Baby Shower Invitations: Wording and What to Include

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When you're hosting a baby shower, creating the invitations is an important step. They will help set the tone for your event—cute or elegant, funny or formal, classic or contemporary—and ensure your guests get all the information they need. We’ve got tips on how to go about sending your baby shower invitations, what details to include, as well as 20 wording ideas.

How to Send Your Baby Shower Invitations

If you haven’t decided whether to send your invites the traditional way, printed and mailed or hand delivered, or the modern way, sent out electronically, read on to find out what your options are.

Paper Baby Shower Invitations

Paper baby shower invitations can give the shower an extra-special touch. Here are some different options when it comes to printed baby shower invitations:

• Pre-printed invitation cards are an easy solution, and there is usually a range of templates and designs to select from at your local greeting card or party store. These cards are often relatively generic, which works if you don’t have a very specific theme, although you may get lucky and find a pre-printed card that also matches the special theme you’re going with.

• Handmade invitations add a personal touch and let you get your creative juices flowing. Buy some card stock, along with markers, colored pencils, or even acrylic or watercolor paints, and come up with your own design. You may even like to have a little get-together with friends who are helping you organize the shower where each of you pitches in to create the cards. If you have a friend with calligraphy skills, now’s the time to utilize her. If you have craft accessories like glitter already at home, this could be useful now. Handmade invitations that resemble toddler artwork (perhaps by incorporating a little finger paint) could also be a cute approach!

• Custom-printed baby shower invitations allow you to create the invite to exactly your specifications. If the baby shower you’re hosting will have a special theme, the invite can be designed to reflect it. You can either design it yourself, ask an artistic friend to help, or work with a graphic designer to get the result you’re after. There are even online tools that can help you create a professional-looking invite that you can adjust to your needs. Once it’s ready, take the file to a professional printer who can give it a beautiful finish. If the baby shower will have a jungle, princess, or stroller theme, it’s your lucky day!

Then, for an extra-special flourish, get unique envelopes and stamps, or hand-deliver them. Remember to send the invitations about six weeks in advance, and give out-of-town guests even more notice so they can make travel plans. Follow up the invitation with a phone call to make sure all of your guests have received their invite. As the RSVPs roll in, create a list so you can track who’s coming.

Electronic Baby Shower Invitations

Some hosts choose electronic invitations because they’re quick, and they also make it easier to track RSVPs. They’re a good approach for an informal baby shower among the mom-to-be’s closest friends. Here are some different ways you can send electronic baby shower invitations:

• Use a greeting card or e-invite service to send out your invites to your mailing list of guests. These sites usually let you design the invitation from scratch or let you choose from their selection of professionally created designs, and you can also add the wording of your choice. Many of these invitation sites make it super easy to track RSVPs because the guest simply clicks on a link to respond, and the site automatically generates a list of attendees for you.

• Go with email. It’s a practical alternative to snail mail if your guests live in other states or overseas, or if you’d like to make sure your guests get the invite sooner rather than later. You can either create an invitation that you attach to the email in the form of an image, or simply write the details in the email itself.

• Create a social media event to invite a group of guests, track RSVPs, and add event updates all in the one spot. A social media event is also great because guests can ask questions easily and coordinate things more easily between the other attendees. For example, guests may want to pitch in to buy a bigger gift together, or they may want to talk about what the other guests are bringing if it’s a potluck so that there are no overlaps. If you’d like your guests to dress in a way that fits in with the shower theme or bring something specific for one of the baby shower games, then a social media event is a great place for them to ask questions and see all the other responses too. Just keep in mind that not everyone is on social media, and that you should set the event to "private" to avoid any misunderstandings. Read up on baby shower etiquette for more information on who to invite.

General Tips for Baby Shower Invitation Wording

• Language clarifying that the event is a baby shower (many invitations include a baby shower quote and visuals of a baby or baby gear)

• Who the shower is for (the name of the mom-to-be or the parents-to-be)

• Who is hosting the shower, so guests know who to reach out to for information

• The date of the shower as well as the start and end times

• Address (send a map or directions on a separate sheet, or add a link to Google maps)

• How guests can pass along any dietary requirements

• Details of the gift registry, or gift suggestions if there is no registry

• RSVP contact details, and when you would like RSVPs by

You could also add the following details:

• The baby shower theme (if there is one)

• Gender and name of the baby (if known and with the permission of the parents-to-be)

• What refreshments will be served, so your guests know whether to expect a full meal or just some light snacks

• Dress code (especially if you would like your guests to dress to reflect the theme in some way, of if you would like the shower to have a particular feel to it like informal and relaxed, or elegant and formal)

• Anything special guests should bring (e.g., one of the shower games might call for guests to bring a baby picture of themselves)

• Whether significant others and children are invited.

Baby Shower Invitation Template

Your text doesn’t have to be complex. You can use this baby shower invitation template as a basis for your invite: A baby [boy] [girl] is on the way; please help us prepare for the very special day! Join us for [mom-to-be’s name] baby shower on [date] from [start time] to [end time]. [Address] Hosted by [host’s name]. [Insert refreshment type, e.g., A light lunch] will be served. Casual attire. [Add anything special you would like guests to do. For example: Please add a touch of baby pink or baby blue to your outfit.] Details of the baby shower gift registry can be found at [insert details of the gift registry]. To make the day even more special and fun, please bring [add anything you need the guests to bring; e.g., a childhood photo of themselves] as we’ll need it for one of the baby shower games we’ll be playing. RSVP by [date] to [host’s contact details]. Please let me know when you RSVP if you have any special dietary requirements.

20 Baby Shower Invitation Wording Examples

Although a lot of what goes on the baby shower invitation simply conveys the details of the event, there are some playful little phrases you can add to make sure your invite stands out. Below you’ll find 20 sample ideas of what you can add to the top of your baby shower invitation.

Baby Boy Shower Invitation Wording Examples

1. Oh boy! Help us shower [mom-to-be’s name] with gifts for her little man!

2. A noble little prince is on his merry way! Let’s gather to honor [mom-to-be’s name] ahead of the special day.

3. Join us in celebrating [mom-to-be’s name]’s brand new baby boy by showering her with love and everything baby blue!

4. A baby boy is about to join the [family last name] crew! You’re invited to celebrate the newest team member.

5. Snips and snails, and puppy dogs' tails. [Mom-to-be’s name] is pleased to celebrate the arrival of her new little guy!

6. Roses are red, violets are blue; we’re ready to shower [Mom-to-be’s name]’s baby boy in love, how about you?

Baby Girl Shower Invitation Wording Examples

1. Tickle her pink, the [family last name] family is happy to announce it’s going to be a girl.

2. A precious princess is about to make her grand entry! Join in the showering before she arrives.

3. Join us in showering [mom-to-be’s name] with love as she awaits the birth of her darling daughter.

4. A little lady is on the way! Come shower her with gifts ahead of the big day!

5. Girls are made of sugar and spice! Let’s shower [mom-to-be’s name] and her baby girl with everything that’s nice!

6. Please join in showering [mom-to-be’s name] like a queen to honor the upcoming birth of her little princess.

Gender Neutral Shower Invitation Wording Examples

1. There’s a new baby in the works. Come celebrate at the construction site!

2. A special little voyager is on the way. Whether it’s a boy or girl, Mom deserves to be showered ahead of her amazing journey.

3. Let’s celebrate: A new limb is growing on the [family last name] family tree.

4. It takes a village to raise a little one. Join us to help [mom-to-be’s name] get ready for her new little villager.

Gender Reveal Shower Invitation Wording Examples

1. Bows or bow-ties, which will it be? Either way, come and celebrate and find out whether it will be a new little lady or gentleman.

2. Little boy or little girl? It’ll be a surprise for us, too! Celebrating the newest addition to the [family last name] family and find out which will it be.

3. We’ve got a special bun in the oven. Join in the showering and find out what’s baking!

4. Blue or pink, which do you vote for? Cast your ballot at the baby shower and find out if you’ll win!

Baby Sprinkle Invitation Wording Examples

A baby sprinkle is a smaller celebration for parents who already have a child and are welcoming another baby. Because the parents often already have many baby essentials, these events are typically more casual and focused on celebrating the growing family.

Invitation wording for a baby sprinkle is often playful and lighthearted. Here are a few examples you might include at the top of the invitation:

1. Less of a shower, more of a sprinkle! Join us in celebrating [Name] and baby number two.

2. Twinkle, twinkle, little star—another baby is not too far! Join us for a baby sprinkle honoring [Name].

3. Our family tree is growing again! Help us sprinkle [Name] with love before the newest branch arrives.

Couples or Co-Ed Baby Shower Invitation Wording

While baby showers were once traditionally attended mostly by women, many modern celebrations include friends and family of all genders. A co-ed baby shower, sometimes called a couples shower, focuses on celebrating both parents-to-be together.

If you’re planning a couples shower, it can be helpful to reflect that in the invitation wording so guests know what to expect.

For example:

1. A baby is brewing! Join us for a couples’ baby shower celebrating [Parent 1] and [Parent 2].

2. Food, fun, and baby games! Celebrate the parents-to-be with us at their baby shower.

3. Join us for a co-ed baby shower honoring [Names] as they get ready to welcome their little one.

Virtual Baby Shower Invitation Wording

When guests live in different cities—or even different countries—a virtual baby shower can make it possible for everyone to celebrate together. Online gatherings became especially popular in recent years and continue to be a great option for long-distance friends and family.

When sending a virtual baby shower invitation, it’s helpful to include clear instructions about how to join the event.

For example:

1. Shower [Name] from afar! Join us online for a virtual baby shower celebration.

2. Grab your favorite drink and celebrate with us on Zoom as we honor [Name] and the baby.

3. Distance can’t stop the celebration! Join our virtual baby shower and help welcome the little one.

Be sure to include the video meeting link, start time, and any details about online games or activities planned for the event.

Surprise Baby Shower Invitation Wording

Planning a surprise baby shower can be a fun way to celebrate the parent-to-be. When sending invitations, make sure guests understand that the event is a secret so the surprise isn’t spoiled.

You might include wording such as:

1. Shhh…It’s a surprise! Join us for a secret baby shower honoring [Name].

2. Don’t spill the beans! Help us surprise [Name] with a baby shower celebration.

3. It’s a secret, and we need your help to keep it that way! Join us for a surprise shower for [Name].

In addition to the usual event details, you may want to include instructions about arriving early or parking discreetly so the guest of honor doesn’t find out ahead of time.

Creative Requests to Include In Your Invitation

In addition to the usual event details, some hosts might include a small request to make the shower more meaningful or interactive.

One popular idea is to ask guests to bring a book instead of a greeting card so the baby can start building a library from day one. A short note on the invitation might read: “Instead of a card, please bring a favorite children’s book and write a message inside.”

Another fun option is a diaper raffle, where guests who bring a pack of diapers are entered into a small prize drawing.

You could also include a theme-related request, such as asking guests to wear pink or blue for a gender reveal shower, or encouraging everyone to dress according to the party theme.

Small touches like these can make the invitation feel more personal and help build excitement for the celebration.

The Bottom Line

Sending out baby shower invites is an important part of organizing a baby shower. It helps set the tone and ensures that all of the mom-to-be’s loved ones have all the information they need. As the host, it can be really exciting planning a baby shower and creating the invitation is just part of the fun. For more guidance on planning a baby shower, check out this helpful baby shower checklist and our comprehensive guide on planning the perfect party, full of creative baby shower ideas.