How Much Do 100 Wedding Invitations Cost in 2026?

When you’re planning a wedding, one of the first big questions isn’t about the dress or the venue-it’s about the invites. How much do 100 wedding invitations actually cost? It’s not as simple as picking a design and hitting buy. The price can swing from under $50 to over $400, and that’s just for 100 pieces. What you pay depends on what you’re getting, not just how many you order.

What’s included in a standard wedding invitation set?

A single invitation isn’t just one card. Most couples order a full set: the main invite, a response card, an envelope for the reply, and sometimes an information card with accommodation or RSVP details. Add a liner inside the envelope, a wax seal, or a belly band, and you’re looking at a multi-piece package. For 100 guests, that means 100 of each piece. A basic set with printed text on cardstock might cost $0.50 per unit. A luxury set with letterpress, foil stamping, and custom envelopes? That can hit $4 or more per set.

Printing methods make a huge difference

Not all printing is created equal. Digital printing is the cheapest option-it’s fast, accurate, and great for simple designs. You can get 100 digitally printed invites for as little as $0.30 each, so around $30 total. But if you want texture, depth, or a premium feel, you need other methods.

Letterpress presses ink into the paper, leaving a subtle impression. It’s beautiful, tactile, and expensive. Expect to pay $2.50 to $4.50 per set for letterpress. Foil stamping adds metallic shine-gold, rose gold, silver-and adds $1 to $2 per piece on top of the base cost. Embossing raises parts of the design without ink, and it’s often paired with foil. Both require custom plates, which add setup fees of $50 to $150, spread across your order.

One couple in Auckland ordered 100 foil-stamped invites with letterpress text. Their total came to $380. Another chose digital printing with a simple design and paid $48. Both looked great, but one felt like a keepsake, the other like a practical notice.

Paper quality changes the price

Cardstock isn’t just cardstock. A 120gsm paper is thin and flimsy. A 300gsm cotton paper feels substantial, almost like fine stationery. Some papers are textured, recycled, or even handmade. Cotton paper can cost 30% more than standard cardstock. Recycled paper adds an eco-friendly touch but often comes with a premium. If you want your invites to feel luxurious, you’re paying for the material as much as the design.

For example, 100 invitations on 280gsm cotton paper with digital printing cost $85. The same design on 150gsm recycled paper was $52. The difference in hand-feel was obvious-guests commented on the weight and texture of the first set.

Envelope choices add up

Standard white envelopes are cheap-about $0.10 each. But if you want a colored envelope, a lined interior, or a custom size, the cost jumps. A lined envelope with a silk interior adds $0.25 to $0.50 per envelope. If you choose a square envelope, you’ll pay extra postage too. Postal services charge more for non-standard shapes because they don’t fit in sorting machines. That’s an extra $0.50 to $0.80 per invite just to mail.

One bride ordered 100 square envelopes with gold foil lining. The envelopes alone cost $75. She also paid $80 extra in postage because of the shape. That’s $155 just for envelopes-nearly half the total invite budget.

Customization and design fees

Some designers charge for custom layouts. If you want your wedding date in a specific font, your names in a script only they can create, or a map of your venue included, you’re paying for design time. Freelance designers charge $50 to $200 for a custom invitation suite. Some online platforms like Minted or Zazzle include basic design for free but charge extra for upgrades. You might think you’re just buying a template, but if you tweak it heavily, you’re paying for labor.

A couple in Wellington hired a local designer to create a watercolor floral design based on their honeymoon destination. The design fee was $120, and the printed set came to $3.20 per invite. Total: $440 for 100. They didn’t regret it-the invites became conversation starters at the wedding.

Shipping, taxes, and hidden costs

Don’t forget shipping. Many vendors offer free shipping over $100, but if you’re under that, you could pay $15 to $30. International shipping? That’s a whole other ball game. If you’re ordering from the US or UK, customs and GST might add 15% to your total. Rush orders? Most printers charge 20% to 50% extra if you need them in under two weeks. And if you need to reorder 10 extra invites because someone lost theirs? That’s often a $50 minimum reorder fee.

One bride ordered her invites from a US vendor. She didn’t realize GST would be added on top of the $280 order. Her final bill was $322. She ended up needing 12 extra invites because of last-minute RSVPs. Reordering cost her $65. Total: $387.

What’s the average cost for 100 wedding invitations in 2026?

Based on recent orders from New Zealand and Australia, here’s what most couples pay:

• Budget option: Digital print, standard paper, plain envelopes - $30 to $60
• Mid-range: Digital or letterpress, cotton paper, lined envelopes - $100 to $200
• Luxury: Letterpress + foil, thick cotton, custom design, square envelopes - $250 to $500

Most couples spend between $120 and $180 for 100 invites. That’s about $1.20 to $1.80 per invite. It’s not cheap, but it’s often the first physical thing guests interact with. It sets the tone for the whole event.

How to save money without looking cheap

You don’t need to go luxury to make a great impression. Here’s how to cut costs:

1. Stick to standard sizes and shapes. Square envelopes cost more to print and mail.
2. Use digital printing. It’s high quality now-hard to tell from letterpress unless you’re holding both.
3. Skip the liner. A nice envelope color does the job.
4. Print your own response cards. Buy blank cards and handwrite RSVPs for guests who don’t respond online.
5. Use digital RSVPs. Many couples now use a wedding website. That cuts the need for response cards entirely.
6. Order early. Rush fees are brutal.
7. Buy in bulk. Even if you think you’ll need 100, order 110. Extra invites are cheaper than reordering later.

One couple in Christchurch saved $110 by using a digital RSVP link and printing only 80 response cards. They spent $98 total and still felt like their invites were elegant and thoughtful.

Final tip: Always get a physical proof

Never skip the proof. Colors on screen don’t match printed paper. Paper thickness feels different in hand. A $10 proof can save you $300 if your gold foil looks brown or your font is too small. Most reputable printers offer one free proof. Use it.

If you’re on a tight budget, focus on one luxury touch-like a nice paper or a foil accent-and keep the rest simple. Your guests won’t remember the price tag. They’ll remember how the invite made them feel.