Giftless bridal shower wording?

I’m confused, are you not having a registry at your shower and want to convey that people don’t need to bring gifts? If so I wouldn’t call it a shower and instead maybe a luncheon or tea. If you are having a traditional shower and want people to feel included even if they can’t afford a gift I don’t think you need to say anything special or extra.

The word "shower" has a specific meaning (in US culture, at least; I don't know where you live). Using it for an event will carry a message that gifts are the object of the event. Trying to change that by coming up with just the right wording for an invitation will only confuse people. Many (most?) people will show up with a gift no matter what you say, making those who "obeyed" the invitation feel bad and make everything awkward.

If you want to have a wedding-related party before the wedding, don't use the term "shower" anywhere in the invitation or when talking about it to guests. Like Kelly said above, call it a luncheon or a tea, or just a pre-wedding celebration. Even then, assume some will worry about not bringing a gift and will bring one anyway.

As for gifts, it's technically against etiquette to mention them at all on invitations (even "don't bring gifts") but I truly understand wanting to convey that it isn't a gifting occasion. Be clear and direct (no poems) and heartfelt. Don't worry about being clever or unique. Then repeat the message that you don't need anything when you get the inevitable questions from guests.

We are doing a Bridal Shower Brunch and registered for a honey fund only adding a card with this wording. That way if someone chooses to give a gift they can contribute to our honey fund. Hope this helps! There are a lot of wording ideas on Pinterest!

My MOH put “If you’d like to bring a gift and need some ideas, the bride and groom are registered at...” on my shower invites. Not sure yet how it will work out, but I was trying to convey that gifts are welcome but not necessary. I just want to see everyone.

I wouldn't call it a bridal shower in general. A bridal "shower" is so the guests "shower the bride with gifts". I'd call it something like a bridal lunch or bridal tea then at the bottom of the invite say "your presence is the only gift the bride requests".

I suggest you have something smaller you are asking guests to bring if you don't want them to bring gifts. As a previous poster said, a lot of people will bring a traditional gift anyways, so if you don't say something specific to do, it will be awkward for those who obeyed and didn't bring one. Make it specific to you! I know a bride who is doing a pottery shower, she asked for cute, functional pottery. I think that's sweet, and specific to her, and those who want to go all out and spend hundreds can, whereas a normal guest can just spend $25 on etsy and appreciate that the bride will truly use it and they didn't have to spend the normal $75ish shower amount. Even if you don't title it "shower" on invites, I would still be worried about people trying to figure out where I was registered if I sent out brunch invites, so asking for something small!
"I know it's not traditional, but I'm not material,
It's already enough for me that you're traveling here & all!
A sentimental gift I'd love is truly just a note,
If you took the time to write for me, I'd treasure that the most!
So grab a pen and think of us, and the journeys we've been on,
I'll keep them close, and love them always, long after this party is gone."
Even just asking for a heartfelt card like that is instruction enough to make those who follow through with it not feel empty handed. If there is something more specific to you, that's even better. Be it asking for recipe cards if you cook a lot, maybe you love reading and want everyone to bring their favorite book for you to read, maybe you're big on coffee and you want everyone to bring you their favorite kuerig pod for you to build up your collection, etc etc. But if you can't think of anything, just ask for a letter in a clever way.