Whether you are the mother of the bride, sister or best friend, you know that, except for the wedding, the bridal shower is the big event. The shower sets the tone for the big day. Handled properly, it is a time of friendship, bonding and provides a break from wedding planning stress. So, here are a few thoughts on setting the tone with the bridal shower invitations.
Invitation Style
The shower is for the bride. You are planning and facilitating the event for the bride, but it should always be about the bride. It may seem like one of the least important aspects of planning, but style of invitation you select will set the tone for the event.
The first thing to do is to understand the bride’s tastes and wishes. If she has expressed her feelings about a theme for the shower, you will have a clear guide. On occasion, you may have to rely on your own personal experience and relationship with the bride, or on a family member or close friend. However you go about it, make sure that you clearly understand the type of event that would most fitting and comfortable to the bride’s tastes.
Bridal shower invitations come in many styles. Thoughtful, humorous, tender, romantic, fun…the diversity of possibilities is endless but the variety will help you in tailoring the invitation to suit the bride’s tastes and personality.
A number of online sources, as well as, local and national retailers will provide you with samples and templates to work from. You and your special assistant in charge of invitations (make sure you have one) will want to take the time to get the invitation right.
Get It In Advance
Perhaps the most important thing, after selecting and ordering the right invitation is to receive the full guest list. Review it before you ever send the invitations off to the post office. This is critical.
Rule number one is never to invite someone to the bridal shower who is not also invited to the wedding. Don’t laugh…it happens…and it’s not pretty when it does.
Consult with the wedding planner in charge of invitations to make sure that every name on your shower list is also on the wedding list. A mistake here can cause unnecessary anxiety and even drama on the day of the shower. You’ve been forewarned.
Next, check for out of state attendees. If friends are coming long distances, it is appropriate to send invitations out two months in advance, and sometimes longer if the distances are great.
It goes without saying that all invitations, regardless of distances to be traveled, should be sent well in advance of the event, several weeks at a minimum, to allow guests to RSVP and prepare for the day.
Have a Budget
Be aware of costs and funds allocated for bridal shower invitations. Again, knowing the bride’s desired theme will help in keeping things under control budget-wise.
Invitations come in as many price categories as there are styles. Depending on the overall tone and scale of the wedding, you will be able to select from inexpensive boxed invitations available at retailers to pricey deluxe printed and embossed styles, and an abundance of price ranges in between.
As the host, you certainly will be busy the day of the bridal shower. Worrying about invitations when the day arrives will be the last thing on your mind, and a little thought will go a long ways towards making the day a success so that you are relaxed and ready share in the joy and friendship of the day.
