With the internet at our disposal, there are countless wedding stationery options at our very fingertips.

The average cost of wedding invitations falls within a wide range, so there is truly an invitation for every wedding budget! While some couples spend $150 (plus domestic postage costs), others spend as much as $1,600!

Naturally, some factors increase the cost of wedding invitations, such as the amount you require to reach your guest list, the quality of the paper you use, any custom design(s), and any additions you include, such as wax seals or foil stamping.

And yet, “How much do wedding invitations cost?” In this article, we’ll discuss some of the most popular wedding invitation options, from the affordable to the extravagant. We hope that this comprehensive guide will help you in your wedding planning and your search for the perfect invitations within your budget.

Paper Types and Costs

With so many different types of paper available, it may be difficult for some brides to decide which to choose. 

Paper costs naturally vary based on quality so we’ve outlined the most common types of paper used in wedding invitations, so you can decide what’s best for you, your budget, and your wedding aesthetic. 

Parchment

The most affordable option on this list and the traditional paper option for a wedding invitation, parchment paper can cost anywhere from $10-20 per 100 sheets.

With such a low average cost, parchment paper can be an excellent option for brides with a small budget for wedding stationery.

Matte Paper

Matte paper is the traditional paper invitation standard among online retailers for a reason!

Matte paper is a popular option that is also affordable and looks clean with any printed design clear and easy to read.

Typically priced at less than $15 per 100 sheets, matte paper is a cheap yet classic choice for wedding invitations.

Glossy Paper

Also incredibly popular, glossy paper is similar in type and price to matte paper, but it has the shine! 

Vellum

Vellum is a see-through type of paper. This translucence makes it ideal for layering, either with more vellum or with other types of paper, such as parchment.

Vellum is typically priced around $10-17 for 100 sheets, making it an ideal paper option for those who want a more luxurious look on a tight budget.

Glassine

Glassine is a type of paper that is very similar to vellum, both in look and in price. However, glassine has a waxier appearance.

It’s great for layering, but it can also stand on its own quite substantially. This makes it a better option for those who don’t want the additional cost of layered papers in their invitations.

Handmade Paper

Handmade paper is currently very trendy, but more than that, it’s also a “green” wedding invitation paper choice.

This eco-friendly option is also relatively cheap, at roughly $20 per 100 sheets, so both the earth and your wallet will thank you for choosing handmade paper wedding invitations!

Recycled Paper

This option is similar in eco-friendliness and price to handmade paper.

Recycled paper is typically made from recycled materials (hence the name) and plants. It’s this eco-friendliness that makes this affordable invitation option so popular!

Felt Cardstock

Felt cardstock is thicker than parchment, so it usually costs a bit more than parchment or paper.

At roughly $22 per 100 sheets, this option won’t break the bank, but its thickness will make it seem like it’s more expensive than it is!

Cotton Fiber

Cotton fiber paper is a durable, strong, and long-lasting paper option.

It is “tree-free,” meaning that it is made from cotton fibers rather than wood pulp, making it the most expensive on this list, at roughly $30 per 100 sheets.

Design Elements

Many different design details can be added to a wedding invitation. Here we’ll discuss some of the elements that you can include in yours…

Foil Stamping (Foil Printing)

Foil stamps come in many different colors, though the most popular are gold foil, silver foil, and rose gold foil.

This wedding invitation embellishment adds a (usually metallic) sheen and a sense of definition at minimal extra cost.

Engraving

Engraving is just as it sounds. It involves engraving your wedding details and/or additional designs on paper for a special and luxurious touch. 

This option is perfect for couples with larger wedding budgets as it can get very costly.

Photos

Perhaps you have a photo or photos from your engagement photoshoot that you want to place on a billboard because it’s so beautiful and special.

Well, why not include it in your wedding invitation? Many print shops have invitation options that can include photographs of you and your significant other.

Letterpress Printing

Letterpress printing is unlike digital printing because it involves a physical letterpress to ink the wedding details onto your invitation, making it another expensive option. However, it will give your invites a beautiful and classic look.

Calligraphy

Calligraphy is the most expensive design element on this list because it involves hiring a physical designer to produce the script for your invitations.

Calligraphers typically charge by the package, rather than by the card, and can add anywhere from $100 to $300 extra to your wedding invitation budget.

Envelopes

If you’re one of the many couples who choose to buy their invitations online, you’re in luck – most online retailers include envelopes in the price of their wedding invitations!

Some online retailers will even allow you to choose a custom envelope. Plus, additional services such as free address printing can help take some of the pressure off you and your fiancé. 

However, if you choose to buy envelopes separately from your wedding invitations, you may spend anywhere from $15-30 for 100 envelopes. 

Additions

“Additions” can mean many different things in the wedding invitation world. While for some, it means wax seals, to others it means a bow or belly band to tie the pieces of the wedding invitation suite together. 

Additions can also mean items like RSVP cards, directions, itineraries, or reception information. However, remember that the more items in your envelope, the more the postage cost! 

Smaller additions, like belly bands, ribbons, and wax seals don’t usually cost more than an extra $0.20 per envelope at the post office.

Printing Methods

Thanks to the Internet and sites like Etsy, many different sellers have created templates for wedding invitations. This means you can customize and even print them yourself! 

You can also turn to an online invitation service, which often includes envelopes in the cost.

Then, there is offset printing, which is typically a more expensive option. We’ll discuss the different types of printing options for wedding invitations below.

Digital Printing

With a customized template, you can print your wedding invitations at home! Simply buy the paper and envelopes you want, procure your desired design, customize it, and print away!

Though this option is a bit more labor-intensive, it can be much more affordable to do things yourself!

You can also use an online retailer to print and even address your envelopes, so all you have to do is seal, stamp, and send them! 

When performed by a service, digital printing can cost anywhere from $0.35-$2 per invitation.

Embossing and Debossing

Embossing involves pressing letters with metal plates into the cardstock, while debossing involves using metal plates to press letters into the cardstock from the back.

Embossing and debossing can cost anywhere from $1-3 per invitation. This is a luxe option that can be done with or without ink. Either way, it will feel special to the touch! 

Thermography

Another type of offset printing, thermography can cost anywhere from $2.50-$5 per invitation. It is accomplished by applying heat to resin powder which gives the printed letters a raised look.