The Stationers Guild

Two or three times a week, I receive phone calls from prospective brides asking me how much wedding invitations cost?   For several years, I tried to give the bride-to-be an “informed” answer suggesting that the cost of wedding invitations was a function of the quality of the paper, the printing process and the number of features or embellishments that the bridal couple wish to use for their wedding invitation.   I have since realized that this is “too much information,” and it is best to keep my response simple.

Now, I generally respond by asking the following question:  “Do you have a budget in mind for your wedding?”   If they respond positively, it suggests that the bridal couple and, most likely, their parents have already put pen to paper and have a rough idea what the wedding event will cost.   In this case, I will normally answer that “one should allocate around 5% of your budget toward your wedding papers which in addition to the invitation itself will include a reply card card set and, perhaps, a direction card.”   

If, on the other hand, the couple say they don’t have a budget I ask them the following question: “Have you done any research into the cost of wedding invitations and, if so, how many invitations do you plan to send and do you have a number in mind?”    The answer to these questions helps the experienced stationer gauge how extensively the couple has researched the cost of wedding invitations, their sources (the Internet, friends and family, etc.) and whether they have a realistic estimate of the costs involved.

Today, many couples construct their budget or derive their knowledge from wedding  sites on the internet.  Sadly to say, most – if not all- of these websites are promotional – not informational- and couples tend to develop price and cost expectations that are simply not realistic based on the many misleading self-promotion claims that proliferate in cyberspace.    In my experience, once a couple gets a “unit price” locked into their sights based on Internet claims, it is quite unlikely that you can dissuade them that they would be better served with a quality wedding invitation at a slightly higher price.  In these fortunately few cases that I have encountered, I have decided to gracefully exit by saying that “I cannot meet your price expectations.”

The fact of the matter is that wedding invitations can cost whatever you like.  There are many “free” alternatives using Facebook, email or some other social media tools.    Personally, I have found that many wedding invitation sites offering “cheap wedding invitations” are providing just that:  “cheap invitations.”  It is ludicrous to suggest that you can find a “cheap ‘quality’ invitation.”  If you believe that, then you probably believe in the tooth fairy. 

Only you can determine the quality or price of the wedding invitation that works for you.  Consider the importance of the occasion, your budget and then seek advice from a qualified stationer in your neighborhood.  You will be glad you did. 

Sheila P. May
Thérèse Saint Clair