When couples begin searching for wedding invitations, they often come across two main options: semi-custom suites from large online retailers like Minted and fully custom invitations designed by independent artists. While both can result in beautiful stationery, they offer vastly different experiences, pricing structures, and levels of personalization.
How Custom Invitation Pricing Works
Custom invitation suites are tailored specifically to you, from the artwork to the typography and paper choices. Unlike semi-custom suites, which allow limited modifications (like changing the colors or font), custom invitations are designed from scratch to reflect your wedding’s aesthetic and personal story. This level of artistry and 1:1 personalization requires time, skill, and high-quality materials, which is reflected in the pricing.
Pricing for custom invitations is influenced by:
Custom Design – Original watercolor artwork, hand-drawn venue illustrations, or intricate calligraphy are created specific to the clients’ mood board, desires, etc. and usually include several video or phone calls; an initial consultation, and at least one design-focused call.
Paper & Printing Methods – Options like handmade paper, letterpress, foil stamping, white ink printing, and specialty envelopes significantly impact the cost of an invitation suite.
Hand-Finished Details – Wax seals, silk ribbons, envelope liners, and custom postage add a luxurious touch, but the cost adds up. To give some perspective, if a couple decides to include wax seals in their invitation suite, not only are they paying for the cost of the wax seals, but they also have to factor in the additional assembly time and added postage needs.
Small-Batch Production – Unlike mass-produced designs, custom suites are carefully crafted in small quantities, ensuring impeccable quality.
How Custom Invitations Differ from Semi-Custom Options
While semi-custom invitations are an affordable and convenient choice, they lack the depth of customization and personal touch of a fully custom suite. Semi-custom invitations are pre-designed, meaning you can change some details, but the core design remains the same for every couple who selects it. If you don’t mind the possibility of a friend or co-worker using the same invitation design as your own six months later, then this option could be a great way to save money if paper isn’t an area you’re looking to splurge.
This custom suite, mailed to 100 households, totaled $6,430. The couple and I spent a year and a half working 1:1 together to design their exact vision from the ground up. We had several design calls along the way (including one in-person coffee meetup!), and an email thread spanning over 100 emails. This is the high touchpoint experience you should expect with a fully custom suite.
As a barebones semi-custom suite (no ribbon or wax seals, no custom designs, white envelopes, no white ink printing) the cost of this suite would come in around $3,170.