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Updated Oct 14, 2024How (and Where) to Find Gorgeous Inexpensive Wedding Invitations
Beautiful and budget friendly go hand in hand.
We'll be the first to swoon over a bespoke invitation suite, but we totally understand if custom bids aren't in your wedding budget. Whether you're looking to keep your total spend low or prefer to save on stationery to splurge elsewhere, inexpensive wedding invitations are aplenty—pretty ones too. Below, we dig into what constitutes an inexpensive wedding invitation (though, we know the term "inexpensive" means different things for everyone) and provide tips on how to find them. As a bonus, we selected a handful of designs for affordable wedding invitations this editor would sign, seal and deliver in a heartbeat.
In this article: Price Range | Where to Buy | What to Know | How to Make | Editor-Loved Invites
Inexpensive Wedding Invitations Price Range
While "inexpensive" is hard to define, we can determine a baseline according to data from The Knot 2023 Real Weddings Study. To figure that out, we took the average cost of wedding invitations and divided that by the average number of wedding guests (115). We arrived at $2.09 as a typical cost per invitation, based on this data. (Note: This number isn't referencing custom invitations made by a professional stationery designer.) All this considered, any invitation that's under $2 would be considered inexpensive, some might even cost $1 or less, depending on the design and materials. For most The Knot Invitations designs, 100 wedding invitations costs an average of $199.
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Where to Buy Inexpensive Wedding Invitations
We get it. You don't want your stationery to look cheap, but wedding invitations with lots of bells and whistles are out of reach per your wedding budget breakdown. Your solution: this list of where to buy affordable wedding invitations that still make a stationery statement. Our favorite retailers include:
- The Knot Paper: We do all of the heavy lifting by researching stationery trends, popular color palettes and eye-catching styles so you can simply click "customize" and "add to cart." New invitation suites are constantly added to the store inspired by everything from slick city "I dos" to Bridgerton regency royalty. Plus, many designs cost under $2 per invitation.
- Zazzle: This online store offers many invitation designs under $2 each. What's more, the retailer often runs promotions that allow you to knock off a few more cents. Many stationery pieces cost under $1.50. Invites run the gamut between traditional and trendy, so finding a card that suits your aesthetic is easy.
- Papier: There's always a subtle elegance to Papier's slew of stationery options, and their wedding invites are no exception. While the retailer's stationery isn't the most budget-friendly option for those purchasing 100 invitations or more, the cost per invite will be $2 or less, which falls in our low-cost wedding invitations price range.
- Ann's Bridal Bargains: This site is a popular mention across Reddit threads for its low-cost wedding invitation sets. You can score a set that includes a double-sided invitation, matching RSVP card and an envelope for $1.25 each.
What to Know Before Selecting Inexpensive Wedding Invitations
When it comes to scouting out affordable wedding invitation suites, choosing inexpensive bids is only half the battle. There are a few additional costs you should factor in, plus design elements to be aware of that'll sneakily increase your bottom line. Here's what you should keep in mind:
Keep an Eye Out for Lower-Cost Formats and Materials
Even if a site isn't as budget-friendly as you'd like, don't count them out. Oftentimes, a retailer has a few different sizes and formats available that'll save you some money per invite. For example, The Knot Paper offers all-in-one wedding invitations, which combine an invite, envelope and RSVP card. Though they cost a little more than traditional invitations, they'll eliminate the additional costs for envelopes and RSVP cards. Postcard-style invitations are also less pricey. Additionally, you won't need to set aside a portion of your budget to cover envelopes and enclosure cards. Some other sites also offer a petite invitation style, which is a smaller version of a classic invite with a lower price tag.
Note Any Inclusions
If envelopes, enclosure cards, guest addressing services, etc. are included in your invitation price, take advantage. These elements will cost you time and cash otherwise, so ensuring they're bundled in with your invites is a smart budget decision.
Go for Plain Paper
Though it's tempting to give into the siren song of pearlescent paper or bespoke linen pages, selecting a simple, quality cardstock is the best approach if you're wondering how to save money on wedding invitations. What's more, forgoing unique materials like acrylic will also keep costs low, though you might be able to find some affordable acrylic wedding invitations on Etsy that won't break the bank.
Opt for Simple Designs
Given the slew of talented designers that create invitation suites for The Knot and the bevy of independent makers you can find across marketplaces like Etsy, there's no shortage of pretty paper out there. You can find a simple design that still sings, sans foil, ribbon, vellum wrap or other bells and other stationery whistles. A printed design will always cost less than something like letterpress or hand calligraphy, though we have seen a few relatively affordable letterpress wedding invitations on Minted, if you're okay bumping up your budget just a bit.
Remember Postage Costs
Remember to add at least $0.73 to each invitation to cover wedding invitation stamp costs. Double it if you need two stamps and so on. The heavier your envelopes are, the more it'll cost to mail them, so choose light materials when you can and don't go overboard with the enclosure cards or other elements that'll add a few ounces. You must also factor in a stamp for each of the small envelopes you give guests to mail back their RSVP cards.
Use Your Wedding Website Wisely
Remember, the more enclosure cards you include, the higher the cost. This goes for both the stationery itself and postage. The solution: Include one small details card that clearly directs guests to your wedding website to RSVP digitally (yes, you can do this with a The Knot wedding website) and find pertinent information about your nuptials. Pairing digital elements with traditional trappings like paper invites is one of the least-expensive ways to invite people to a wedding while still maintaining a classic feel.
How to Make Inexpensive Wedding Invitations
It's not easy to find inexpensive custom wedding invitations, so you might be included to consider making DIY invitations. No matter how handy you are with Canva, it's best to take the heavy design work off your plate and focus on switching up the colors, text and fonts to achieve a more-personalized look and feel. (And with so many attractive, affordable wedding invitation sets out there, the price difference would be negligible if you made them yourself.) Keep reading to see how to customize your paper on The Knot.
1. Choose a design you love. (Styles without foil will cost less.)
2. Select your preferred color palette, then select either our Signature paper or Signature Smooth paper. They're the most budget-friendly options on offer that don't sacrifice quality.
3. Click "personalize" to begin editing your design.
4. Get creative with adding images, swapping fonts and even throwing in a photo or two for no extra cost—maybe even a custom wedding QR code. Edit text until it feels right to you, then add in your wedding details.
5. Check your spelling and grammar, ensure you've added free plain envelopes to your cart (for no extra charge).
6. Hit "Save," "Review," then " Add to cart & check out."
Our Editor's Favorite Affordable Wedding Invitations
Need a little design inspiration as you hash out how to plan an affordable wedding? I'm here for you. Here's a selection of some of my favorite inexpensive wedding invitations from our ultra-talented designers over at The Knot Invitations. By the way, most have matching RSVP cards and wedding website designs. (Do know that it was hard to choose only a few.)
1. Inexpensive Scribble-Style Wedding Invitations
We bet you know that scribble-style invites have been all the rage this year, and it's easy to see why. They're modern, romantic and just a little cheeky. This design includes cute line drawings of wedding icons, like a tiered cake, clinking champagne flutes and celebratory sparkles.
2. Inexpensive Toile Wedding Invitations
How could a design so fancy be so budget friendly? This design is adorned with the most stunning vintage toile pattern which spans all the way to the reverse of this invitation. The unrolled banner featuring you and your beloved's names feels extra romantic.
3. Inexpensive Elegant Wedding Invitations
This stationery is the poster child for understated elegance. A blend of serif fonts offers layers of visual interest without being too busy. A kiss of cursive elevates the design.
4. Inexpensive Whimsical, Modern Wedding Invitations
Subtle squiggles bring a wink of whimsy to this modern invite. Different text sizes and styles draw the eye through your wedding details. And with numerous juicy colorways to select from, you're sure to find one that fits your day.
5. Inexpensive Rustic Wedding Invitations
The wiggles border on these invites brings a modern feel to this otherwise rustic stationery. Pretty little wildflowers are sprinkled around your day-of details. The overall design evokes vintage embroidery.
6. Inexpensive Fall Wedding Invitations
Copper leaves are classic, but something about this autumnal design strikes the right mood for the season. A delicate sprig of leaves sits at the top right corner, while cursive and serif fonts drive the minimalist aesthetic forward.
7. Inexpensive Winter Wedding Invitations
Maybe you're saying "I do" and sharing a kiss under holiday mistletoe, or maybe you're just drawn to the rich evergreens and icy sparkle of winter. Either way, this stationery is suitable. A garland and wreath crows the invitation and cascades down the sides.
8. Inexpensive Spring Wedding Invitations
Dainty florals are timeless for a spring wedding. Case in point: these lovely invitations. Myriad blooms mingle along the left side of the stationery, giving the effect of a fresh-picked wildflower bouquet.
9. Inexpensive, Summer Beach-Themed Wedding Invitations
Are you shell-ebrating beachside in the summertime? These cute coastal invites look hand drawn, with a fun border made of oyster shells, sea creatures, champagne flutes and other things you might see at the shore. The handwriting-like text is the cherry on top.
10. Inexpensive Vintage Bow All-in-One Wedding Invitations
This all-in-one invite gets a touch of whimsy from a sweet illustrated ribbon. A monogram crowns the top of the stationery, while a bow adds interest to the attached RSVP card. Choose between eight stunning colors.
