Wedding invitations are a special type of correspondence that require careful consideration when it comes to postage. The number of forever stamps needed for a wedding invitation depends on its weight and dimensions. If the invitation is standard size and weighs under one ounce, one Forever Stamp is enough to cover the mailing cost. However, if the envelope is bulky or contains multiple cards, its weight may exceed one ounce, requiring additional postage. The cost also depends on the shape of the envelope, with square envelopes costing more than rectangular ones. Additionally, certain design elements like wax seals, ribbons, and non-standard closures can incur a non-machinable surcharge. To ensure accurate postage, it is recommended to take a fully assembled invitation to the post office for weighing and advice on the correct number of forever stamps.
What You'll Learn
Forever stamps are valid for 1-ounce wedding mailings
Forever stamps are a great option for wedding invitations. They are a type of stamp offered by the United States Postal Service (USPS) that never expires, regardless of changes in postage rates. This means that even if the cost of postage goes up after you've purchased your stamps, you can still use them to mail your wedding invitations without having to worry about additional costs.
The current face value of Forever Stamps is $0.73 each, and they are sold in sheets or booklets of 20 stamps. They feature various designs, including wedding-themed and "Love/Wedding" options with pretty flowers and other appropriate motifs. When choosing Forever Stamps for your wedding invitations, it's a good idea to stock up on a design you like, as they may sell out or change over time.
To ensure you have the correct postage for your wedding invitations, it's recommended to take a fully assembled and stuffed envelope to your local post office to have it weighed and measured. This will help you determine if your invitations fall into the standard size and weight category or if they require additional postage due to their shape, weight, or any decorative elements. Remember that factors such as wax seals, ribbons, and non-standard closures can affect the postage required.
By using Forever Stamps for your wedding invitations, you can add a special touch with the available designs while also ensuring that your invitations reach their destination without any issues or delays.
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Some wedding invitations require 2-ounce stamps
Wedding invitations are often printed on heavier paper than standard letters, and may include multiple cards, pocket-folds, or embellishments such as ribbons or wax seals. These additions can increase the weight of the invitation, requiring additional postage.
If your wedding invitation weighs more than one ounce but less than two ounces, you will need a two-ounce stamp. The USPS offers several two-ounce "forever" stamps, which will always be valid for the cost of mailing a two-ounce first-class letter, even if the price increases. The current price of two-ounce stamps is $1.01 each.
Two-ounce stamps can be purchased online from Amazon or eBay, or at your local post office. Online retailers may offer faster delivery and a wider variety of designs, but may also charge higher prices. The USPS also offers a non-machineable surcharge of $0.46 for two-ounce letters with non-standard closures, such as clasps or strings.
It is important to ensure you have the correct postage for your wedding invitations. Insufficient postage may result in your invitations being returned or your guests being asked to pay the remaining postage cost. To avoid this, it is recommended to take a sample invitation to your local post office to have it weighed and measured, so you can purchase the correct amount of postage.
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Custom postage stamps are no longer offered by USPS or any other vendor
Wedding-themed forever stamps are available from the USPS, which are valid for 1 oz wedding mailings (though some wedding invitations require 2 oz stamps). These stamps are perfect for wedding invitations, RSVPs, save-the-dates, bridal shower invitations, response cards, and thank-you cards.
Custom postage stamps, however, are no longer offered by the USPS or any other vendor. The USPS discontinued its custom postage stamp program in June 2020, and no other companies offer this service. This means that couples planning their weddings will need to select from the available wedding-themed designs or explore other options like vintage stamps or custom-designed envelopes.
The good news is that there are still plenty of wedding-themed forever stamp designs to choose from. The current face value of these stamps is $0.73 for a sheet of 20 self-adhesive stamps. Some of the available designs include the 2024 "Love" stamp featuring a bird in flight, the “Celebration Blooms" stamp with an abstract floral arrangement, and the “Love" series featuring cats and dogs with hearts.
If you are looking for something more unique, vintage wedding stamps are also an option. These stamps were printed decades or even a century ago and often have a noticeably different aesthetic and tactile feel. They can be more expensive to purchase, as they have been carefully preserved and maintained.
Another creative way to add a personal touch to your wedding invitations is to customize your envelopes. The USPS offers the option to personalize pre-stamped envelopes with your return address in a unique font. This way, you can still add a special element to your wedding stationery, even without custom postage stamps.
While custom postage stamps are no longer an option, there are still many ways to make your wedding invitations stand out and reflect your personal style. From carefully selecting the perfect wedding-themed forever stamp design to exploring vintage stamps or customizing your envelopes, you can create a beautiful and cohesive look for your wedding correspondence.
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The number of stamps depends on the weight and dimensions of the envelope
The number of forever stamps you need for your wedding invitations depends on the weight and dimensions of your fully stuffed envelope. If your envelope is standard size and weighs under one ounce, you'll need one Forever Stamp to cover the mailing cost.
However, if you've included multiple cards, your invitation might weigh over an ounce. In that case, you'll need to add additional postage stamps with smaller denominations to make up the difference. For example, you might need a 20-cent stamp in addition to your Forever Stamp.
The weight of your envelope will also depend on the type of paper and any embellishments you include. If you're using ultra-thick or luxurious cardstock, you'll need more postage. Similarly, if you've included wax seals, ribbons, or other bulky items, your envelope will likely require extra postage.
To ensure you have the correct postage, it's recommended to take a fully assembled and stuffed envelope to your local post office to have it weighed and assessed for the exact amount of postage needed. This is especially important if your stationery is not standard in size or shape.
Additionally, consider the speed and location of delivery. Sending invitations first-class is recommended to ensure timely delivery and response, but it will cost more. Similarly, international postage will be more expensive.
By considering the weight, dimensions, and any additional factors, you can determine the correct number of Forever Stamps and additional stamps needed for your wedding invitations.
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You can buy wedding stamps at the post office or online
Wedding stamps are available for purchase at your local post office or online.
The United States Postal Service (USPS) offers "forever" stamps—wedding-themed postage stamps that never expire regardless of changes in postage rates. Forever stamps are valid for 1-ounce wedding mailings (though some wedding invitations require 2-ounce stamps). These stamps are a great choice for wedding invitations, RSVPs, save-the-dates, bridal shower invitations, response cards, and thank-you cards.
The current face value of these stamps is $0.73. If you are mailing a 2-ounce first-class letter (common for larger/heavier wedding invitations), you'll need two-ounce wedding stamps, currently $1.01.
You can buy forever stamps online from Amazon, eBay, or Etsy. Amazon offers the fastest delivery but at a slightly higher cost. eBay sells postage stamps at the same price as your local post office but shipping is slower (5-7 days). Etsy offers vintage and collectible forever stamps but at a higher price.
If you're short on time or don't want to risk shipping problems, buying stamps at your local post office is your best bet. Plus, you won't have to pay for shipping. However, it's a good idea to call ahead and check if they have the kind of stamps you're looking for, and in sufficient quantity.
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Frequently asked questions
If your wedding invitation is a standard size and weighs under one ounce, you'll only need one Forever Stamp, which covers the cost of first-class postage.
As of July 14, 2024, a Forever Stamp costs $0.73.
You can buy Forever Stamps online from Amazon, eBay, or Etsy, or in person at your local post office.