I get this question in almost every first conversation, usually before we've even talked about colors or wording: 'okay but how much is this actually going to cost us?' Fair question. Couples have been burned by vague quotes before, so let's get into real numbers.
Custom, full color digital invitations start at $2.35 per piece. Thermography, which is raised ink that gives you texture without the letterpress price tag, starts at $4.30 per piece. Foil, the real metallic kind that catches light, starts at $4.35 per piece. And letterpress, where the design is actually pressed into thick paper, starts at $5.40 per piece. Those are per-invitation prices, and they include coordinating envelopes.
Why does the price range so much?
Three things move the number: quantity, print method and paper. Order more and your per-piece price drops, because setup costs spread across a bigger run. Print method matters because digital is ink laid on top of paper while letterpress physically presses the design into it, which takes more time on press and a different kind of plate. Paper plays a role too. Standard 130 lb smooth paper is included in every starting price. If you want something with shimmer, or a thick cotton stock that feels substantial in the hand, that's a small upgrade, not a whole new price category.
What does a complete suite cost, not just the invitation?
Nobody sends just an invitation card. A real suite includes the invitation, a response card, a details card for your website or accommodations, and envelopes for everything, addressed and ready to mail. For a 100 piece order, a complete suite starts around $450 in digital, around $850 in foil, and around $1,050 in letterpress. That's not a bare-bones estimate either. It already includes free guest addressing on the outer envelopes (the one exception is white ink on dark envelopes, which is its own separate process). It also includes any die-cut shape you want at no extra charge, so a soft arch or a scalloped edge doesn't cost more than a straight rectangle.
What actually pushes the price higher?
Add-ons are where couples either overspend without meaning to or intentionally splurge on something they'll remember forever. Wax seals, ribbon or twine, a printed belly band, a vellum overlay, an envelope liner in a pattern or metallic, these are all real upgrades that cost a bit more per piece, but none are required to have a beautiful suite. I'll walk you through which ones photograph well and which ones tend to get lost in the mail pile, so you're spending on what shows up in your guests' hands, not just what looks good on a mood board.
Is custom actually more than the online template sites?
Sometimes it's close, sometimes it's less. The real difference isn't always the sticker price, it's what you get for it. With a template site you're picking from someone else's layout and hoping the colors translate the way they look on your screen. When you work with me, I design your suite around your actual wedding, and there's never a design fee tacked on. You also get free guest addressing and free die-cut shapes, which template sites usually charge extra for. If you're in Westchester, Putnam or the Hudson Valley, you also get an actual person who hand-checks every piece and hand-delivers your finished order, not a tracking number from a warehouse.
How do I get an exact number for my wedding?
Guest count is the biggest lever, along with print method and whether you want any extra touches. The fastest way to get real numbers instead of a range is to grab a free planning session with me. We'll talk through your guest list and style, and I'll put together an honest quote based on what you actually want, not a generic package. You can also browse the invitation styles to get a feel for what's possible.
