How Many Wedding Invitations Should I Order?

So you’re planning a wedding (ooOoh, exciting!) and you need to start thinking about invitations. That means you’ve probably got a few burning questions on your mind, like “how many wedding invitations do I need?” and, if you’re making the invites yourself, “how much paper should I order?” 

I’ve gotten lost in the math a time or two myself, so over the years I’ve come up with a simple formula to help you figure out how many invites you need.

Spoiler alter: you don’t need one invitation per guest, so don’t start sweating the budget just yet!

Then once you’ve got that magic number in mind, I’ll help you figure out how much paper to buy so you can DIY them, if you so choose.

Sound good?

How Many Wedding Invitations Do I Need? 

Here’s my no-fail formula for calculating the number of invites you should order. Don’t worry, we’ve even factored in a little extra breathing room for all those last minute ohhh, you know who I forgot? additions.

One | Count the number of households 

You don’t need to send an invitation to each individual guest.

Instead, simply count the number of households (or unique addresses) on your list. 

The only exception to this rule is when two separate family units live at the same address. If two of your friends live together in a 2-bedroom apartment, then they each get their own invitation. If your brother and his family are living at an Uncle Joe and Aunt Lisa’s house for the time being, each family unit gets a separate invitation.

Two | Add 10-20 extra invitations 

The more people you’re inviting, the more additional invitations you should order.

You might be thinking, but I don’t want to spend the extra money on invitations I don’t need.

Invites are expensive. But you know what’s more expensive? Having to go back to your printer or stationery company at a later date and pay for them to print and ship extras.

You’re bound to think of a few people you forgot as you get closer to the day of your party. Or your invitations may get eaten by the dog, lost in the mail or used as coasters (all true stories). Not to mention, you’ll be glad to have a few extras that you can keep in your scrapbook, pass along to the photographer and send out in the case of an unexpected emergency. 

Even though it’s an added upfront expense, it’s cheaper to plan ahead for emergencies than to order a re-print or have to pay shipping fees for 1-2 pieces of paper. 

Number of Wedding Invitations to Order = Number of Households + 10-20 Extra Invitations 

How much paper do I need to order? 

If printing one-up (one invitation on a pre-cut sheet of paper)

Amount of Paper to Order = Total Number of Invitations Needed + 10 Sheets in Case of Mistakes

If printing two-to-a-page

(This is assuming you’re printing a standard 5″ x 7″ or 4″ x 6″ invitation on US Letter or A4 paper.)

Amount of Paper to Order = (Total Number of Invitations Needed / 2) + 10 Sheets in Case of Mistakes

If printing more than two-to-a-page

This can get complicated. So I recommend using a handy paper calculator to tell you how much paper to order. Just tell it how big your invitations are and what size paper you’re printing on then let it do the rest. Then just add a few extra sheets to cover you in case of mistakes.

Still on the fence?

Don’t be afraid to order extra invites! You might think that once the wedding is over you’re just going to throw that piece of paper away. But I have so many couples come back to me later and tell me how much they love their invitations, even years down the line. Oftentimes, the invitation is one of the only physical mementos you have left from your wedding. So order a few, frame them, tuck them in your wedding box, pop one in your scrapbook and enjoy them for years to come.

The information contained on this Website and the resources available for download through this website are for educational and informational purposes only. I am only sharing what worked for me, and as such, I cannot guarantee that any products or processes will give you the same results.