Baby Shower Invitation Wording & Etiquette You Should Know (2024)

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!”

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.

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.

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.”

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.

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.

Baby Stork by Jen Banks

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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.

Oh Boy! by Michelle Shanaman

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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.

Surprise by AK Graphics

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“Sip and See” is commonly a more low-key party held after the baby̦’s birth to introduce him or her to friends and family members. Sip and sees are also a great way to celebrate your little one if you were unable to have an in-person baby shower while you were expecting. Like an open house, guests can come and go, enjoy a beverage, and meet the new baby in a casual setting. If you have a large family and a big friend group, you may decide to have a couple smaller “welcome baby” parties instead of one large one. That is perfectly acceptable!

For this type of event, include in your baby shower invitation wording details about how the new parents would like to handle guests touching or holding their infant. This can offer guidance on hand-washing, mask-wearing, and other concerns. Invite anyone linked to the happy little family for this easy-going, unstructured shower.

Ice Ice Baby by Corie Page

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After their first child, some families prefer a "sprinkle" instead of a full-blown baby shower because diapers may be all they need!.Baby shower invitation wording for this kind of event usually indicates a more informal gathering and highlights a few items they may need “sprinkled” in to bolster their baby supply rather than a full registry. This gathering will be more about support and celebration and less about presents!

The etiquette for a baby shower for a second child is looser than for traditional events, allowing guests and parents to relax and enjoy the day. Invite close family and friends, including couples — unless the new mom wants to opt for a ladies’ only outing.

Baby Sprinkle by Susan Asbill

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When celebrating an adoption, the timing of the event will vary depending on the nature of the adoption and the comfort level of the parents-to-be. The family may prefer to have the shower before the baby arrives or after the baby is welcomed home. When crafting the adoption baby shower invitation wording, share the child’s exact age and size so guests have an idea of what types of clothing and toys to gift.

Adoption baby shower etiquette is all about the comfort of this new little family. For example, the baby shower invite wording should not include any form of “adoptive baby.” Instead, consider mentioning the country of origin the child has arrived from: “Please join us in welcoming baby Kai who traveled from the Democratic Republic of Congo to be in Mama Britney’s arms.”

We Adopted Love by Louise Kay

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Virtual showers have become popular during the age of COVID-19 and social distancing guidelines as a way to bring everyone together in a safe, inclusive way. Because these online parties are still somewhat new, it’s important your baby shower invite wording cues guests in on what to expect during the virtual event. Will games be played? Should a beverage be made ahead of time?

Lettering by Jen Owens

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An expanding family is a joyous thing! Etiquette for a baby shower for a second child leaves more room for personalizing than a traditional event. Consider making the party co-ed and family-friendly so that dads and other kids can participate. Mention on the invitation whether guests are expected to bring a baby shower gift. Etiquette does not require baby shower games, but they’ll help keep everyone engaged in a big party like this.

Other Considerations

What venue is appropriate?
Showers are often held at the host’s home, but a hotel banquet hall or a favorite restaurant of the parents-to-be are also good choices. For a virtual baby shower, consider digital backgrounds that reflect the mom-to-be’s personality or places she has traveled to. Unique venue choices include:

• A tea room for ladies only
• A local brewery or winery for couples
• A playground or park for family events
• A botanical garden

Who hosts?
Traditionally, showers are hosted by a close friend of the guest of honor, but it has become acceptable for family members to host.

Are there any special requests to include on the invite?
Including registry information or special gift requests like books or diapers helps avoid duplicate or unneeded gifts. However, you may decide to omit this and let guests enjoy finding a gift on their own.

Baby shower games keep guests engaged, but include instructions in your baby shower invite wording if you want attendees to bring photos, song names or parenting advice to contribute to the fun.