Deborah Chan
Planning a wedding is stressful, and you don't want to run out of wedding invitations. But how many extra invites do you really need? The general rule is to order about 10 more than you think you need. This accounts for last-minute guest list additions, invitations that get lost in the mail, and keepsakes for yourself and your family. Ordering a few extra invitations upfront is cheaper than having to pay for reprints and shipping fees later. To calculate the number of invites you need, count the number of households on your guest list. Then, add 10-20% extra invitations. This way, you'll have peace of mind and avoid last-minute panics!
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of invitations to order | Number of households + 10-20 extra |
| Number of households | Count unique addresses; each household gets one invitation |
| Exceptions | Each family unit at the same address gets a separate invitation |
| Extra envelopes | Order 10-20% extra |
| Reasons for extras | Keepsakes, photographer, lost in the mail, guest list expansion, emergencies |
What You'll Learn
Counting by households
When it comes to wedding invitations, it's easy to assume that you need one invitation per guest. However, this is not the case. The number of invitations you need is based on the number of households on your guest list.
Firstly, count the number of households on your guest list. Each household should receive one invitation. For example, if a family of four lives together, they will only need one invitation. However, if there are multiple family units living at the same address, each unit should receive a separate invitation.
Invitations for Single Guests
Single guests who live alone should receive their own invitation. For example, a college student living with their parents will receive an individual invitation, separate from their parents. The same goes for an elderly grandparent living with their adult child.
Invitations for Couples
Couples living together will receive one invitation between them.
Extras
It is recommended that you order 10-20 extra invitations. This will cover any last-minute additions to the guest list, lost invitations, keepsakes, and any you may want to give to your photographer. It is also much cheaper to order a larger batch of invitations than to pay for reprints.
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Ordering 10-20% extra invitations
Ordering 10-20% extra wedding invitations is a good idea for several reasons. Firstly, it is a cost-effective decision. While it may seem unnecessary to spend extra money on invitations, it is much more expensive to go back to the printer or stationery company and pay for them to print and ship a small number of extras. It is also cheaper to order a few more invites upfront than to pay for re-printing or shipping fees for individual pieces of paper.
Secondly, it is inevitable that you will think of additional guests or forget someone on your list. There may also be last-minute additions to the guest list by family members. Ordering extra invitations ensures you have enough for these unexpected situations. It is also common for invitations to get lost in the mail or returned due to incorrect addresses.
Thirdly, extra invitations can be kept as keepsakes for yourself, your parents, and other family members. You may also want to give one or two to your photographer to be included in detail shots of your wedding day.
Finally, ordering extra invitations reduces stress and saves time. Wedding planning is stressful enough, and ordering extra invitations upfront means one less thing to worry about in the lead-up to the wedding. It also saves time, as you won't need to place another order and wait for the additional invitations to arrive.
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Keeping invitations as keepsakes
Wedding invitations are tangible mementos of your wedding day, so it's a good idea to keep a few as keepsakes. You could get one framed or include one in your wedding book. You might also want to pass one or two along to your photographer to be included in a shot of all your wedding details.
It's recommended that you keep 2-3 copies for yourself, and maybe one or two for your parents. If you have a bridal party, they might also like an invitation as a memento.
Ordering a few extra invitations is a good idea, as it's much cheaper to order a few more upfront than to pay for reprints and shipping fees later.
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Sending invitations to single guests
When it comes to sending wedding invitations to single guests, there are a few things to keep in mind. Firstly, it's important to remember that guests over the age of 18 should receive their own invitation, regardless of whether they live with their parents or not. For example, a college student living at home would receive their own invitation, separate from their parents.
Secondly, it's a good idea to provide clear RSVP instructions for your single guests. Include a reply card and a stamped, addressed envelope with each invitation, and set an RSVP deadline that gives you enough time to provide a final headcount to your caterer.
Thirdly, when addressing your single guests on the invitations, use their full name if possible. If you are unsure of their middle name, it's better to leave it out than to use just the initial. The proper title for a single woman is “Miss” if she is under 21 years old and “Ms.” if she is over 21. For a single man, the title “Mr.” is used.
Finally, consider ordering a few extra invitations to account for single guests. While you don't need to order as many invitations as you have guests, it's a good idea to have some spares in case of last-minute additions to the guest list or lost invitations. Ordering extras can also be useful for keepsakes, as you may want to hold on to a few invitations as mementos of your special day.
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Ordering extra envelopes
When ordering wedding invitations, it is important to order extra envelopes. This is especially true if you are working with a calligrapher or plan to address the envelopes yourself. Ordering extra envelopes will ensure that you do not run out of matching envelopes if mistakes are made during addressing.
The general rule of thumb is to order 10-20% extra envelopes. For example, if you are ordering 100 invitations and plan to have a calligrapher address your envelopes, order at least 20 extra envelopes. This will allow for mistakes and ensure that you have enough envelopes for all of your invitations.
If your stationer will be printing addresses on your envelopes or if you are using envelope labels, you may not need to order as many extra envelopes. In this case, ordering 10% extra envelopes should be sufficient.
It is also a good idea to keep a few extra envelopes for yourself. You may want to keep your wedding invitation as a memento, and having an extra envelope will ensure that it stays in good condition. You may also want to give your photographer an extra envelope and invitation to use in photos.
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Frequently asked questions
You should send one invitation per household. If a child is living outside their family home, they should get their own invitation. Single roommates living together should each receive their own invitation, as should guests in a serious relationship.
It is recommended to order 10-20 extra wedding invitations. This accounts for any last-minute additions to the guest list, invitations that get lost in the mail, and any you want to keep as a memento. It is cheaper to order extras upfront than to pay for reprints later.
Order 10-20% extra envelopes to account for addressing mistakes, especially if you are addressing them yourself or hiring a calligrapher.
Remember that not every guest needs an invitation. Get an accurate count of invitations by counting each household as one invitation. You can then add in any “known” extras, such as one for your photographer and a couple for keepsakes.
