The wedding plans are well underway: you’ve picked your theme, chose a wedding date, decided on a guest list, and found a breathtaking venue. You’re now ready to share your excitement with your loved ones through wedding invitations. It’s not easy. You want the work you put into these invitations to earn them a spot in a memory album. You’d hate to have them simply thrown into a desk drawer and never seen again. So what should you expect to spend on these ideal invites?
Design Wedding Cards
Make invites and cards for your special day
Jump To:
- How Much Do Wedding Invitations Cost?
- Wedding Invite Costs to Consider
- Tips for Affordable Wedding Invitations
- Cost of Save-the-Dates and RSVP Cards
How Much Do Wedding Invitations Cost?
The average cost of wedding invitations sits between $400 and $650 for most couples. This pricing can change drastically based on several different factors. Amount of invited guests, wedding theme or design, and materials sourcing are the major things that add up to give you your final price tag. We’ll break down the costs for you below so you can figure out exactly what your dream wedding invites will look like.
Wedding Invite Costs to Consider
From minimal styled wedding cardstock to a photo filled tri-fold, your wedding invitations should be a unique as you are. Factors like paper type, design elements, envelopes, and invite additions decide exactly how your cards will look and feel. Here’s how to make sense of that all:
Paper Types
Most people don’t realize how many varieties of paper exist for wedding invitations. From color-popping invites for your spring wedding to a classic glassine overlay- we’ve got you covered.
- Cotton Fiber: With this paper come the ability to customize with a letterpress. For that reason cotton fiber is on the expensive side at $29 for 100 sheets.
- Felt Cardstock: This is a thicker style of paper and costs a bit more than standard card material at $22 for 100 sheets.
- Matte: This choice is both affordable in price looks clean and crisp. It’s a common paper standard for online brands.
- Glossy: It’s similar in type to matte but with more shine. Glossy paper is also a common choice for its affordable price.
- Parchment: This standard is the most affordable option at $15 and can easily be layered with vellum.
- Vellum: This see-through material is great for layering and is usually priced at $17 for 100 sheets.
- Glassine: This is a very similar option to Vellum paper in both look and price, but with a more waxy look.
- Handmade paper: It’s green and it’s trending, and at $20 per 100 sheets, it won’t break the bank.
- Recycled Paper: This is a very similar option to the handmade paper. Its popularity comes from the use of recycled materials and plants.
- Linen: This paper is an affordable option for couples who don’t want to sacrifice quality for cost. It’s typically priced at $17 for 100 sheets.
Design Elements
This is what makes your cards feel like you. These design elements will tell your guests whether your wedding will be simple and elegant or a party for the decades.
- Photography: Do you have a favorite engagement shot that you can’t wait to share with your guests? Thanks to digital technology, printing photos on wedding invitations is now affordable. It’s also a great way to show off the happy couple!
- Engraved Design: Engraving designs or lettering into your invitations will add to your overall price tag. That said, it’s a great choice for couples with a roomy budget or for anyone who wants to make their invitations pop.
- Foil stamped: Foil stamping lets your invitations shine the way they’re meant to. Foil stamps come in many different colors and add definition to your cards. Even better, they usually only add a minimal amount of cost.
- Letter Pressed: Using a letterpress will run up the cost of your overall design choices but it’s a beautiful way to give your invitations a classic look.
- Glitter: Adding glitter to your invitations makes them sparkle. Glitter will generally add around 10 percent to your overall card cost.
- Calligraphy: Some couples hire a calligrapher to custom design the lettering for their invites. This often comes in the form of an overall package with a much higher price. Some packages run in the thousands. Hiring a calligrapher to add a custom element to your cards will generally add $100-$300 to your budget.
- Color: Color is a fun way to add flair to your wedding invites. It’s also able to show key parts of your theme to your guests right in the beginning. Depending on what pallete you use, colors can be free or add hundreds to your overall cost.
Envelope Pricing
Good news for couples who buy their cards online: most companies include the cost of the envelopes in the card stock price. Some even give you the choice of envelope customization. Additional services like free address printing will even help you manage the workload of addressing and sending out your letters.
If you do choose to buy envelopes separately, expect to spend around $15-$30 per 100 envelopes. And make sure to double check the size of your cards before you order!
Shop Trending Categories
Additions
Did you always picture your wedding invites tied with a delicate bow? Do you love the look of a wax seal, customized stamp, belly band, or inner envelope? These smaller costs are additions that can set your invitations apart from the rest. These materials typically cost no more that $0.20 more per card at the post office in extra fees.
Also consider additions like RSVP cards, directions, itineraries, and reception information that you may want your guests to have. They may not seem like big items, but the more your envelope weighs, the more it’ll cost you in postage.
Complete Wedding Invitation Packages Cost
A great way to make your invites feel cohesive is to buy a wedding invitation package. By using the same provider, materials, and theme from the start, you’ll cut down on time and stress. Even better, your save-the-dates, invitations, and stationary will look beautiful matched together.
Wedding packages are largely customizable and the prices can vary. While a simple and elegant package may only cost $350, more detailed cards could run as high as $10,000.
Shipping Costs
The average wedding postage cost sits around $0.49 per envelope below one ounce. That means for every 100 cards you send, you’re going to spend around $50. And that’s just domestic postage. Expect to spend more if you’re sending envelopes abroad or if your invites weigh more than an ounce.
Tips for Affordable Wedding Invitations
Make use of Free Wedding Invite Samples
Ordering wedding invitation samples in the beginning of your process can help you decide on what materials and looks you value the most. These are a free, fun way to get excited about your planning. Once you decide what materials you like best, you’ll get a better idea of what your invites will cost.
Where to Buy Wedding Invitations
- Stationary Stores: Brick and Mortar stationary stores have been around much longer than the internet, and that experience shows. Stationary stores typically produce much more customized cards with varying materials. But with that hands-on dedication expect to pay a much higher price than online retailers.
- Online Brands: Online retailers are becoming more and more common choices for couples planning their weddings. Thanks to the technology boom, choosing one of these bigger brands can streamline your invitation process. This keeps costs down and still gives you the customization you’re craving.
- Custom Made: Online artists are just another resource available through internet. These artists offer extensive personalization, but at a higher price than more convenient online brands.
- DIY (Do It Yourself): Whether you love crafting or you’re trying to save a little money for your wedding budget, DIY allows total control of your invitations. However, it’s by far the least time effective. DIY is often steered clear of by couples who want their wedding planning as stress free as possible. To figure out if you have enough time for this option, check out our resource on how long it takes to plan a wedding.
Cost of Save-the-Dates and RSVP Cards
- Save-the-Dates: With the excitement of the engagement at an all time high, many couples celebrate by sending save-the-dates to their loved ones. Save-the-dates are typically more photo heavy than invitations and less formal. For that reason, these cards typically cost just over $100 per 100 cards. However, engagement photography costs should also be considered. Save-the-Dates often end up on friends’ and families’ fridges, so make sure yours look just right!
- RSVP Cards: RSVP cards are often added to your wedding invitation envelopes. They cost on average anywhere between $50 to $200 per 100 cards for templates. While some couples have switched to an online RSVP option, using these can help add style to your invitations.
Don’t Let the Wedding Invite Costs Keep You Down
We made this guide for you to help you understand wedding invitation costs, but we know it can be overwhelming. As a last tip, consider managing your wedding invitation budget with a planning tool.That way you can focus on the fun things, like getting your favorite engagement photo printed on gorgeous trimmed card stock.
