How do you word a bridal shower invitation that’s held after the wedding?
cinged_wings asked:
I’m hosting a bridal shower for step daughter. I’m not sure how to word the invitation. Her wedding was in March. Her husband was deployed to Iraq two days after the wedding. Because of his pending deployment we didn’t have time for showers or a big wedding. He will be home in January and we would like to have the shower before they truly begin their new life together. Any help with etiqutte would be greatly appreciated.
I’m hosting a bridal shower for step daughter. I’m not sure how to word the invitation. Her wedding was in March. Her husband was deployed to Iraq two days after the wedding. Because of his pending deployment we didn’t have time for showers or a big wedding. He will be home in January and we would like to have the shower before they truly begin their new life together. Any help with etiqutte would be greatly appreciated.
According to the etiquette books, showers are done before the wedding, and not appropriate afterward. Did they have a reception with all of their friends and family? If not you can have a ‘celebration’ or even reception, or a ‘housewarming party’
The invite should read “Your son in law’s name” is coming home. Let’s help “step daughter” welcome him home. After wedding bridal shower. Include a brief explanation as to why the bridal shower is being held after the wedding. Most people will understand. Good Luck
Perhaps something along the lines of, “Please join us in a celebration to honor [daughter in law] as she enters her new home and family as a wife.”
Or if you want it a bit more casual, you can say, “Life doesn’t always go as planned! In fact, sometimes it’s even backwards! You’re warmly welcome to attend a post-bridal bridal shower…” etc.
“Please join us for a housewarming and homecoming celebration for the newlyweds, Jason and Kate.”
Instead of a shower, which is done before the wedding, why not help you step daughter have a wedding. There is nothing wrong with having a reception for guests to celebrate the wedding after the actual ceremony has taken place. People do this a lot, especially if one family is out of state. They may get married in one state, and then go back to the other state and host a reception. You can send an invite saying that the celebration was put on hold for his deployment but to please come help them celebrate as they start their new life together.
I love the other ideas about a “reception” or “welcome home party” for the groom instead of a “shower.” That would just make things less awkward for you probably. Of course people who are invited will want to bring gifts, so it will serve the purpose of a shower.
Etiquette is to make life easier, not harder. While it is more usual for showers to come before a marriage or birth, even High Etiquette recognizes that when there are extraordinary circumstances, such as fighting a war, common sense is better than blind adherance to abstract rules. Instead of worrying about creating an invitation that forces a round peg into a square hole, send informal notes. Just buy a few boxes of inexpensive but attractive note cards and dash off a few handwritten lines to each prospective guest.
Dear Virg & Mary,
Have you heard that David finally returns home from Iraq in January? I’m so happy for Lynn and Dave that I’m planning a party for them, a sort of wedding party, welcome home, and house warming all in one. I’m asking everyone to bring some sort of gift for the couple, since there wasn’t time to give a shower before the wedding. Please ring me up at 555.877.1212 and let me know if you’ll be coming.
Yours truly, Julia
I know that handwriting 40 or more invitations sounds like a daunting task, but divide it up into smaller chunks, like writing 5 invitations on your lunch break, 5 after work, 5 after supper, and so on and you’ll be surprised at how quickly and easily you can do it.
HINTS: When people call, casually mention “Of course they won’t be opening gifts during the party, so send something seperately if it’s more convenient for you.” That way people who have already given a substantial wedding gift will know that there will be no embarrassment attached to giving only a modest second gift. It will also signal to your guests that they may have gifts delivered directly to the couple without the bother of gift wrapping.
Well, you don’t. I know the circumstances are different, but still no shower should be held. I’m sure people have, or will still, give them wedding gifts, but having a shower is just not appropriate at all.
They could have a welcome home party, or a housewarming party….
Would, Could, Should. Those are control words so do what you want. The sign of a lady is not etiquette but making the people around her feel honored, welcomed and special.
As for the words for an invite:
You are invited to share in the
festivities honoring
the recent marriage of
This Person and That Person
on
This Date
and
This time
at
This Location.
For more information
please call
This Person
at
This Number.
Simple, to the point.