How much is this invitation?
What is the average cost of wedding invitations?
I get asked these questions quite a bit and there really isn’t a straightforward answer. I know that it seems frustrating to see something you LOVE and not be able to know the cost right away. Trust me, I have been there!
The ANSWER. It depends!
Agh the daunting answer you were expecting but not the answer you wanted to hear. The best way I know how to describe this answer to you is every wedding is different, so every wedding invitation is going to be different.
There are several different stationers you can work with that will all have very different ranges of “custom” invitations. Some will include more things; some will have the bare minimum. You may get an itemized quote; you may get a lump-some amount. Depending on your area and the designers you choose to work with will determine the route you may decide to take.
As a stationer, it is my mission to create your dream invitations with little to no stress on your end and my pricing reflects that. I put 100% into each of my designs and whether it is a pre-set design in my semi-custom collection or a custom creation that is designed specially for you.
I have worked with several couples with budgets that are all over the map and as I try to be accommodating to everyone, sometimes it just doesn’t work out. On average, my couples spend anywhere from $1500-2500 on their custom wedding invitations.
So what is included in that $1500-2500?
Well, that again will depend on the different elements and embellishments you choose. So, let’s look at some examples. Everyone LOVES examples:
Average $1300 Custom Wedding Invitation order:
100 Custom wedding invitations digitally printed on premium paper stock
100 Response card and colored envelope
100 Vellum wrap (unprinted)
100 Double layered digitally printed belly band
Guest addressing, return address printing, response envelope addressing
Full assembly
Design fee
Now let's look at an average $2000 invitation suite
100 Custom wedding invitations digitally printed on premium paper stock
100 Response card and envelope
100 Details card
100 Silk ribbon and custom wax seal
Foil upgrades on invitation, response card, details card
Guest addressing, return address printing, response envelope addressing
Full assembly
Design fee
Just to mix it up, let's look at an average $2500 invitation suite
100 Custom wedding invitations digitally printed on premium paper stock
100 Response card (double sided) and Colored Envelope
100 Details card (double sided)
100 Pocket enclosure with rose gold glitter backer
Foil upgrades on invitation, response card, details card
Blind emboss on pocket flap
Guest addressing, return address printing, response envelope addressing
Full assembly
Design fee
You will read different blogs and they will all tell you that they have done studies and give you different figures, that may in fact be true, but when you really break it all down. It depends on YOU and what you are willing to spend on stationery.
QUESTION: What is the cheapest way to do wedding invitations?
What if I can't afford custom?
Most stationers offer a semi-custom collection that you can choose from and the pricing is much more straightforward, that is until you start adding a bunch of bells and whistles. I also have a semi-custom collection available! You can check out the Stationery Shop for all 9 curated semi-custom suites I have to offer.
Here is an example of what is included in a semi-custom collection. These start as low as $4.50 a suite and there are no minimums. This collection is great for lower budgets and quicker turnaround time.
1 layer semi-custom designed wedding invitation digitally printed on 130# premium card stock
1 layer semi-custom designed response card digitally printed on 130# premium card stock
Mailing envelope & response envelope (color of your choice)
Guest Addressing, Return Address Printing, Response Envelope Addressing (Luxury package only)
QUESTION: What is a reasonable price for wedding invitations?
Don’t forget about wedding invitation postage!
Not everyone reminds you, that more often than not, you will need 2 separate stamps. One for your response card and one for the mailing envelope. Chances are your mailing envelope will be anywhere from $.090-$1.58+ (as of January 21st 2024) AND the forever stamp on the response card per envelope. The more you add to your suite, the higher the postage. Don’t even get me started on hand cancelling. We will save that for another post!
Forever stamps for your RSVP card are up to $0.68 and the 2 oz stamp for your outer envelope is up to $0.90. So at minimum, your wedding invitation postage will cost you at least $1.58 EACH to mail.
