Who to Invite to a Baby Shower

Planning a baby shower is so much more than just picking out cute decorations, unwrapping gifts and playing baby name games — it’s about bringing together the people who matter most to you, to celebrate an exciting new era.

But when it comes to deciding who to invite to a baby shower, well … that’s where things can get a bit sticky. Should you invite coworkers? What about long-lost cousins? Do baby showers need to be women only? (Spoiler alert: Nope.) And how do you balance family expectations without turning the guest list into something longer than a CVS receipt? Or worse: so exclusive that Aunt Linda starts one of those family group chats about it?

Good news: You’re in control of the answers. And this guide will help you make the best guest list decisions, whether you’re keeping things intimate or throwing a big bash. We’ll break down baby shower invite etiquette so you can create a joyful, stress-free, and memorable shower that keeps the focus where it belongs: celebrating the parents-to-be.

Table of Contents

• Who to Invite
• Balancing Guest Lists Budgets
• Navigating Special Circumstances
• Planning Logistics
• Fresh Takes on Traditional Guest List Rules

Making Thoughtful Guest List Decisions

A great guest list isn’t about inviting as many people as possible — it’s about creating an experience where the parents-to-be feel truly supported and celebrated. That means thinking about budget, venue, and relationships before finalizing the invite list.

The average baby shower costs around $500 and can easily go up — even way up — depending on venue, food, and guest count. So, before you invite everyone from your Instagram friends list, let’s build a meaningful guest list that makes sense for the event — and doesn’t deflate your wallet.

Priority invitees 

These are the absolute must-have guests — the ones who should be at the top of your baby shower invite list:

• Close family members from both sides: Parents, siblings, and grandparents of the baby-to-be.
• Best friends and godparents-to-be: The people who will play a lifelong role in the child’s life.

Extended Circle 

If space and budget and space allow, you might consider expanding the guest list to include:

• Extended family: Aunts, uncles, and cousins, depending on family dynamics.
• Friend groups: College roommates, childhood besties, or newer friends who have become important.
• Partner’s friends and family: If hosting a co-ed shower, the other parent’s close circle should be included.

Work colleague protocol 

Coworkers can be tricky — some people love a work baby shower, while others want to keep their 9-to-5 strictly business and prefer to keep things personal. Here’s how to navigate it:

• Office shower vs. personal shower: If the workplace is hosting its own shower, it’s totally fine to keep work and personal events separate.
• Who to invite: Stick to coworkers who are actual acquaintances rather than the entire office. If the team is small, it wouldn’t hurt to invite the entire team, to avoid people feeling slighted.
• Professional boundaries: Unsure about inviting a boss or manager? When in doubt, ask the parent-to-be what they prefer.

Balancing Your Guest List with Your Budget

The larger the guest list, the higher the costs, so consider:

• Per-person costs: More guests mean increased food, drinks, and party favors. Consider hosting a brunch or dessert-only shower to reduce food costs while still creating a festive experience.
• Venue requirements: A larger gathering may require a bigger (and more expensive) space. If you’re hosting at home, you might be limited in seating and parking, whereas renting a venue means factoring in additional costs like rental fees, deposits, and service charges. 
• Food and beverage scaling: Catering costs add up quickly — especially for a sit-down meal. Buffets or appetizer-style menus can be more budget-friendly, but if you’re offering plated meals or specialty cocktails or mocktails, costs per guest can soar.
• Gift opening logistics: If the list gets too long, be prepared for a marathon unwrapping session! Consider opening only a few gifts during the party and saving the rest for later or setting a time limit so guests don’t feel like they’re stuck watching an endless pile of gift bags being unwrapped.

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Pro Tip: The average baby shower has 20 to 50 guests. If you want an intimate but fun event, keeping it under 25 guests is a great way to balance cost and connection. More than 50 and things could get overwhelming … fast. 

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Next, dive deeper into who pays for the baby shower.

Navigating Special Circumstances

Sometimes traditional guest list rules need flexibility.

Multiple baby showers

• Separate family, friends, or work showers can help manage both budget and social dynamics.
• Virtual additions can include long-distance guests without increasing in-person costs.
• Cultural considerations may require larger celebrations – consider an open-house format to manage flow.

Managing delicate dynamics 

Family dynamics can be tricky, but don’t let the guest list become a source of stress. Here’s how to handle sensitive situations like a pro:

• Managing different family expectations: If one side wants a huge event and the other prefers something small, find a middle ground.
• Addressing plus-one requests: If space is limited, it’s okay to limit plus-ones to significant others only.
• Managing multiple hosts’ guest lists: If multiple people are planning the shower, decide early on who gets to invite guests.
• Stepfamily considerations: Be mindful of blended family dynamics to avoid unintentional exclusions.

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Pro Tip: If guest list stress starts creeping in, shift the focus back to the parents-to-be — who do they actually want at their shower? 

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Need a flexible venue that fits your guest list? Check out Peerspace!

Planning Logistics: From Guest List to Great Night

Finalizing your baby shower invite list is just the first step. Here’s how to keep everything on schedule.

Choose the perfect space for your group 

Your baby shower guest list and venue choice are intrinsically linked. Think about:

• Guest count flexibility: Consider venues that can accommodate your “must-invite” list while leaving room for potential additions. Having this buffer helps if you need to include additional family members or plus-ones later.
• Layout impact on guest interactions: Different guest list compositions require different spaces. A multi-generational guest list might need both quiet conversation areas and livelier spaces, while a co-ed shower might benefit from an open floor plan that encourages mingling.
• Virtual guest considerations: If including remote attendees, ensure your venue can support the technical requirements for a hybrid celebration.

Learn how to find the perfect baby shower venue or browse baby shower rental spaces that adapt to your guest list.

Get the timeline right

To ensure your chosen venue can accommodate your final guest count: 

• 8-10 weeks before: Finalize the guest list 
• 6-8 weeks ahead: Send save-the-dates if needed 
• 4-6 weeks before: Send invitations 
• 1-2 weeks before: Follow up on RSVPs 
• 1 week before: Send virtual guest links and tech instructions

Get more details on when to plan a baby shower or bookmark our baby shower planning checklist.

Fresh Takes on Traditional Guest List Rules

The first rule of baby showers is that there are no rules, so don’t be afraid to go beyond the traditional. Here are some modern trends to keep in mind: 

• Co-ed showers are becoming the norm: Couples’ baby showers are becoming more popular.
• Multiple showers are totally okay: Having separate family, friends, and work showers is not only acceptable, but it might also make things more manageable socially:
• Digital invitations work: E-vites and group texts are just as good as paper invites.

Make It a Memorable Moment 

The baby shower invite list should be about love, support, and celebration — not stress. Focus on the people who truly matter, balance budget and space, and don’t be afraid to dispense with traditions as you wish.

Join thousands of couples who found their perfect venue on Peerspace. Start planning today!