How much do wedding invitations cost?

How much do wedding invitations cost?

How much do wedding stationery, invitations, and other wedding paper goods cost? It really depends! Location, detail, guest count, and overall vision all affect the cost. Luxury and quality materials will of course mean a larger investment than a more standard approach.

From save the dates, invitations, detail cards, RSVP’s, programs, vow booklets, menus to escort cards, the options are many. The cost of hiring a professional is well worth the investment. A professional can work with you to plan out the perfect vision and provide you with heirloom pieces that you will treasure for years to come!

As with anything wedding and budget-related, what you spend will be up to you and your priorities as a couple. A luxury, heirloom package is well worth it if it will bring you and your guest’s joy.

We turned to the professionals for some advice on this post. Debbie Wong is a talented stationery designer and calligrapher in Calgary. We’ve been lucky to photograph her work numerous times and we love the insight she provides below!

“With a 150 guest count,  you’ll need about 75 invitations, one for each household. This will have the invite, RSVP card, details card, mailing envelope, RSVP envelope, and calligraphy addressing.”

“For the premium experience, a client would likely choose a custom invitation design. I would create some preliminary sketches with a mood board, and it gets refined from the couples’ feedback before it gets painted and inked. For custom stationery,  the average minimum starts at $2,000.”

“Additional add-ons to elevate the suite could be painted maps, vintage stamps, silk ribbons, handmade paper etc!”

“Stationery is one of the few tangible items that can be kept after a wedding and years later. It really does become an heirloom keepsake. Invitations set the tone of the wedding and is the first thing a guest receives notice about.

There is something special to have a physical item mailed to us in this digital age. Guests are delighted when they see their names in handwritten calligraphy, and they are blown away when they see what is inside!

Clients can inquire through my website at www.debbiewongdesign.com.  Once I review their inquiry form, I send a quote. A Zoom video call or an in-person consult is available if they want to chat and ask more questions

Wondering how to take the next step? We recommend booking a consult with a designer once you have your theme and color palette and stationery styles in mind. Make sure to ask questions and explore all of your options. Then, you’re able to ask what options your designer can present to you within your price point. Some designers will have incentives if you purchase certain items together (such as invitations and menus/place cards).

Whether you choose a pre-designed suite or a bespoke approach, hiring a professional will ensure you have the perfect first impression for your guests.

Need more inspiration? Check out this post about a River Cafe Wedding in Calgary!

Interested in more wedding planning advice? Check out our post on Hiring a Cheap Wedding Photographer.