When you’re ready to order wedding invites, you want to get the number right. And while you may look at your guest list and assume 150 guests equals 150 wedding invitations, thankfully, that’s not the case.

The actual number of wedding invitations you should order is much fewer than that.

In this blog post, I’ll help you figure out the exact number of invites you need so you don’t overbuy (or forget to order enough. Yikes! Let’s get started!

1. Estimate # of Invites Per Household

How many wedding guests are you inviting? If you’re inviting 200 guests, you do not need to order 200 invitations. Simple as that!

As a rule of thumb, you should order one invitation per household on your guest list. Take note: guests who are 18+ receive their own invitation, regardless if they live at the same household.

How many does that usually come out to? Good question. A good way to estimate is to take approximately 60% of your guest list as the actual number of wedding invites to order.

2. Calculate Based on 60% of Your Guest List

CALCULATOR

Here’s an easy calculator for estimating how many invitations you’ll need to order to prepare your budget.

# Of Guests | Approximately How Many Invites to Buy

50 Guests → 30 Invitations

75 Guests → 45 Invitations

100 Guests → 60 Invitations

150 Guests → 90 Invitations

200 Guests → 120 Invitations

This is just an estimate, as your actual guest list may vary from this number. So, don’t order that quantity of invites just yet! However, it is a great estimation for couples to know before they order their wedding invitations for pricing and budgeting purposes.

3. Organize Your Spreadsheet by Household

When you’re ready to order your invites, use a spreadsheet like this to figure out how many you’ll actually need.

How you’ll do this is with an Excel spreadsheet. If you’re not a spreadsheet expert, use this Guest List Tracker to help. It’s amazing.

In the spreadsheet, you’ll make a tab for Invitations and, using your master guest list, organize your guests by line.

For instance, you’ll put households on their own row in the spreadsheet.

► Family or Couple: Write one entire family or couple on its own row (Mr. and Mrs. Franklin and Family or Mr. and Mrs. Franklin)

► Single Guests (with or without Plus Ones): Write single adults on their own line with or without a plus-one, based on what you’re planning for extra guests

Next to the guest name, include their address, written out fully, so you’ll have an easier time addressing them. (Or you can get your invites from here and they’ll include free wedding guest addressing, so you don’t even have to worry about it.)

► Be sure to include your wedding party attendants individually (with a plus-one), your parents, your partner’s parents, and one for yourself as a memento. (Great for wedding-day photos!)

Now when you look to the left side of your spreadsheet, which is numbered, you’ll have an exact number of wedding invites you need.

But wait, there’s more…

4. Order a Few Extra

Yep, you’ll definitely want to order a few extras. Why? Here are some common reasons to buy a few more than you need.

Printing and Shipping Issues

Invites typically print perfectly, but you’ll want to allow for a few printing mistakes where the ink looks a bit wonky on one, or shipping issues where some of them get damaged or bent. (It happens: not often, but it does!)

Oops, I Forgot Someone

In addition, there are a few last-minute guests that you may forget to add to your initial guest list. And you will be so relieved to have extra invites for them.

Early RSVP Declines

Last but not least, some couples end up adding guests to take the place of early RSVP declines, so they can fill their tables. In this case, sending invites to them early on won’t look like an A/B list, since you have extra invites on hand. Nice!

How many should you add? A good number to estimate for extra invites is approximately 10 to 15 invitations.

So, if you’re ordering exactly 150 invitations, plan to buy 160 to 165. For 200 invitations, purchase 210 to 215 invites.

You get the idea. :)

Now you have the exact number of invites to order. Yay! Here’s one last tip: get a sample!

Get a personalized wedding invitation sample BEFORE you order

Before you add to cart and purchase your invites, make sure you get a sample first.

Most invitation stores offer a sample so you can feel the quality in your hands and see the colors, wording, paper, etc. in person — before you place that large order.

You can even get a personalized sample here of any design you like!

Why is it important? Well, once once they’re printed, that’s it and you don’t want to waste any money.

► You can get FREE samples here. Nice + easy!

Well, that does it: now you’re a total expert when it comes to ordering invitations. If you have any questions on how many wedding invites to order, let me know in the box below.

And while you’re here, be sure to subscribe for the latest to your inbox!

Chat soon-

xo
Emma