Wedding shower invitations
04/05/09
A wedding shower, is a gift giving party where a bride is given gifts before her wedding. Popular in U.S. and Canada, the party is conducted by the bridesmaid and the gifts are household items for the couples new home. In earlier times when the father of the bride refused or could not pay dowry the brides friends were sent wedding shower invitations to gather gifts and from this the tradition the concept of a wedding shower grew. A wedding shower is also thrown to honor the start of a new household by the bride and to give gifts which support her in the same.
The hosting and invitation is done by the maid of honor. A wedding shower is not hosted by the maid of honor if she is a part of the bride's immediate family. Tradition followed is to organize the wedding shower around 4 to 6 weeks before the actual wedding takes place. Generally if a number of outstation guests are expected wedding shower invitations are sent for a time close to the wedding so they can attend as well. The brides maid or the couple if involved in the organizing decides the number of wedding shower invitations to be sent and which relatives need to be invited to a wedding shower.
Firstly to start invitations you require a guest list which can be arranged from the bride, but if it is a surprise the same should be arranged from the mother or fiance. Generally to avoid awkward situations it is preferred if the people called to the bridal shower are also called to the wedding. Around 4 weeks before the shower the wedding shower invitations should be sent so they are not too far in advance or too late.
Any special instructions are preferred with the invite such as the idea of a themed party. Directions to the shower and contact numbers are generally provided in the wedding shower invitation for an additional information which is required. All personal friends and relatives of the bride are sent wedding shower invitations.
Unless it is a couples shower where one invite per couple will suffice it is a custom to send one invite per person. If there is more than one wedding shower organized, avoid inviting the same person again who will be burdened with arranging another gift. The invites can be sent by the mail, over the phone or can be given in person as well.
Though a personal touch to invites such as hand written invites is considered charming, generally to avoid confusion and for the convenience of the host professional help is available for wedding shower invites. Once a professional is employed for invites to the wedding shower they are in charge of the whole process from designing, printing till the distribution.
It is imperative that a bride send "thank you" cards to all the guests who attended the bridal shower before the wedding. It should in the brides maiden name as before the wedding, stationary with the married name should not be used.
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