When it comes to designing wedding invitations, the options are truly endless. However, this wide selection, from embossed details on a white background to booklets covered in hand-painted artwork, might become more limited once you factor your budget into the mix. Based on the paper, colors, printing methods, and accents that you select for your stationery, your total bill could look relatively affordable or pretty expensive. According to The Wedding Report, on average, about 100 to 150 wedding invitations in 2023 cost $256 to $312. Of course, this varies depending on the aforementioned factors, plus your location, guest list, and vendor. And once you add save-the-dates, response cards, and other components to your suite, the price will escalate even more.
Meet the Expert
Kristen Bozzone Armstrong is the chief operating officer of Cheree Berry Paper & Design, an award-winning graphic design firm.
Although each of these various elements play a role in influencing the cost of your wedding invitations, stationery expert Kristen Bozzone Armstrong says the way the invitation is printed is the largest determining factor. "The cost of the paper itself—while there is going to be some variance—isn't going to make a huge difference when you're talking about 100 to 200 invitations," she clarifies. No matter what your funds look like, Armstrong recommends setting aside four to six percent of your overall budget for your wedding invitations.
If you're still wondering how much money you'll need to pay for your stationery, we asked an expert to break down the price points. Ahead, the average cost of wedding invitations.
Design by Mehroz Kapadia
The Major Elements of a Wedding Invitation Suite
A wedding invitation suite is the complete set of invitations and information that you are sending to each of your invited guests. Typically, you'll design all of these items with matching colors, fonts, and paper selections. Here is a breakdown of the elements that will comprise your suite.
Invites
Your wedding invitation is typically in the front of your invitation suite. It will note all essential elements of your wedding, including the date, time, and location.
Belly Band
A belly band is a thick strip of fabric or paper that will keep your invitation and all of your enclosures together inside your envelope. You can also customize these bands with your names or a monogram.
Enclosures
Your invitation suite often contains several enclosures, depending on the size and type of wedding that you're having. You can use the cards inside to note the location of the wedding, information about the wedding reception, transportation options, attire, accommodations, or the itinerary.
RSVPs
One of the purposes of your invitation is to find out who will be attending your affair. Typically, you'll send your guests a response or RSVP card that they can mark (accept or decline) to let you know if they will be coming to your function. You can also ask invitees whether they're bringing a guest and what their entrée choice will be for dinner. Some couples opt for a digital RSVP, so you may want to think about whether you'll want to manage a digital guest list or if you'd rather prefer getting a bulk of cards in the mail.
Postage Stamp
You will need postage stamps to mail your invitations. The Postal Service offers a variety of designs that will complement your invitations' color and aesthetic. If you include a return envelope for RSVPs, you will also need postage for that.
Photo by Paige Vaughn Photo
How Wedding Invitation Printing Methods Affect the Cost
Now that we've covered the basics of your wedding invitation suite, here are four different printing methods and how they'll affect the price.
Digital Printing
An invitation suite with all four cards, digitally printed, will run anywhere from $500 to $800 for a set of 100. "The most budget-friendly option is digital printing," Armstrong says. "This involves setting up a file on the computer and hitting print. Because everything is done digitally without the need to manually mix ink, it's a good choice for anyone who is printing invitations—and there are many colors."
Offset Printing and Thermography
If you're using offset printing or thermography for about 100 stationery suites, the cost usually starts at $800 and can go up to $1,800. "Offset (flat) printing has a similar feel to digital printing, but the inks are mixed, and then, the design is transferred to your invitation through a press," she explains. "You get a higher quality print and can get very specific with the exact shade of color." Thermography is similar to flat printing except that powder is added to the ink, so you get a raised texture on the paper.
Letterpress Printing
Expect to spend about $1,500 on the lower end for 100 letter-pressed invitation suites. "The higher cost is due to the amount of supplies and manual labor needed to create custom presses for each design and color," Armstrong shares. "On top of the base price, each additional color will add an additional 25 percent to your costs."
Engraving
Engraving is a labor-intensive process, meaning that the cost tends to be higher. "The most extravagant form of printing is engraving, which gives a formal, embossed look," Armstrong describes. For 100 invitations, engraving will cost you $2,000 at least.
The Cost of Wedding Invitation Accents
On top of printing, accents factor into the average cost of wedding invitations. Here are some popular add-ons and how much they'll run.
Foil Stamping
It's common for wedding invitations to come with foil accents. For example, your names might appear in copper, gold, rose gold, or silver foil stamping at the top. "Usually foil stamping is done as an embellishment," Armstrong mentions. "Recently, however, couples have been wanting full foil stamp sets. It's definitely a trend we've seen grow recently. As a full set, it does get pretty expensive because a plate has to be created." For a full foil stamp on a set of 100 invitations, anticipate an additional cost of $1,800 for a set of 100. If you just opt for gold foil accents, the cost would be closer to $400 per 100 invitations.
Blind Debossing and Embossing
Blind debossing and embossing accents will cost $300 to $400 for 100 wedding invitations. These are done using the same process as letterpress but without ink. When you blind deboss, you create a depression in the paper, and with embossing, you create a raised text. Monograms, family crests, or other small accents are often debossed or embossed.
Edging
Edging costs $150 for 100 wedding invitations. The edge of the invitation can actually be painted onto paper in a thick stock. This is the type of detail that your guests will definitely notice once they open up their envelopes.
Bevel Cut
A bevel cut is when the edge of the wedding invitation is cut at a 45-degree angle and then painted, making the edge more visible from the front than an invitation that is only edged. This is usually just done on the main wedding invitation. For 100 wedding invitations, this will cost around $400.
Wax Seals
Adding wax seals will cost $200 to $300 in additional costs per 100 wedding invitations. The traditional way to create wax seals is to pour liquid wax on the envelope and stamp it to create a design. Today, you can also use raised stickers with permanent adhesives that look really authentic and save a lot of time.
Insert Cards
A set of 100 insert cards can range between $150 and $500, depending on the printing method. The most common wedding invitation insert is a reception card, which you may use if your reception is taking place at a different location than the ceremony. You'll also likely use an insert card to share information about your welcome party or post-wedding brunch if applicable.
Envelope Liners
The price of 100 wedding invitations is around $250 to $400 for envelope liners, with solid colors on the lower end of the spectrum and patterns on the higher end. These liners not only provide an aesthetic appeal, but they also function as a protective barrier that prevents colored envelopes from rubbing off on the invitations.
Written by
Tamatha Hazen
January 31, 2024
Edited by
Tara Farmer
Fact-checked by
Kristen Cramer
Wedding invitations cost $5 to $8 per guest, depending on the paper choice, printing method, and design elements included. Wedding stationery prices are $500 to $800 for a complete set of printed wedding materials for 100 guests. Stationery suites typically include a save-the-date, invitation, reception card, and RSVP card.
Average cost of wedding invitations Stationery Average wedding stationery suite cost (100 guests) Budget $250 – $500 Classic $500 – $800 Luxury $800 – $4,000+ Range of wedding invitation styles colors and designsGet free estimates from wedding invitations services near you.
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A wedding stationery suite costs $500 to $800 on average, for a set of coordinated paper goods and printed materials for a 100-guest wedding. You can spend as little as $250 on a budget set and as much as $4,000+ for luxury suites. The suite typically has these standard components:
Save-the-dates – To announce the wedding date in advance.
Invitations – Formal invites to the wedding ceremony.
Response cards – For guests to RSVP their attendance.
Reception cards – To provide details about the reception.
More complete stationery suites can also include:
Wedding programs – To outline the ceremony schedule.
Menu cards – To display the menu options for the reception.
Place cards – To assign seats at the reception.
Thank-you cards – Sent after the wedding to express gratitude for the wedding gift.
Not all stationery suites include matching envelopes for the invitations and RSVP cards. Don’t forget to add matching envelopes to your order for a cohesive and elegant presentation.
Modern wedding invitation in envelope with calligraphy sealThe biggest factor affecting the cost of wedding invitations is the printing method. Digital printed invitations are the most cost-effective, while other printing methods like thermography or letterpress are more labor-intensive and cost more.
Wedding invitation cost by printing method - chartWedding invitation cost by printing method Printing method Average cost per stationery suite (100 guests) Digital printing $500 – $800 Offset and thermography printing $800 – $1,800 Letterpress $1,500 – $3,000 Engraving $2,000 – $4,000Digital printing costs $500 to $800 per 100 guests on average and is the most common and affordable method for printing a digital file onto paper. This method produces a flat, smooth finish. Digital printing allows for a wide range of colors and intricate designs without significantly impacting the cost.
Offset (flat) printing costs $800 to $1,800 per 100 guests and resembles digital printing but uses mixed inks transferred through a press for higher quality and precise color. Thermography is similar to offset printing, except that a powdered resin is added to the ink for a raised texture on paper.
Letterpress costs $1,500 to $3,000 per 100 guests and is a more complex process that involves inking a raised design plate and pressing it onto paper, crafting elegant and indented lettering. This artisan process lends a luxurious feel, making it perfect for traditional and sophisticated wedding styles.
Engraved printing costs $2,000 to $4,000 per 100 guests and involves etching a design onto a metal plate. The plate is inked, wiped, and pressed onto paper, producing a delicately raised surface with inked letters. This method is well suited to metallic or foil accents and has a distinctive, high-end look and feel.
Wedding invitation with foil ribbon pearl bow and laser cut paperCouples typically spend about 4% to 6% of their wedding budget on the stationery suite. Wedding invitations set the tone for your wedding and give guests a glimpse of what to expect, and the paper you choose helps set the level of formality, style, and overall aesthetic.
Wedding stationery prices by paper type Paper type Average cost per 100 sheets Description Cotton fiber $20 – $40 A classic choice for wedding invitations, the softness suits letterpress, embossing, or engraving. Felt cardstock $15 – $40 Thicker and velvety soft, felt cardstock is pricier than standard paper due to its weight and texture. Matte $10 – $25 A common paper for many online brands, this choice is clean, crisp, and sturdy. Glossy $15 – $35 Reflective with an elegant sheen, glossy paper enhances vibrant colors, making it great for photographs. Parchment $20 – $50 Cloudy and translucent, parchment paper has an antique look with sepia tones and faded edges that layers well with vellum. Vellum $15 – $35 A translucent paper with a frosted finish, vellum is great for layering. Glassine $10 – $25 Similar to vellum but with a waxier look, glassine is ideal for overlays or envelope liners. Handmade paper $30 – $60 This newer trend is crafted from plant fibers like hemp or cotton with a textured and imperfect look. Recycled paper $10 – $30 Environmentally conscious paper made from reused materials makes this a green choice. Linen $15 – $25 This paper offers a textured finish resembling linen fabric and is an affordable option for couples who don’t want to sacrifice quality for cost.Get free estimates from wedding invitations services near you.
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Handmade wedding invitations made of vintage paper with buttons ribbons and flower add onsAlong with the printing methods, couples also add a touch of luxury and elegance to their wedding invitations by including additional design features like hand calligraphy, foil stamping, or custom monograms.
Hand calligraphy – Some couples hire a professional calligrapher to hand write the invitations or address the envelopes. These specialty artists can charge as much as $2 to $5 per piece.
Foil stamping – This popular embellishment includes accenting with a metallic finish in copper, gold, silver, or rose gold. Adding a gold foil accent costs about $400 per 100 invitations, while full foil lettering costs much more.
Embossing or debossing – This 3-D affect costs $300 to $400 per 100 invitations to have a monogram, small accent, or text pressed on the paper for a raised or recessed image.
Wax seals – For a vintage or regal touch, melted wax is stamped with a custom seal or design on the invitation or used to secure the envelope at a cost of $200 to $300 per 100 invitations.
Die cutting – Die-cutting cuts out specific shapes from the paper to create windows, pockets, or unique cut-out designs.
Ribbon or bow – Adding a ribbon or silk bow provides a decorative and romantic element to the invitation suite in color choices to match the wedding colors.
Custom monograms – Couples can create a personalized monogram combining their initials or symbols, for a more personal touch on the invitation or envelope.
Deckle edge paper – The soft, torn edges of deckled paper offer a rustic handmade feel to your invitations.
When choosing your wedding invitations, it is easy to get caught up in the excitement and lose control of the budget. Keep in mind the factors that influence the overall expense, such as paper choice, printing method, and design elements. It's also important to budget for these additional elements:
Get free estimates from wedding invitations services near you.
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Postage – When you are calculating your postage costs, remember that you will need 3 stamps per invite if you are sending a save-the-date card, a wedding invitation, and a prepaid postage RSVP return envelope. Postage rates are currently $0.66 for each standard rectangular envelope and $1.06 for a square or oversized envelope.
Envelopes – Matching mailing envelopes and inner envelopes may cost extra, depending on where you order your invitations and the package you choose.
Additional inserts – Every insert adds to the cost of the invitation suite and potentially increases your postage costs. Common inserts include directions, wedding website cards, pre-and-post-wedding events cards, dress code cards, accommodations cards, and gift registry cards.
Day-of items – Selecting matching wedding programs, menu cards, place cards, table numbers, wedding signs, and thank you cards increases your printing costs but creates a cohesive theme.
Two-color printing – Invitations with two-color printing increase costs by about 20%.
Wedding invitations should be sent out 6 to 8 weeks before the wedding date. For destination weddings requiring significant travel plans, send out invitations at least 3 months in advance. If you've sent save-the-date cards, your guests already have the basic details, and the invitation provides more specific information.
To address your wedding invitations, start with the outer envelope, using the recipients' full names, titles, and any appropriate prefixes.
For married couples that share a last name, use "Mr. and Mrs. Last Name." If they have different last names, list the person you are closest to first and include both full names.
For unmarried couples, list their names alphabetically on separate rows.
Include the complete address, spelling out all words and avoiding abbreviations.
Next, address the inner envelope more intimately. Use titles and last names, or titles and first names for close relationships. Include children's names below their parents' names, if invited.
Wedding invitations typically include the following essential information:
The names of the bride and groom prominently displayed
The date and time of the ceremony
The full address and name of the ceremony venue
The reception full address and name (if different)
A pre-addressed, stamped envelope for guests to send their RSVPs
Optional elements include:
Suggested attire for the wedding guests
The URL of your wedding website if you have one
Accommodation information if you have arranged hotel blocks or have suggestions for guests.
Gift registry details
Transportation and parking information if special arrangements are required
To save on wedding invitations, stick with affordable materials and printing methods. Instead of costly letterpress on handmade paper, consider more affordable options like digital printing on simple matte card stock. Other cost saving options include:
Create a wedding website – To reduce the inserts in your invitation, include all that extra information on your wedding website. This keeps your invitation and postage costs down.
Keep a simple design – A minimalist design in a single color and font is cheaper than an intricate design with additional colors, foil stamping, or embossed elements.
Limit the guest list – As with every wedding expense, the more guests you invite, the more you will spend.
Send electronic invitations – Many websites offer customizable email invitations that can be a creative and cost-effective option for weddings.
Choosing where you print your wedding invitations depends on your preferences, budget, and timeline. Here are the most common options:
Local print shops – Local stationery stores often have a variety of paper options and can assist with design and printing.
Specialized wedding invitation shops – Some shops specialize exclusively in wedding invitations offering more personalized service and a range of designs and customization options.
Graphic designers – If you have a specific design in mind, consider hiring a graphic designer to create an invitation suite that reflects your style and preferences.
Online printing services – Numerous online printing services specialize in customizable wedding invitations, including Vistaprint, Minted, Shutterfly, and Zazzle.
DIY printing – If you have the time and skills, you can design and print your invitations at home using a high-quality printer. You can purchase specialty paper and envelopes at office supply stores.
When searching for local wedding invitation services near you, check out their profiles and customer reviews here on Fash to help narrow down your choices.
How we get this data
Using our proprietary cost database, in-depth research, and collaboration with industry experts, we deliver accurate, up-to-date pricing and insights you can trust, every time.