Stamping Your Wedding Invites: How Many Stamps To Use?

Planning a wedding can be stressful, and postage is often overlooked. The cost of mailing wedding invitations depends on their weight, size, and thickness. Most wedding invitations weigh more than an ounce and include multiple pieces, so they will require more than one Forever Stamp. The number of stamps needed also depends on the number of materials included, such as maps, direction cards, and itinerary cards. To avoid any mistakes, it is recommended to take a complete invitation to the local post office to be weighed and to determine the exact postage needed.

Weight: Wedding invitations weighing over 1 ounce will require additional postage

The weight of your wedding invitation will determine how much postage you need to send it. If your invitation weighs more than one ounce, you will need to use additional stamps to cover the cost of postage. This is because most standard wedding invitation suites (including a mailing envelope, flat single-layer invitation, RSVP card, and RSVP envelope) weigh less than an ounce and can be sent with a single Forever Stamp, which currently costs $0.55.

There are many factors that can make your wedding invitation set weigh more than one ounce, such as the thickness of the paper, the number of cards included, the use of a pocket-fold, and any embellishments such as ribbons, twine, or wax seals. As a general rule, pocket invitations or multi-layered wedding invitations with multiple enclosure cards will weigh just over one ounce, requiring additional postage.

If your wedding invitation weighs more than one ounce but less than two ounces, you will need to use a 2-ounce stamp, which costs more than a Forever Stamp. For invitations weighing more than two ounces, you will need to use additional stamps to cover the extra weight. It is always a good idea to take one fully assembled invitation to your local post office to have it weighed and to check if its thickness or shape will affect the postage cost. They will be able to tell you the correct amount of postage required and recommend the appropriate stamps to use.

Shape: Square envelopes are considered irregular and will require extra postage

When it comes to wedding invitations, it's important to consider the weight, size, and thickness of your envelope. These factors can affect the postage cost, and you don't want your invitations delayed or returned due to insufficient postage.

Now, if you're considering square envelopes for your wedding invitations, there's something important you should know. Square envelopes are considered irregular by postal services due to their shape and size. This means they will require additional postage beyond the standard rate.

Square envelopes deviate from the standard rectangular shape and are often considered "odd-sized" or "nonmachineable" by the post office. This is because square envelopes do not fit through the sorting machine and require hand sorting, also known as "hand cancellation." As a result, postal services charge an additional fee for handling and processing square envelopes.

In terms of specific costs, square envelopes will cost you extra per letter, on top of the regular postage rate determined by weight and dimensions. For example, a 1-ounce letter in a square envelope would require a $1.19 stamp instead of the standard $0.73 stamp. Similarly, a 2-ounce wedding invitation would need a $1.47 stamp instead of the usual $1.01 stamp. It's always a good idea to check with your local postal service for the most up-to-date rates before purchasing your stamps.

To avoid any surprises or delays, it's recommended to take a fully assembled invitation to your local post office to have it weighed and measured. They can advise you on the correct postage required, ensuring your invitations reach their destination without any issues.

Thickness: Envelopes thicker than 1/4 will require additional postage

When it comes to wedding invitations, there are a few factors that can affect how much postage you'll need. The weight, size, and thickness of your invitation suite will all play a role in determining the postage cost.

Thickness, in particular, can be a tricky component to navigate. If your wedding invitation includes a ribbon, twine, or a wax seal, these embellishments may be enough to push your envelope over the 1/4" threshold. This is important because the United States Postal Service (USPS) classifies envelopes that exceed this thickness as "large envelopes" or "flats," which are subject to higher postage rates.

To ensure your invitations fall within the standard thickness allowance, it's recommended to use materials that don't add too much bulk. Consider using a paper belly band or vellum instead of a ribbon tie for the envelope liner, as the knot of the ribbon can often be thicker than 1/4".

However, if you're set on including embellishments that may increase the thickness, it's crucial to plan ahead. You can use the USPS postage price calculator to determine the cost based on size, weight, and destination. As of August 2024, the postage rates for flats within the United States are as follows:

• For up to 1 ounce, it costs $1.50
• For each additional ounce, it costs $0.27

It's worth noting that USPS reviews rates bi-annually, so it's essential to confirm the latest postage rates before mailing. Taking a complete wedding invitation to your local post office for weighing and thickness testing is always a good idea to ensure you have the correct postage.

Embellishments: Wax seals and ribbons may increase postage costs

When sending out wedding invitations, it's important to consider any embellishments you may want to include, such as wax seals and ribbons, as these can increase your postage costs. While a basic wedding invitation suite (including a mailing envelope, flat single-layer invitation, RSVP card, and RSVP envelope) will typically only require a regular First-Class Stamp, any additions or embellishments can quickly increase the weight and thickness of your invitation, pushing it into a higher price bracket.

Wax seals, for example, can add a beautiful, traditional touch to your wedding invitations, but they can also increase your postage costs, depending on the postal service and the weight of the seal. In most countries, postal charges are based on weight and size, so even a small wax seal, weighing around 0.02 ounces, can push your invitation into a higher weight category, incurring extra charges. Additionally, some postal services may require hand cancellation of mail with wax seals to prevent damage, which can result in an additional fee. While this fee is usually minimal, it can add up when sending out multiple invitations.

Ribbons are another popular embellishment that can increase your postage costs. If the ribbon creates a bump or adds more than 1/4" of thickness to your invitation, you may be charged extra by the postal service. This is because thicker envelopes may not fit through standard mail processing machines and may require special handling, resulting in a higher postage rate.

To avoid unexpected costs, it is always recommended to take a fully assembled invitation to your local post office to have it weighed and measured. They can advise you on the correct postage required and help you ensure that your invitations reach their destination without issue. Additionally, consider choosing invitations that fall within standard USPS sizes, as square or irregularly shaped envelopes may also incur additional charges.

Cardstock: Thicker cardstock will add weight to your invitation suite, increasing postage costs

When it comes to wedding invitations, there are many factors that can affect the cost of postage, such as weight, size, and thickness. While most simple wedding invitations won't require any additional postage beyond your standard Forever Stamps, thicker cardstock can increase the weight of your invitations, pushing them into a higher weight category and thus increasing the postage costs.

The weight of your wedding invitation suite plays a crucial role in determining the postage costs. In the United States, postage rates for standard-sized envelopes are based on weight, with different rates for mailings up to 1 ounce, between 1 and 2 ounces, and so on. Thicker cardstock, along with additional enclosure cards or embellishments like ribbons or wax seals, can quickly add weight to your invitation suite. As a result, you may need to use a higher denomination stamp or additional stamps to cover the increased postage cost.

To ensure you apply the correct postage, it is recommended to assemble a complete invitation suite, including all enclosures and embellishments, and take it to your local post office to be weighed. They can then advise you on the exact postage required. This step is crucial, as insufficient postage can lead to your invitations being returned to you or, worse, your guests being asked to pay the remaining postage due.

When selecting cardstock for your wedding invitations, it's important to consider not only the aesthetic appeal but also the practical implications for postage costs. While thicker cardstock can add a sense of luxury and heft to your invitations, it's essential to balance this with the potential increase in postage costs, especially if you have a large number of invitations to mail.

To manage postage costs while still achieving a sophisticated look, consider using a cardstock weight between 80 and 100 lb. This range offers a good balance between thickness and weight, allowing your invitations to feel substantial without incurring additional postage fees. Additionally, you can opt for textured cardstock, such as linen or cotton cardstock, which can add visual interest and elegance to your invitations without increasing the weight significantly.

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