Wedding Invitations for 100 Guests: What Will It Cost?

Sticker shock hits fast when you realize wedding invitations for 100 guests can eat up hundreds—even thousands—of dollars. Wondering how much you’ll really pay? It boils down to choices: the paper you like, the extras you add, and how fancy you want to get. You don’t just pay for ink on paper, either. Each detail can bump up the final price.

On average, couples spend between $150 and $700 for 100 basic invitations, including envelopes. But if you go with specialty paper, custom designs, or stacked inserts, expect the cost to climb. Some luxury options run over $2,000 for the same group—no kidding. So, what exactly makes the numbers stretch, and where can you keep things under control?

Start by asking yourself what’s non-negotiable. Do you care about letterpress printing, or is digital printing just as good? Do you want RSVP cards tucked inside, or would a simple online RSVP save trouble (and cash)? Answering these questions early will help you set a realistic budget—and avoid surprise fees later on.

• How Pricing Works for Wedding Invitations
• Invitation Styles and Their Costs
• What’s Included (and Not) in Standard Pricing
• Extra Fees That Sneak Up on Couples
• Ways to Save Money Without Cutting Corners
• Real Couples: What People Actually Spent

How Pricing Works for Wedding Invitations

If you’ve ever tried to buy wedding invitations for 100 guests, you already know it’s not just about grabbing a pretty stack of cards. Prices move around a lot based on the materials, size, print method, and how much you want to customize. Here’s what actually goes into the cost.

The most basic factor is the kind of printing you pick. Digital printing is the cheapest—think $1 to $2 per invite for something simple. Go for letterpress or foil stamping, and you’re suddenly looking at $5, $7, or even $10 per invitation. It adds up fast, since you need one for every household, not every guest. (If you invite families or couples, you might need fewer than 100, but most folks order a few extras for mistakes and keepsakes.)

Paper quality and thickness make a difference. Thicker, textured, or 100% cotton papers are pricier than the standard smooth stock you see with online retailers like Minted or Zola. Envelopes might be included—or not—so double check. Some companies charge extra for colored or lined envelopes, and even more if you want your addresses printed instead of handwritten.

Here’s a quick breakdown of where your money goes when ordering for 100 guests:

What about fancy extras like RSVP cards, maps, or vellum wraps? Yep, those add more cost, usually a buck or two per set. Some shops bundle everything, but most price à la carte, so watch for that when you compare quotes.

There are ways to shrink the total. For example, skipping response cards in favor of an online RSVP can lower your spend by $50–$150. Proofing, shipping, and rush orders are sneaky little add-ons couples miss all the time, bumping the final bill with extra fees. Always request a complete, itemized quote upfront so you can spot surprises early.

Bottom line: the numbers can swing wildly—so think through what matters most, and build your budget around those non-negotiables first.

Invitation Styles and Their Costs

There’s no one-size-fits-all answer when it comes to picking your wedding invitation style—or what it’ll cost for 100 guests. The price can swing a lot depending on if you want simple, digital prints or next-level custom designs. Knowing where each option lands in your budget helps you decide what fits your wedding plans.

Here’s a rundown of the most popular types and what you might pay:

• Digital printing: This is the most common and wallet-friendly option. Expect to pay $1 to $3 per invite, so for 100, you’re looking at $100 to $300.
• Thermography: Raised ink adds texture and a fancy look. This usually runs about $2.50 to $5 each. Set aside $250 to $500 for a batch of 100.
• Letterpress: The pressed-in text feels luxe, but it can gobble up your budget fast. Typical costs are $4 to $11 per invite, which means $400 to $1,100 for 100 guests.
• Foil stamping: Want metallic shine? Foil costs run higher, often $5 to $8 each ($500 to $800 for 100). Sometimes this gets added on top of other methods.
• Engraving: If you want something super traditional (think your grandma’s wedding), engraving is the priciest. Quotes for 100 invites can be $1,000 and up.

Here’s a quick look at typical prices for 100 invitations. Keep in mind, these are base prices—extra add-ons can add up!

Pretty much every style gives you options for different paper thicknesses, colors, and envelopes. The fancier the details, the steeper the price. Lots of couples mix and match—going fancy for just the main invite, but budget-friendly for add-ons like RSVP or info cards.

You might feel tempted to DIY, but after paper, printer ink, and your very precious time, most find the savings aren’t huge unless you keep it super simple. Custom work from an artist or designer, on the other hand, can set you back even more but gives a one-of-a-kind touch.

What’s Included (and Not) in Standard Pricing

When you see a price tag for wedding invitations—say, $250 for 100—you might think you’re getting the whole package. Not exactly. Most base prices only cover the invitation card itself plus a plain envelope. Even then, little details can add up fast if you’re not careful.

Usually, here’s what you get with standard pricing from most big suppliers:

• Your main invitation card (usually 5" x 7")
• Basic white or off-white envelope
• Digital printing (think regular flat ink, no texture)

Everything else? That’s extra. If you want RSVP cards, custom envelope liners, fancier paper, colored envelopes, or details like foil stamping, be ready to open your wallet wider. Return addressing is sometimes included, but guest addressing (meaning your guests’ names and addresses are printed for you) almost always costs extra.

Here’s a real kicker: even a slight upgrade—like switching from digital printing to letterpress—can double your tab. You could also get charged for proofing, rush production, or even for changing your design after you’ve placed your order.

Here’s what an industry insider says:

"Most couples are surprised by how quickly the extras add up. The price you see is rarely the price you pay," says Emily Carter of The Knot, a leading wedding planning site.

If you’re on a budget, focus on what’s actually included in the wedding invitations package and ask for a detailed quote up front. That way, you won’t get thrown by add-ons that seem small, but together can mean a big bump in your spend.

Extra Fees That Sneak Up on Couples

Most people plan on the base price for wedding invitations and totally forget about the add-ons that pile up. That $150-$700 estimate? It’s the starting line. Many couples get blindsided by costs they didn’t even know to ask about. Here’s what often catches people off guard.

• Postage is the sneakiest. Fancy invitations mean extra weight or odd shapes, which bump up your postage. A standard first-class stamp is $0.68 in 2025, but square, heavy, or lumpy invitations require extra postage, sometimes up to $1.10 each. Multiply by 100 and you can quickly double your shipping cost.
• Enclosure Cards might sound optional, but if you want a map, details card, or RSVP card, every extra slip of paper adds to the total bill. Printers price by the piece, not just the design.
• Envelopes aren’t as basic as people think. You’ll pay extra for colored envelopes, lined envelopes, or double envelopes (a ‘fancy’ outer and a plain inner one). Professional calligraphy or custom printing for addresses can spike the price too, costing anywhere from $1.50 to $5 per invite.
• Proof fees sometimes sneak in, especially with custom invite shops. Need a physical proof to see colors in person? That’s another $10–$25.
• Assembly charges catch people off guard. Some printers charge for putting together pocket invitations or for tying ribbon or twine. If you need invites stuffed or assembled, check whether your vendor bills for labor, often $0.50 or more per set.
• Rush fees are brutal for last-minute orders. If you’re short on time, expect to pay a premium, which can be 25–50% more than the base cost.

Pay close attention to your contract and invoice details. Go over every service line, especially if your wedding invitations package looks too good to be true. Taking a few minutes up front to read the fine print can save you a headache—and a lighter wallet—later on.

Ways to Save Money Without Cutting Corners

If you’re staring down the cost of wedding invitations for 100 guests and wondering how people manage, you’re not alone. Saving money here doesn’t mean you have to settle for boring or flimsy designs. The trick is knowing where you can trim costs without your invites looking cheap or leaving out details your guests need.

Let’s talk strategy. First, skip unnecessary extras. Foil lettering and letterpress are pretty, but switching to digital printing can cut your bill by more than half. For 100 invites, digital printing averages $1.30 per card. Fancy printing styles? You’re looking at $4–$8 each. That’s a difference you’ll feel in your wallet.

• Choose standard sizes. Odd shapes like squares cost more to print and even more to mail.
• Consolidate info. Use one card and point guests to a wedding website for extra details, directions, or registry links.
• Go for RSVP postcards instead of full cards with envelopes. Stamps for postcards are cheaper, and so is the printing.
• Order extra invitations up front, but don’t overdo it—most people end up tossing spares. Ten to fifteen extras usually cover any mistakes or last-minute guests.
• Buy in bulk and look for coupon codes, especially with big retailers like Minted, Zola, or Vistaprint. There’s almost always a sale or a first-time buyer discount if you hunt a bit.
• Skip pre-addressed envelopes and handwrite them—or ask a talented friend. Printing addresses can run $0.50 to $2 per envelope, which stacks up fast.

If you think DIY means a mess, think again. There are easy-to-use design templates online from Canva or Etsy where you create the look you want, and then print yourself or send to a local print shop. The bulk price for 100 cards can be under $100 this way, including decent paper. Just don’t forget to include the cost of good envelopes and postage.

Here’s a quick glance at how much you can save if you make a few smart swaps:

It’s all about figuring out what matters most. You can get good-looking, personal invites without blowing your budget if you cut fancy features and keep things simple. Guests remember your wedding, not the price of the paper.

Real Couples: What People Actually Spent

Let’s get real about what wedding invitations for 100 guests actually cost, based on what couples paid in recent years. Prices jump around a lot, depending on style and how many "extras" get tacked on, but hearing what real people forked out gives you a better sense than just staring at averages.

Check out these examples from couples who shared their numbers in 2024 and 2025. These are straight from popular wedding forums and survey results. All prices include basic invitations and envelopes, but not postage unless mentioned.

What’s surprising? Some couples spend less than $100 by printing at home and skipping all formalities, while others go over $1,000 because of custom work. Most land somewhere in the middle—between $200 and $500 for 100 guests with simple designs and at least one extra, like an RSVP card.

• Printing at home saves big, but it takes time—and a decent printer.
• Custom art and fancy touches (like foil) are what really drive up the price.
• Major online stores bundle things together, so watch for package deals.

One smart tip: figure out what actually matters to you. For some, a flashy invite is part of the dream. For others, a basic design does the job just fine. Just know that, for wedding invitations, there's truly no “one price fits all.” Ask around or peek at forums if you’re unsure—most couples are happy to share what they really spent.