Wedding invitation cards are the first physical thing your guests see, and they do three jobs at once: they announce the date, set the formality level, and collect RSVPs. To choose them well, you need to settle on a budget, a style that matches your wedding, and a timeline that gives you at least 6 months before the wedding date. That answer covers the essentials: this guide walks through each decision so you can order with confidence.
Below are the questions couples ask most often when they start ordering, in the order you will need them.
What Information Must Every Wedding Invitation Card Include?
A complete invitation tells the guest all the basic facts without requiring a second phone call. Put these six pieces of information on the main card or the suite:
- Host line: the person or people issuing the invitation, often the parents or the couple.
- Request wording: "request the pleasure of your company" for formal tone, or "please join us" for casual.
- Couple's names: full names, usually in a slightly larger font.
- Date and time: spell out "Saturday, the fifth of October" instead of using numerals.
- Location: the venue name, street address, city, and state.
- RSVP details: either a separate card or a line like "Kindly reply by September 1".
If the reception is at the same place, add a line saying "Reception to follow". If it is elsewhere, add a separate reception card.
How Do I Pick the Wedding Invitation Card Style?
The style should match the level of formality of your wedding, not just your Instagram feed. A formal ballroom wedding calls for heavyweight paper and classic serif type. A casual barn wedding works with a flat card, simple sans-serif, and bright colors.
- Paper type: matte, cotton, linen, or recycled; thicker paper (300 gsm) feels heavier.
- Printing method: digital is cheapest; letterpress and foil stamping cost extra but add texture.
- Color palette: pick paper that matches your wedding colors, but keep the text readable.
- Typography: traditional serif for black-tie, modern sans-serif for contemporary.
- Shape and finish: standard rectangles are cheapest; rounded corners and square cards raise the cost.
Order samples before you commit. Vendors often sell sample packs for a few dollars, and paper behaves differently in person than on screen.
What Sizes and Shapes Are Standard for Wedding Invitation Cards?
The most common wedding invitation card is 5x7 inches, which fits perfectly in a standard envelope. The A7 size (5.25 x 7.25 inches) is also common for flat cards and allows space for liner paper.
- 5x7 (A7): the standard, fits both cards and inserts.
- 4.5 x 6.25 (A6): a smaller option, often for casual weddings.
- Square: 5x5 or 6x6 looks modern, but square envelopes require extra postage.
- Pocket-fold or booklet: leaves room for multiple insert cards, but costs more to make.
If you choose a non-standard size, expect a longer production time and a higher printing bill. Check USPS guidelines for square envelopes so your guests don't get a postage-due surprise.
How Much Should I Budget for Wedding Invitation Cards?
A simple suite with an invitation, RSVP card, and envelope costs about $1.50 to $4 per suite. A design with foil, letterpress, or custom illustrations can run $5 to $15 per suite, and the total from a specialty stationer often lands between $400 and $1,500 for 100 suites.
- Printing method: digital is cheapest; letterpress and foil add $2 to $6 per card.
- Paper and finish: cotton or linen papers cost more than standard matte.
- Extras like belly bands, wax seals, or laser-cut details add up quickly.
- Shipping and assembly: some vendors charge separately for putting the cards in envelopes.
A good rule is to reserve 2% to 3% of your total wedding budget for stationery, which includes invitations, reception cards, and thank-you notes. Get a quote for everything, including tax, before you order.
When Should I Send Wedding Invitation Cards?
Set the mailing date eight weeks before the wedding if most guests live nearby. Send them ten to twelve weeks before for destination weddings or when many guests must travel.
- Save the date cards: six to nine months before the wedding (if you use them).
- Invitations: six to eight weeks before the event.
- Destination weddings: three to four months before.
- Ordering: place your order at least four months in advance to allow time for proofs, printing, and assembly.
Calligraphy or hand-addressing can take an extra two weeks if you're writing every envelope. Build in buffer time so you're not stuffing envelopes the night before.
How Do I Word a Wedding Invitation Card Correctly?
The wording depends on the formality and who is hosting. A traditional line reads "Mr. and Mrs. James Holden request the pleasure of your company at the marriage of their daughter Emily..." A modern version can be shorter: "Zoe and Emma, together with their parents, invite you to celebrate their wedding."
- Address the date fully: "Saturday, the fifth of October" not "Oct 5".
- Write out times: "at four o'clock in the afternoon" or "at half after four".
- Use "and" instead of "&" in formal invitations.
- Spell out street names, states, and "avenue" when space allows.
- On the RSVP card, include a deadline that is two to three weeks before the wedding.
For a casual or second wedding, you can drop the formal "request the pleasure" and use "please join us" instead. Keep the wording consistent across the whole suite, and always read it aloud to catch awkward phrasing.
What Extra Pieces (Inserts, RSVP Cards) Do I Need?
Most stationers recommend a suite that includes a main card, an RSVP card with envelope, and a reception or details card. Out-of-town guests appreciate a separate accommodation card, and a wedding website address belongs on a details card, not the main invitation.
- RSVP card and pre-addressed envelope: keep the deadline clear.
- Reception card: needed only when the reception is at another venue.
- Accommodation card: lists hotel room blocks and booking deadlines.
- Details card: points to the wedding website, directions, or a weekend schedule.
- Menu or rehearsal dinner cards: usually part of a formal weekend invitation.
Order 10% to 20% extra cards to cover three common problems: envelope mistakes, addressing errors, and the guest list that grows at the last minute. Extra cards cost less than a rush reprint.
Wedding Invitation Card FAQs
How many wedding invitation cards should I order?
Order for the number of households, not the number of guests. A 100-guest wedding often needs 60 to 70 invitation suites, because couples, families, and singles each get one. Add 10% to 15% extra for mistakes and last-minute additions.
Do I need to include a wedding website on the invitation?
It is acceptable to print the URL on a details card or on the back of the invitation. On the main card, extra links can crowd the text. If your website has registry and travel info, direct guests there on the details card.
Can I send digital wedding invitation cards instead of paper?
Digital invitations work for small casual weddings, but paper cards still set expectations for a formal event. If you go digital, send a PDF or an online invitation and collect RSVPs by form. Be aware that older guests may expect a physical card.
What should I do if I forgot to order wedding invitation cards in time?
If the wedding is less than six weeks away, buy a simple flat card from a local printer, which can often turn around in a week. Use clear, short wording and skip extras like foiling. Call U.S. guests to add a personal touch if the mailing is tight.
Final Advice for Your Wedding Invitation Cards
Start early, choose a style that matches the wedding, and keep the wording clear. The most important part is that the date, location, and RSVP information are easy to find. Once the cards are printed, mail them on time and keep a few unused ones as mementos.