AP Q&A: “Is It Cheaper to Buy Wedding Invitations or Make Them?”
DIY Wedding Invitations: Are They Actually Cheaper? Here's what you're actually saving (or not) with DIY invitations
If you're crafty and budget-conscious, the idea of DIY-ing your wedding invitations probably sounds tempting. Grab some pretty paper, fire up the printer, maybe add a ribbon or two—how expensive could it be?
Here's the truth: sometimes DIY is cheaper. Sometimes it's not. And sometimes it costs you something you can't get back: your time and peace of mind during an already busy season.
Let's break down the actual numbers.
For a 100-guest wedding, basic DIY invitations will run you around $100-$200 if you're printing at home on standard cardstock with minimal embellishments. Add in nicer paper, envelope liners, printed envelopes, or any special touches, and you're easily looking at $250-$400. Then there's your time—plan on 15-30 hours for assembly, addressing, and troubleshooting printer issues (because there will be printer issues).
Compare that to ordering semi-custom or ready-made invitations from a professional studio. For that same 100-guest wedding, you're looking at $150-$500 depending on the level of customization and paper quality. The difference? Someone else handles the printing, the cutting, the assembly, and the headache of making sure everything looks polished and professional.
Here's what people don't tell you about DIY: the hidden costs add up fast. Printer ink (expensive). Cardstock that actually looks good (more expensive than you think). Envelopes that fit your custom size (surprisingly expensive). Cutting tools that give you clean edges. Adhesive that doesn't look cheap. Mistakes and reprints. And all of this assumes your printer cooperates, your measurements are perfect, and you have the patience to assemble 100+ invitations while also planning a wedding.
The real question isn't just about money—it's about what you value. If you genuinely love crafting, have the time, and find the process relaxing, DIY can be a beautiful choice. But if you're doing it purely to save money and the thought of cutting 100 pieces of cardstock makes you want to take a nap, buying might actually be the smarter investment.
When you order from a studio, you're not just paying for paper. You're paying for expertise, quality control, professional printing, and the gift of time. Time you could spend tasting cake, finalizing your playlist, or actually enjoying your engagement instead of hunching over a paper cutter at 11 p.m.
Beautiful invitations don't have to break the bank, and they definitely don't have to cost you your sanity. Sometimes the most budget-friendly choice is the one that saves you the most stress.
Not sure which route is right for you? Explore our stress-free invitation options and see how we make the process easy.
FAQ
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It depends on what you're making. Basic DIY invitations for 100 guests cost around $100-$200 if you're printing at home on standard paper. But once you add nicer cardstock, envelope liners, printed addressing, or embellishments, costs jump to $250-$400+. Ready-made invitations from professional studios start around $150-$500 for the same guest count. The real difference? DIY requires 15-30 hours of your time, plus dealing with printing mishaps and assembly. When you factor in your time and stress level, buying often makes more financial sense.
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Expect to spend $100-$400 for DIY invitations for 100 guests, depending on quality. Basic supplies (cardstock, envelopes, printer ink) run about $100-$150. Nicer paper, envelope liners, and embellishments push costs to $250-$400. Don't forget hidden costs like extra printer ink (a single cartridge can be $30-$50), cutting tools, adhesive, and reprints for mistakes. Most couples also underestimate time—plan for 15-30 hours of work including design, printing, cutting, assembly, and addressing.
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The hidden costs add up quickly. Printer ink runs $30-$50 per cartridge and you'll likely need multiple. Quality cardstock costs more than standard paper. Envelopes for custom sizes are pricey and hard to find. You'll need a good paper cutter ($20-$100), quality adhesive, and tools for clean assembly. Then there's the cost of mistakes—one printing error means buying more supplies. The biggest hidden cost? Your time. At 15-30 hours for 100 invitations, that's time you're not spending on other wedding tasks or enjoying your engagement.
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DIY makes sense if you genuinely love crafting and find the process enjoyable (not stressful). If you have abundant free time and a small guest list (under 50), DIY can work well. It's also smart if you already own quality supplies and have design skills. But if you're doing it purely to save money, hate detail work, have a large guest list, or are already overwhelmed with wedding planning, buying from a professional will save you money in the long run when you factor in your time and stress level.
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Plan for 15-30 hours minimum for 100 invitations, broken down roughly like this: 3-5 hours designing and testing prints, 4-6 hours printing and troubleshooting, 3-5 hours cutting, 4-8 hours assembly and embellishing, and 2-4 hours addressing. This assumes everything goes smoothly—no printer jams, no design changes, no mistakes. For larger guest lists or more complex designs, double that time. Most couples spread this over several weekends, which means your DIY project can stretch across 4-6 weeks.
