Wedding invitations: what to know

What the job involves, what changes the price, and what to ask a pro.

What wedding invitations is

A wedding invitation designer or stationer creates and prints invitation suites with save the dates, RSVP cards and details cards, tailored to the couple's theme and mailing list. Couples hire one when they want a coordinated look across every card and help getting the mailing right.

Signs you need it

  • You want a set of cards that match in color, type and paper
  • You need a save the date sent early and a full invitation sent later
  • You want RSVP cards with a clear way for guests to reply
  • Your guest list is long and you need help tracking addresses and replies
  • You want a custom design that reflects the venue, the season or your story

What the pro does

  • Talks with you about the theme, colors, paper and the wording for each card
  • Designs a suite that matches across the save the date, invitation, RSVP and details cards
  • Shares a proof for each card and makes changes until you approve it
  • Prints the cards on the paper and finish you chose
  • Assembles the suite, with envelopes and inserts, if that is part of the service
  • Helps you track RSVPs and mailing addresses if the service includes that

What changes the price

Every job is different, so we do not publish prices. These are the things that move the quote up or down.

  • Number of cards in the suite and their sizes
  • Paper type, finish and any letterpress, foil or custom printing
  • Custom design work compared with a template you pick
  • Number of proof rounds before the final approval
  • Envelope style and whether addressing is included
  • Printing quantity, including extras for keepsakes and mistakes

What a written quote should spell out

  • Each card in the suite, its size and its paper and finish
  • Design and proof rounds included
  • Printing quantity and any extra copies
  • Envelopes, addressing, assembly and mailing services, if included
  • Turnaround time and what happens if a proof is late or changed

Questions to ask before you hire

  • Can I see samples of your paper, finish and printing on a suite like ours?
  • How many proof rounds are included, and what counts as a change?
  • Do you address and assemble the envelopes, and how do you check the addresses?
  • How long does printing take, and when should I order to mail on time?
  • Will you keep the design files, so I can reorder if I need more?
  • What happens if the printer makes a mistake on a card?

Red flags

  • Will not show a proof before printing the full order
  • Does not confirm the spelling of names and the wording before printing
  • Cannot say how long printing and mailing take
  • Promises a rush order with no change to the design or paper
  • Has no samples of the paper and finish you chose

What you can do yourself

You can make a simple invitation with a template from a design tool and print the cards at home on good paper, checking every name and date against your list before you print. Hire a designer or stationer for custom artwork, letterpress or foil, a full suite with matching cards, or a long guest list that needs addressing and tracking.

Licenses and permits

No license is usually required to design or print wedding invitations. Ask whether the designer or printer is a registered business, and keep the proof and the order record for your files.

Wedding invitations questions

When should I send save the dates?

Many couples send them early, so guests can plan. Ask your designer for a timeline that fits your date, and plan the save the dates before the invitations.

Do I need an RSVP card if I have a website?

It depends on your guest list. Some couples use a card and some use a website. Choose one clear method and print it on the card if you use one.

Can the designer match my invitation to the wedding website?

Yes, if you ask. Share the colors, fonts and artwork files with the designer at the start so the card and the website look like one design.

About this guide

This national guide is written and checked by infinibell. Rules and conditions differ by place, so local pros are credited on guides for the cities they serve, not on national ones.

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