Wedding invitations: How many do I need? Ideas and advice so that there are no leftovers and so as not to forget anyone

Wedding invitations increasingly bring us new trends and materials and here we tell you about them without any problem, stay and you will know everything

Carrying out wedding preparations takes months of work. This involves a lot of chores, such as reserving the restaurant, choosing the decorations and flowers, choosing the food, selecting the music and, of course, preparing the wedding invitations. 

We know that all this generates a lot of excitement, but we are also aware that wedding preparations can cause some stress.

Therefore, in this article we offer you several tips and keys to create the perfect wedding invitations, ensuring that they reflect your style and convey all the emotion of the occasion without adding more stress to the preparations.

And stay until the end because we tell you who is the best personalized wedding invitation artist.

Wedding invitations are a crucial detail for sharing your big day with family and friends! Let’s get to it!

Invitaciones de boda personalizadas / Photo via Perfect Venue
Personalized wedding invitations / Photo via Mi Historia Contigo

Make a guest list, first thing

Creating a detailed guest list is an essential step in planning a wedding. 

And that is why we have to start doing it in time, we must make an initial list of all the people who could be invited, including family, close friends, co-workers, and any other group.

Once done, we move on to categorize the guests, that is, classify them into categories such as “essential”, “preferred” and “optional”. This will help you prioritize if you need to make adjustments.

And finally, don’t forget to review the list with your partner and family, this way you make sure you don’t forget anyone important when sharing the list with close people.

By following these steps, you will be able to create a detailed and well-organized guest list, which will make the entire process of planning your wedding invitations easier.

Time is short!

Preparing wedding invitations means selecting the type of paper, the design that the wedding cards will carry out and the style, if we want original wedding invitations, elegant wedding invitations, vintage wedding invitations… Of course, we cannot miss the text of the wedding invitations and, finally, the invitation envelope.

For all these reasons, it is recommended that the process of preparing the invitations be several months in advance. 

In addition, you must keep in mind that you must leave enough time for the guests to organize themselves to attend the celebration, buy the gifts… at least if you want everyone who will receive the wedding invitation to attend. 

Therefore, it is best to order wedding invitations 6 months in advance and deliver them to the guests 3 months before the wedding.

Invitaciones de boda personalizadas / Photo via Perfect Venue
Personalized wedding invitations / Photo via Mi Historia Contigo

How much will I spend on my wedding invitations?

The budget for wedding invitations can vary widely depending on several factors, such as the number of guests, the type of invitation, the materials, and whether you decide to personalize them or make them yourself.

To get an idea of ​​your budget, here’s what you should consider:

Number of invitations

Remember that you do not need one invitation per guest, but one per couple or family. Make sure you have a clear number before calculating the cost.

Invitation type

Traditional invitations (Printed): depending on the design, materials, and finishes.

  • Basic cards
  • Custom design
  • Luxury invitations (with embossed details, special paper, embellishments, etc.)

Digital invitations: they are cheaper, depending on the platform and if you hire a custom design.

Materials and finishes

Paper: They are a classic and elegant option that can make your wedding even more special.

Printing: They are a classic and elegant choice that allows for detailed personalization and a tangible touch that your guests will appreciate.

Envelopes: They are a crucial element that not only protects the invitations, but also adds a touch of style and elegance to the first impression your guests will have of the event.

Extras: you can further personalize your guests’ experience and provide them with all the information they need in an elegant and coherent way, such as flowers, drawings, aromas…

Papelería de boda personalizada / Photo via Perfect Venue
Personalized wedding stationery / Photo via Mi Historia Contigo

Shipment

Another detail that is often forgotten is the cost of shipping per invitation. Don’t forget to take into account if you have any special or tracked shipments, such as outside the peninsula, to another country, etc.

Don’t ask for too many invitations 

Ordering too many wedding invitations for fear of falling short is a common concern, but there are ways to avoid it without compromising the quantity needed. What’s more, many of those you have on your guest list will probably end up not inviting them, you know the dreaded commitments, all couples have them!

Look at these ideas so that you don’t have too many or too few:

Think about your guest list

Spend time reviewing and thinking about your guest list. Make sure you have an accurate count of families, couples, and individuals.

Also keep grouping in mind, remember that an invitation usually covers an entire household (couples, families), which reduces the total number needed.

Add a reasoned margin

A small surplus is not bad, instead of ordering many more, add an extra 5% to cover errors or last minute changes. This should be enough without going overboard.

You should take error handling into account, think about possible printing or shipping errors, and adjust the quantity based on that.

Advance planning

Carrying out a prior review will help you. Before placing your final order, review the list with your partner or close family members to make sure you haven’t forgotten anyone.

Samples will also be a great help, if in doubt, ask for a sample of the invitations before placing a large order from your invitation designer. This will allow you to verify the quality and design without compromising a large number of invitations.

Digital invitations as plan B

If something goes wrong, having a plan B will be ideal, so consider having digital invitations prepared for those you couldn’t invite originally but decide to include later. This avoids the need to order many additional invitations.

For guests living far away or abroad, you can opt for digital wedding invitations, further reducing the printed quantity needed and therefore shipping costs.

Boda en el Palacio Tondón / Photo via: Weddings and Events by Natalia Ortiz
Wedding at the Tondón Palace / Photo via: Weddings and Events by Natalia Ortiz

Opt for digitalization

If you’re looking for ways to ensure you don’t have any leftover wedding invitations, here are some innovative ideas that can help you adjust the quantity and make the process more efficient by going digital:

Complementary online invitations

  • QR Code: Create a QR code that directs to a web page with wedding information. This can reduce the total number of printed invitations needed.
  • Mixed shipping: Combine printed invitations with digital invitations for some groups, like coworkers or distant friends.

Electronic confirmation cards

  • Online confirmation: Send an electronic confirmation card with details and a link to RSVP. This can help reduce the number of physical invitations if you get early responses.

Involve family and friends

Ask family or close friends to review your guest list. Often, others can remember people you might have overlooked.

Ask your parents, siblings, and other loved ones if there are additional people who should be on the list.

Create a guest list in an app or software

Use wedding management apps like Zola, The Knot, or spreadsheet software to create and keep your guest list up to date. And set reminders to review and update the list regularly.

Use test invitation cards

Print a small number of test invitations and distribute them to family and friends to get their opinions. They can often tell if someone is absent. Use their feedback to make adjustments to the final list.

Papelería de boda personalizada / Photo via Perfect Venue
Personalized wedding stationery / Photo via Mi Historia Contigo

Prepare an “Emergency Kit”

Have a small extra batch of invitations ready for any last-minute adjustments, making it easy to include unexpected or added guests.

Do you need more help with your invitations?

After having given you these tips and advice, choosing and following up on your wedding invitations will be easier for you, but if not, calm down, we know that with all the preparations everything becomes chaos. Therefore, having the guidance of a professional can be a great advantage. Their experience will help you find everything with greater ease and confidence.

This is where Carmen, from Mi Historia Contigo, becomes your indispensable ally. Carmen pays attention to every detail, combining images, textures and words in a masterful way, making both guests and couples feel more than special. Their service is unique and of high quality, in addition to always being carried out in an artisanal way and with environmentally responsible production. Don’t miss this interview to learn more about his talent.

Providing the means of communication to our guests is essential, everyone must have all the information simplified, for this reason we show you an inclusive wedding, in which Braille invitations are used. 

If you really don’t know how to carry out the preparations for your big day and you need help, nothing better than a wedding planner! Here we show you what to ask your wedding planner at the first meeting, so you go away with an idea.

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