The Average Cost of Wedding Invitations

Wedding Invitation

I won’t lie to you, but choosing a bespoke wedding invitation is not a cakewalk. There are unlimited options to choose from. The cost of wedding invitations varies based on different factors, such as the type of Paper you choose, printing methods, colors, and accents. Couples get confused amidst so many options. But don’t worry, here we’re going to talk about all the options and how they affect your wedding invitation budget.

Please scroll down to read it all……

The average cost of wedding invitations is somewhere around $350 to $8,000 for a set of 100 invitations. Couples should set aside 5-6% of their overall budget for wedding invitations. The biggest factor that influences the cost of your wedding invitation is the printing method. Yes, there are many different kinds of printing methods used for printing a wedding invite. Besides, the kind of Paper used will also impact your cost hugely.

We will discuss every element in detail here to let you have a complete idea about the wedding invitation costing.

Here we go……

I. DIFFERENT PAPER TYPES

Different types of papers used for wedding invitations are as follows:

The Average Cost of Wedding Invitations

1. Cotton Fiber

This Paper is easier to customize, and it is the costliest among all. You can get it at $49 for the pack of 25 sheets.

2. Felt Cardstock

This is comparatively a thicker paper. It costs you somewhere around $24.6 for 100 sheets.

3. Matte

This is the most affordable type of Paper. With matte finishing, it looks quite beautiful. It cost you around $40 for 250 sheets.

4. Handmade Paper

It is the most eco-friendly option for couples opting for green weddings. This Paper costs you around $25 per 100 sheets.

5. Glossy Paper

This is a paper with more shining. It is one of the most common choices when it comes to wedding invitations. It is very affordable as well.

6. Parchment Paper

This is another very affordable option for couples. You can buy this one for $19.

7. Vellum Paper

This transparent material is easily printable and great for layering. It is priced at $17 for 50 sheets.

8. Recycled Paper

Similar to Handmade Paper, this is again an excellent option for eco-friendly weddings. The Paper is made from the use of recycled materials and plants.

9. Linen

Linen is a great option for couples who do not want to break their banks. It’s an affordable option, usually priced at $19 for 100 sheets.

Also See: Best & Creative Wordings for your Wedding Invitation

II. DIFFERENT PRINTING METHODS

Once you finalize the Paper for your wedding invitation, the next step is to choose the printing method. Below are the different methods used for printing wedding invitations:

DIFFERENT ( DIGITAL ) PRINTING METHODS

1. Digital Printing

This is the most affordable option when it comes to printing a wedding invitation. This doesn’t involve too much effort. Just set up a file on the computer and hit print—no manual effort is involved in this type of printing method. Everything is done digitally, which makes the process easier and affordable. It is a budget-friendly option for couples who do not want to compromise on quality because of the price. It costs you anywhere from $300 to $1,000 for a set of 100.

2. Flat Printing

Flat (offset) printing has a similar effect to digital printing. However, in this method, inks are first mixed, and then the design is transferred to the invitation through a press. It costs you somewhere around $700 to $1200 for a set of 100.

3. Thermography

Thermography is similar to flat printing, except the powder is added to the ink to give it a raised texture on the Paper. A suite of 100 invitations created using thermography is priced at $1,000.

4. Letterpress Printing

Using a letterpress will add up to the overall cost of your wedding invitation. Of course, it’s a beautiful way to give your invitations a classic look. A set of 100 invitations created using letterpress printing will cost you $1400 – $1600. The higher cost is because of the number of supplies and manual labor involved to create custom presses for each design and color.

5. Calligraphy

Some couples prefer to hire calligraphers to add a custom element to their invites. This usually adds up to the overall cost of your wedding invitations. Hiring a calligrapher to custom design the lettering to your cards generally adds $300-$600 to your budget.

6. Engraving

This is the most expensive method of printing wedding invitations. Engraving designs or lettering into your invitations simply add to your wedding invitation budget. Notwithstanding, it’s an excellent option for couples wanting to make their invitations pop. It gives a formal, embossed look to your wedding invitation. A suite of 100 invitations is priced at $2000. The higher cost is due to the labor-intensive nature of the process.

Related: When To Send Wedding Invitations

DIFFERENT DESIGN ELEMENTS

DIFFERENT ( GLITTER ) DESIGN ELEMENTS

After printing and paper, the next factor that influences your cost is accents or design elements. These additional features let your guests know whether your wedding will be a simple and intimate celebration or an event to remember for decades. Here are some of the popular wedding invitation add-ons along with their prices:

1. Glitter

Adding glitter to the invitations makes them sparkle. It generally adds around 10% to your overall wedding invitation cost.

2. Photography

You can get the best favorite picture of you two from the engagement shoot in your wedding invite to give it a more personal touch. Since it is done digitally, it won’t affect your budget much.

3. Foil stamping

Foil accents are a very popular embellishment. Foil stamping is done to make your invitation shine. Foil stamps come in many different colors, such as copper, gold, rose-gold, and silver, and add flair to wedding invitations. The coolest thing is they do not break banks. The cost varies depending upon the type of foil stamp you choose. For instance, a full foil stamp on a set of 100 invitations will cost you anywhere between $1500 to $1,800. In contrast, a gold foil stamping for 100 invitations will cost around $350 or less.

4. Color

Color is a great way to add definition to your wedding invitations. Moreover, with colors, you can highlight the essential parts of your wedding theme. More often than not, color charges are not separate, but if they aren’t, they don’t break your bank.

5. Blind Debossing and Embossing

Blind debossing and embossing are similar to letterpress but without ink. In blind debossing, a depression in the Paper is created, and in embossing, a raised text is created. Accents like family crests, monograms, etc., are either debossed or embossed. These accents factors cost around $200 to $300 per 100 wedding invitations.

6. Insert Cards or Additions

The most common wedding invitation insert includes a reception card, RSVP cards, directions, itineraries, etc. If your reception is at a different location than the wedding, you’ll need to insert a reception card. Besides, if you’ve planned a welcome party or a brunch before the wedding, that’ll also be inserted. Everything in an insert card should match your wedding invitations. A suit of 100 insert cards can range between $100 and $250 depending on the printing method.

7. Additions

There can be other add-ons as well, like your wedding invite tied with a bow, or wax-sealed, or laser cut, or deckled edge, etc. These additions won’t add too much to your cost but will make your wedding invitation stand out. Additions per 100 cards cost $20 – $50 depending on the type of addition.

OTHER COSTS

Envelope

Wedding invitation envelope. If you buy cards online, you’ll probably get envelopes with the card stock price. You can even customize your wedding invitation envelopes. However, if envelopes are not included in the card stock, you’ll spend around $15-$30 per 100 envelopes.

Shipping

If you’ve many out of the town guests, you’ll incur shipping or postage costs as well. For domestic postage, the average postage cost is around $0.50 per envelope. This means for a suit of 100 wedding invitations, you’ll spend about $50. Expect to pay more in case you’re sending wedding invitations abroad.

Pro tip: Consider buying a wedding invitation package; that includes everything from save the dates to wedding invitations and insert cards. Using the same provider, materials, and theme from the start allows you to save a lot of time and money. And you can get everything, including your save-the-dates, invitations, and stationery, perfectly matching together.

WEDDING INVITATION FAQs

Here is the list of frequently asked questions about wedding invitations; take a look…

Q. 1. When should I order my wedding invites?

Try to order your wedding invitations about four to five months prior to your wedding so that they’re ready to mail 10 to 12 weeks before the wedding. Doing so eliminates unnecessary stress or chaos. If you’re hosting a destination wedding or having many out-of-the-town guests, send out your invites even earlier.

Q. 2. Steps involved in choosing wedding invitations?

Steps involved in choosing wedding invitations are: sourcing inspiration, browse different designs, finalize wordings, find the trusted vendor, see their work, get a sample to invite from them, proofread the sample, if everything goes well, get them printed.

Q. 3. How many wedding invitations shall I order?

More often than not, a minimum of 50 cards should be ordered, and the maximum can be 1000 at a time. It is suggested to order at least ten cards extra. For instance, if you know you’ll have 85 guests, then order 90 invitations, etc. And if you’re not sure of the exact numbers of guests, order 10-20 extra cards.

Q. 4. What are the different shapes and sizes of wedding invitations?

Different shapes and sizes of wedding invitations include:

  • Portrait: 127.0mm (w) x 177.8mm (h)
  • Landscape: 177.8mm x 127.0mm
  • Square: 133.0mm x 133.0mm

The additional, optional items included in the wedding invitation set come in the following sizes:

  • Portrait info card: 101.6mm x 127.0mm
  • Landscape RSVP card: 123.8mm x 88.9mm with RSVP envelope to fit.

Q. 5. What is included in the wedding set?

A wedding invitation set varies as per your requirements. However, common factors included in the wedding invitation set are info cards, RSVP cards, reception cards, directions, itineraries, and pre-addressed RSVP envelopes. You can remove or add items from the set depending on your requirements.

Q. 6. What is the difference between saving the dates and wedding invitations?

Save the date cards are for sharing the news, day, and location of your wedding with your loved ones so that your guests can mark the date in their calendar well in advance. Save the dates are sent 6-8 months before you plan to get hitched and 9-12 months if you’re having a destination wedding.

Wedding invitations are the final cards that include every detail of your wedding to the wedding reception. A wedding invitation should be sent 10 to 12 weeks before the wedding. And if you’re having a destination wedding or many out-of-the-town guests, send out your invites even earlier.

Q. 7. Whom shall I send save the date?

Save the dates are sent to your loved one and close people. It is to inform them of your wedding news, along with the date and location.

Q. 8. When shall I send save the date?

Usually, save the dates are sent 6-8 months before you plan to get hitched and 9-12 months if you’re having a destination wedding.

Q. 9. How much does a wedding invitation cost?

The cost of a wedding card varies based on several factors, including the material, Paper, printing style, accents, etc. On average, a simple and elegant wedding invitation costs you around $300 for a set of 100 pieces. At the same time, a set of 100 extravagant cards with lots of embellishments may cost you about $8000.

Q. 10. Who shall I not send save the date?

You don’t need to send the save the date to your close family or members of your wedding party who are already aware of your wedding. In this case, you can just send them an invitation.

Q. 11. How shall I address a wedding invitation with a plus one?

If you’re 100% sure about the name of your guest’s plus one, you can include their name on the main invitation. But your envelope should be addressed to your primary guest. Example: Mr. Jack William & Guest’. And if you don’t know the name of the plus one, you can write ‘Jack and guest’ on the invitation.

Q. 12. When to send the destination wedding invitation?

In the case of a destination wedding, your guests would need more time to block their dates, make travel and hotel bookings. In such an instance, it is imperative to send them your save the date 9-12 months before the wedding and wedding invitations 3-4 months in advance so that they get enough time to make all the arrangements.

Happy Wedding…. ☺ ☺