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Baby Shower Invitation Wording and When to Send Invites

What to include in a baby shower invitation, ready-to-use wording for different styles of party, and when to send invites and collect RSVPs.

Before you use this guide: This is general educational information, not an individual medical assessment. We do not identify a clinician reviewer on this page, so please confirm personal health decisions with your doctor, midwife or paediatrician.

An invitation sets the tone for the party and answers the questions guests will ask. It does not need to be long. It just needs the right details, said warmly.

What to include

• Who the shower is for, and who is hosting.
• The date, start time and, if you can, an end time.
• The full address, and notes on parking or step-free access if relevant.
• How and by when to RSVP, with a phone number, an email or a link.
• A registry or gift idea, if there is one, or a note on what the parents would love, such as nappies or books.
• Anything about the theme or the dress code.
• A line asking about dietary needs and allergies.
• Whether partners, children or plus-ones are welcome.

Classic wording

• Join us for a baby shower in honour of Sophie. Saturday 14 March, 2 pm, at 12 Rose Lane. Afternoon tea will be served. Please RSVP to Emma by 28 February.
• Please join us to celebrate the upcoming arrival of Baby Patel. Light lunch and games. RSVP by 1 June.

Casual and friendly

• Baby on the way! Come and shower Aisha with love, cake and bubbly (alcohol-free for the mum-to-be). Sunday 3 pm, my place. Let me know if you can make it!
• We're having a baby shower for Maria and Tom. Food, fun and good company. Please RSVP by 10 May.

Co-ed or couples shower

• Ben and Chloe are having a baby, and everyone's invited! Join us for a barbecue and games in the garden. Partners and friends welcome.
• Come and celebrate with the parents-to-be at a baby-themed barbecue. Bring your appetite and your best baby-name suggestions!

Registry and gift wording

It is fine to mention gifts, as long as the wording is gentle. Many hosts put registry details on a separate small card or in a link rather than on the main invitation.

• The parents-to-be have a registry at the link below. Your presence is the best gift of all.
• In lieu of cards, please bring a favourite children's book for the baby's library.
• Help us stock the nursery: a pack of nappies (diapers) in any size would be wonderful.

Virtual shower wording

• Join us online to shower Priya with love! Sunday at 4 pm (GMT), link below. We will play a few games and share wishes for the baby. Please send your gift to the address on the registry.

When to send invitations

• Four to six weeks before for a local party.
• Six to eight weeks before if guests have to travel or plan time off.
• Send a reminder about one week before the RSVP date.
• Ask for RSVPs about one to two weeks before the shower so that you can confirm numbers for the food.

Paper or digital?

Digital invitations by email, message or an event page are quick, free and easy to update. Paper invitations feel special and suit a formal tea or a grandparent-hosted party. Many hosts send both: a paper invitation for close family and a link for everyone else.

A surprise shower

If the shower is a surprise, tell guests clearly to keep it secret and ask them to arrive 20 to 30 minutes before the guest of honour. Make sure the parents-to-be would enjoy a surprise. Some people find them stressful during pregnancy, and it is kinder to check with their partner first.

This content is for general information only and is not medical advice. Every pregnancy and every baby is different. Always talk to your doctor, midwife or paediatrician about your own situation, and seek urgent care if you are worried.