Wedding Invitations Cost: Real Prices, Budget Tips & What You're Really Paying For
When you think about wedding invitations cost, the upfront price tag for paper, printing, and mailing your wedding invites. Also known as wedding stationery budget, it's not just about the cards—it’s about the first impression your guests get before they even walk into your venue. Many couples assume they’re paying for paper and ink, but what they’re really paying for is design time, material quality, printing technique, and postage logistics. A $50 set of invites isn’t just five-dollar cards—it’s hand-lettered calligraphy, thick cotton paper, foil stamping, and custom envelope lining that adds up fast.
The invitation printing methods, how the text and design are transferred onto the paper. Also known as digital printing, letterpress, or thermography, each method changes the price dramatically. Digital printing is cheap and fast, but it looks flat. Letterpress digs the ink into the paper, giving it that rich, tactile feel couples love—but it can triple the cost. Thermography adds a slight raised effect, mimicking letterpress at a lower price. Then there’s foil stamping, which glitters under light and screams luxury, but adds $1–$3 per invite. Don’t forget postage costs, the price to mail each invite, especially if it’s oversized, thick, or has embellishments. A standard invite fits in a regular stamp, but add a wax seal, ribbon, or die-cut shape? You’re looking at $1.20 to $2.50 per card just to mail it. For 100 guests, that’s $120–$250 extra before you even open the box.
And here’s the truth most vendors won’t tell you: the most expensive invites aren’t always the ones that look best. A simple design on thick paper with clean typography can feel more luxurious than a busy, glitter-covered card. The key is balancing material, print quality, and delivery. You don’t need gold foil to feel elegant—you need consistency, weight, and care in the details. That’s why couples who save the most aren’t the ones who pick the cheapest option—they’re the ones who know what matters and cut the rest.
What you’ll find below are real examples of what couples paid in 2025, from $100 budget sets to $2,000 luxury stacks. We break down exactly where the money goes, how to avoid overpaying for fluff, and how to get invitations that look expensive without the sticker shock. Whether you’re planning a backyard wedding or a ballroom affair, the right invites don’t have to break the bank—they just need to be smart.
What Is the Standard Cost of Save the Dates for Weddings in 2025?
Save the dates for weddings typically cost between €25 and €120 for 100 cards, depending on design, material, and printing method. Learn what affects the price and how to stick to your budget in 2025.