How Many Wedding Invitations Do You Really Need to Order?

When you're knee-deep in wedding planning, it’s easy to assume you’ll need one invitation per guest. But spoiler alert: that’s not the case! Knowing how many wedding invitations to order is one of the most common questions we get at Julia Kay Design, and we're here to make it easy and stress-free (because isn’t that how wedding planning should feel?).

Let’s break down the numbers, the etiquette, and how we help you avoid under-ordering, and the panic that can come with it.

Why You Don’t Need One Per Guest

Think households, not headcount.

You might be inviting 150 guests, but chances are, many of those guests are couples or families living under the same roof. Instead of ordering 150 invitations, you may only need 90–100. We typically recommend creating your guest list in spreadsheet format, grouping guests by household, so you can get an accurate count.

When you work with Julia Kay Design, we provide an easy-to-use guest addressing template to help you stay organized and feel confident in your numbers from the start.

How Many Extra Invitations Should You Order?

Always, always order extra.

We always recommend ordering 10–15 extra invitations for keepsakes, last-minute adds, or calligraphy/handwriting errors. It’s far more cost-effective to add a few upfront than to reprint later. Plus, we promise—your future self will thank you when you want a fresh, untouched copy for flat lays, framing, or your wedding album.

At Julia Kay Design, we guide you through this exact math in our proofing process, so you never have to second-guess.

Don’t Forget the Keepsakes (And Your Vendor Team!)

These are the invitations you’ll cherish most.

Be sure to account for non-guests like your photographer or planner if they’ve requested a suite for styling. And don’t forget a few for your own keepsake box! Many couples even order an extra full suite for each set of parents.

Working with Julia Kay Design means this isn’t just a “you problem”—it’s a we’ve-got-you-covered kind of thing. We’ll review your guest count with you and help you determine the perfect quantity, based on your guest list and your personal needs.

Final Thoughts: Make It Easy on Yourself

Ordering too few invitations can lead to a whole lot of stress you don’t need during an already busy season. That’s why we take a hands-on, thoughtful approach to every order placed through Julia Kay Design. We walk you through each step—from addressing etiquette to exact quantities—so you can rest easy knowing your invitations are handled with care, clarity, and creativity.

Let’s design something beautiful, together—without the guesswork.