Journal series note: this is post 3 of 7 in our stationery planning series. Previously: when to send save the dates and invitations. Next up: foil vs flat printing, and which is right for your invitations.
The short answer: most UK couples spend between £400 and £900 on a full stationery suite (save the dates, invitations, RSVP and details cards) for 60 to 80 households, with raised foiling adding roughly 50 to 70 per cent on top of flat printing. A simple unfoiled suite can cost well under £300; a bespoke design with foiling, printed envelopes and on-the-day pieces can run to £1,000 or more. Below is exactly where that money goes.
What counts as “wedding stationery”?
Before the day: save the dates, invitations, RSVP cards and details cards. On the day: order of service, menus, table numbers, place cards and signage. Most couples budget for the first group early, then add on-the-day pieces once the guest list and venue layout are confirmed, usually three to four months out. Price your suite per household rather than per guest: a guest list of 100 is often closer to 65-75 invitations once couples and families are counted as one.
How much do UK couples spend on wedding stationery, on average?
Industry surveys put average spend on professionally printed wedding stationery at a few hundred pounds, with most couples budgeting between £500 and £1,500 once save the dates, invitations, RSVPs and on-the-day pieces are all included (Bridebook, 2026). A common rule of thumb is 2 to 5 percent of your total wedding budget. Per invitation, UK couples typically pay between £1.50 and £6, depending on stock, finish and whether the design is semi-custom or fully bespoke. The table below shows where Gild and Ink sits within that range.
Gild and Ink pricing, so you can budget accurately
Every piece is designed in-house and printed by our local Suffolk printer, with a digital proof within three working days before anything goes to print. Prices below are per card at the time of writing; always check the current price on the product page.
| Item (per card, A6/square) | Unfoiled | Raised foil | A5 unfoiled |
|---|---|---|---|
| Save the date | £1.20 - £1.50 | £2.00 - £2.30 | £1.90 |
| Invitation | £1.20 | £2.00 | £1.90 |
| RSVP card | £1.20 | £2.00 | - |
| Details card | £1.20 | £2.00 | £1.90 |
| Printed envelope (add-on) | £0.75 | £0.75 | £0.75 |
A raised foil upgrade, in gold, rose gold or silver, typically adds 60 to 70p per A6 card. Matching printed envelopes, addressed on the front with your return address on the flap, are £0.75 each and are usually ordered for both the invitation and the RSVP envelope.
A worked example: budgeting for 60 households
Here is a typical suite of save the dates, invitations, RSVP and details cards for a guest list of around 100 across 60 households, unfoiled versus finished in raised foil.
| Suite (60 households) | Unfoiled | With raised foil |
|---|---|---|
| Save the dates (square) | £72 | £138 |
| Invitations (A5) | £114 | £162 |
| RSVP cards (A6) | £72 | £120 |
| Details cards (A6) | £72 | £120 |
| Printed envelopes x2 sets | £90 | £90 |
| Total | £420 | £630 |
Skipping printed envelopes and hand-addressing plain ones instead is the simplest way to trim the total without touching the design.
What actually changes the price?
- Foil versus flat. Raised foil is a separate finishing pass after printing, which is why it costs more than flat ink on the same card. It requires additional processing steps which can include a matte laminating layer.
- Size. A5 cards use more paper and press time than A6, roughly 50 to 60p more per card.
- How many pieces are in the suite. Save the date and invitation alone is one price; add RSVP, details cards and envelopes and the per-household cost roughly doubles.
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Paper choices. We are working with our printer on new ranges and incorporating new paper choices. We can use some bespoke full colour paper, however this does increase the price
- On-the-day extras. Order of service, menus, table numbers and place cards are priced separately and usually budgeted once final numbers are confirmed.
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Specialist add ons. We can add additional options such as Vellum wraps and personalised stickers.
How to budget without overspending
- Order a £10 sample pack first, so you can see paper weight and foil finish in hand before committing.
- Price your suite per household, using your working guest list rather than a rounded-up estimate.
- Decide on foil on the details and RSVP cards, since it changes the per-card price, utilise the foil where it matters, on the invitation and save the dates.
- Hold separate before-the-day and on-the-day budgets, revisiting menus and place cards once table plans are settled.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average cost of wedding stationery in the UK?
Most couples budget between £500 and £1,500 for professionally printed stationery covering save the dates, invitations, RSVPs and on-the-day pieces, or 2 to 5 percent of their total wedding budget.
How much should I budget per invitation?
Between £1.50 and £6 per invitation is typical in the UK. Gild and Ink invitations start at £1.20 unfoiled and £2.00 with raised foil, per A6 card.
Does foil printing cost a lot more than flat printing?
Raised foil typically adds 60 to 70p per A6 card, so a foiled suite runs roughly 50 to 70 per cent more than the same suite unfoiled.
Is it cheaper to leave out RSVP or details cards?
Yes. Combining RSVP wording onto the invitation, or moving extra details to your wedding website, are the easiest ways to reduce cost without changing the design.
Can I get a sample before ordering my full suite?
Yes. Our £10 sample pack includes save the date, invitation, RSVP, menu and details cards across both paper stocks, so you can check weight, colour and foil finish before ordering.
A last word
Wedding stationery is one of the few parts of the day every guest holds in their hands before they arrive, so it is worth budgeting for properly. Decide on foil or flat, price per household, and order a sample pack before you commit. Everything here is designed in-house and printed in Suffolk, with a digital proof within three working days so nothing goes to print until you are happy with it.