday best), but these days, they can be much more casual. If you have a specific vision for your guests in mind, be sure to make the dress code clear with wording like “brunch best” or “garden party attire.” If you’re committing to a theme, you could also get guests involved with dress codes like “groovy 70s,” “safari chic,” or “swimsuits encouraged.”


5

Registry or Gift Wording

As you assemble the invitation, be sure to chat with the guests of honor about how they would like to handle their gifts. If they’ll be creating a registry, be sure to include where they are registered on the invitation by using wording like “Mom-to-be is registered at Target.” If they plan to use an online registry like those through Baby List, try to include the exact URL on the invitation — typically you’ll have room on the backside of the card.

That said, not all parents-to-be want a registry! For sprinkles, it is more common for parents to skip a full registry, as they’ll likely already have most of the things they’ll need to welcome their newest addition. If that is the case, you can encourage guests to bring diapers or make a donation in the baby’s name instead of providing registry information.


types of baby showers


1

Traditional Baby Shower

This get-together is held in honor of the mom-to-be and is typically organized and hosted by a close friend. Choose a classic blue, pink, or gender-neutral color scheme. You could also choose a fun coordinated theme for the invitations (like Safari, Woodland, Elephant, or Twinkle-Twinkle) and match them with your day-of decor. If you know the gender of the baby, you may wish to include this information on the invitation, so guests have the opportunity to purchase gender-specific gifts.

Traditional baby shower etiquette requires dressing nicely but not formally in accordance with the venue. You should bring a gift for the guest of honor and anything else the host asks for, such as photos of yourself or the mother-to-be as infants. A traditional baby shower guest list includes her mom, sister(s), aunts, and female friends and colleagues.

Prams, bears and baby

Prams, bears and baby by Sarah Knight

Wildflowers

Baby Shower Invitations

2birdstone

by 2birdstone

BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS

Baby Carraige

Baby Shower Invitations

Itsy Belle Studio

by Itsy Belle Studio

BUCKLEY, WASHINGTON

A Woodland Adventure

Baby Shower Invitations

Elly

by Elly

SINGAPORE, SINGAPORE

Gingham Rockinghorse

Baby Shower Invitations

Olivia Raufman

by Olivia Raufman

CARRBORO, NORTH CAROLINA


2

Couples Shower

This celebration honors both parents, so be sure to include both names on the invitation if you're going that route. Also, consider using "celebration" as opposed to "shower," 
and pick an invitation design that will appeal to a co-ed guest list. With the baby shower invite wording, make the language inclusive and highlight that the party is intended to prepare both mom and dad for a new baby.

Dress for a couples’ shower can be more casual than a traditional event but should match the venue. Invite the guest of honor’s close friends and relatives, making sure to include the ladies’ significant others in your baby shower invitation wording. Consider asking guests who are parents to bring their best parenting advice.

Storybook Geese by Everett Paper Goods

Storybook Geese by Everett Paper Goods

Tiny Human

Baby Shower Invitations

Corinne Malesic

by Corinne Malesic

PERTH, AUSTRALIA

Wild One

Baby Shower Invitations

JeAnna Casper

by JeAnna Casper

LOGAN, UTAH

big celebration, tiny addition

Baby Shower Invitations

Sara Hicks Malone

by Sara Hicks Malone

NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE

Woodland storybook

Baby Shower Invitations

Creo Study

by Creo Study

MUMBAI, INDIA


3

Gender Reveal

A gender reveal celebration is a special moment to share with friends and family. Have your sonographer write the baby’s gender on a notecard and seal the envelope before giving it to you; open the envelope together at the party to reveal the surprise in front of your guests. When selecting your baby shower invite wording, be sure to include that you’ll be learning the gender identity at the same time as your guests, which will add an extra layer of excitement to the event.

These events tend to be larger in scale and more casual than a traditional baby shower. Etiquette requires including the word “shower” somewhere in your baby shower invite wording if guests should bring gifts for the expectant parents. Themes for a gender reveal can vary, but it’s a fun idea to ask guests to dress in either pink or blue to indicate their guess.

Waddle

Baby Shower Invitations

Corinne Malesic

by Corinne Malesic

PERTH, AUSTRALIA

Rainbow Blocks

Baby Shower Invitations