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Key Takeaways

• The average cost of a wedding is $36,000.
• The average cost of wedding invitations is around $220, though costs can vary based on design, printing and add-ons.
• DIY invitations can meaningfully reduce costs compared to professional printing for budget-conscious couples.
• Add-on details like foil, embossing and seals can drive costs up, so it’s best to decide early which upgrades matter most to you.

Your wedding day might just be the biggest event in your life so far — and it’s all about you! However dreamy you picture your wedding to be, it’s still important to keep your budget in mind. Knowing how much you want or need to spend on specific areas of your wedding day can help you plan the event more effectively.

Learn how much the average cost of 100 wedding invitations is, whether it’s cheaper to print your own wedding invitation and where to find the cheapest wedding invitations. With this information, you can cross one thing off your list and focus on other, more exciting aspects of your special day.

What Is the Average Cost of Wedding Invitations?

The average cost of wedding invitations is around $220, while a full stationery suite can exceed $510. If you’re wondering what the average cost of 100 wedding invitations is, The Knot reports an average invitation cost of $180 for weddings with 51-100 guests.

Since the average cost of a wedding in 2026 is around $36,000, consider whether invitations are an area where you can save. Overall, you should only expect to spend about 2% of your budget on wedding invitations and other paper elements. While that amount may seem small, it will add up if you plan to have many guests.

Remember that not every guest will receive an invitation, as some of them likely live in the same household. The price could go up depending on any add-ons or deluxe choices you make to fit your wedding’s aesthetic. If you find cheaper ways to print your invitations and add-ons, you might be able to trim costs a bit. 

How Important Are Wedding Invitations?

Wedding invitations are one of the most important paper objects you’ll deal with at your wedding. The only other paper that is more important is your marriage license! Don’t think about skipping invitations. You should send them in some form, whether via e-card or snail mail. The choice is totally up to you. Many couples will take the traditional route to help older guests learn everything they need without difficulties.

RSVP cards are something you should remember to include with your invitation, especially if you’re inviting older folks to your wedding. The RSVP cards can put a little pressure on your guests to respond to you by a certain time. As such, this approach can be very helpful if you plan to have a plated dinner. Guests can write down any allergies or preferences in their RSVP cards so that you can report them directly to the caterer.

Where Can You Find the Cheapest Wedding Invitations?

You can find the cheapest wedding invitation materials from budget stationers, big retailers and on Amazon. You can also opt to buy editable invitation templates on Etsy and other online shops. You simply fill in the text you want to include and print the invitation yourself at home or at a print shop.

For the most budget-friendly approach, you can simply send an e-invite. You can do this via wedding e-invite platforms or a simple DIY Canva image sent via email.

Is It Cheaper to Print Your Own Wedding Invitations?

Printing your own wedding invitation can be much cheaper than hiring a professional printing studio or custom designers. However, it comes with its own costs. You will need to buy specialty paper, printer cartridges, cutting tools and adhesives. You will also need extra paper and ink for issues like misaligned cuts or printer jams.

Time is your highest cost here. It can take you days to design, print, cut and assemble your invitations.

When Should You Send Out Wedding Invitations?

You should send your wedding invitations around six to eight weeks before your wedding date. Remember, the earlier you send your wedding invitations, the earlier you can expect a response from your guests. You’ll likely still have to track down a few people, but you might get enough RSVPs in time to start making bigger decisions.

You don’t have to send save-the-dates. However, if you plan to invite people who will have to travel, telling them the date sooner rather than later can help ensure their presence on your big day. It’s a great opportunity to let people know the location of the wedding and link to your website or registry, too!

5 Add-Ons That Might Cost Extra

Here are the most common additional elements in wedding invitations.

1. Seals

A seal can communicate to your guests just how timeless your wedding will be. You can get a custom seal with your and your partner’s names, or your shared initial. However, a custom seal and wax might be an extra expense for your invitations that you didn’t predict. It can bump up the cost of your invitations, especially if you invite 100 or more guests.

If you’re adding seals to your wedding invitations, remember to ask the post office to sort your mail by hand. Otherwise, it may be run through a machine, smearing the seals and leaving them a mess when they reach guests’ hands.

2. Foil

Foil on your wedding invitations can come in several different metallic colors, like gold, silver and copper. It adds some shine to your otherwise flat paper, making it have a more luxurious feel. You don’t need foil on your invitations, but if you have some wiggle room in your budget, it looks nice and takes the invitation up a notch.

3. Embossing

Embossing can make a few words stand out. For example, you might choose to emboss your names in the invitation to draw attention to them and add a decorative flair. You might even be able to add this stylish method to your invitations yourself!

Embossing is purely cosmetic, so you shouldn’t have an entirely embossed invitation. You wouldn’t want the invitation to be illegible. It’s more important to clearly convey the message and key information about the event to your family and friends.

4. Informational Cards

You may need to include informational cards with your wedding invitations, especially if you don’t have a wedding website. These informational cards will include items you may not be able to add to your invitation itself, lest it look too cluttered.

These cards might detail the following:

• Hotel and/or lodging information
• Registry links
• RSVP cards
• How to share photos

If you have a wedding website, you may be able to reduce the number of informational cards you need to stuff into the envelope. Still, you may want to include some elements, such as RSVP cards, for guests who don’t have internet access or may not understand how certain technologies work. Try to help everyone feel included and welcomed at your wedding!

5. Special Printing

It can be cheaper to print your own wedding invitations. However, it may not turn out the way you envision if you lack the skills and knowledge. In this case, it’s best to opt for printing services.

Some services may offer the option to print addresses on your wedding invitation. If you have this option, you should take it. Having printed addresses on your invitations will make them look neater and spare your hand the work of writing everything out. You can better allot that time to something else that needs your attention.

Unfortunately, special printing will likely cost you extra. Still, it can be worth the investment if it gives you time to work on other aspects of your wedding. It can also give your invitations a professional, clean look, which can help if you plan to invite closer to 100 guests.

Understanding the Average Cost of Wedding Invitations 

You may get your wedding invitations and inserts printed as a suite from a website or you might use a platform like Canva to design your own and print and ship them to your house. Whatever the case, knowing the average cost of wedding invitations can help you adjust your budget for them accordingly. That way, you can spend less time worrying about spending too much on your wedding paper and more time looking forward to the future with your special someone.

Originally posted April 8, 2023 – Updated September 28, 2025