Most Popular Wedding Invitation Sizes + Tips

One of the first things to decide when organising a wedding is what size invitations will be sent out. Find below a breakdown of common sizes and the approximate number of people they can accommodate. Furthermore, we have gathered some advice to help you select the optimal solution.

Finding the sweet spot between quality, quantity, and cost is essential when planning a wedding. Saving money on printing costs, mailing costs, and other expenditures can be accomplished by selecting a smaller wedding invitation size.

One of the most nerve-wracking parts of wedding planning is figuring out how many people to invite. Not only can various dimensions accommodate various price ranges and personal preferences, but they also affect the number of guests you may invite.

As a bride-to-be, you may find it challenging to select the appropriate invitation size. Some broad recommendations might help make your decision easier, but remember that what works best for one couple may not work for another.

How formal the event will be, how much time there is between when you want to send out invites and the wedding date, and whether or not there will be other activities (such as a rehearsal dinner) before or after the wedding are just a few of the considerations.

The first thing to think about is how many people you want to invite to your wedding. This will be the bare minimum for invites (typically 50). After deciding on the total number of attendees, the next step is to consider the event's theme and venue.

Smaller cards may be preferable to 8 x 11" cards, both in terms of cost per invite and the amount of room they take up during an outdoor garden party. Larger cards, if within your budget, may also provide a more formal impression.

Please read on for additional data on how to determine the correct size for your wedding!

Choosing Your Wedding Invitations

This advice can help you design the perfect wedding invitation if you're just getting started. From the ideal time to send invitations to suggestions for the event's overall aesthetic, we've thought of everything. With these pointers in mind, ordering wedding invitations will be a breeze.

1. Start Early

Send out your save-the-dates eight to ten months before the wedding. From then, the printing process might take a few days to a few weeks (or more, if you want to get really elaborate).

Although it's not required, having all of your stationery needs met by a single vendor may save you time and money. Planning for wedding stationery should begin nine to eleven months in advance.

Invitations should be ordered four to five months before the wedding so that they may be printed and mailed eight to ten weeks before the big day. Send out invitations extra early if your wedding is a destination wedding or falls during the holiday season (12 weeks before the wedding).

2. Get Your Dates Straight

You should put the RSVP information in the lower right corner of the invitation or in a separate envelope, and the deadline should be no more than three or four weeks after the invitations are sent out.

First, find out from the caterer when they need the final headcount. Keep in mind that the longer you give guests to respond, the greater the chance that they may forget, but the sooner you get the seating chart ready, the better.

The number of centrepieces and other decorative components will also need to be finalised with your vendors a few weeks before the wedding based on your final guest count.

3. Bear Your Costs In Mind

Don't forget to think about your financial situation while planning your invitations. It's crucial to keep an eye on the big picture while budgeting for your wedding stationery and make sure you don't go overboard. You'll be able to avoid a nasty surprise when tallying the cost of sending out invites if you do this.

4. Consider Costs

Costs per invitation might range from just a dollar to much over a hundred. Design, ink, typeface, printing method, paper quality, and quantity are all variables.

Additional fees may be incurred for the use of premium materials, coloured ink, formal printing techniques (such as letterpress and engraving), bespoke design, and the inclusion of ornamental extras (such as envelope liners and numerous enclosures) in your stationery.

In order to make an informed decision about what features—such as high-quality printing, a unique layout, or additional enclosures—to prioritise, you should investigate your alternatives in advance.

At the same time you're selecting your invites, research the cost of hiring a calligrapher (about $2 to $8 per envelope) so you can include it in your stationery budget.

5. Consider The Size Of Your Wedding

Your wedding invitation costs will also be heavily influenced by the number of guests you expect to invite. Think about how much it will cost to print that many invites if you're planning a huge wedding. If you're inviting a large number of people but have a limited budget, a more modest invitation may be the best option.

6. Choose a Theme for Your Wedding

If you haven't already, choose your wedding's aesthetic before you create the invite. In this way, you may make an invite that fits in with the overall feel of the party.

The use of worn paper with scalloped edges, for example, might create a feeling of rustic elegance. The whimsical tone of the piece would be enhanced by the use of watercolour illustrations and a pastel typography.

In addition to the location and time, the invitation also conveys a sense of the ceremony's formality through its appearance.

Before you go stationery shopping, decide whether the event you're planning will be formal and sophisticated, laid-back and comfortable, or glitzy and cutting-edge.

The next step is to provide your stationer with some inspiration by looking at stationers' websites and example wedding invitations from other couples.

7. Pick A Color Scheme

Think about your wedding colours too.

Before sending out invitations, it's also a good idea to decide on a colour scheme for the wedding. When choosing a colour scheme, keep readability in mind. Think about how the text colour will stand out from the background and choose that combination.

You may create a cohesive look for your wedding by carrying the colours and themes from the invitations through the escort cards, menus, and programmes.

Ivory, cream, or white card stock with black or gold lettering is the standard, but you may jazz things up by adding colourful or metallic typefaces, paper types, envelopes, and liners. It's important to remember to pick clearly visible colours (more on that later).

8. Consider Different Shapes And Sizes

If you want your invitation to stand out, try experimenting with different forms. You may try out other invitation shapes, such those with scalloped edges, trifolds, or even hexagons. The tall and skinny 4 x 9 14 invitation is just one example of the variety of sizes available to you.

The standard size and form for wedding invitations is a rectangle card measuring 4.5 inches by 6.25 inches. Circular, scalloped, and square invites are popular among couples nowadays who want to convey a more whimsical or contemporary atmosphere.

Keep in mind that the cost of postage may rise if you mail invitations that are too large or too heavy for a typical envelope.

9. Don’t Forget The Details

Be sure to double-check that you've included all relevant information after you've finished creating the invitation. Be sure to include important details like the wedding's dress code, location, and register information in your invitations.

The content on the invitation is just as important as the choice of colours and patterns. After all, that's why you're sending out invitations in the first place. If you want to be taken seriously, avoid using light ink on light backgrounds and dark ink on dark backgrounds, even if your stationery suggests otherwise.

If you must use colours like yellow or pastels in your text, make sure your backdrop is very contrasting to make the words stand out, or include those colours within the design itself.

You shouldn't trade legibility for aesthetics, therefore avoid typefaces like an excessively scripted typeface that are difficult to read.

You should also give a place for responses or an RSVP card. Including these specifics can assist guarantee a problem-free wedding day.

10. Check For Readability

The last thing you want is for your guests to be unable to understand the date of your wedding or the name of the location because of the font used in your invitations.

Make sure the invites can be read well before sending them out. To double-check the legibility of your invitation, you might also ask a close friend or relative to look it through.

11. Be Careful With Your Wording

Find the right words to use in the invitation. The host's name traditionally appears at the top of the invitation. Details, such as the ceremony's scheduled start time, are expected. The hosts' sincere hope that their guests will be able to make it to the wedding is sometimes expressed in a line like "so and so seek the honour of your attendance." It's crucial to make sure you've invited everyone who should be because the terminology used may change depending on who's hosting.

12. Proofread Every Card

Before you send out your invitations, it's a good idea to proofread every card.Check for typos and other minor mistakes, such as missing or too many spaces between words. By carefully reviewing each card, you can avoid missing any typos that would otherwise slip through the cracks.

Before your invitation order is printed, the stationery store will send you a proof (either a hard copy or an email attachment of the invite mock-up). Don't rely on simply your significant other and mother to proofread it.

I recommend having a friend who is a student of the English language or a bridesmaid who is well-versed in grammar examine the proof before you approve it. Things you may not see at first glance may surprise you (pay special attention to details like date and time and spelling).

If you want to catch every typo, use a trick from copy editors and read the proof from right to left.

13. Don't Crowd the Card

You should only include the most important information on your invitations, such as the time and place of the ceremony, the names of the hosts, your own and your fiance's, the required attire, and the means by which guests can respond.

If you try to cram too much information into your invitation card, not only will it seem less classy, but it will also be harder to read. Don't include information on how to get to the wedding or what to do after the ceremony on the invitations themselves; instead, put that info on a wedding website or inclosure cards.

Your registration information is the only thing that has no business being shown in your apartment. Only on a wedding website is it appropriate to provide register details.

14. Count Your Households

The number of invitations required is nil. Before you give your stationer a number, take a look at your guest list and determine how many homes require invites; you may be able to reduce your order by half.

For couples who live together, only one invitation is needed; for those who live apart, either one invite should be sent to the visitor with whom you have the closest relationship (with both names printed on the inside and outer envelopes), or two invites should be sent. Each family will receive a single invitation (addressed to "The Smith Family," for example).

The only exceptions are children who do not reside at home (such as college students) and adults who continue to live at home after turning 18.

15. Have a Professional Address Your Envelopes

When you order your invitations, Check to determine if the envelopes may be taken home right now (or as soon as possible).

To save money (most stationers print the return addresses for little or no fee; it is frequently even included in the price of the suite), consider having the return addresses printed on the envelopes by someone other than your stationery (like a calligrapher).

If you can afford it, we highly recommend having your envelopes professionally addressed by a calligrapher. If your handwriting isn't perfect, get a professional to address your envelopes in keeping with tradition. Do these in a few seconds to avoid sloppiness or errors if you're doing them yourself.

Even though printed labels are quick and cheap, it's more professional and thoughtful to write down each recipient's address by hand. In addition, handwritten invitations demonstrate how much you value their presence at your wedding by demonstrating the effort you put into creating them (or have a calligrapher hand-letter).

You may print the addresses from your computer using digital calligraphy software if your handwriting is more like chicken scratch and you don't have the money to hire a scribe.

16. Put a Stamp on It

A stamped (and addressed) envelope should be included with the response cards if you wish visitors to mail them back.

In this way, they may avoid spending money on mail. The return envelopes should be addressed to the host of the wedding, but if your parents are officially the hosts but you're managing the guest list, you can use your address instead.

And you can find customizable stamps to coordinate with your design. Tip: Rates change from time to time, so check before you add those stamps to ensure adequate postage.

17. Print Extras

When you go to print your invitations, be sure to print a few extras. Maybe an invitation will get lost in the mail, perhaps a guest will lose their invitation and ask for another one, or perhaps you'll have a last-minute addition to your guest list.

You may easily prepare for any of these situations by printing extra invites.

Making a second printing of invites after the fact is a costly endeavour. Instead, be sure to purchase 25 more invites than you'll need in case you need to resend any, want to save some as mementoes (we're sure your mums would want a few), or want to invite someone who weren't originally on your guest list.

As a suggestion, if your guest list includes many people who would be on your "B" list, you could want to buy a second round of invites with a later RSVP date. If you're having a calligrapher address your invitations, it's still a good idea to have some extras on hand in case any are sent back or misdirected (calligraphers generally require an additional 15 to 20 per cent).

18. Send Them On-Time

Invitations are often sent out six to eight weeks before the wedding, with save-the-date cards going out eight to twelve months beforehand. Send out invites for a destination wedding two to three months before the big day.

With this much lead time, tourists will have little trouble securing flights and lodging. Send out wedding announcements no later than a month after the event.

Wedding invitations come in a wide variety of sizes, so it's simple to select one that works for you. You can now begin designing a stunning invitation that will have your guests counting down the days until the big day once you've settled on the perfect wedding invitation size.

19. To Complete Your Suite, Please Remember the Following

It is best to order the menus, programmes, and thank-you notes at the same time as the invitations. That way, you can acquire all of your office supplies in one convenient location, thereby reducing your overall shopping time and costs.

As an added bonus, this method can help you maintain a uniform appearance throughout all of your stationery, even if their individual designs vary slightly (switching the dominant colour or alternating between two patterns, for example). Don't overlook the smaller details, like thank you notes and favour tags for the party favours.

20. Remember Your Thank-Yous

Make use of a guest list manager app or a spreadsheet to keep tabs on confirmed attendance. Make sure you include a column to keep track of the gifts you get from each visitor. Next, get a head start on your thank-you cards before the wedding presents arrive.

Gifts given before to the wedding should be acknowledged with a note of gratitude no later than two weeks after the wedding. Allow one month for gifts presented on or after the big day.

21. Do a Weigh-In

You might be eager to get the wedding invitations in the mail so you can cross that task off your list, but before you do, it's a good idea to have the post office weigh a sample invitation, enclosures and all.

Insufficient postage will result in your invites being returned, and we promise you do not want that. Moreover, while you're there, enquire about hand-cancelling your invitations.

To do this, your letter will be given a stamp indicating that it has been opened (instead of running your invites through the processing machine like regular mail, which could bend or even ruin them). Although cancelling by hand is free, you should still double verify with your post office to be sure it offers the service.

Also, bear in mind that there is no assurance your invites will avoid the processing machines, despite the fact that most post offices make an effort to keep hand-cancelled mail apart from ordinary mail. You can avoid this by paying extra to have your mail processed by hand, which is not possible with automated systems.

Standard Wedding Invitation Sizes

Not sure what size wedding invitation you should order? We've included some of the most typical invitation sizes, along with the corresponding envelope dimensions, for your convenience.

Numerous options for wedding invitation sizes are available. The following are examples of some of the most common sizes for wedding invitations to assist you make your selection.

1. 5 X 7

The classics will always be a safe bet. This is the usual invitation size, and it's large enough to include all the important information for a wedding. There's also room for personalised touches like a photo of you and your significant other.

2. 6 X 8

If there's more info you need to get through to your guests, this bigger invitation is the way to go. If you're having a destination wedding and want to tell guests where the ceremony and reception will be held, you can do so with plenty of room to spare on this invitation.

3. 5 X 5

The somewhat more modern feel of this size makes it a great fit for a wedding with a more up-to-date aesthetic. Because of its tiny size, this invitation has to stand out. Use contrasting, bright colours for the backdrop and typeface to achieve this. Combine this chic, compact card with a shiny, eye-catching envelope.

Conclusion

Wedding invitations are one of the most important decisions a bride-to-be must make. Find below a breakdown of common sizes and the approximate number of people they can accommodate. We have also gathered some advice to help you select the optimal solution for your event. Planning for wedding stationery should begin nine to eleven months in advance. Invitations should be ordered four to five months before the wedding so that they may be printed and mailed eight to ten weeks before the big day.

Costs per invitation might range from just a dollar to much over a hundred. Your budget will also influence how much it will cost to send out this year's invites. The standard size and form for wedding invitations is a rectangle card measuring 4.5 inches by 6.25 inches. Circular, scalloped, and square invites are popular among couples who want to convey a more whimsical or contemporary atmosphere. Be sure to include important details like the wedding's dress code and location in your invitations.

Before you send out your invitations, it's a good idea to proofread every card. By carefully reviewing each card, you can avoid any typos. Don't include information on how to get to the wedding or what to do after the ceremony on the invitations themselves. Most stationers print the return addresses for little or no fee. If you can afford it, we highly recommend having your envelopes addressed by a calligrapher.

A stamped envelope should be included with the response cards if you wish visitors to mail them back. If you're having a calligrapher address your invitations, it's still a good idea to have extras on hand in case any are sent back or misdirected. Order menus, programmes, and thank-you notes at the same time as the invitations so you can maintain a uniform appearance. Insufficient postage will result in your invites being returned, and we promise you do not want that. Gifts given before to the wedding should be acknowledged with a note of gratitude no later than two weeks after the wedding.

Allow one month for gifts presented on or after the big day. Numerous options for wedding invitation sizes are available. Following are examples of some of the most common sizes for wedding invitations. Included below are the typical invitation sizes, as well as the corresponding envelope dimensions. We've included these examples, along with the corresponding size envelopes, for your convenience.

Content Summary

• One of the first things to decide when organising a wedding is what size invitations will be sent out.
• Finding the sweet spot between quality, quantity, and cost is essential when planning a wedding.
• One of the most nerve-wracking parts of wedding planning is figuring out how many people to invite.
• As a bride-to-be, you may find it challenging to select the appropriate invitation size.
• How formal the event will be, how much time there is between when you want to send out invites and the wedding date, and whether or not there will be other activities (such as a rehearsal dinner) before or after the wedding are just a few of the considerations.
• The first thing to think about is how many people you want to invite to your wedding.
• After deciding on the total number of attendees, the next step is to consider the event's theme and venue.
• Please read on for additional data on how to determine the correct size for your wedding!Choosing Your Wedding InvitationsThis advice can help you design the perfect wedding invitation if you're just getting started.
• Start EarlySend out your save-the-dates eight to ten months before the wedding.
• Although it's not required, having all of your stationery needs met by a single vendor may save you time and money.
• Planning for wedding stationery should begin nine to eleven months in advance.
• Send out invitations extra early if your wedding is a destination wedding or falls during the holiday season (12 weeks before the wedding).2.
• The number of centrepieces and other decorative components will also need to be finalised with your vendors a few weeks before the wedding based on your final guest count.3.
• Bear Your Costs In MindDon't forget to think about your financial situation while planning your invitations.
• It's crucial to keep an eye on the big picture while budgeting for your wedding stationery and make sure you don't go overboard.
• You'll be able to avoid a nasty surprise when tallying the cost of sending out invites if you do this.4.
• At the same time you're selecting your invites, research the cost of hiring a calligrapher (about $2 to $8 per envelope) so you can include it in your stationery budget.5.
• Your wedding invitation costs will also be heavily influenced by the number of guests you expect to invite.
• Choose a Theme for Your WeddingIf you haven't already, choose your wedding's aesthetic before you create the invite.
• Pick A Color SchemeThink about your wedding colours too.
• Before sending out invitations, it's also a good idea to decide on a colour scheme for the wedding.
• When choosing a colour scheme, keep readability in mind.
• Consider Different Shapes And SizesIf you want your invitation to stand out, try experimenting with different forms.
• Be sure to include important details like the wedding's dress code, location, and register information in your invitations.
• The content on the invitation is just as important as the choice of colours and patterns.
• Check For ReadabilityThe last thing you want is for your guests to be unable to understand the date of your wedding or the name of the location because of the font used in your invitations.
• Make sure the invites can be read well before sending them out.
• To double-check the legibility of your invitation, you might also ask a close friend or relative to look it through.11.
• Be Careful With Your WordingFind the right words to use in the invitation.
• Before you send out your invitations, it's a good idea to proofread every card.
• Before your invitation order is printed, the stationery store will send you a proof (either a hard copy or an email attachment of the invite mock-up).
• Don't Crowd the CardYou should only include the most important information on your invitations, such as the time and place of the ceremony, the names of the hosts, your own and your fiance's, the required attire, and the means by which guests can respond.
• If you try to cram too much information into your invitation card, not only will it seem less classy, but it will also be harder to read.
• Don't include information on how to get to the wedding or what to do after the ceremony on the invitations themselves; instead, put that info on a wedding website or inclosure cards.
• Count Your HouseholdsThe number of invitations required is nil.
• Have a Professional Address Your EnvelopesWhen you order your invitations, Check to determine if the envelopes may be taken home right now (or as soon as possible).To save money (most stationers print the return addresses for little or no fee; it is frequently even included in the price of the suite), consider having the return addresses printed on the envelopes by someone other than your stationery (like a calligrapher).If you can afford it, we highly recommend having your envelopes professionally addressed by a calligrapher.
• If your handwriting isn't perfect, get a professional to address your envelopes in keeping with tradition.
• Put a Stamp on ItA stamped (and addressed) envelope should be included with the response cards if you wish visitors to mail them back.
• The return envelopes should be addressed to the host of the wedding, but if your parents are officially the hosts but you're managing the guest list, you can use your address instead.
• Print ExtrasWhen you go to print your invitations, be sure to print a few extras.
• Making a second printing of invites after the fact is a costly endeavour.
• Instead, be sure to purchase 25 more invites than you'll need in case you need to resend any, want to save some as mementoes (we're sure your mums would want a few), or want to invite someone who weren't originally on your guest list.
• As a suggestion, if your guest list includes many people who would be on your "B" list, you could want to buy a second round of invites with a later RSVP date.
• Send out invites for a destination wedding two to three months before the big day.
• Send out wedding announcements no later than a month after the event.
• To Complete Your Suite, Please Remember the FollowingIt is best to order the menus, programmes, and thank-you notes at the same time as the invitations.
• That way, you can acquire all of your office supplies in one convenient location, thereby reducing your overall shopping time and costs.
• Don't overlook the smaller details, like thank you notes and favour tags for the party favours.20.
• Remember Your Thank-YousMake use of a guest list manager app or a spreadsheet to keep tabs on confirmed attendance.
• Make sure you include a column to keep track of the gifts you get from each visitor.
• Gifts given before to the wedding should be acknowledged with a note of gratitude no later than two weeks after the wedding.
• Allow one month for gifts presented on or after the big day.21.
• Do a Weigh-InYou might be eager to get the wedding invitations in the mail so you can cross that task off your list, but before you do, it's a good idea to have the post office weigh a sample invitation, enclosures and all.
• Moreover, while you're there, enquire about hand-cancelling your invitations.
• Although cancelling by hand is free, you should still double verify with your post office to be sure it offers the service.
• You can avoid this by paying extra to have your mail processed by hand, which is not possible with automated systems.
• Standard Wedding Invitation SizesNot sure what size wedding invitation you should order?
• We've included some of the most typical invitation sizes, along with the corresponding envelope dimensions, for your convenience.
• Numerous options for wedding invitation sizes are available.
• The following are examples of some of the most common sizes for wedding invitations to assist you make your selection.1.
• This is the usual invitation size, and it's large enough to include all the important information for a wedding.
• 6 X 8If there's more info you need to get through to your guests, this bigger invitation is the way to go.
• 5 X 5The somewhat more modern feel of this size makes it a great fit for a wedding with a more up-to-date aesthetic.
• Because of its tiny size, this invitation has to stand out.
• Use contrasting, bright colours for the backdrop and typeface to achieve this.
• Combine this chic, compact card with a shiny, eye-catching envelope.