Invitation Calculator
Enter your guest count to calculate invitations, RSVP cards, and envelopes.
This tool is for informational and educational purposes only. It is not a substitute for professional financial, medical, legal, or engineering advice. See Terms of Service.
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Invitations are sent to households, not individuals. A couple counts as one invitation. A family of four counts as one invitation. This calculator converts your guest count to the number of invitation packages you need to order. Here is how to use it:
- Enter your total guest count. This is the total number of people invited, not addresses.
- Set the average household size. The default of 2 is standard for adult guest lists (most couples). If your list includes many families with children, increase this to 3 or 3.5. If mostly singles, decrease to 1.5.
- Set extra invitations. Leave blank for the automatic 10% buffer for addressing mistakes, damaged envelopes, and keepsakes. Enter a specific number to override. Most stationery companies charge less per unit when you order more, so ordering a few extras is rarely more expensive.
- Read the totals. The calculator shows base invitations, RSVP cards, envelopes, and save-the-dates — all matching the same count with extras included.
About the Invitation Calculator
Wedding invitation suites typically include: the outer envelope (addressed to the household), inner envelope (listing all guests by name), invitation card, RSVP card, RSVP envelope, and sometimes a details or accommodations card. This calculator sizes the count for the invitation and RSVP set — multiply by the number of enclosures in your suite to get the total item count to order.
Save-the-dates are typically sent 6-8 months before a wedding, while formal invitations go out 6-8 weeks before. The save-the-date count matches your invitation count since both are sent to the same households. If you plan to invite additional guests who were not on the initial save-the-date list, account for this in your invitation order quantity.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many invitations do I need for 100 guests?
For 100 guests with an average household size of 2, you need about 50 base invitations (100 divided by 2). Adding a 10% buffer (5 extras) gives a total order of 55 invitations. If your guest list includes many singles, use a household size closer to 1.5, which would give you 67 base invitations plus extras.
Why do I need extra invitations beyond my guest count?
Extra invitations serve several purposes: addressing mistakes (writing the wrong name or smearing ink), damaged envelopes, keepsakes for the couple and parents, and late additions to the guest list. Stationers almost always charge a setup fee for reprints, so ordering 10-15% extra upfront is significantly cheaper than placing a second small order. Many couples also keep an invitation as a memento.
Do I need the same number of save-the-dates as invitations?
Generally yes, since save-the-dates go to the same households as invitations. However, some couples send save-the-dates to a wider list and then trim the formal invitation list later, meaning they may order more save-the-dates than invitations. If you plan to do this, enter your expanded save-the-date guest count in the calculator and note that your invitation count will be smaller.
When should I send wedding invitations?
Send save-the-dates 6-8 months before the wedding, or 9-12 months for destination weddings. Send formal invitations 6-8 weeks before the wedding date, with RSVP deadlines 2-3 weeks before. For destination weddings, send invitations 3 months ahead to give guests time to book travel. Always order your stationery at least 6-8 weeks before the mailing date to allow for design, printing, and assembly.