Wedding invitation cards do three jobs: they tell guests the date and location, they set the tone for the event, and they act as a keepsake. The right choice depends on your budget, the formality of your wedding, and how much time you have before the date. This guide covers sizes, paper, wording, and timing so you can order with confidence.
When should you order wedding invitation cards?
Set a calendar reminder for six to eight months before the wedding. That gives you time to design, proof, print, and address cards without paying rush fees.
For destination weddings, move everything up by a month or two. Guests need more time to book travel and hotels.
- Order save-the-date cards six to eight months out if you have a large number of out-of-town guests.
- Mail invitations at the eight-week mark. For a destination wedding, mail them at twelve weeks.
- RSVP date should be two to four weeks before your final count is due to the caterer.
Most printers can turn around a standard order in two to three weeks. Custom or letterpress orders may take six to eight weeks.
How many wedding invitation cards should you order?
Order one invitation per household, not one per guest. A household is a couple, a family, or one adult with their own address.
Count up your guest list, divide it into households, then add extra for hands-on mistakes and late additions.
- Add 10 to 20 extra invitations for addressing errors, lost envelopes, and keepsakes.
- Add a few for your parents, your photographer, and your own album.
- Order extra RSVP cards if you use separate ones, since people lose them.
A safe rule is to add 15% to your household count. That usually covers most surprises.
What are the standard sizes for wedding invitation cards?
The most common size is 5 by 7 inches, which fits a standard A7 envelope. That size gives you room for a readable layout without looking oversized.
Other common sizes are 4.25 by 6 inches (A6) and 4.33 by 5.83 inches (baronial). You also see fold-over cards, square cards, and pocket-style invitations.
- 5x7 inches: roomy, classic, and the easiest to fit in a standard envelope.
- 4.25x6 inches: elegant, slim, and a good fit for minimalist designs.
- Square: modern but requires extra postage and a square envelope.
- Pocket fold: lots of panels for inserts and a polished, layered look.
Your size choice should match your content. If you have a lot of inserts, go up in size or use a fold-over card instead of a single card that cannot fit extra papers inside.
What paper stocks and finishes work best for wedding invitation cards?
Paper weight matters more than you might think. Standard card stock is around 110 lb., and a self-mailer or a simple card should be at least that heavy.
For a thicker, premium feel, choose 120 lb. to 130 lb. stock or cotton paper. Textured finishes like linen and felt are popular for classic weddings.
- Matte finish works well for modern, minimalist designs with lots of white space.
- Letterpress requires a thick, soft cotton paper to show the recessed print.
- Foil stamping looks best on smooth paper, where the metallic letters can pop.
- Digital printing is affordable and works on almost any stock.
Avoid a glossy finish if you have lots of text. Glare makes the card hard to read in bright light.
How should the wording on wedding invitation cards read?
Clear wording beats clever wording. Guests need the date, time, and place at a glance, and the rest is optional.
Traditional wording includes a host line, a request line, the couple's names, the date, the time, and the location. You can use either 'request the pleasure of your company' or the simpler 'invite you to celebrate.'
For a formal wedding, write out the date and time in full, like 'Saturday, the seventh of June, at four o'clock in the afternoon.' For a casual wedding, numbers like 'June 7 at 4:00 PM' are fine.
Keep the names and the location on the same line or on adjacent lines. That helps the mail carrier and your guests tell the invitation from an ad.
Examples:
- Formal: 'Together with their parents, Rachel Anne Miller and James Peter Chen request the honor of your presence at their marriage.'
- Casual: 'Join us to celebrate the wedding of Rachel and James on June 7 at the Lakeside Barn in Austin, Texas.'
- Hosted by one side: 'Mr. and Mrs. Daniel Miller request the pleasure of your company at the marriage of their daughter Rachel to James Chen.'
If the couple hosts, simply start with 'Together, Rachel and James invite you to celebrate.' Most same-sex couples and second marriages use wording that leaves out the traditional host line.
How much do wedding invitation cards cost?
You can order basic wedding invitation cards for around $1 per set if you use an online printer and catch a sale. Midrange custom cards with a few extras run roughly $2 to $3 per set.
Letterpress, foil, or engraved cards cost $5 to $15 per set, and that is before you count the inner and outer envelopes.
- Simple single-card design: $0.50 to $1.50 per set.
- Card plus details insert and RSVP card: $1.50 to $4 per set.
- Premium letterpress or custom watercolor design: $5 to $15 per set.
Add postage to your budget. A typical 5x7 card with inserts weighs more than 1 ounce, so it may need a 2-ounce stamp.
Plan on spending about 2% to 3% of your total wedding budget on stationery, including save-the-dates, invitations, thank-you cards, and day-of paper.
What inserts should you include with wedding invitation cards?
Include only the details your guests actually need. Mobile phones and wedding websites have replaced many printed extras.
The most useful inserts are a details card (reception time and location, dress code, hotel block), an RSVP card with a stamped envelope, and a directions card if the venue is hard to find.
- Details card: reception start time, dress code, parking and shuttles, and your wedding website URL.
- RSVP card: line for menu choices, plus a check box for decline, and a pre-stamped envelope.
- Accommodations card: only for out-of-town guests who need hotel suggestions.
- Map or directions: optional, since most people use GPS.
Skip pre-printed response cards if you plan to collect RSVPs online. Many couples now rely on their wedding website for replies, which saves money and paper.
How do you assemble and mail wedding invitation cards properly?
Stack the inserts in size order, with the largest item at the bottom. Each piece should be right-side up so the recipient sees it correctly when they lift it out.
Place the assembled stack in the inner envelope if you use one, with the printed side facing the back flap. Insert the inner envelope into the outer envelope with the flap on the right.
- Address the outer envelope by hand or with a printed label.
- Place the guest's name on the outer envelope, and the full address on the same line or the next line.
- Add the return address to the upper-left corner, and postage to the upper-right.
- Take one complete invitation to the post office to weigh it before buying stamps.
- Ask the clerk to hand-cancel the stamps if you want to avoid machine marks.
Send your invitations at least eight weeks before the wedding date. More time helps if your guest list includes many people who need to travel.
Wedding invitation card questions couples ask most
Can I use a monogram or crest on the invitation?
Yes. A monogram or a crest works well as a visual anchor at the top or bottom of the card. Keep it small so it does not compete with the date and location.
Is it okay to have printed RSVP cards instead of online?
Printed cards are still common, especially for older guests. Use both: an insert with a unique URL, and a printed card for guests who prefer mail.
When should I set the RSVP deadline?
Ask guests to reply two to four weeks before your caterer needs a final count. That usually means a deadline about three weeks before the wedding.
Should I indicate 'adults only' on the invitation?
Do not write 'adults only' on a formal invitation. Address the invitation only to the adult guests, and mention the child-free policy on your wedding website.
What if I need to change the date or time after ordering?
Contact your printer immediately. Some will reprint at a discount, but most charge full price. Do not try to cross out the old date with a pen; a printed correction card is better.
A final word on wedding invitation cards
Wedding invitation cards set the stage for your event, but they do not need to be expensive or elaborate. A clear, well-timed invitation with the right size and paper will get your guests where they need to be.
Start your order early, proofread everything twice, and keep a few extras for your own memory box. The rest is about logistics and guest comfort.