Mailing vs. Shipping
One delivery method doesn’t fit all invitations! To help make the best delivery decision for you, consider the following factors:
Printed Invitations
Guide to Delivery Methods
There's nothing quite like getting a printed invitation in the mail, and we want to ensure you select the best method for you. As a full-service stationer, our expertise extends beyond design to all things delivery. Whatever the vehicle or vessel – envelope, cardboard mailer, box, etc. – our work isn’t over until your invite reaches every last guest on your list!
📦 Classification
USPS recognizes bulky or non-bendable mail pieces as a package and therefore cannot be mailed using first class postage stamps. If your invitation set qualifies as a package, you will need to select a shipping service.
﹩Cost
Are you on a strict budget? Mailing is the more economical option 99% of the time, though a heavier suite and the addition of vintage stamps can quickly increase postage and labor costs.
🕒 Clock
Are you tight on time? Shipping is faster, arriving as early as the next day if you’re so inclined, whereas mailing can take up to 10–15 days to reach a domestic destination. Note: mailing internationally requires significantly more lead time.
✉️ Condition
Are you averse to postmarks or the general wear and tear a piece of mail sustains in transit? Shipping your invitation helps it arrive in a more pristine condition.
🩶 Comfort
Are you looking to keep a closer eye on your invitations? Shipping affords more supervision with its tracking capabilities, providing stress relief in the form of status updates and definitive proof of delivery.
🏛️ Classic
Are you deterred by the nontraditional nature of shipping a wedding invitation? Mailing is still considered the most classic form of wedding communication. If your heart is set on beautiful calligraphy and vintage postage, stick with mailing as your delivery method.
Costs, Tracking & Timelines
| MAILING | SHIPPING | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| USPS First-Class Mail (Postage Stamps) | USPS Ground Advantage | USPS Priority | FedEx Home Delivery or UPS Ground | FedEx/UPS Expedited | |
| Average Cost (Domestic) | A typical CBP wedding invitation requires $2-$5.50 in postage for the outer mailing envelope plus one Forever Stamp on the reply envelope. | $7-$10 per set | $9-$12 per set | $20-$25 per set | 2-Day: $30-$40 per set Priority Overnight: $50-$60 per set Saturday delivery additional |
| Tracking Available? | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Delivery Timeline | 3-15 Days (Depending on destination zip code) (No Sunday Delivery) |
3-10 Days (Depending on destination zip code) (No Sunday Delivery) | 2-8 Days (Depending on destination zip code) (No Sunday Delivery) While Priority and Ground Advantage delivery timelines appear similar, Priority will always get first preference when USPS is dealing with high volume. |
2-3 Days (Depending on destination zip code) (7-Day a Week Service) |
2-Day: 2 business days by 8pm Priority Overnight: Next business day by 12 noon |
List Management & Computer Calligraphy
Regardless of shipping or mailing, CBP will assist you in preparing your address list for computer calligraphy for your save the dates and invitations. Please use the grid below to calculate your pricing based on your final printed quantity.
| Quantity | 50 | 75 | 100 | 125 | 150 | 175 | 200 | 225 | 250 | 275 | 300 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pricing | $300 | $350 | $400 | $450 | $500 | $550 | $600 | $650 | $700 | $750 | $800 |
Excel Template
CBP will provide an Excel template for addressing for your list. If your list is in an alternate format, reformatting fees could apply. To avoid increased costs, it is best to finalize your guest list as much as possible before sending it to us!
List Review
CBP will complete intake of your Excel address template. This includes checking the Excel file for etiquette concerns or glaring address or formatting issues.
PDF Review
From the Excel file, CBP’s trained print mechanical artist will then create a PDF file of all envelopes for client review. As needed, spacing, fonts and colors will be adjusted to ensure the best match to your stationery design.
Two Rounds of Revisions
You are welcome to provide CBP with edits to the envelope PDF. Two rounds of revisions are included. CBP will also edit the Excel file with these changes to match. Additional rounds of revisions will be billed at $50/round.
Production Check
After you approve your envelope PDF, the CBP production team will complete printing of all envelopes and check against the Excel list for accuracy.
Final Delivery
Let our team of experts complete the final phase of your project for you with our shipping or mailing services. If mailing, the pricing below includes:
Save the Dates
Applying 1-3 current USPS stamps, sealing and delivering to Post Office for mailing.
| Quantity | 50 | 75 | 100 | 125 | 150 | 175 | 200 | 225 | 250 | 275 | 300 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pricing | $150 | $200 | $250 | $300 | $350 | $400 | $450 | $500 | $550 | $600 | $650 |
Invites
Applying 1 reply envelope stamp + 1-3 current USPS stamps, 2 stuffing scenarios for variable data, sealing and delivering to Post Office for mailing.
*Cost of USPS/Vintage postage billed separately and not included in the grid below. Your dedicated Project Manager will be able to provide pricing updates based on final selections.
| Quantity | 50 | 75 | 100 | 125 | 150 | 175 | 200 | 225 | 250 | 275 | 300 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pricing | $300 | $350 | $400 | $450 | $500 | $550 | $600 | $650 | $700 | $750 | $800 |
If shipping, the pricing below includes:
✔️ Stuffing in Shipping Vessel
✔️ Applying shipping label + 1 reply envelope stamp if RSVP is by mail
✔️ Sealing Final Shipment
✔️ Shipping Management
Includes preparing guest list for label import, printing shipping labels, completing customs forms, tracking shipments and sharing client spreadsheet with client for live monitoring. This also includes CBP troubleshooting any delayed or undelivered packages until all items have been delivered.
*Cost of shipping billed separately and not included in the grid below. Final shipping estimate will depend on mailer weight, destination and delivery speed. Your dedicated project manager will be able to provide pricing updates based on final selections.
| Quantity | 50 | 75 | 100 | 125 | 150 | 175 | 200 | 225 | 250 | 275 | 300 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pricing | $600 | $700 | $800 | $900 | $1,000 | $1,100 | $1,200 | $1,300 | $1,400 | $1,500 | $1,600 |
Mailing or Shipping Additions
Included in our costs is 1 additional mailing or shipping rounds after initial distribution.
If further additional rounds of mailing or shipping are needed, fee is $150 per round for machine calligraphy + cost of shipping depending on selected speed (if not mailed).
Questions?
We’re thrilled to be your trusted partner in fulfillment services.
Please do not hesitate to contact us with any additional questions!