How Many Stamps For Wedding Invites?

Wedding invitations are an exciting part of the wedding planning process, but they can also be a tricky one. While mailing a simple letter is straightforward, wedding invitations often require a little more thought. Most wedding invitations are heavier than your average letter, and sometimes thicker, too, so it's important to get the right postage to ensure your invitations don't end up back at your door – or, worse, lost in the mail.

Weight, size, and thickness of the invitation affect postage costs

The weight, size, and thickness of wedding invitations affect postage costs. The weight of the paper, the number of cards, the use of a pocketfold, and any embellishments included, such as ribbons, twine, or wax seals, all contribute to the final weight of the invitation suite. Standard USPS postage is valued at $0.73 for an envelope weighing one ounce or less, with each additional ounce costing an extra $0.24. Invitations weighing more than one ounce but less than two ounces will require a two-ounce stamp, while those over three ounces will need a three-ounce stamp.

The size of the invitation also matters. Square wedding invitations are considered irregular and will incur additional postage costs. They will cost around $0.20 extra per invitation for the first ounce. On the other hand, standard wedding invitation sizes of 5" x 7" or 5.5" x 8.5" are considered regular USPS sizes and do not require extra postage based on their dimensions alone.

Thickness is another factor that can impact postage costs. If a wedding invitation includes a ribbon, twine, or a wax seal, it may exceed the maximum thickness of 1/4" allowed for standard postage rates. In such cases, additional postage may be required.

Square envelopes require extra postage

When it comes to wedding invitations, there are a few factors that can affect the postage cost, such as weight, size, and thickness. While most wedding invitations are 5" x 7", which is a standard size, choosing a different shape or size can result in additional costs.

Square envelopes, in particular, require extra postage. The USPS considers square envelopes to be "odd-sized" or "nonmachineable", which means they cannot be processed by standard mail sorting machines and require special handling. As a result, the post office charges a higher price for postage.

The additional surcharge for square envelopes is $0.46 per letter, on top of the regular postage rate based on weight and dimensions. For a 1 oz letter, you will need a $1.19 stamp instead of the usual $0.73 stamp. If your wedding invitation weighs 2 oz, you will need a $1.47 stamp instead of the $1.01 stamp.

To avoid any surprises at the post office, it is recommended to use a postage calculator or visit your local post office to determine the exact amount of postage required for square envelopes.

Wax seals and ribbons may require a nonmachinable surcharge

When it comes to wedding invitations, there are a few factors that can affect how much postage you'll need, and whether your invitations can be mailed with one stamp. The cost of postage depends on the weight, shape, and size of your mail, as well as the location you're mailing to and the speed of delivery.

If you want to add a special touch to your wedding invitations with a wax seal or ribbon, it's important to note that this may require a "nonmachinable surcharge". This is because the bump created by a wax seal or the thickness added by certain types of ribbons can't go through the machines used by the post office to process envelopes. As a result, these invitations will need to be hand-cancelled, which means they will have to be manually sorted and stamped to prevent the stamps from being used again.

The cost of the nonmachinable surcharge can vary, but it is typically around $0.20 additional per invitation. This surcharge is separate from the cost of postage, which is typically $0.73 for a first-class stamp for a standard rectangular envelope weighing up to one ounce. If your invitation weighs more than one ounce, you will need to add additional postage, with each additional ounce costing around $0.28 on top of the standard rate.

It's important to check with your local post office to determine the exact cost of postage and any additional surcharges for your specific wedding invitations. Taking a fully assembled invitation to the post office and having them weigh and measure it is the best way to ensure you are using the correct amount of postage.

Vintage stamps are more expensive but can add a unique touch

Wedding invitations are usually heavier than your average letter, so a 70-cent stamp is often needed. However, vintage stamps are a great way to add a unique touch to your wedding invitations.

Vintage stamps are stamps that were printed decades or even a century ago on antique printing presses no longer in operation. Their aesthetic and tactile feel are noticeably different from modern stamps. Vintage stamps often cost more to buy as they have been carefully preserved and maintained. For example, a stamp may cost $5, but the postage denomination marked on the stamp itself may only be 50 cents.

Vintage stamps can be purchased from online retailers such as Etsy, Edelweiss Post, Little Postage House, Magnolia Postage, and Amazon. Etsy offers a wide range of vintage stamps, including single-style stamps, complete sheets of now-discontinued collections, and custom-curated groupings of stamps that match your wedding vibe. Edelweiss Post offers carefully chosen vintage stamps, including florals, lacey hearts, cherubs, and doves. Little Postage House provides a custom postage curation service and designs and prints any paper goods you may need for your wedding, such as save-the-date cards and invitations. Magnolia Postage offers vintage, small-denomination stamps ranging from one cent to over 30 cents, and they can also source specific stamps upon request. Amazon provides modern stamp options and is a good choice for buying stamps in bulk with fast shipping, especially if you have Prime.

While vintage stamps can add a unique and elegant touch to your wedding invitations, they may be more expensive than regular stamps. It's important to consider your budget and the extra costs associated with postage, such as the weight, shape, and size of your invitations.

Hand-cancelling can help protect your envelopes but may cost extra

Hand-cancelling is a process that involves manually marking or "cancelling" a stamp on an envelope using a hand stamp instead of a sorting machine. This process is essential for wedding invitations with wax seals or ribbons as the machine can cause the envelope to rip and damage its contents.

To hand-cancel your wedding invitations, start by assembling a mock-up with all the inserts and add-ons, then bring it to the post office to be weighed and checked. This will help you determine if your envelope is too bulky for machine cancelling and how much postage you'll need. The weight and dimensions of your fully stuffed envelope will dictate the number and value of the postage stamps required. If your envelope is thicker than 1/4" at its thickest point, it will likely require hand-cancelling.

After purchasing the correct postage, you can either hand-cancel the envelopes yourself at the post office or have a postmaster or postal employee do it for you. It's a good idea to visit the post office during off-peak hours to avoid crowds and ensure you can speak with a postal employee about your needs. Some post offices may charge an additional fee for hand-cancelling, typically around $0.21 to $0.24 per envelope, so be sure to inquire about any potential extra costs.

Keep in mind that hand-cancelling can slow down the mailing process, as it requires human labour instead of machine hours. Therefore, it's recommended to allow at least two weeks of leeway in case of any delays.

Frequently asked questions