We all know that sorting out a guest list can be one of the trickiest parts of planning a wedding. But once you’ve jumped that hurdle, you can start enjoying the fun stuff like booking your venue. However, when you order the invitations, your stationer will ask you how many you need. It might seem like a no-brainer, but you’d be amazed at how many couples miscalculate and end up with a stack of extras or not nearly enough. So, here are a few pointers to keep in mind.
Create Your Guest List
First and foremost, you need to finalize your guest list. This will give you a clear idea of how many people you want to invite. Keep in mind that you don’t need one invitation per guest, as many invitations will be for couples, families, or households. Start by listing out each household individually. Going the extra mile to ensure your list is accurate will save you time and stress later.
Related: learn more about special details to include in your wedding invitations here.
Factor in Couples and Families
Once you have your guest list, you probably by default assume that “total number of guests = total number of invitations”. That is not the case unless all of your guests are coming alone. Therefore, separate it into households. For example, if you’re inviting your friend John and his wife, that’s one invitation. If you’re inviting a family of four, that’s still just one invitation. This step will significantly reduce the total number of invitations needed.
Consider Additional Invitations
It’s smart to order a few extra invitations for many reasons. Mistakes happen when addressing or mailing invitations, and you might remember someone you forgot to add to the list at the last minute. Many couples also like to keep a few pristine copies as keepsakes or for photography. Plus, you might need to send invitations to key vendors like your photographer, planner, or officiant, ensuring they have all the event details and a keepsake from your special day.
Calculate the Total
Once you have your list of households and have accounted for extras, you can calculate the total number of invitations. A good rule of thumb is to order about 10-15% more than your initial count. For instance, if your list includes 100 households, consider ordering around 110-115 invitations to cover all bases. This also allows you to experiment with creative ideas for bridal shower invitations, helping to start the celebration on the right note.
Related: learn more about bridal shower invitation ideas to start the celebration here.
Learn More
Design your very own wedding invitation by contacting Forever Friends. We have everything from invitation and envelope embellishments to reception and response cards. Let us fulfill your wishes when it comes to creating a unique and beautiful wedding invitation for your special day.
*Please call Forever Friends for an appointment at (516) 721-2635 or email us at hello@foreverfriendsinvitations.com today. We look forward to hearing from you soon!
