Who To Invite to a Gender Reveal Party

Gender reveals are a relatively new concept in the lineup of monumental celebrations. These gatherings are a fun way for parents to be to announce the biological gender of their expectant baby. They come in all shapes and sizes and can be tailored to fit any party vision. Unlike bachelor and bachelorette parties, wedding and baby showers, etc., these events don’t come with suggested rules around who to invite. And thanks to the advent of social media, gender reveal news can be shared beyond those joining in person. Let’s talk about how to create the perfect guest list and party plan for a gender reveal.

Table of contents

• Choosing invitees
  • Priority guests
  • Secondary guests
  • When to extend list
• Making thoughtful guest list decisions
  • Budget considerations
  • Managing delicate dynamics
• Planning
  • Choosing the right space
  • Managing multiple celebrations
• Fresh takes on traditions

Choosing invitees

Because they are such a new concept, gender reveal parties have fewer rules around who should be invited. As with any celebration, though, there are some things to consider when crafting your guest list.

Priority guest list

Most gender reveal guest lists prioritize family and close friends. Consider grandparents and parents, other important parental figures, siblings and their families, close cousins, etc. Next, choose close friends to invite. If you’ve had—or are planning to have—a baby shower, your guest list will be useful here. Anyone else that played a big part in your pregnancy journey should also be invited.

Secondary guest list

Remember, there are no hard and fast rules around a gender reveal guest list. This is a great opportunity to connect with extended family members you haven’t seen in awhile. Consider inviting work friends you’ve developed friendships with outside the workplace, as well as anyone else you’ve connected with through groups or communities of which you are a part. 

Do men attend gender reveals?

While baby showers are typically only attended by women, gender reveal parties are not only open to men, but are a nice way to include close male friends and family members who want to celebrate the parents-to-be. There are no gender traditions around attendees to a gender reveal party.

When to extend the guest list

Beyond core guests, consider extending your gender reveal guest list if:

• Baby shower guests can’t attend: If you know in advance that people on your baby shower guest list won’t be able to attend, extend an invite to your reveal party. It will give them another opportunity to celebrate with you.
• You have a spacious venue: If you have ready access to a large celebration space then you can comfortably increase the headcount.
• You incorporate technology: A virtual component like a Facebook or Zoom livestream will allow an unlimited number of people to find out whether your bundle of joy is a girl or a boy.
• You’re planning multiple events: A gender reveal can extend beyond a party. And there are no rules when it comes to how you celebrate. If your reveal incorporates an activity, or multiple celebrations, extend the guest list to your bump’s content. 

Making thoughtful guest list decisions

When planning your gender reveal guest list, there are considerations to make beyond who you would like in attendance. Budgetary requirements, guest dynamics, and more play into the plan. 

Balance the guest list with the budget

According to Peerspace research on baby showers, the typical baby shower venue costs $169 per hour to book. Given the celebratory similarities, it’s expected that gender reveal venues will be similar. Of course, per-person costs will vary depending on the number of people you invite and other considerations like food and any activities planned. Our list of baby shower venues offers a variety of options, fit for showers and gender reveals alike. Explore intimate spaces for a cozy event and bigger options for larger gatherings. 

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Pro tip: Make space in your budget for a photographer to document this step in your pregnancy journey. A gender reveal is as much a milestone as a baby shower and an event photographer can be on site for as little as $100 per hour. 

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Food and drink considerations

While your guests won’t expect a four-course meal, they will be grateful for a nice spread of food as they celebrate your baby-to-be. Gender reveal food ideas usually consist of sweet snacks and appetizers, which can be both budget-friendly and manageable by you and your co-host(s) for even a large guest list. If you prefer something more formal—or simply prefer delegating this task out—consider catering options to take the stress out of planning. But know that will likely elevate your budget. 

While the mother-to-be won’t be partaking, serving alcohol at your reveal is solely up to your discretion. Whether that’s a full bar or a single champagne toast, both will need to factor into the budget. 

Managing delicate guest list dynamics

Who you invite will play a huge role in how your event will go. Consider these points as you craft your guest list. 

Large families

Family size on both sides may influence your party planning. If one of you has a large, close-knit crew and the other has a more intimate family, you may need to consider how to balance the guest list. This could mean inviting family members you are less close to, or having to limit the number of invitees on the larger side. However, your gender reveal party is a great opportunity for families on both sides to strengthen ties as everyone gets ready to support the newest member of the group. The more just may mean the merrier! 

Children from previous relationships

Gender reveals definitely do not have to be adults-only. Children from previous relationships will love being a part of any and all celebrations welcoming their new sibling! Other children in your life that you’re especially close to—nieces, nephews, friends’ kids—should also be considered. If you do plan to have younger guests in the mix, choose gender reveal activities that are fun for both adults and kids. 

The allure of social media 

Remember that everyone has their phones at the ready these days, which can mean someone at your reveal may jump the gun on posting to social media. You may not want such highly personal information to be on social networks. Or you simply (and understandably) want to be the first to let your social circle know. A gentle request on the invitations for guests to refrain from posts or videos about the party is all it takes to maintain intimacy around the occasion.

Another way to stay in charge of the final reveal is to have a post ready to go that day. You can hit “send” right after the gender is revealed. 

If you don’t mind the news being shared by someone else, designate one guest to post pictures or video of the reveal. That way you can focus on the event and make another post later that day with additional photos and video. 

Planning logistics: From guest list to big reveal 

Designing the perfect gender reveal includes planning around your pregnancy and baby shower, posting a digital announcement (if you choose to), and picking the right venue.

Choosing the perfect space for your reveal

The venue is one of the most important decisions you’ll make when it comes to your gender reveal party.

Party space considerations 

Pick a space based on the kind of activities you have planned for your gender reveal. If your guest list includes other pregnant women or senior family members, stick to less physical games and activities and consider an air conditioned venue if your party is during warmer months. 

If you choose to invite children, look into venues with separate areas for snacks and socializing. And if you’re planning to incorporate games, consider activities for all ages and the space to accommodate.

Account for seating

The number of guests invited and the kind of party you throw will dictate your seating needs. You might want cozy wicker chairs for a mostly seated outdoor event that revolves around food, socializing, and the final reveal. For indoor events where you’ve decorated the venue from scratch, like an event loft, folding chairs and tables are a great choice. 

Seating is also dictated by the vibe you’re after. For a backyard barbecue gender reveal, picnic tables add to the atmosphere while offering plenty of seating. A gender reveal held in a loft with a cocktail party feel lends itself to high top tables and plenty of room for mingling. 

Managing guests for multiple celebrations

While gender reveal parties are relatively new celebrations on the road to parenthood, baby showers have been around for ages. Parents generally find out the sex of their baby around 18-21 weeks into the pregnancy. Baby showers tend to be held six to eight weeks prior to the mother’s due date. Planning your gender reveal around the 22-week mark will give your guests enough of a buffer between celebrations. Not to mention, everyone’s wallets will have time to recuperate. 

Documenting your gender reveal

You’re likely going to want to document this important moment with photos and video. If you’re planning on hiring a photographer or videographer, or want to include a photo booth or step and repeat for fun photo opps, take these things into account when choosing and arranging your party space. If seats and guests are scattered around it may be harder to document the unfolding party. As always, be sensitive to any guests who don’t enjoy having their photos taken, or don’t want to appear on video. 

Fresh takes on traditional party planning

A gender reveal doesn’t have to look like a baby shower. Or even other people’s gender reveals. Here are some ideas on how to make your gender reveal stand apart from the rest.

Combine with another event

There are no specific protocols around a gender reveal celebration. You can include your reveal during a brunch gathering at your favorite restaurant. Or you could host a backyard barbecue with the surprise reveal at the end. 

Include a virtual option

People who can’t attend in person will appreciate being able to participate from afar via a live stream. Whether on Zoom or a social media platform, the video can be shot inconspicuously from an angle so it won’t show up in photos, or get in the way. 

Get creative 

The reveal of your baby’s gender is the highlight of the party. Here are some tips for making it a memorable moment:

• Make it an activity: Let guests break open a confetti-filled pinata or pop balloons filled with pink or blue glitter indicating the sex of the baby.
• Alternative colors: Blue and pink may be the traditional colors for boys and girls but are not your only options. Some parents opt for a yellow or orange theme. These gender-neutral shades invoke the idea of happiness and warmth around an upcoming baby without the cultural baggage of gender-specific shades. Just be sure to share which gender each color signifies so there’s no confusion over what you’re having. 
• Bring the drama: Fireworks and colored smoke are fun, photogenic ways to share the news.
• Include a name reveal: The baby’s name is equally as important and can be worked into the gender reveal if you’ve chosen one. Or even made into a game where guests guess potential names during the baby shower or gender reveal.

Make it a gender reveal to remember

The goal with any event is for it to be a stress-free occasion, for both you and your guests. Our tips on who to invite, where to host, how to budget and how best to schedule will make planning the event as much fun as hosting. Since there are fewer cultural or traditional expectations around a gender reveal you have a lot of flexibility. Be sure to book the venue well ahead of time since spaces go quickly. Thousands of couples have found their perfect gender reveal venue right here on Peerspace. Get started on finding your perfect space and planning an event all your guests will remember.