How to write an invitation letter?

How to write this bridal shower invitation letter?

• I'm the matron of honor for my cousin wedding this upcoming May. Because both her family and her fiance's are so incredibly spread out (and many do not have enough money to attend both a shower and the wedding) she had decided that she didn't want a bridal shower. My co-MOH and I have decided that in lieu of a shower and as a way to have a really great gift for her (that won't cost her guests anything more than postage) we would like to put together a nice recipe book. I'm planning to ask everyone to give recipes in a couple different categories, stories about the recipes themselves, and pictures as well. I would like it to end up being a really nice cookbook. I will design it and have it printed, but I haven't decided for sure which site I'm sending it out to yet. Anyways, I'm not sure how to write the letter "inviting" them to the shower. I was thinking about making an actual invitation and then including a letter as well? And I will includ envelopes for them to send stuff back to me. But I just am feeling a terrible writer's block as to how to begin the letter! I feel like everything I've written so far sounds silly... Thanks!

• Answer:

  In honor of Susan's wedding which is on April 15, 2012 and in lieu of having a bridal shower for her, we've decided to do something very special for her, a gift if you will, and the best thing is...it won't cost you anything to give it!!! We all know that time and money are pretty scarce in these lean times so we've decided to give Susan the gift of food and that gift will come from all of you who will send us your best recipes for Dinners, Lunches, Soups, Salads, Desserts or anything at all you know she'll love preparing in her new home. We will have the book printed especially for her and every recipe will have the name of the wonderful person who sent it right on it's own page. We think she'll love having something this special to cherish because it's from all of us and sent with our deepest love and affection. Enclosed is a SASE for your use in returning the recipes to us. Please be certain to submit them by March 1, 2012 so we can be sure it will be ready for her on time..