The Definitive Guide to Buying Wedding Stamps for Your Invitations

We're wedding-planning psychics—and we predict choosing your perfect wedding invite will require lots of thought. Even after you've weighed the benefits of different cardstocks and decided if foil accents are a must or not, your design expertise is in play for a few more decisions. Next up: wedding stamps for your envelopes.

Finding the right wedding postage stamps to send your stationery is kind of a big deal. Most importantly, the type of or amount of stamps you include on an envelope ensures that your correspondence will arrive safely to your eager guests, since the size and weight of your invitation is likely different from a standard letter. Also, a cluster of pretty stamps says to the recipient: "Yes hello, I am a special piece of mail, please don't leave me in the mailbox to be crushed by a Pottery Barn catalog or yet another Chinese takeout menu." All in all, choosing the proper stamps for your wedding invitations is a key element of nailing down how to mail wedding invites. And we're digging into all the details you need to know below in our handy guide to buying postage stamps for your wedding invitations.

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In this article: What Stamps Do You Need for Wedding Invitations? | What Are Wedding Forever Stamps? | Stamp Options for Wedding Invitations | How Many Stamps Do You Need? | Cost of Stamps | Do You Need to Give Stamps With Wedding RSVP Cards? | Where to Buy Stamps for Wedding Invitations

Design: Tiana Crispino for The Knot

What Stamps Do You Need for Wedding Invitations?

When it comes to what stamps to use for wedding invitations, the answer is any stamp you'd like so long as you stick enough stamps to each envelope to properly cover the postage. For example, you might have to pick up a 20-cent stamp to add to your first-class or stamp or Forever stamp if your envelope weighs over one ounce. You might also choose to invest in some stamps that feel fancier for the occasion. (There are specific USPS wedding stamps with romantic designs.)

Basically: It's definitely possible to make use of the stamps you have on hand for your wedding postage, but you'll probably want to aim for some sort of cohesive stamp theme. For example, if you have some purple tulip stamps in your desk drawer and you're hosting a lavender-hued spring wedding, then you can absolutely use up your roll, but you'll likely have to grab some more to accommodate the number of invitations you're sending out as well as a second stamp to cover the extra weight or unique size of your envelopes (this might be the case if you're working with an amazing wedding stationery pro from The Knot Vendor Marketplace). While there isn't a catch-all "wedding invitation stamp" by name, we're listing a few different stamp styles that you'll need to get familiar with below.

What Are Wedding Forever Stamps?

Wedding Forever Stamps are wedding-themed versions of the standard Forever Stamp, which will cover the cost of first-class postage "forever," even if the cost goes up after the time of purchase. They have no expiration and no denomination, and are probably the type of stamp you have in your desk already. These guys will cover any envelope weighing in at one ounce or under. Forever Stamps come in a slew of different designs, including a few that are categorized under a "Love/Wedding" heading, which feature pretty flowers and other appropriate motifs. But, designs are always subject to sell out or change, so if you see something you like, it's best to stock up now. Note: You may want to opt for Global Forever Stamps (which cover the cost of a first-class, one-ounce letter sent anywhere in the world) if you have invitees overseas and would like to use Forever Stamps for your wedding invitations.

Stamp Options for Wedding Invitations

While the Forevers are usually the most common wedding postage stamps for invitations and other celebratory correspondence, there's no shortage of wedding invitation stamps to choose from (whether it be for practical or aesthetic reasons). Consider the options below to ensure you have on-point postage, no matter what type of stamp you choose for your wedding invitation.

Additional Postage Stamps

Additional postage stamps are common in USPS wedding postage, as they cover additional mailing costs if the stuffed envelope exceeds the one ounce that a Forever Stamp would cover. These stamps most often appear in denominations between 1 cent and 10 dollars, and you may need just one of the stamps or more depending on your letter's weight.

Wedding Postcard Stamps

Postcard stamps are just what they sound like: stamps made especially for postcards (which are lighter and sent without an envelope). Chances are, you're not sending postcards for your wedding invitations, since there are so many flourishes you might choose to incorporate, but you may be sending save-the-date postcards or wedding-announcement postcards. Wedding postcard stamps will come in at around 17 cents less than a Forever Stamp, so it's the most cost-effective option.

Vintage Wedding Stamps

Vintage wedding stamps are stamps that were printed decades ago or even a century ago, typically on antique printing presses that are no longer in commercial operation, so the aesthetic and tactile feel of these stamps is noticeably different from that of modern stamps. Unlike contemporary stamps, vintage postage for invitations often might cost more to buy, since they've been so carefully preserved, maintained and unused. For example, maybe you buy one stamp for $5, but the postage denomination marked on the stamp itself is 50 cents; regardless of the value of the stamp to a collector, it will only account for 50 cents of your postage. They're also a wonderful way to add personality to your envelopes, given the current situation with custom wedding stamps.

How Many Stamps Do You Need for Wedding Invitations?

The number of postage stamps you need for your wedding invites depends on the weight and dimensions of your fully stuffed envelope. If they're standard size and weigh under one ounce, all you need is one Forever Stamp to cover the mailing cost. If you've got a funky-shaped envelope on your hands or are sending an envelope bursting with details cards and fancy embellishments, the extra weight will require you to pick up some additional postage stamps in smaller denominations (like 20 cents) to stick on in addition to your Forever Stamp to make up the difference. Ask your local post office staff about postage stamp placement, how many stamps are in a book, how to put multiple stamps on an envelope, what size envelope requires extra postage and any other stamp-centric queries.

When you're buying your postage stamps, don't forget about the other pieces of your stationery suite. If you're also sending save-the-dates and RSVP cards, you'll need to buy stamps for those items as well. This means you'll need at least three stamps per invitation suite. It's also a good idea to pick up a few extras in case of any mistakes while addressing your invites.

How do you know how many postage stamps to use in total for every invitation suite you're sending? Look below. You might be on the low end of the range if you have lightweight invites and are requesting digital RSVPs (which you can easily do on your The Knot wedding website) and on the high end if you want mail-in RSVPs and are sending more-elaborate suites. (BTW: These figures don't factor in save-the-dates.)

• If you're inviting 50 guests to your wedding, you'll need around 50–150 stamps in total.
• If you're inviting 75 guests to your wedding, you'll need: 75–225 stamps in total.
• If you're inviting 100 guests to your wedding, you'll need: 100–300 stamps in total.
• If you're inviting 125 guests to your wedding, you'll need: 125–375 stamps in total.

What's the Cost of Stamps for Wedding Invitations?

How much are stamps right now? The total cost of stamps for your wedding invitations depends on a few different factors. First: Consider the weight, shape and size of your mail. If your heart was set on that groovy hexagon shape or you selected some ultra-thick and luxurious cardstock, you'll have to shell out more for postage. The location you're mailing to and speed of delivery are also important factors. If you want to send your invites first class (which we recommend to ensure that guests have enough time to respond and prepare), expect to spend a little bit more on your wedding stamps. Similarly, if you're sending any of your invitations outside the US, postage will be more expensive. It's also worth noting that stamp prices are steadily increasing, so be sure to double check the cost.

As it stands, the cheapest wedding postage stamps for invitations is a postcard stamp, which as aforementioned, would most likely only be useful for save-the-dates or RSVP cards, setting you back $0.61 a piece. (But remember, they must be rectangular and no bigger than the standard size.)

The option you'll probably use in one way or another is a first-class Forever Stamp, which clocks in at around $0.78 cents (Global Forever Stamps, which you can use to send correspondence that's standard size and under one ounce internationally start at $1.70). If your stationery is between one ounce and two ounces, a single first-class stamp costs $1.07. You can use additional postage stamps that range in cost and denomination if your bid is three ounces (reaching $1.36) or more (though, that's pretty heavy for a wedding invite, unless you've etched your bid in sterling silver or are getting doves to fly out of your envelope or something.) To get these prices, your envelopes must be flat, rectangular, letter-size and made of paper. They also shouldn't have any attachments such as string, buttons, wedding invitation wax seals or clasps. And if you're looking to add a little more personality to your envelopes via vintage stamps, these might be the priciest often, since they're bespoke and out of production.

If your invitations don't fall into the standard size category or include some decorative baubles, you can expect to spend a little bit more on postage. That's because these envelopes will have to be hand-canceled. For those not up on all the USPS lingo, to "cancel" is the term for when the post office marks your postage stamp with a black ink stamp to ensure it can't be used again. Requesting to hand-cancel your wedding invitations is a smart choice regardless of any envelope embellishments, since it prevents any tearing, smearing or ripping that might happen if your envelope is fed through a machine (which is common practice). Sometimes it's free for a certain amount of envelopes, so factor that in when you're hashing out your budget. To see what other couples in your area spend on wedding stationery, consult The Knot Budget Advisor.

Do You Need to Give Stamps With Wedding RSVP Cards?

If you're wondering whether or not you should pre-stamp your RSVP cards, the short answer is yes. It's proper wedding RSVP card etiquette and part of the full package of what to include in a wedding invitation to send a stamped and addressed RSVP envelope for convenience. This won't just make things a whole lot easier for your loved ones, it also guarantees a faster response time. Of course, there are a few clever ways to cut costs when it comes to RSVP postage. Instead of requesting traditional written responses, try asking guests to RSVP on your wedding website instead. Our stationery designs from The Knot Invitations all have a matching wedding website design, so the look will be seamless. You can still send response cards to any less-tech-savvy loved ones. If you really want to collect written responses, replace the traditional card and envelope with RSVP postcards.

Where to Buy Stamps for Wedding Invitations

While scoping up some good, old-fashioned United States Post Office wedding stamps at your local branch will always be a great option—especially if you're short on time or don't want to contend with the irony of paying to ship something that's paying to ship something else. Though, it's also a good idea to call ahead to confirm the kind of wedding stationery stamps you're looking for are in stock (and that they have enough). If you're looking for stamps specific to your wedding theme or for vintage or other unique stamps for wedding invitations that likely wouldn't be available at your local post office, the web is a treasure trove. From stocking destination-wedding-appropriate stamps to romantic designs that are perfect for love letters, the online retailers below are the best ways to buy stamps for wedding invitations. Just remember: Shipping will vary from site to site, so read the fine print before you checkout.

• USPS.com: If you can't make it to the post office before sending out your stationery, you can find the USPS's latest line of stamp designs online. They have a slew of nice options—from those featuring famous works of art, to fragrant-looking flowers, to sweet seasonal motifs—and even feature a "Love/Weddings" section, so you can easily find a stamp that's on theme. If you're looking to scoop up multiple types of stamps at once (for example, a standard first-class Forever Stamp and a 20-cent additional postage stamp), this is a great one-stop shop. You can also sort the results if you have a preference on buying a roll, book or sheet of stamps. The only catches are shipping can take up to a week and the designs are limited run, so you might have a smaller selection overall.
• Etsy: Etsy boasts lots of cool collectibles and vintage Forever Stamps that'll help set the tone of your invitations. You can find everything from single-style stamps, to complete sheets of now-discontinued collections, to custom-curated grouping of stamps paired together to match your wedding vibe that'll surely save you some effort. You can even find collections curated by color, if your aim is to achieve an overall cohesive look and you aren't concerned with each specific wedding stamp design. Just note: Since these are often rare or specially collected stamps, the price you pay will be more than the price each stamp is worth for postage.
• Edelweiss Post: Every stamp sold by Edelweiss Post has been carefully chosen by owner Patrick Dea's expert eye (he grew up with an avid stamp-collecting grandfather, so he really knows his stuff). Edelweiss' stamps are all vintage or discontinued and so many work beautifully for wedding invitations. Think: countless florals, lacey hearts, cherubs and doves. They also typically ship out within two business days, which is a wonderful turnaround time for a smaller operation.
• Little Postage House: A 2023 The Knot Best of Weddings Award winner, Little Postage House is a jewel box of sweet stamps. They have specially packaged stamp collections for wedding invitations grouped by color or theme (just be sure to double check the one you're choosing covers your postage cost) as well as an extensive inventory of state, city and landmark stamps. Because how cute would it be if you got engaged in Vegas and put a vintage Nevada state stamp on your invites as a special nod? Best of all, there's also an option for a custom-curated stamp collection. Just fill out the form and check "find cute stamps" off your list.
• Magnolia Postage: If you're looking for some vintage, small-denomination stamps to round out your invites, Magnolia Postage has lots of lovely options, ranging from one cent to over 30 cents. And if you don't see something that strikes your fancy (which isn't likely, since they carry hundreds of options) the team is happy to (and has the connections to) source any stamp you could possibly desire. You can give them the general aesthetic you're going for or give them a specific stamp you maybe saw on one of your friend's wedding invitations to source—and you'll have it in your hands.
• Amazon: Amazon is—well—Amazon. They have lots of modern stamp options to choose from and really shine when it comes to buying stamps in bulk and fast shipping, if you have Prime.