Baby shower

When to send baby shower invitations

Four to six weeks is a useful starting point, not a rule. Send earlier when guests need to travel or the venue needs an early count.

Send earlier when

  • Many guests will travel
  • The shower falls near a holiday
  • The venue has a firm capacity
  • The gathering is large
  • Guests need time to ship or coordinate gifts

Send later only when

The event is small, local, informal, and the key guests already confirmed the date. Even then, give people enough time to protect the date and arrange childcare.

Choose the RSVP deadline backward

Start with the date the caterer, venue, or host needs a final count. Put the RSVP deadline three to seven days before that so there is time to follow up.

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