Approximately four months ago, I received some amazing news. One of my nearest and dearest friends announced she was pregnant. These last few months have been a whirlwind of milestones. She passed the first trimester, felt the first kicks, and two weeks ago the doctor announced it’s a girl (or at least it appears to be a girl on the ultrasound!) Now with only four months left, only a few milestones remain, one of which is the baby shower. Knowing a thing or two about invitations and party planning, I immediately jumped at the chance to throw a shower. We agreed on a date and chose a cute little teahouse for the location. The next step was invitations, and although I’m surrounded by them everyday, I realized the process can be very overwhelming. What kind do I choose? How many do I order? Where do I even start? With almost 5 babies born into the world every second, I’m sure I’m not alone in the process. Because of this, I’ve decided to share my five tips on how to order the perfect baby shower invitations:

When to order - As soon as the guest list is finalized, the date is set, and the location is reserved, your invitations should be ordered. This may seem like a minor detail that can wait, but keep in mind most customized invitations take at least one to two weeks to print. Waiting too long can lead to rushed decisions, mistakes, and unnecessary stress. By ordering as soon as possible, you can ensure you’ll get the invitations you want, the wording will be perfect, and the invitations will go out on time.

Quantity - When ordering, quantity is another key factor to keep in mind. If the guest list is for thirty, I recommend ordering forty to fifty invitations. Although it may seem excessive, there is always a chance that the mommy-to-be will think of a last minute guest she’d like to invite. Not only is it more convenient to have a few extra on hand, it is also cheaper to order twenty-five extra invitations with your original order, than to have to reorder twenty-five more later.

Theme - Remember….baby showers are supposed to be fun, so have fun with your invitations! Feel free to use blue invitations for boys and pink invitations for girls, but don't limit yourself to one color motif. If mom has started a nursery, incorporate the nursery theme into the invitations. Serving tea at a luncheon? Use a luncheon or tea themed invitation! The possibilities are endless. Just remember, these invitations are for the mommy-to-be and her guests, so try to incorporate in the mother’s style as much as possible.

Wording - As with any party, be sure to include all the important details on the invitation- mainly the expectant mother's name along with the date, time, and location of the shower. If the mother is registered at any stores, or if there is a particular gift theme for the shower, this can be added at the bottom of the invitation. Last but not least, be sure to include a response card or some form of RSVP information. Even if the shower is small, an accurate headcount is imperative, especially when planning for food and favors later.

When to send - Etiquette states invitations should be sent out no later than three to four weeks in advance, however if several of the guests are from out of town, I would suggest sending the invitations five to six weeks before the shower. Keep in mind, once the invitation is received, guests still need time to RSVP, purchase a gift, and possibly make travel arrangements so sending the invites early is essential.

So there you have it- my five tips to baby shower success. The entire process may seem overwhelming, but just remember to start early and be prepared. From there, everything else will fall into place.