Wedding Invite Weight: Wax Seal Impact

Wedding invitations are a special way to invite guests to your big day, and adding a wax stamp is a great way to elevate the design. But how heavy does a wax stamp make your wedding invite, and how much will it cost to send?

The weight of your wedding invitation depends on several factors, including the thickness of the paper, the number of cards, and any embellishments like ribbons or wax seals. A basic wedding invitation suite (including a mailing envelope, flat single-layer invitation, RSVP card, and envelope) can usually be sent with a regular First Class or Forever Stamp. However, if your invitation weighs more than one ounce, you'll need additional postage.

Wax seals add a unique touch but also increase the weight and bulk of your invitation. If your invitation is more than 1/4 thick, you'll need extra postage. The same goes for square envelopes, which are considered irregular and will cost about $0.20 extra per invitation.

To ensure you have the correct postage, it's recommended to take a fully assembled invitation to your local post office to have it weighed and checked for thickness. They can advise you on the exact postage required, so you don't end up paying too much or having your invitations returned due to insufficient postage.

So, if you're planning to use wax stamps on your wedding invitations, keep in mind that they will increase the weight and bulk, and you may need to budget for additional postage.

Wax seals can be used to close the flaps of wedding invitation envelopes

If you're considering using wax seals on your wedding invitation envelopes, there are a few things to keep in mind. First, traditional wax-on-paper seals should be sturdy enough to send through the mail, but if you're concerned about damage, you can use outer envelopes to protect the seals or opt for hand-sorting at your local post office. Hand-sorting involves a postal worker manually inspecting and approving each invitation, which will incur additional postage and may take extra time for sending.

Another option is to use self-adhesive wax seals, which are ideal if you don't have the time or comfort level to make your own wax seals. These seals are handmade by professional wedding stationers or calligraphers and can be customized with your initials or other details. However, if you're using self-adhesive wax seals on the outside of the envelope, be sure to use heavy-duty adhesive to ensure they stay put during mailing.

When creating your own wax seals, you'll need to choose a method for melting the wax. You can use a wax furnace, traditional wax sticks, or a glue gun with round wax sticks. The glue gun method is a favourite for its ease of use, but be sure to use a low heat setting and specially-shaped glue gun wax without a wick.

Finally, consider the colour of your wax seals. Metallic gold and silver are traditional choices, but you can also find wax in a variety of other colours or create your own marbled effect by mixing different colours together.

Self-adhesive wax seals are an option if you don't want to make your own

If you're looking to add a regal, Old World aesthetic to your wedding invitations, wax seals are a great way to go. But if you don't want to make your own, self-adhesive wax seals are a fantastic option. These seals, often handmade by professional stationers or calligraphers, come with an adhesive backing, making them similar to fancy stickers. And you won't have to sacrifice customisation—many stationers will personalise self-adhesive wax seals with your initials or another unique detail.

Self-adhesive wax seals are also a good choice if you're concerned about the weight of your invitations. While traditional wax seals are generally sturdy enough to withstand mailing, they can sometimes be damaged in the process. If you're using traditional wax-on-paper seals, it's recommended to use outer envelopes to protect the seals or ask your local post office about hand-sorting, which will incur additional postage costs and time. Self-adhesive wax seals, on the other hand, can be less permanent, so it's always a good idea to use a protective outer envelope when mailing your invitations.

There are many options available for purchasing self-adhesive wax seals. Etsy, for example, has a wide variety of sellers offering custom and personalised self-adhesive wax seals. Prices vary, but you can often find discounts, and many sellers offer free shipping for orders over a certain amount. Artisaire, a retailer partnered with WaxSeals.com, also offers custom and ready-made designs.

So, if you're short on time or simply don't want the hassle of making your own wax seals, self-adhesive wax seals are a great alternative. With the variety of options available, you're sure to find something that fits your wedding aesthetic and budget.

Metal wax seal stamps can be customised with monograms, dates, etc

Metal wax seal stamps can be customised with monograms, dates, and other designs to add a unique and artistic flair to your wedding invitations. The traditional method of creating a wax seal involves melting wax and allowing it to drip directly onto the envelope or parchment paper. A metal stamp is then pressed into the cooling wax before it hardens, leaving an imprint of the design.

Customisation options for metal wax seal stamps are endless. You can choose from a variety of illustrated borders, handwritten character sets, monograms, dates, or even upload your own design. If you want to include a monogram, you can enter your initials, and a specialist will arrange the layout to fit your specifications. You may also opt for a single or double initial design.

Metal wax seal stamps with wooden handles and engraved brass stamp heads are available from several online retailers, with prices ranging from $35 to $64 on Etsy. Custom wax seal stamps are also offered by various vendors, with prices starting at $45 for a bespoke monogram wax seal stamp. These stamps can be customised with your choice of illustrated borders and handwritten character sets, and you can include your initials or a single initial.

When using a metal wax seal stamp, it is important to consider the weight, size, and thickness of your wedding invitations, as these factors will determine the postage cost. In general, wedding invitations that are 5" x 7" and under one ounce will require a "forever" stamp costing $0.55 each. Invitations with multiple pieces or those that are slightly heavier will require a $0.70 stamp. Square invitations, regardless of weight, will also require a $0.70 stamp as they cannot be processed through a sorting machine and must be hand-sorted.

To ensure your wax seals last through the mailing process, consider using a protective outer envelope or asking your local post office about hand-sorting or hand-cancelling. Hand-sorting involves a postal worker manually inspecting and approving each invitation, which provides added protection for your wax seals but may incur additional postage costs and cause delays.

The weight of a wedding invite determines the cost of postage

The weight of a wedding invitation can determine the cost of postage. In the US, the standard USPS postage rate is $0.55 to mail a 1-ounce or lighter envelope. Each additional ounce will cost $0.15, up to 3.5 ounces. Most wedding invitations weigh between 1 and 2 ounces, so postage will typically be at least $0.70.

The weight of a wedding invitation can be affected by various factors, such as the thickness of the paper, the number of enclosure cards, the use of a pocketfold, and any embellishments like ribbons or wax seals. Wax seals, in particular, can increase the weight of an invitation, as they are non-machinable and must be processed by hand at the post office, incurring an additional $0.15 fee.

Square-shaped wedding invitations also incur extra postage costs due to their non-standard dimensions. These usually cost around $0.20 extra per invitation for the first ounce.

To ensure you are using the correct postage for your wedding invitations, it is recommended to take a fully assembled sample invitation to your local post office for weighing and thickness testing. They will be able to advise you on the correct amount of postage required.

Non-machinable items, such as wax seals, ribbons, or thick invites, cost extra to send

When it comes to wedding invitations, there are a few factors that can affect the postage cost. These include weight, size, and thickness. Most wedding invitations are 5" x 7" as this size helps keep postage costs down. If you opt for a square invitation, you will likely have to pay more for postage as these cannot be processed through the standard sorting machine and require hand-sorting.

If you want to include a wax seal on your wedding invitations, there are a few things to consider. Firstly, a wax seal will add a little extra weight to your envelope, which may increase the postage cost. Secondly, if you want to protect your wax seal, you will need to hand-cancel your invitations at the post office. This means that a postal worker will manually inspect and approve each invitation, ensuring that your wax seal is not damaged by an automated sorting machine. This service also incurs an additional charge.

To avoid any unexpected costs, it is recommended that you take a fully assembled sample of your invitation to your local post office to get an accurate postage estimate.

If you are concerned about the weight of your invitation, there are a few alternatives to consider. You could use a paper belly band or vellum instead of a ribbon, or opt for a self-adhesive wax seal, which tends to be lighter than a traditional wax seal.

Overall, it is important to keep in mind that non-machinable items, such as wax seals, ribbons, or thick invitations, will cost extra to send. By planning ahead and consulting with your local post office, you can ensure that your invitations reach their destination safely and on time.

Frequently asked questions