The invitation sets the tone for everything. It's the first thing guests see, before the venue, before the food, before the decorations. Get it right and you've already done half the work.
Here's everything you need to know about baby shower invitations: when to send them, what to write, how to choose a design, and whether to go digital or print.
When to send baby shower invitations
The general rule: send invitations 4 to 6 weeks before the shower. This gives guests enough time to clear their schedule and plan travel if needed.
For a small, local gathering, 3 weeks is fine. For something bigger, or if many guests are coming from out of town, push it to 6 to 8 weeks.
Order of operations:
1. Lock in the date, time, and venue first
2. Design and order (or download) your invitations
3. Send 4 to 6 weeks before the event
Don't send too early. Invitations that go out 3 months in advance tend to get forgotten.
What to include on a baby shower invitation
These are the essentials. Don't leave any of them out:
- Name of the mum-to-be (and partner's name if they're hosting or attending)
- Date: day, month, year
- Time: start time, and ideally an end time so guests know when to leave
- Location: full address, or venue name plus address
- RSVP details: phone number, email, or WhatsApp. Include an RSVP deadline (usually 2 weeks before the shower)
- Registry information (optional): a link to the gift registry if you have one, or a note like "your presence is the only present"
Baby shower invitation wording examples
Stuck on what to write? Here are a few examples to adapt:
Simple and warm:
> A little one is on the way!
> Please join us for a baby shower in honour of [Name]
> Saturday, 15 March 2026 · 2:00 pm–5:00 pm
> At [Address]
> RSVP by 1 March to [Name] via [email/WhatsApp]
With a theme:
> She's wild and one is on the way!
> Join us as we shower [Name] with love
> Jungle Safari Baby Shower
> Sunday, 22 March 2026 · 12:00–3:00 pm
> [Address]
> RSVP by 8 March to [Name]
More formal:
> Together with [Host names], we request the pleasure of your company
> at a baby shower in honour of
> [Mum-to-be's name]
> [Date, Time]
> [Location]
> Kindly reply by [date]
Feel free to mix and match. The tone should match you and the atmosphere you're going for.
Digital vs. printed invitations
Both are valid. Here's how to decide.
- Your guest list is mostly on WhatsApp or social media
- You're short on time
- The budget is tight
- You're organizing a more casual, intimate gathering
- You want the invitation to feel special and memorable
- Guests include older family members who prefer something physical
- The theme is more elaborate and you want the design to make an impression
- You have a bit of extra time to organize printing and postage
With editable Canva templates, you can do both. Design it once, download as PDF for print, and also export as PNG or JPG to send digitally. You don't have to choose.
Choosing a design
The invitation design should hint at the party theme without giving everything away. If you're going for a wildflower boho theme, the invitation should feel soft and floral. For a jungle safari, tropical and lush.
Things to look for in a template:
- Enough space for all your text: some designs look beautiful but leave very little room for the wording. Check before you buy.
- Editable fonts: you want to be able to change names and dates easily, without fighting the layout
- Matching designs available: if you'll want welcome signs, food labels, or games to match, check that the designer offers a full set in the same theme
Printing tips
- Use 200 to 300gsm cardstock for a quality feel
- Print in "actual size" (not "fit to page") to avoid scaling issues
- Do a test print on regular paper first to check alignment
- Download as PDF, not PNG or JPG. PDFs preserve quality at any print size.
- Check bleed settings if the design goes to the edge of the card (ask the shop what they need)
- A5 is a common card size in Europe; letter or 4x6" for US guests
Editable baby shower invitation templates
Skip the blank canvas and start with a design that's already beautiful. All of Moments by Maggie's baby shower invitation templates are fully editable in Canva. Change the name, date, wording, and colors in minutes, then download and print or share digitally.
Browse the [Baby Shower collection](/en/babyshower) to find your design.