If you think it’s hard to make your own bridal shower invitations, think again! As a former DIY Bride and Maid of Honor, I’ve come up with an easy process to create homemade invitations that anyone can follow. (Yes, even if you are a DIY newbie.)
The hardest part of the whole process is nailing down your theme. Once you’ve got that in mind, it’s a piece of bridal shower cake.
So, let’s dive into crafting your own stunning invites.
Step-by-Step Instructions for DIY Bridal Shower Invitations
Alright savvy shower planners, here’s your step-by-step guide to DIY bridal shower invitations, packed with expert tips and tricks!
Step 1: Choose Your Bridal Shower Theme
One of the first things I recommend you do if you’re in charge of hosting a bridal shower, is select a theme.
Not only will it guide your decision on the style of invitations you choose, but it will also help guide your choice in decorations, games, and favors.
But with SO many ideas out there, how to choose?! Here’s what I’d do:
- Check out popular themes for the season you’re hosting in:
- Spring Bridal Shower Themes
- Summer Bridal Shower Themes
- Fall Bridal Shower Themes
- Winter Bridal Shower Themes
2. Pick the one that best complements your bride-to-be’s style and/or hobbies
Hate the idea of a theme? Consider using the bride’s wedding colors or motifs as your guide for your bridal shower invitations and decor. You can’t go wrong by going this route, plus you’ll create a cohesive aesthetic throughout the wedding festivities.
Step 2: Design Your Bridal Shower Invitations
Once you’ve selected your bridal shower theme, or at least a general aesthetic (if you or your bride hate themes and want no part in them, LOL), you can begin designing your invitations.
»» Skip the Design Process. If you want NO PART in designing your own bridal shower invitations, check out this article to find invitation templates you can purchase and download.
OK, back to my design process. This part of the process sounds daunting, especially if you’ve never designed anything before, but don’t fret. I’ve simplified the process and included a crash course video tutorial of my favorite user-friendly design tool.
1. Create a Pinterest board for your bridal shower planning ideas
2. Search Pinterest for invitation examples that fit your theme
3. Pin every invitation design that grabs you to your board
4. Go back to your board and pick the 1-2 invitation styles you like most
5. Create a free Canva account and watch this quick 10-minute Canva crash course.
6. Start designing! Let the invites you pinned be your inspirational guide to locate similar fonts and design elements from Canva’s extensive libraries.
PRO TIP: If there are design elements you want to use that aren’t available in the free version of Canva, you can purchase a month of the Pro version. Get your money’s worth by using that time to design ALL of the bridal shower signage before canceling.
Step 3: Finalize Your Bridal Shower Invitations
Before finalizing your bridal shower invitation, make sure you’ve included the following information:
- Bride’s name (duh)
- Shower date and time
- Location of the bridal shower
- RSVP information
- Any additional details your guests need to know
When sending bridal shower invitations for an at-home event, it can also help to include small details like parking instructions or arrival notes for guests. This at home bridal shower hosting guide shares practical planning tips that make hosting at home feel far less stressful.
Finally, double-check the spelling and accuracy of all information.
Step 4: Gather Your Supplies
Once you have finalized your design, gather all the necessary supplies for creating your DIY bridal shower invitations, including:
- Bright white heavy duty cardstock or speciality paper
- envelopes
- Paper cutter or scissors for trimming them to size
- Postage
- Pen or labels for addressing
- embelishments (if desired) like ribbons, lace, or stickers
PRO TIP: Opt for premium paper stock to elevate the look and feel of your invitations. Matte or textured finishes add a touch of luxury, while glossy finishes provide a polished look.
Step 5: Print Your Bridal Shower Invitations
Now, onto the printing stage! Let’s discuss your options:
- Option 1: If printing at home, complete a test print before hitting print on all of your invitations. You may need to adjust some settings on your printer to get the scale right. Don’t get discouraged. Sometimes this process requires a bit of trial and error to get it just right!
- Option 2: If you’re like me and don’t trust your printer to do the job justice, consider online printing services. Prints of Love is my top choice, but you can also consider: Vistaprint, Zazzle, Shutterfly, and FedEx Office
PRO TIP: Remember, you only need to print as many invitations as you have households, NOT the total number of invitees. Add 3-5 invitations to that number in case of mess-ups, last-minute additions, and a keepsake for the bride.
Step 6: Assemble & Address Your Invitations
After printing, assemble your invitations by trimming (if you printed at home) and combining your invite with any additional detail or RSVP cards. Address your envelopes carefully and add your postage.
For details on how to address your invitations correctly for every guest, check out The Knot’s guide to addressing bridal shower invitations.
Step 7: Mail Your Invites
Once your invites are ready to go, it’s time to spread the word! Mail your bridal shower invitations at least 4-6 weeks before the event date. This gives your guests plenty of time to mark their calendars and RSVP.
PRO TIP: Include a separate RSVP card with a pre-stamped envelope to make it easier for guests to respond. You can also set up a digital RSVP form for added convenience.
More DIY Bridal Shower Resources
Once you’ve finalized your invitations, it’s time to start pulling the rest of the bridal shower together. From decorations to games and favors, these additional DIY bridal shower ideas can help make the celebration feel thoughtful, cohesive, and personal without overspending.
Bridal Shower Games
Looking for games that are actually fun (and not overly cheesy)? These bridal shower game ideas include easy, low-stress activities that work especially well for at-home showers and mixed-age groups.
Easy DIY Bridal Shower Decorations
Simple details can make a huge impact. These DIY bridal shower decoration ideas include affordable centerpieces, backdrops, table decor, and easy ways to make your setup feel polished without going overboard.
DIY Bridal Shower Favor Ideas
Bridal shower favors don’t have to be complicated or expensive to feel meaningful. These DIY bridal shower favor ideas are simple, affordable, and easy to customize for different shower themes and styles.
Ready to Make Your Own Bridal Shower Invitations?
By following these steps, you can make your own bridal shower invitations that are both beautiful and highly personalized. Get creative, have fun, and enjoy the process of designing and crafting invitations that reflect the bride’s unique style and the joy of the occasion.
Before you go, subscribe below to grab my digital bridal shower planner and budget tracker to keep everything organized!
