Mailing Out Wedding Invites: How Many Stamps Do I Need?

Sending out wedding invitations is a crucial part of the wedding planning process. It is important to give guests enough notice, especially if they need to make travel arrangements. In the US and UK, it is customary to send out invitations at least 2 months before the wedding, while in Sweden, invitations are sent out a year in advance! To ensure your invitations arrive safely, it is recommended to hand-deliver them to the post office and request hand-cancelling to prevent wear and tear. Before assembling your invitations, it is a good idea to figure out the postage required, as wedding invitations often include multiple materials that can increase the weight and cost of postage.

How much postage do I need for 200 wedding invitations?

Sending out wedding invitations is an exciting step in the wedding planning process. It's important to ensure you have the correct postage to avoid any delivery issues. Here is some information on how much postage you will need for 200 wedding invitations:

Determining the Cost of Postage:

Firstly, it's crucial to understand the factors that determine the cost of mailing wedding invitations. The weight, thickness, shape, and size of the invitation suite play a significant role. Most standard wedding invitation suites, including the mailing envelope, a single-layer invitation, an RSVP card, and an RSVP envelope, can be mailed with a regular First-Class Stamp. However, if your invitations are heavier or include additional enclosures, you may need extra postage.

Weight and Thickness:

The weight of your wedding invitation suite is a critical factor in determining postage costs. A single First-Class Stamp typically covers letters weighing up to one ounce. If your invitations exceed this weight, you will need additional postage. The same applies to the thickness of your invitations. The standard allowance for envelope thickness is 1/4", and anything exceeding this may require extra postage.

Shape and Size:

Standard rectangular wedding invitation sizes, such as 5" x 7" or 5.5" x 8.5", generally fall within the USPS size requirements and do not require additional postage based on dimensions alone. However, if you opt for a unique shape, such as a square envelope, it is considered irregular and will likely require extra postage. Square envelopes can cost approximately $0.20 extra per invitation for the first ounce.

Calculating Postage for 200 Invitations:

To calculate the exact postage for 200 wedding invitations, it is advisable to take a fully assembled invitation to your local post office and have it weighed by a postal clerk. They can advise you on the total weight, thickness, and required postage for your specific invitation suite. The cost will depend on whether your invitations fall within the standard weight, thickness, and size limits or require additional postage due to heavier weight, bulkier thickness, or unique shapes/sizes.

Buying Stamps:

Once you know the required postage for your wedding invitations, you can purchase the necessary stamps. The United States Postal Service (USPS) offers a variety of themes, colours, and denominations. Etsy is another great option for finding specific stamp themes or colour palettes. Remember to double-check that your desired stamp style will be available well in advance of your mailing date.

Timing and Mailing:

It is recommended to send out your wedding invitations six to eight weeks before the wedding date. This allows ample time for guests to respond and make travel arrangements if needed. When you are ready to mail your invitations, take them directly to the post office and hand them to a staff member. This ensures that your invitations are properly handled and avoids any potential issues with mailbox delivery.

When should I send out my wedding invitations?

Sending out wedding invitations at the right time is crucial to ensure your guests can make necessary arrangements. The general rule of thumb is to send out your wedding invitations six to eight weeks before the wedding. This gives your guests ample time to clear their schedules, plan their outfits, organise travel arrangements, and prepare any gifts. It also means you can request RSVPs sooner, allowing you to get a final headcount, invite guests on your B list if needed, and complete your seating chart before the week of the wedding.

However, there are a few factors to consider that may influence you to send out your invitations earlier. If you have a large number of out-of-town or international guests, or if your wedding falls on a holiday weekend, you may want to send out invitations eight to twelve weeks in advance. This gives your guests more time to plan their travel and accommodations. For destination weddings, it is recommended to send invitations nine to twelve months in advance.

On the other hand, if you are concerned about giving your guests too much advance notice, it is important to note that sending invitations too early might mean that your wedding isn't at the top of their minds as the day draws closer. Additionally, people's plans can change, and sending invitations too early may result in an inaccurate guest count for your venue and vendors. Therefore, it is generally recommended to stick to the six to eight-week timeframe, with a maximum of twelve weeks in advance.

To ensure your guests have enough time to plan and for you to receive RSVPs, it is also important to send out Save the Dates four to six months before the wedding. This gives your guests enough notice to block off the date on their calendars and make any necessary travel arrangements.

How many extra wedding invitations should I order?

When ordering wedding invitations, it's important to get the right amount. Ordering too many can be a waste of money, while ordering too few can result in a costly reprint.

The number of invitations you need depends on the number of households on your guest list, not the number of guests. For example, if you invite 200 guests, you will not need 200 invitations. You should also consider that guests over the age of 18 receive their own invitation.

Once you have the number of households counted, it is recommended that you add at least 10 extras to your total. You may even want to add 20 extras, just in case. These extras will be useful if any invitations are lost in the mail, returned by the post office, or if you add additional wedding guests. They can also be given to your photographer to shoot at the wedding, or kept as keepsakes.

If you are hiring a calligrapher to address your invitations or plan to do them yourself, it is recommended that you order at least 10-20% extra envelopes in case of mistakes.

How do I prepare my wedding invitations for mailing?

Preparing 200 wedding invitations for mailing can be a daunting task, but with some organisation and attention to detail, it can be done efficiently and effectively. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to prepare your wedding invitations for mailing:

Step 1: Organise Your Stationery

Firstly, you will need to assemble your invitations. Ensure that all the components of your invitation suite are included and placed in the correct order inside each envelope. This may include the invitation itself, an RSVP card, an envelope for the RSVP, and any other relevant inserts such as a map or reception card. Check a guide for the correct order of assembly if you are unsure.

Step 2: Determine Postage

Before purchasing stamps, it is recommended to take a fully assembled invitation to your local post office to have it weighed. This will allow you to determine the exact amount of postage required, which may be more than the cost of a basic stamp. The price quoted for one invitation should be the same for all others.

Step 3: Finalise Details and Proofread

Double-check all the details and proofread addresses before taking your invitations to the post office. This step is crucial to ensure your invitations reach their intended destinations. Check that the guest names are written in full, avoiding nicknames or initials. Use appropriate titles, such as "Mr." and "Mrs." for married couples. Spell out all words in the addresses, including "Street" instead of "St." and "Apartment" instead of "Apt."

Step 4: Secure Your Envelopes

To seal your envelopes, moisten the envelope adhesive with a cotton swab or paintbrush. This is more hygienic and efficient than licking each envelope, especially when dealing with a large number of invitations. If your invitations are bulky or the adhesive is not strong enough, you can use additional measures such as placing a heavy book or paperweight on the envelopes to reinforce the seal.

Step 5: Add Stamps and Post Office Details

It is advisable to add sufficient postage to your invitations before taking them to the post office. This ensures that you have your desired stamps and avoids any last-minute compromises on aesthetics or additional costs. Remember to hand your invitations to a postal worker instead of dropping them in a mailbox to ensure they are handled with care.

Step 6: Consider Hand-Cancelling

If your invitations are bulky or have embellishments on the outer envelope, consider requesting hand-cancelling. This means that the stamps will be marked or crossed out by hand to prevent reuse, and your invitations will not be put through a machine, which could cause damage. There may be an additional fee for this service, and it is recommended to visit the post office during quieter times, such as early weekday mornings.

By following these steps, you can confidently prepare your 200 wedding invitations for mailing, ensuring they reach your guests safely and on time.

What is the best way to seal my wedding invitation envelopes?

Sending out 200 wedding invitations is a common task for couples planning a wedding. It is important to ensure that you have the correct number of invitations and that they are properly sealed before mailing them out. Here is some information on the best way to seal your wedding invitation envelopes:

There are several ways to seal wedding invitation envelopes, and the method you choose will depend on the type of envelope you have and your personal preference. Here are some of the most popular methods:

• Using a Q-tip and a bowl of water: This method involves moistening the glue on the envelope flap with a Q-tip and then pressing the flap firmly onto the envelope. This is a cleaner and more precise version of the sponge and water trick.
• Paintbrush, water, and water-soluble adhesive: Similar to the Q-tip method, but with the addition of a dab of water-soluble adhesive to the flap. The paintbrush can hold more water, so you don't have to constantly re-dip, and the extra adhesive adds security. Be careful not to use too much water, as this can cause wrinkling.
• Clear glue sticks: You can use clear glue sticks or paper glue to seal the envelopes. Just be sure to use a small amount to avoid wrinkling.
• Double-sided tape: Double-sided tape or adhesive rollers can also seal envelopes effectively. This method works best with straight flap envelopes rather than angled or euro flap envelopes.
• Wax seals: Wax seals are a traditional and decorative way to secure envelopes. They can be made by melting wax and stamping it with an engraved design or purchased as self-adhesive seals. If using traditional wax seals, consider using an outer envelope to protect the seal during mailing.
• Heavy compression: After sealing the envelopes with any of the above methods, place them under a heavy book or paperweight to ensure the flaps stay flat and secure.

It is important to note that licking the envelopes is not recommended, especially for a large number of invitations, as it can be unhygienic and tiring. Additionally, always double-check that your envelopes are securely sealed before mailing to avoid any sloppiness or delivery issues.

• Timing: Send your "Save the Dates" 4-6 months before your wedding and the official invitations 6-8 weeks before.
• Proofreading: Carefully proofread all addresses and details before taking your invitations to the post office.
• Stamps: Add sufficient postage before going to the post office to avoid compromising the aesthetic and paying more for postage.
• Hand-cancelling: If your invitations are bulky or have embellishments, ask the post office to hand-cancel them to avoid machine wear and tear. This may incur an additional fee.
• International invitations: Allow extra time for international invitations to reach their destination and consider providing a digital RSVP option.

Frequently asked questions