Everything to Know About Acrylic Wedding Invitations

After you nail down the details your wedding venue and date, it’s time to send invitations for the big day. But you can’t just send any old invitation—your wedding invitation should offer a glimpse at the style of wedding you’re planning while giving guests the most important information, all wrapped up in a beautiful design. If you want to have a unique material within your wedding invitation suite, acrylic wedding invitations may be just the sleek, minimalist option you’ve been searching for to make a statement.

Acrylic is a transparent plastic material, like lucite, that is stiff in texture, clear to the eye, and looks just like glass. However, it’s far more transparent, and of course, it weighs less than glass. With that adaptability, an acrylic invitation can be dressed up for a super-luxe design or dressed down for a more minimalist approach, ultimately providing an option to fit any wedding’s aesthetic.

“Modern weddings tend to gravitate toward acrylic more than any other,” says Chris Neubauer, owner of Yonder Design. However, with acrylic’s potential for adaptation, Neubauer says the material can take on many other different forms. “We can soften up a design by incorporating moss, sand, florals, and other natural elements,” he says. “Acrylic invitations run the risk of being kitschy and theme-based if they aren't done with a certain level of polish.”

Want to learn more about how to create a stylish acrylic wedding invitation for your nuptials. Read ahead for expert advice to pick the perfect suite, as well as ideas to inspire your own designs.

Introducing Minted + Brides: Shop our exclusive collection of easy-to-customize wedding invitations, featuring wedding websites, invitation suites, and more!

How Do You Choose the Design?

According to Neubauer, at the most basic level, an acrylic invitation is a rigid, cut piece of acrylic with printing on it. But because acrylic invitations come in so many different forms, it’s important to weigh the many design and material options as you make a selection.

“For weddings, acrylic is usually clear in color or a custom blend to make it seem like marble or quartz,” says Neubauer. While a simple color option is a more popular choice for weddings, acrylic can be created in virtually any color. According to Neubauer, an eighth-inch thickness is standard for acrylic invitations. However, the thickness of the materials can vary depending on preference. 

For many weddings, acrylic is a great material to pair with other options for a more polished look. “More complex acrylic invitations involve sandwiching multiple pieces of acrylic together with other materials to create framed or layered effects,” says Neubauer. Acrylic invitations may feature two pieces of the material sandwiched together with pressed dried florals, beautiful green moss, or even a hand-painted design in-between. 

Overall, it’s important to discuss your design goals with the designer and ask plenty of questions to be sure you’re getting the best fit for the wedding’s aesthetic. “Something that looks pretty in a photo may be entirely different in person,” Neubauer notes. 

How Much Do the Invitations Cost?

Just like with any invitation suite, the cost of an acrylic invitation will certainly vary. A simple, printed acrylic invitation will be more budget-friendly than a more polished option with multiple pieces or layered effects. Pricing will also depend on the quality of the acrylic and the cut. Some of the cheapest options may be cut with a saw blade, while higher quality finishes are cut with lasers and edge polishers.

“The price point ranges dramatically, based on the level of complexity and finish,” says Neubauer. “We generally suggest budgeting $50 as a minimum for acrylic invitations per piece.”

How Do You Mail the Invitations?

If you’re choosing an acrylic option, be prepared to spend a bit more on mailing costs to ensure your invitations arrive intact. The cost associated with mailing acrylic wedding invitations will depend on the size and thickness of the invitation, as well as the number of other invitation suite pieces being sent out with it. For this reason, it's important to consider mailing costs in your original budget to avoid unexpected expenses come mail time. “Mailing these gets complicated and more expensive, as they need protective packaging,” says Neubauer. “Special boxes or padded envelopes are usually used when sending these out.”

Acrylic Invitation Ideas

Want to get ideas for your own acrylic wedding invitations? See real invites from weddings ahead for some stylish inspiration.