You are cordially (and cutely) invited.

People who think an event starts at the time on the invitation have never worked for a band of wayward executives planning a global meeting. Au contraire, it begins the moment you send the save the date. 

For less formal occasions, you probably don't need an STD (hehehehehehe), but A-types like myself will always gauge the key players availability before spending and sending the invitations. That way, when you purchase the perfect paper goods, you know the event will not only be perfect, but attended. 

Beth's baby shower was my first baby shower - attended or hosted - so it was a bit daunting to me, especially since I think I held a baby one time, maybe ten years ago. In short, it's not my most natural setting. 

However, my sister is one thing that I know, and a shower is as much a celebration of the Mommy-to-be as it is the baby. Since it was her girlfriends shower (other people were handling the family ones), I bi-passed the usual baby things, aka gingham, diaper envelopes, and cutesy language for this one that referenced the past of a party girl and the baby that we were gathered to welcome. 

These invitations, from Minted, were a splurge, but once I saw them, I couldn't go back. I promise, the photos don't do the quality of paper or color justice.

And if you give a mouse beautifully personalized paper....

It will obviously also buy the matching address labels. Sorry, SwimFans, address removed.

This was actually used to direct people to the side door, after its counterparts
served as return address labels.

Whether you're hand-making the invitations or purchasing from a paper company, these five tips will help you pick the perfect ones. 

1. Check for discounts. LivingSocial and Groupon have promotions almost weekly for huge discounts on quality paper goods. If you're in a wedding party, between the ages of 24 and 30, or  know anyone who's even contemplating pregnancy, get it now. Trust. You'll use it.
2. Go with your gut. One can easily get lost in all the pages and pages of paper that inevitably come with invitation shopping. But when you have a reaction to one, you know, that say-yes-to-the-dress tearful moment when you realize that this is the invitation you've waited for all your life, put it in your shopping cart and step away from the "Next Page" button. 
3. Make template lists of information. It is so, so, so easy to forget information on an invitation. Even when it's basic stuff, like the time, putting it into the template can be overwhelming. It's very easy to forget the registries, as those will usually require adding a line. Etiquette comment: it is okay, and makes life easier, to put the registries on the invitation.
4. Proof and proof again. Minted, and many other companies, will send you a proof in the mail. Look at it, cross-check it, and then walk away from it. Sleeping before looking at it again will give you time to have that 3am "Come to Jesus" moment when you realize that the address you listed was two addresses ago. 
5. Write slowly. When you're addressing the invitations, write slowly. Your handwriting will look better and you'll be less likely to make mistakes that will result in "return to sender."