The Art Of Stuffing Wedding Invitations: A Step-By-Step Guide

Stuffing wedding invitations is a lot less complicated than it seems. The general rule is to assemble your invitations in order of sizing, with the invitation as the largest card, and all enclosure cards stacked neatly on top. The invitation should be placed at the bottom, print side up.

If you're using a tissue paper or vellum overlay, place it on top of the invitation card. Then, add the reception card, followed by any other enclosure cards, such as a map, hotel accommodations, or travel information.

Next, add the RSVP card under the flap of its envelope, printed side up, and place the envelope on top of the enclosure cards.

Finally, insert the fully assembled invitation suite into the envelope with the text facing up, so that guests can immediately read the invitation when they open the envelope.

Order of cards

When it comes to the order of cards in your wedding invitations, there is a general assembly process that you can follow to ensure that all the necessary information is included and presented clearly to your guests. Here is a detailed guide on the order in which you should arrange the cards:

Step 1: Start with the Main Invitation Card

The first card in your wedding invitation suite should be the main invitation card. This is typically the largest card, and it serves as the foundation for the rest of the suite. Place the invitation card at the bottom of the stack, with the printed side facing up.

Step 2: Add Vellum Liners or Tissue Paper (Optional)

Some invitation suites include a thin sheet of vellum or tissue paper. Traditionally, this was used to prevent ink smudges, but it has become more of a stylistic choice. If you choose to include it, place the vellum or tissue paper on top of the main invitation card.

Step 3: Stack the Reception Card

If you are providing separate reception cards, place them face-up on top of the main invitation card (or the vellum/tissue paper, if included). The reception card includes details such as the time and location of the wedding reception and the requested dress code.

Step 4: Include Other Enclosure Cards

Place any remaining enclosure cards, such as direction/detail cards, map cards, or hotel accommodation cards, face-up on top of the reception card. If there are multiple enclosure cards of different sizes, start with the largest card and work your way down to the smallest.

Step 5: Add the RSVP Card and Envelope

Place the RSVP envelope face-down on top of the stack of enclosure cards. Insert the RSVP card under the envelope flap, with the printed side facing up. Pre-address and pre-stamp the RSVP envelope to make it convenient for your guests to respond.

Step 6: Finalize with Adornments (Optional)

If you wish to include adornments like belly bands, ribbons, or wax seals, now is the time to add them. These finishing touches add a personal and elegant touch to your wedding invitations.

Step 7: Insert into Envelope(s)

If you are using a single envelope (outer envelope), insert the fully assembled invitation suite into the envelope, with the left edge going in first for a single card or the folded edge first for a folded invitation. The text on the main invitation card should be facing up, so your guests see it immediately when they open the envelope.

If you are using both an inner and outer envelope, first insert the assembled suite into the inner envelope, following the same orientation guidelines. Then, insert the inner envelope into the outer envelope, ensuring that the guests' names on the inner envelope are visible when opened.

Envelopes

Single Envelopes

This style is commonly used and is only available for classic wedding invitations and vellum wedding invitations. It consists of one invitation envelope and one response card envelope. The names of all invited guests should be placed on the front, along with the mailing address. Your return address should be placed on the envelope flap.

Double Envelopes

Double envelopes are more formal and traditional. They are available for all wedding invitations and are required for floral, ribbon, and letterpress wedding invitations. This style includes an inner and outer envelope for mailing each invitation suite. The outer envelope is meant for mailing and should list the household name and address on the front. The inner envelope is used to hold the invitation suite and list the name of each guest, eliminating any confusion about who is actually invited. The inner envelope is not gummed, as it will not be sent through the mail. It also acts as an additional layer of protection during mailing and allows your guests to have a clean, unmarked envelope for holding their invitation suite.

Envelope Assembly

The invitation needs to be placed into the envelope facing up so that the text on the main invitation is legible when removed by the recipient. The largest enclosure card is next (this could be the RSVP card), followed by the rest of the enclosure cards in size order from largest to smallest. Insert the RSVP card or response card under the flap of the included envelope, not inside it. The envelopes should be addressed (to you and your fiance) and postage should already be applied.

Envelope Liners

If you have purchased slip-in envelope liners with your invitations, be sure to slide these into your envelopes before inserting your suite. To do so, peel off the strip of adhesive on the back of each liner and slide it into place, pressing firmly to ensure it is secure.

Adornments

Belly bands or invitation wraps: These are a great option to bundle all parts of your invitation suite together. You can choose any colour that matches your wedding theme or adds a pop of colour to your invitations.

Ribbon: Ribbon is a traditional adornment that can add a delicate and elegant touch to your invitations. Silk ribbon, in particular, is a luxurious choice that comes in a variety of colours to complement your suite.

Vellum jacket: A vellum jacket is a semi-sheer tri-fold that wraps around your invitation. It adds an extra touch of elegance and can be sealed with a wax seal for a more romantic feel.

Wax seal: A wax seal is a classic and elegant choice for closing your invitations. It can be used with a vellum jacket or on its own to add a touch of romance and sophistication.

String: If you're having a Western-themed wedding, consider using string to wrap your invitations. It will add a rustic and charming touch to your design.

Tassels: For glamorous nuptials, consider adding tassels to your invitations. They will add a touch of sparkle and elegance to your suite.

Envelop liners: Envelope liners are a great way to add a pop of colour or pattern to your invitations. They can be solid-coloured or feature a floral design, for example. This adds a special touch that your guests will notice when they open the envelope.

Custom stamps: Customised stamps with your image or personalisation are a great way to tie your wedding invitation suite together. They add a cohesive touch to your envelopes and can be created easily with online ordering.

Assembly line

To streamline the process of stuffing your wedding invitations, creating an assembly line is a great idea. Here's a detailed guide to help you set up an efficient assembly line:

Step 1: Prepare the Workspace

Clear off a large table or any suitable flat surface to serve as your assembly workstation. Ensure the area is clean and free from any food or drinks that could smudge or damage the invitations. You may want to cover the table with a cloth for added protection.

Step 2: Gather and Organise the Materials

Collect all the necessary pieces for the invitations and organise them into neat piles or stacks. This includes the invitation cards, reception cards, RSVP cards, envelopes, and any additional enclosure cards or adornments like belly bands, ribbons, or wax seals.

Step 3: Assign Roles

Depending on the number of people you have helping you, assign specific tasks to each person. For example, one person can be in charge of stacking the cards in the correct order, another can insert the stacks into the envelopes, and someone else can seal the envelopes and apply any necessary labels or stamps.

Step 4: Stack the Cards

Following the correct order, start stacking the cards for each invitation. Typically, the order is as follows:

• Invitation card (face up)
• Tissue paper or vellum overlay (optional)
• Reception card (face up)
• Enclosure cards (face up, with the largest on the bottom)
• RSVP card under the flap of the RSVP envelope (face up)
• Place the RSVP envelope printed side down on top of the enclosure cards

Step 5: Insert into Envelopes

Once each invitation suite is stacked and ready, carefully insert them into the envelopes. If you have inner and outer envelopes, place the assembled suite into the inner envelope first, ensuring the text faces up when the envelope is opened. Then, insert the inner envelope into the outer envelope. For a single outer envelope, simply insert the assembled suite with the text facing up.

Step 6: Seal and Address

Use envelope moisteners or bottled envelope moisteners to seal the envelopes securely. Avoid using too much liquid, as you don't want the envelopes to become soggy and puckered. If using wax seals, add them now. Finally, address the envelopes, either by hand or using printed labels or stamps.

Weighing and postage

Weighing the Invitations:

Firstly, it's important to understand that the weight of your wedding invitations will determine the postage required. A standard wedding invitation suite, including the mailing envelope, a single-layer invitation, an RSVP card, and an RSVP envelope, typically weighs around one ounce. However, various factors can increase the weight, such as thicker paper, multiple enclosure cards, pocket-folds, or embellishments like ribbons or wax seals.

To ensure you have the correct postage, it is recommended to take a fully assembled invitation suite to your local post office and have them weigh it. They can also advise on thickness and provide accurate estimates on the required postage. This step is crucial, as insufficient postage can result in delayed or returned invitations.

Determining Postage:

The United States Postal Service (USPS) guidelines state that one standard stamp (currently 73 cents) is sufficient for a letter weighing up to one ounce. However, wedding invitations often exceed these limits due to their size, thickness, or non-rectangular shapes.

To calculate the required postage for your invitations, follow these steps:

• Take a fully assembled invitation suite, including all enclosures and embellishments, to your local post office.
• Have the postal staff weigh the invitation and provide you with the exact postage required.
• If the weight is over one ounce but less than two ounces, you will need a two-ounce stamp.
• For square envelopes, expect to pay about $0.20 extra per invitation for the first ounce.
• If your invitation is more than 1/4" thick, it may be considered a parcel, which can significantly increase postage costs.
• Always use more stamps rather than less to ensure your invitations reach their destination, especially for international postage.

Hand-Canceling:

To avoid potential damage to your invitations during the mailing process, consider requesting hand-canceling. This service involves manually stamping each envelope with cancellation markings instead of running them through a machine. Hand-canceling adds a classic touch to your invitations and helps protect any delicate details. However, it may incur additional costs, so be sure to inquire about this service when weighing your invitations.

Vintage Stamps:

If you're aiming for an Old-World or romantic aesthetic, consider using vintage stamps. These stamps often have lower values, so you'll need more of them to reach the required postage amount. Vintage stamps can be more challenging to find and significantly more expensive, especially for older and rarer styles. Additionally, they will need to be individually applied, and postal workers will need more time to confirm the correct value.

Saving Money on Postage:

To minimize postage costs, consider the following tips:

• Use single-ply paper for your invitations.
• Avoid bulky embellishments like wax seals or knotted ribbons.
• Limit your inserts to the invitation, details card, and RSVP envelope.
• Opt for standard envelope sizes, as non-standard sizes may require additional postage.
• Purchase stamps from the USPS directly or from authorized retailers to avoid markups.

In conclusion, taking the time to properly weigh your wedding invitations and determine the correct postage is essential to ensuring their safe arrival. By following the provided instructions and tips, you can confidently send out your invitations, knowing they will reach your guests without any issues.

Frequently asked questions