The size of your wedding invitations probably hasn’t even crossed your mind. After all, are wedding invitation sizes really that important?
Well, as it turns out, it’s more important than you think.
The humble wedding invitation is the one item that communicates all vital information
to your wedding guests. Therefore, the size of the invite must be large enough to hold all necessary information, as well as accommodate text large enough for eyes of all ages to easily read.
Sounds simple enough, right?
Despite the simplicity, we’re constantly amazed at how many wedding invitations feature tiny, illegible text or are missing crucial details like the wedding date or location (yep, that really happens!).
So, if you don’t want your phone constantly blowing up with questions from frustrated relatives, we recommend giving the size of your wedding invitations some serious thought.
Here’s what you need to know.
Traditionally, the standard wedding invitation size has always been 5 x 7 inches.
Back in the day, the 5 x 7 print size was the largest size that could be printed from a 4 x 5 negative without cropping the image. Because of this, the size stuck, even though modern printing methods offer plenty of easy alternatives.
Plus, for the thrifty folk out there, a 5 x 7 invitation conforms to the USPS’s envelope size requirements for the $0.66 First-Class Mail Forever stamp — meaning you’ll save on postage.
When considering different wedding invitation sizes, there are a few things to keep in mind:
Once you consider all this, you can easily determine if a standard size invitation will fit your needs or if you need something different.
(And to test the readability of your chosen size, you can create a quick mock-up using design software like Canva or Adobe. If you’re no good at that sort of thing, find a willing friend who is!)
So you’ve determined that the standard 5 x 7 invitation size won’t work for you. What are your other options?
This is the usual wedding invitation shape that you’ll find available everywhere you look, and the 5 x 7 size is the cheapest option to send via USPS. However, if you need more space for text, consider the 6 ½ x 8 ¾ inch size. This is still a common choice but provides more space for your design.
Square invitations are most commonly available in a 5 ¼ x 5 ¼-inch size, and they offer a modern alternative to the standard rectangle. They also conform to the USPS’s $0.66 stamp restrictions, and you get plenty of space to add your text.
However, some find this shape too bulky and not as elegant as rectangular designs.
This super-elegant shape typically measures 4 x 9 ¼ inches and can be printed horizontally or vertically. While it’s a very sophisticated-looking design, it’s not the most practical for fitting text, and it’ll be more expensive to send through the mail.
A booklet invitation is a folded design that opens out into a larger design. It’s a great option if you want the folded design to conform to a standard envelope size, but you want a larger surface area for your design or text. If your wedding style is extra, go this route.
Booklet invitations can be folded in several ways, including accordion style, open gate style, or a plain half fold. Booklets also often include embellishments like ribbon, string, or wax seals.
Keep in mind the added weight will increase postage costs.
Shaped invites offer a twist on standard shapes and sizes. Popular choices include invitations with curved corners or bracket-style edges. Additionally, the entire invite could be shaped like a heart or flower.
The only tricky part is finding envelopes that fit the design properly. However, if you order the invites from a stationer, they can provide matching envelopes.
The pocket invite features exactly that — a pocket — containing inserts with all the essential wedding info on them — for example, your gift registry, hotel lists, RSVP slip, and more.
This design keeps all the information neatly together and prevents any extra cards or inclusions from getting lost. Just remember that the extra weight will add to your mailing costs.
Another consideration for the budget-conscious? Print your own invitation. There are millions of printable invitation designs on sites like Etsy. Choose and buy a design you like (usually for less than $10), then pick your cardstock and print the
The most commonly ordered size is 5 x 7 inches.
The most common size is 5 x 7 inches, with an aspect ratio of 1.4:1.
5 x 7 inches is the most popular invitation size. For square designs, the most common size is 5 ¼ x 5 ¼ inches. For larger rectangular designs, many opt for 6 ½ x 8 ¾ inches.
When choosing an image to fit a 5 x 7 invitation, pick an image that measures in at 1500 x 2100 pixels.
Trust us when we say the wedding invitation is just the start of the wedding planning juggernaut. However, planning doesn’t have to be daunting. All you need is The Groom Club to help you make it as stress-free and enjoyable as possible.
We’ll help you plan the perfect proposal, honor your favorite wedding traditions, and provide you with so many tips and tricks that your spouse-to-be will be suitably impressed!
