Last week we talked about why custom invitations cost so much. Today, I wanted to talk about the different types of invites and help you figure out what works for your budget and needs.
*the below information is my opinion and experience. It does not reflect country or world-wide prices but gives you a good idea*
DIY
$1.50 and up
Oh DIY. Now if you are crafty and handy, go for it. However, if the thought of being up at 2 am gluing and having a panic attack sounds more like you, don’t do it! I did my own invites and totally regretted it and I do it for a living! There are lots of paper companies that have kits you can buy or cater to the DIY bride. Also, some custom designers offer a consultation service for DIYers for a nominal fee *wink wink.
Single panel album or retail invitation
$2.00 and up
These are invitations that you buy online or from an album in a store. My collection starts at $2.50 and then you can add pieces that you need. Now, these can get pricey depending on the materials and company you order from, so do your research and order samples.
Custom Panel Invitation
$3.00 and up
Now we are getting into the customized invites. Panel invitations are something I do a lot of. These creates an expensive feel and add something unique to the design. The more panels, the more money!
Pocket Invitation
$4.00
Invites in a pocket are fun if you have a lot of inserts and again offer something unique. The base price for these is already quite high so be careful when getting excited about add ons.
Custom Wood Invitation
$4.50
Love. Need I say more. With these invites, I say go simple with design and inserts. Let the wood speak for itself. LOVE!
Box Invitation
$10.00 and up up
Oh invitations in a box. Beautiful but expensive to make and expensive to mail.
Things that affect the price:
Printing: if you start to add letterpress, foil stamping, screen printing etc., the price starts to climb.
Number of inserts: the more paper, the higher the price. Do you need that custom map?
Production add ons: I’m talking about laser cutting, embellishments, calligraphy, address printing, etc.
What should I budget?
Everyone has an opinion about this but I have hardly ever seen anybody spend less than $500 on invitations. I usually recommend for custom design to have around $1,000 total and that’s for a not super fancy invite. Basically, you need to think about what you want and RESEARCH.
Whew. So hopefully this helps you before you go talk to your designer to have an idea about the types of invites. Now, not every 2 clients is the same and your pricing will be slightly different than your friend’s based on your needs. Moral of the story? Set a budget and discuss it with your designer or retailer!
Happy wedding invitations!
Read more in my Wedding Stationery 101 series and remember I’m always here to help!
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This is GREAT!!
Thank You and thank you for sharing it! So so important for brides to know.