Wedding Invitations: What's The Average Cost And Budget?

Wedding budgets can be stressful, but they don't have to be. The first step in creating your budget is figuring out who is contributing to the wedding and how much they are offering. It's also important to be realistic about what you can afford and what your priorities are.

When it comes to wedding invitations, the cost depends on several factors, including your location, vendor, guest list size, and stationery vision. On average, wedding invitations and stationery cost around $530 total, with save-the-dates costing around $150 and invites and RSVP cards costing about $240 combined. Day-of stationery, such as menus, programs, and place cards, typically make up the remaining $140.

As a percentage of your total wedding budget, your wedding invitation and stationery budget should be around 2%. So, for example, if your total wedding budget is $10,000, you should expect to spend around $200 on wedding invitations and stationery.

There are ways to cut your wedding invitation budget, such as choosing a digital printing option or opting for a simpler design. However, if you want to include additional accents like foil stamping, wax seals, or envelope liners, these will increase the cost.

The average cost of wedding invitations is $530

The cost of wedding invitations also depends on the printing method. Digital printing is the most affordable option, with 100 invitation suites costing between $500 and $800. Offset printing and thermography for 100 invitations usually start at $800 and can go up to $1,800. Letterpress printing is more expensive, with 100 invitations typically costing around $1,500. Engraving is the most expensive printing method, with a minimum cost of $2,000 for 100 invitations.

In addition to the printing method, the cost of wedding invitations can be affected by the paper quality, design complexity, and any additional embellishments such as foil stamping, wax seals, or envelope liners. These extra details can significantly increase the overall cost of the invitations.

When creating a wedding budget, it is important to consider all the factors that can influence the cost. The location, vendor, and guest list size can impact the price of invitations. It is also essential to allocate a realistic amount for stationery, as it is an important part of the wedding planning process.

The average invitation suite costs $240

The cost of wedding invitations can quickly add up, especially when you consider that this expense typically includes save-the-dates, RSVP cards, and other supplementary stationery. While it may be tempting to cut corners on wedding invitations, it's important to remember that they are the first glimpse your guests will have of your special day.

To stay within your budget, consider opting for digital printing, which is the most budget-friendly option. You can also save money by choosing a standard design and avoiding elaborate accents, such as foil stamping or wax seals. If you're handy with design software, you might even consider creating and printing your own invitations.

Another way to save money on wedding invitations is to prioritise. If custom designs or luxurious stationery are important to you, you can allocate a larger portion of your budget to invitations and cut back on other expenses.

It's also worth noting that the number of invitations you need will depend on the number of households you're inviting, not the total number of guests. So, if you're inviting 100 people who are mostly couples, you'll only need 50 invitation suites.

Finally, don't forget to factor in the cost of postage when budgeting for wedding invitations. Heavier invitations and those with unique shapes will cost more to send.

Save-the-date cards cost $150 on average

Wedding budgets can vary wildly, but the average cost of a wedding in the United States in 2024 is $33,000. The cost of a wedding invitation and stationery budget should be 2% of the total wedding budget. This includes everything from save-the-date cards to invitations to thank-you cards.

The cost of wedding invitations can vary depending on the printing method, paper type, design details, and embellishments. Digital printing is the most budget-friendly option, while engraving is the most expensive. Foil accents, wax seals, envelope liners, and other add-ons can also increase the cost.

It's important to consider your budget and priorities when planning your wedding invitations. You may want to allocate more or less of your budget to this category depending on your overall wedding vision and the importance you place on stationery.

Wedding invitation printing methods affect the cost

Wedding invitations and stationery are estimated to take up about 2% of a couple's wedding budget. The exact cost of wedding invitations depends on several factors, including printing methods, paper types, quantities, and decorative elements.

Digital Printing

Digital printing is the most budget-friendly option. It involves printing a digital file from a computer, and it's suitable for designs with multiple colours. The cost of a digitally printed invitation suite with four cards starts at $500 for a set of 100.

Offset Printing and Thermography

Offset printing and thermography are more expensive than digital printing. Offset printing involves mixing inks and transferring the design to the invitation through a press, allowing for precise colour adjustments. Thermography uses a powder that fuses with wet ink to create a raised texture. The cost of offset printing or thermography starts at $800 and can go up to $1,800 for 100 stationery suites.

Letterpress Printing

Letterpress printing is more costly due to the manual labour and custom presses required for each design and colour. The starting price for 100 letter-pressed invitation suites is around $1,500. Each additional colour adds approximately 25% to the total cost.

Engraving

Engraving is the most expensive printing method, giving a formal, embossed look. It involves etching the invitation wording onto a metal plate and pressing it into the paper. Engraving costs at least $2,000 for 100 invitations.

Wedding invitation accents affect the cost

Wedding invitation accents can affect the cost of your wedding invitations. The cost of your wedding invitations will depend on the type of paper, printing method, and any additional accents you choose to include.

Paper

The weight and material of the paper you choose will impact the cost of your invitations. Heavy cardstock or paper with a pearlescent sheen will be more expensive than thinner or matte paper.

Printing Method

The printing method you choose will also affect the cost, with some methods being more labour-intensive and expensive than others. Here are some common printing methods and their associated costs:

• Digitally printed invitations are the most budget-friendly option and typically cost between $1.79 and $99 per invitation.
• Offset printing offers a higher quality finish than digital printing and usually costs between $800 and $1,800 for 100 invitations.
• Engraved printing is the most expensive method and gives a raised, formal look to the invitations. Engraving typically costs at least $2,000 for 100 invitations.
• Thermography mimics the look of engraved invitations at a slightly lower cost, with prices starting at around $800 for 100 invitations.
• Letterpress printing is a labour-intensive process that creates an indented impression on the paper. It typically costs around $1,500 for 100 letter-pressed invitations.
• Foil lettering is created using a heated copper plate and can add a luxurious touch to your invitations. Foil lettering is typically more expensive than other printing methods, with prices starting at around $1,800 for a full foil stamp on 100 invitations.

Accents

In addition to the printing method, you may also choose to include accents or embellishments on your invitations, such as:

• Debossing or embossing, which creates a raised or indented pattern or monogram on the paper. This usually costs between $300 and $400 for 100 invitations.
• Edging, which involves painting the edges of the invitation for a luxe look. Edging typically costs around $150 for 100 invitations.
• Wax seals add a traditional and formal touch to your invitations but can be expensive, costing around $200 for 100 invitations.
• Belly bands or twine wraps are used to keep the invitation and enclosures together and typically add around $1 to the cost per invitation.

When creating your wedding budget, it's important to consider all the elements that go into your invitations, from the paper and printing method to any additional accents or embellishments you may want to include. These choices will ultimately affect the overall cost of your wedding invitations.

Frequently asked questions