How many extra wedding invitations should I order? Do I really need extra wedding invitations? What about extra envelopes?
When it comes time to order invitations and your designer asks for the final count, it’s pretty important that you order the right amount. If you order too many, it’s wasted money that could have been used for extra flowers on the tables or Mai Tai’s on the honeymoon. If you order too few, however, you may end up with a costly re-print to get those few extras that you needed yesterday.
Psssst. Want the quick answer? Yes you do need extra wedding invitations and as a general rule you should order about 10 more than you think you need. But keep reading on to make sure you order the right amount for your own personal needs.
As a stationery designer, I hate seeing brides have to re-order invitations. Here at Lively Letter Co. we don’t charge extra for re-prints, only the cost of printing. However, our printers often have a minimum order price, and printing small quantities is MUCH more expensive than adding on a few extras to the original order. Plus there are shipping costs, too. We always triple-check that our brides are sure of the quantity before ordering their invitations.
So how do we avoid the cost of re-prints? It’s pretty simple — order the right amount of extras. And yes, you do need extras.
First, make sure you have the right number of invitations.
The most common mistake couples make is counting all of their guests instead of households. Not every single guest needs an invitation. Get an accurate count of invitations for your guest list first, counting each household as one invitation.
Then, add in the “known” extra wedding invitations
These include extra wedding invitations you know already that you’ll want in addition to the invitations you need for your guest list. Add one for your photographer to shoot at the wedding. Add a couple for you and your parents as keepsakes. Have plans to frame your invitations or maybe use them as decor at a shower or getting ready the morning of? (see the cutest use of extra wedding invitations below!) Count up how many extras you know you want.
Finally, plan for the unknown extra wedding invitations
It’s inevitable that you’ll figure out later on that you forgot someone on your guest list, or maybe you make a new friend that you want to invite. We usually recommend ordering about 10 extra wedding invitations for any unknown needs that may come up.
What about envelopes?
When you order your invitations, your number of envelopes usually will match the number of invitations. Makes sense, right? If, however, you’re working with a calligrapher or plan to address the envelopes yourself, you should order extra envelopes. This will ensure you won’t run out of matching envelopes if (read: when) you or your calligrapher make mistakes while addressing. Ordering 10% extra envelopes is standard and should be plenty!
It’s important to order extra wedding invitations. You already know of a few extras that you’ll need, and you should plan ahead for the extras that will inevitably come up. It’s easier, faster, and cheaper to order the extras right from the outset instead of having to re-order. You’ll be grateful you planned ahead when, out of the blue, ol’ aunt Ruth demands an extra wedding invitation for her scrapbook.
Curious about how the price difference between different quantities of invitations? Message us today to get a free quote.
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