Standard Postage Stamping For 14 Pt Wedding Invites: Is It Possible?

Wedding invitations are an important part of wedding planning. While the design, cardstock, and printing process are crucial, postage is also a key consideration. The weight, size, and thickness of the invitation suite determine the postage cost, and it's recommended to use the right postage to avoid issues with delivery. Standard USPS postage for a one-ounce envelope is $0.73, and additional ounces cost $0.28 each. Square envelopes and those with wax seals or ribbons may require extra postage due to their non-machinable nature. It's always a good idea to have your fully assembled invitation weighed at the post office to determine the exact postage needed.

Weight, size, and thickness affect postage costs

When it comes to sending out wedding invitations, it's important to consider the weight, size, and thickness of your envelopes to ensure they can be delivered without issues. Here are some ways that these factors affect postage costs:

• Weight: The weight of your wedding invitations plays a crucial role in determining the postage cost. In the United States, a standard First-Class Mail Forever® stamp costs $0.73 and covers the postage for envelopes weighing up to 1 ounce. If your invitation weighs more than 1 ounce, you will need to purchase additional postage. For example, a 2-ounce stamp costs $1.01, while a 3-ounce stamp costs $1.29.
• Size: The size of your wedding invitations can also impact the postage cost. Square-shaped envelopes are considered irregular by USPS and will require additional postage. For example, square envelopes will cost about $0.20 extra per invitation for the first ounce. On the other hand, standard wedding invitation sizes such as 5" x 7" or 5.5" x 8.5" do not require additional postage based on size alone.
• Thickness: The thickness of your wedding invitations can also affect the postage cost. If your invitation includes embellishments such as ribbons, twine, or wax seals, it may exceed the maximum thickness allowed by USPS. In such cases, you will need to pay for additional postage. To ensure your invitations meet the thickness requirements, it is recommended to take a sample invitation to your local post office for testing.
• Shape and Dimensions: The overall shape and dimensions of your wedding invitation suite can also impact postage costs. If your invitation has a funky shape or includes multiple enclosure cards, it may require additional postage. For example, pocket invitations or multi-layered invitations often weigh just over 1 ounce, requiring a 2-ounce stamp.
• International Shipping: If you are sending your wedding invitations internationally, the postage cost will be higher than domestic rates. Global Forever Stamps, which are used for sending correspondence internationally, start at $1.65 for envelopes weighing up to 1 ounce.
• Speed of Delivery: The speed of delivery can also impact the postage cost. Sending your invitations first-class is recommended to ensure timely delivery and response from your guests. However, first-class postage rates are typically higher than standard rates.

To ensure you have the correct postage for your wedding invitations, it is always best to take a fully assembled invitation to your local post office for weighing and measurement. They can advise you on the accurate postage required based on the weight, size, and thickness of your invitations.

A standard USPS stamp costs $0.73

When sending wedding invitations, it's important to consider the weight, shape, and size of your mail. If your invitation weighs more than 1 ounce, you will need to add additional postage. The same is true if your envelope is square or an unusual shape, as these are considered irregular by the USPS and will require extra postage.

To ensure you have the correct postage for your wedding invitations, it's recommended to take a fully assembled invitation to your local post office to have it weighed and measured. They can advise you on the exact postage required, taking into account any unusual dimensions or weight.

Additionally, if your wedding invitation includes any embellishments like ribbons, twine, or wax seals, these may also increase the thickness of your envelope and require additional postage. It's always better to err on the side of caution and use slightly more postage than needed, rather than risk having your invitations returned due to insufficient postage.

Additional postage is required for square envelopes

When it comes to wedding invitations, there are many factors that can affect the cost of postage. The weight, shape, size, and embellishments of your invitations can all impact how much you'll need to spend on stamps. One important consideration is the use of square envelopes, which are considered "odd-sized" or "nonmachineable" by the USPS.

Square envelopes require additional postage due to their unique shape. The USPS imposes a surcharge on letters that are square (height = width), resulting in a higher price for postage. This is because square envelopes do not conform to the standard rectangular shape that can be easily processed by postal machines. The surcharge ensures that square envelopes can be handled with extra care during the delivery process.

The additional postage for square envelopes is $0.20 extra per invitation for the first ounce, according to one source. However, another source states that square envelopes will cost an extra $0.46 per letter, in addition to the postage required for weight and dimensions. For a 1 oz letter, this means using a $1.19 stamp instead of the standard $0.73 stamp. If your wedding invitation weighs 2 oz, you will need a $1.47 stamp instead of the usual $1.01 stamp.

To ensure you have the correct postage, it is recommended to take a fully assembled invitation to your local post office for weighing and measurement. They can advise you on the exact amount of postage required, including any surcharges for square envelopes or other non-standard features.

It's important to keep in mind that custom postage stamps for square envelopes are no longer offered by the USPS or other vendors. Therefore, you will need to use standard stamps to make up the required postage amount.

Non-machinable elements include wax seals and ribbons

When sending wedding invitations, it's important to consider the weight, shape, and size of your mail. These factors will determine the cost of postage and whether your invitations can be sent with standard postage. If your invitations include any non-machinable elements, such as wax seals and ribbons, additional postage may be required.

Non-machinable elements are those that do not meet the automation or machinability standards for mail. This includes items that cannot be processed by machine and must be handled manually. In the case of wedding invitations, non-machinable elements can include wax seals, ribbons, and other embellishments that add bulk or thickness to the envelope.

Wax seals, in particular, can add a unique and elegant touch to your wedding invitations. However, they can also increase the thickness of your envelope, especially if you are using a wider ribbon or combining it with other embellishments. It's important to consider the overall thickness of your invitation package and whether it exceeds the standard thickness allowed for machinable mail.

Ribbons can also be a beautiful addition to your wedding invitations, providing a delicate and romantic touch. However, wider ribbons or those combined with other embellishments may increase the thickness of your envelope, making it non-machinable. It's important to consider the overall bulk and weight of your invitation package to ensure it meets the postal requirements.

To ensure that your wedding invitations with non-machinable elements can be delivered successfully, it is recommended to take a fully assembled invitation to your local post office. They can weigh your invitation, test it for thickness, and provide an accurate estimate of the postage required. This will help you avoid any issues with delivery and ensure that your invitations reach your guests without delay.

Hand-cancelling prevents damage to invitations

Hand-cancelling is a process that involves manually marking each stamp on your envelope using a hand stamp instead of a machine. This method is highly recommended for wedding invitations, as it prevents the envelopes from being torn, ripped, crushed, smudged, or damaged by the post office's machine.

• Protection from Damage: The size and thickness of wedding invitation suites can vary, and passing them through a machine increases the risk of crushing, ripping, or damaging the envelopes. Hand-cancelling ensures that each envelope is carefully handled and stamped by hand, reducing the chances of mechanical damage.
• Avoiding Tearing and Smearing: The post office typically uses machines to cancel stamps by printing lines and dates over them. However, if your wedding invitation envelopes are bulky or uneven, these machines can cause tearing, smearing, or ripping. Hand-cancelling eliminates this risk by manually applying the cancellation mark.
• Preservation of Envelopes and Contents: Wedding invitations often feature embellishments like satin ribbons, wax seals, or calligraphed envelopes. Hand-cancelling ensures that these delicate features remain intact and undamaged during the cancellation process, preserving the overall presentation of your invitations.
• Customization Flexibility: Wedding invitations come in various shapes and sizes, and some may be considered irregular by postal services, requiring additional postage. Hand-cancelling allows you to customize your invitations without worrying about damage from machine processing, giving you more flexibility in your design choices.
• Peace of Mind: By hand-cancelling your wedding invitations, you can rest assured that your carefully crafted invitations will arrive at their destinations in pristine condition. This extra step adds a layer of protection and ensures that your guests receive your invitations as you intended.

To hand-cancel your wedding invitations, assemble a complete mock-up with all inserts and accoutrements, then bring it to the post office to be weighed and checked. Purchase the correct postage, including any additional charges for hand-cancelling, and inform the postal staff of your intention to hand-cancel. You can either hand-cancel the envelopes yourself at the post office or have a postal employee do it for you.

Frequently asked questions