Extra Wedding Invites: How Many To Order?

Planning a wedding is a stressful task, and deciding how many invitations to order can be tricky. Couples often mistakenly order one invitation per guest, but this usually results in far too many spares. Instead, it's recommended to count by the number of households—one invitation per household is enough. It's also a good idea to add a few extra invites for keepsakes, last-minute guest list additions, and to account for any that get lost in the mail. As a general rule, it's a good idea to order around 10% more invitations than you think you need.

How many extra invites should you order?

When it comes to wedding planning, it is important to order the right amount of invitations. Ordering too many can be a waste of money, but ordering too few can result in costly reprints. Here are some tips to help you determine how many extra wedding invitations to order:

Count by Number of Households

A common mistake couples make is counting the number of guests instead of households. Not every guest needs an individual invitation. For example, a couple living together will only require one invitation. Therefore, it is recommended to count the number of households on your guest list and base your order on that number.

Add "Known" Extras

In addition to the invitations needed for your guest list, there are a few "known" extras you may want to include. For instance, you may want to add one invitation for your photographer to shoot at the wedding. You may also want to keep a couple of invitations as keepsakes for yourself and your parents. If you plan to use your invitations as decor or have them framed, be sure to include those in your count as well.

Plan for Unknown Extras

It is inevitable that you may forget someone on your guest list or decide to invite someone later on. To accommodate for these unknown extras, it is generally recommended to order about 10 extra invitations. This will give you some flexibility and help avoid the need for costly reprints.

Consider Extra Envelopes

When ordering your invitations, the number of envelopes usually matches the number of invitations. However, if you plan to address the envelopes yourself or use a calligrapher, it is a good idea to order extra envelopes to account for any mistakes. Ordering 10-20% extra envelopes is generally sufficient.

Order Extra Invitations for Mistakes and Keepsakes

If you are handwriting your invitations or using calligraphy, it is a good idea to order extras to account for any mistakes. Again, 10-20% extra is typically enough for this purpose. Additionally, you may want to keep a few invitations as keepsakes, both for yourself and your family members.

Use a Spreadsheet

To help you stay organized and determine the number of invitations needed, consider using a spreadsheet. List each household, couple, or family that needs an invitation in separate rows. Don't forget to include yourself, your bridal party, and the parents of the soon-to-be newlyweds. Once you have your list, simply count the number of rows, and that will give you the number of invitations you need.

In summary, when ordering wedding invitations, it is important to consider the number of households on your guest list, add in any "known" extras, and plan for unknown extras by ordering about 10% extra. Additionally, don't forget to order extra envelopes and invitations for mistakes and keepsakes. Using a spreadsheet can help you stay organized and ensure you have an accurate count.

Why do you need extra invites?

It is recommended that you order 10-20 extra wedding invitations to account for any unexpected events or additions to your guest list. Here are some reasons why ordering extra invites is essential:

Last-Minute Guest List Changes

It is common to accidentally omit guests from your initial list or to have family members request additional invites. Ordering extra invitations allows you to accommodate these unexpected additions without incurring the cost and hassle of reprints.

Keepsakes and Sentimental Value

You may want to keep a few extra invitations as mementos of your special day. These invitations can become cherished keepsakes for you, your parents, and other family members.

Lost or Returned Invitations

Invitations may get lost in the mail or returned to you due to incorrect addresses. Having extra invitations ensures that you can quickly replace any missing or undelivered invites without delay.

Photographer and Decor

You may want to give your photographer an invitation to capture as part of your wedding story. Additionally, extra invitations can be used as decor at your wedding shower or while getting ready on the morning of your wedding.

Avoid Costly Reprints

While ordering the exact number of invitations may save money initially, reprints are often more expensive and time-consuming. Ordering a few extra invitations upfront can save you from the hassle and higher costs of reprints later on.

Peace of Mind

Planning a wedding can be stressful, and it's easy to overlook certain details. Ordering extra invitations provides a safety net and gives you peace of mind, ensuring that you are prepared for any unforeseen circumstances.

How to calculate the number of invites

When it comes to wedding planning, it's important to order the right amount of invitations. Ordering too many can be a waste of money, but too few can lead to costly reprints. Here's a guide to help you calculate the number of invites you'll need:

Count by Households, Not Guests

A common mistake couples make is counting each guest instead of each household. For example, if you invite a total of 200 guests, you don't need 200 invitations. Count each couple or family as one invitation. This will give you a more accurate estimate.

Consider "Known" Extras

In addition to the invitations for your guest list, there are a few "known" extras you'll want to include. Add one invitation for your photographer to capture at the wedding. Also, add a couple for you and your parents as keepsakes. If you plan to use your invitations as decor or for other purposes, be sure to count those as well.

Plan for Unknown Extras

It's inevitable that you might forget someone on your guest list or decide to invite someone later on. To accommodate for these unknown extras, it's recommended to order about 10 extra invitations. This will save you the hassle and cost of re-ordering a small number of invitations later.

Order Extra Envelopes

If you're working with a calligrapher or addressing the envelopes yourself, be sure to order extra envelopes. This will ensure you have enough in case of mistakes. Ordering 10% extra envelopes is generally a good rule of thumb.

Use a Spreadsheet

To stay organized and make the process easier, create a spreadsheet to list each household you need to send an invitation to. Include couples, families, and singles in separate rows. Don't forget to include yourself, your bridal party, and the parents of the soon-to-be newlyweds. The number of lines in your spreadsheet will give you an estimate of the invitations needed.

Add a Safe Cushion

Finally, add a safe cushion of about 20% to your total. This will cover any last-minute additions to the guest list, invitations that get lost in the mail, or other unexpected situations. It's better to have a few extra invitations than to risk running out and having to reorder.

How many extra envelopes should you order?

When it comes to ordering envelopes for your wedding, it's important to strike a balance to avoid having too many leftovers or not having enough. Here are some factors to consider when deciding on the number of extra envelopes to order:

Number of Guests vs. Households

It's essential to understand that not every guest needs an individual envelope. Instead, count by the number of households on your guest list. For example, if you have 200 guests, you'll likely need only around 100 envelopes. This is because many guests, such as couples or families, can be invited with a single envelope.

Extra Envelopes for Keepsakes and Emergencies

It's a good idea to order extra envelopes beyond the number of households on your guest list. These extras can serve as keepsakes for you, your parents, or other family members who may want a memento of your special day. Additionally, these extras can be handy in case of unforeseen events, such as last-minute additions to the guest list, lost invitations, or addressing errors.

Addressing Method

The method you choose for addressing your envelopes can impact the number of extras you need. If you plan to address them yourself or hire a calligrapher, consider ordering at least 10-20% extra envelopes. This buffer will account for any mistakes made during the addressing process. However, if your stationer will be printing the addresses or if you use envelope labels, you may not need to order any additional envelopes beyond your guest list count.

Specific Examples

To give you a better idea, let's look at some examples from other couples:

• One couple ordered 10 extra envelopes for a total of 50, which was more than enough for their guest list of 45.
• Another couple initially needed 101 envelopes but ordered 100 and then separately ordered 20 more, ensuring they had some extras.
• Aricie03, a user on WeddingWire, planned to round up their order to 60 envelopes from a guest list of 52, also ensuring they had a small buffer.

In conclusion, when ordering envelopes for your wedding invitations, start by counting the number of households on your guest list. Then, add a buffer of around 10-20% for keepsakes and emergencies, especially if you're addressing the envelopes yourself or using a calligrapher. By considering these factors, you can ensure you have a sufficient number of envelopes without wasting resources.

What to do if you're handwriting or using calligraphy

If you're handwriting or using calligraphy for your wedding invites, it's important to order extra envelopes. This is because you or your calligrapher might make mistakes while addressing them. It's recommended that you order at least 10% or 20% extra envelopes to be safe.

Picking a Writing Utensil

A calligraphy pen or paintbrush might feel intimidating for beginners. Instead, consider using a brush pen or waterbrush. Brush pens come in a variety of colours and sizes, so you can match them to your wedding card suite. Waterbrushes use ink and watercolour paint, allowing you to match the colour to virtually any colour you'd like.

Writing Straight Addresses

There are a few tricks to writing straight on your envelopes:

• Draw lines on your envelopes using a ruler and pencil. For darker envelopes, use a piece of transfer paper between your pencil and the envelope. However, this method can be time-consuming and may not work well for medium- and dark-coloured envelopes.
• Work on a lightbox with a template placed under or inside your envelopes. This method is great for beginners and works well with light-coloured envelopes.
• Purchase or make an envelope addressing guide. This template helps you letter within a certain area and keeps your lettering straight. Just remember to include descenders (the tails of letters like y's, g's, and f's) that some templates might not allow for.
• Use a SlideWriter, which projects a laser on your envelope that can be slid up and down as you move from line to line of your addresses.

Choosing Calligraphy Styles

If you're not comfortable using your own handwriting, try printing out different fonts to mimic. Download a font that you like and print out the alphabet (upper and lowercase letters, as well as numbers) for reference. You can also print out how this font looks for recurring words like "Mr.", "and", "Mrs.", "Street", "Apartment", and any city or state that will be lettered often.

Finding a Calligrapher

If you decide to hire a calligrapher, start by looking at your local calligraphy guild or association. Many of these organisations have listings of local calligraphers or can put you in touch with their members. You can also ask for recommendations from someone who has had calligraphy wedding invitations that you liked. When choosing a calligrapher, look through their portfolio and reviews, and don't be afraid to reach out to ask about availability and pricing quotes.

Timing

Remember to give your calligrapher plenty of notice so they have time to work their magic. As a general rule, try to send your wedding invitations about six to eight weeks before the wedding. The time it takes to complete an order will depend on the individual calligrapher and the specifics of your order.

Frequently asked questions