How to Design Baby Shower Invitations

As you are getting ready to welcome a little one into the world, a baby shower is a time-honored way to celebrate with those close to you. Whether you’re planning a small get together with loved ones or a big gender reveal celebration, personalized invitations are about creating a personal, touchable keepsake that your friends and family can treasure for a lifetime and that you can look back on when you flip through the pages of your baby photo book. To make the process easier for you, we’ve put together a step-by-step guide on how to design the perfect custom baby shower invitations, from what to consider when picking your baby shower theme to proper etiquette for sending out a save the date. Keep reading for our guide to designing the perfect baby shower invitations and some invitation inspiration to help you get started.

Step 1: Pick your shower theme

When planning for a baby shower, your first order of business should be to pick a theme. Whether you want a classy and relaxed get together or a festive “baby-Q”, figuring out your theme is crucial for planning the rest of your baby shower (including your perfect shower invitations). To help get your creative juices flowing, check out our list of baby shower themes for every type of shower.

multiple shower invites on a string

In addition to providing custom baby shower invitations for all types of showers, such as gender reveal baby showers and twins baby showers, we also offer a variety of themes, including winter and holiday baby shower invitations, fall and Halloween baby shower invitations, and anything from cute floral designs to colorful animal designs to fun car and plane designs!

Step 2: Decide if you want the shower to be a gender reveal

When deciding on a theme, you should also consider whether or not you want the shower to be a gender reveal. Start by asking yourself whether you want the party to have a theme that reflects the gender, if you would rather leave it a surprise with a gender-neutral theme, or if you want the theme to be a reveal. Popular gender reveal methods include cake-cutting, balloon-popping, or onesie reveals. If you decide to have a gender reveal party, pick a gender reveal invite to get your guests excited for the big reveal.

Step 3: Custom your invite with a photo

Next, you should decide if you want to use a custom photo on your invitation. Popular photo choices include a photo of the parents, a pregnancy announcement, or the baby’s ultrasound, but the choice is up to you.

Step 4: Decide the wording of your invite

Wording your invitation can be a small but daunting detail to worry about when planning your baby shower. You should take into account factors like gender, whether you plan to have a reveal, and the theme of the party. To make planning a bit easier for you, check out these baby shower invitation wording ideas for every type of party.

Step 5: Let guests know if you have a baby registry

It’s important to let guests know whether you are registered for certain stores to make gift-giving a bit easier (and more useful) for both parties. Alternatively, if you decide to forego baby shower gifts, you should clarify this on your invitation to avoid confusion on the day of the event.

If you want to register for custom gifts, try designing personalized products on the Shutterfly website ahead of time to share with people who book that item on your registry—that way, you know exactly what you’re getting and your guests can relax knowing they purchased the perfect gift.

Step 6: Address your invitations and send them out

Once you’ve finished putting together the invitations, it’s time to send them to your guests! You’ll want to send the invitations four to six weeks before the baby shower. This gives guests enough time to plan for attending the shower, and enough time for you to perfectly plan the event.

Be sure to keep track of RSVPs for the event so you can plan for things like catering and gift bags for the guests. Planning these details can definitely be a challenge, so don’t hesitate to reach out to friends or family of the mom-to-be for some much-needed assistance with this step!

Baby Shower Invitation Ideas

Ready to start designing your baby shower invitations? To make things easier for you, we’ve put together some of our favorite save-the-dates for all types of showers.

baby shower cards on display

Shower your baby with love with a heart-themed invite

Looking for a baby shower invite that’s sweet, trendy, and simple? Try a heart-themed invitation to show your loved ones how excited you are to welcome your new baby into the world.

Try a cute twin-themed invite for a shower that is twice as nice

If you’re seeing double, why not have a personalized card sharing the exciting news with your friends and family? Share your excitement for double the fun with a twin-themed invite.

For a fun plant-based theme, try floral baby shower invitations

For a whimsical feel, try a floral baby shower invitation that will make your guests feel like they are in wonderland.

Go with an animal-themed invite for a card your guests will adore

Planning the perfect outdoor shower for your guests? Try an animal themed-invite to celebrate your little one joining the herd.

Try a textured shower invite for an extra-fancy touch

custom baby shower invitationsTo make your card truly stand out, opt for a textured baby shower invite for an extra detail your guests will surely love.

Get your guests excited for the celebration with a gender reveal invite

Gender reveals parties are becoming increasingly popular—and for good reason. Your guests will be delighted to celebrate the arrival of your baby boy or girl when they receive a cute, trendy gender-reveal invite.

Try a customized baby shower invite with personalized photos

For a fully customized invite, opt for a photo gallery invite, complete with pictures of the expecting parents or baby’s ultrasound.

For a simple and elegant feel, try a personalized foil invitation

For an understated but classy invitation, try a personalized foil invitation that will delight your guests and get them excited for the big day.

Get your guests excited with an invite that truly sparkles

Pick a shower invite with sparkle and shine for a classy and elegant feel that your guests will adore.

Have a baby girl on the way? Try a baby girl-themed shower invite

Celebrate the arrival of your little one with a baby shower invitation for girls that will have your guests tickled pink!

Welcome your little man into the world with baby-boy themed save the dates

Having a baby boy? Celebrate his arrival with a sweet baby boy-themed shower invite that is perfect for all types of baby showers for boys.

framed baby photo on table

Wrapping Up

Baby showers are such a special time for expecting parents and their loved ones. Planning the perfect baby shower requires being on top of your game from start to finish, but the payoff for this special event is more than worth it. Once the event is over, be sure to write baby shower thank you cards for your guests letting them know how much you appreciate them coming to celebrate your new baby. Try getting a head start on thank you cards now to save time as your due date is approaching, so you can focus on getting ready to welcome your new baby into the world.

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