The Ultimate Guide To Assembling Wedding Invitations Like Emily Post

Wedding invitations are often the first formal, printed stationery a couple sends out, and assembling them can be a daunting task. Emily Post's advice is a great resource for couples who want to ensure they are following proper etiquette. From addressing envelopes to stacking enclosures and sealing outer envelopes, her guidance ensures that your invitations are assembled, stuffed, sealed, and ready to mail. Post's advice covers everything from the tone of the invitation to the weight of the paper, helping couples navigate the world of wedding invitation etiquette with ease.

Envelope stacking

When it comes to stacking your enclosures, there are instructions for the traditional way to do so, but you may want to adapt this depending on the pieces in your invitation suite and your personal preferences.

First, place the RSVP card under the flap of its envelope so that the card is face up and the addressed side of the envelope is face down. Then, stack the enclosures face-up in order of size, with the largest piece on the bottom.

If you are using an inner envelope, place it inside the mailing envelope with the guest names facing the open side of the envelope. Place the invitation and inserts in the envelope so that they are the right way up when pulled out with the right hand.

When it comes to sealing the envelope, inner envelopes should be left unsealed and often don't even have adhesive on the flap. Use an envelope moistener to activate the glue on the mailing envelope flap. You can use a damp sponge or saliva, but be careful not to over-wet the adhesive. Press down firmly to seal or place the envelope under a heavy book. If your envelopes don't want to stay closed, try using double-sided tape or a glue stick.

Enclosure stacking

Step 1: Start With the Invitation

Place the wedding invitation face up on the table. This is usually the largest card in the suite, so it makes sense to build the rest of the enclosures on top of it.

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

If you have received a sheet of tissue paper or vellum with your invitations, it's your choice whether to include it or not. Traditionally, this was used to prevent ink smudges. If you want to include it, place the tissue paper or vellum on top of the wedding invitation.

Step 3: Stack the Reception Card

If you are including a reception card, place it face-up on top of the wedding invitation (or the tissue paper, if you chose to include it). The reception card outlines important details such as the time, location, and dress code of the wedding reception.

Step 4: Stack Other Enclosure Cards

Place any remaining enclosure cards, such as maps, hotel accommodation cards, or travel information cards, face up on top of the reception card. If there is more than one enclosure card and they are different sizes, start with the largest card and work your way down to the smallest.

Step 5: Don't Forget the RSVP Card and Envelope

Place the reply envelope face down on top of the stack of enclosure cards. Insert the reply card under the reply envelope flap, face up, so that the printed side is visible. Make sure to pre-address and stamp the reply envelope to make it easier for your guests to respond.

Additional Tips:

• If you are using a folded-style invitation, place all enclosures within the folded invitation instead of stacking them on top.
• If you are using an inner envelope and an outer envelope, insert the fully assembled invitation suite into the inner envelope first, with the left edge going in first for a single-card invitation or the folded edge first for a folded invitation. Then, insert the inner envelope into the outer envelope, ensuring that the guests' names are visible when the envelope is opened.
• If you are using a single outer envelope, insert the fully assembled invitation suite with the left edge going in first for a single-card invitation or the folded edge first for a folded invitation.

Stuffing the envelope

When it comes to stuffing the envelope, there are a few things to keep in mind to ensure that your invitations are assembled correctly and look elegant. Here is a step-by-step guide to help you with the process:

Place the RSVP card: Take the RSVP card and place it under the flap of its envelope. Ensure that the card is face up, and the addressed side of the envelope is facing down. This is a standard way of arranging the RSVP card, so the recipient can quickly locate it.

Stack the enclosures: Start stacking the enclosures, such as the invitation card, reply card, and any other inserts like maps or directions. Place them face-up and arrange them in order of size, with the largest piece at the bottom. This way, when the recipient opens the envelope, they will see the invitation first and then the other cards.

Using an inner envelope: If you are using an inner envelope, place it inside the mailing envelope. Ensure that the guest names are facing the open side of the envelope. The inner envelope is meant to hold the invitation and inserts, so positioning it this way makes it convenient for the recipient to pull out the contents.

Inserting the invitation and inserts: Place the invitation card and any inserts into the inner envelope. They should be positioned right-side-up when pulled out with the right hand. This ensures that the recipient will see the invitation first and can easily access the other cards.

Sealing the envelope: Leave the inner envelope unsealed. Typically, these envelopes do not even have adhesive on the flap. Use an envelope moistener, a damp sponge, or saliva to activate the glue on the mailing envelope flap. Be careful not to over-wet the adhesive; use just enough moisture to seal the envelope. Press down firmly or place a heavy book on top until the glue sets. If you prefer, you can also use double-sided tape or a glue stick to secure the envelope.

By following these steps, your wedding invitations will be assembled, stuffed, sealed, and ready to be mailed to your guests!

Sealing the envelope

The amount of postage required for your invitation suite will vary based on weight. Embellishments like wax seals, ribbon, and thick paper can also affect your postage rate. Take one assembled invitation, including any RSVP cards and enclosures, to your local post office to determine the exact postage needed. Remember to buy stamps for the RSVP card envelopes as well.

Now your invitations are assembled, stuffed, sealed, and ready to mail!

Postage

When it comes to postage, there are a few things to keep in mind to ensure your wedding invitations reach their destination without a hitch.

Firstly, the amount of postage required will depend on the weight of your invitation suite. Embellishments like wax seals, ribbons, and thick paper can affect the postage rate. Take one fully assembled invitation, including all enclosures and embellishments, to your local post office to have it weighed and to determine the exact postage needed. Remember that you will also need stamps for the RSVP card envelopes, which typically require standard first-class postage.

The number of postage stamps needed will depend on the weight and dimensions of your stuffed envelope. If your invitation is standard size and weighs under one ounce, one Forever Stamp, currently valued at $0.73, is sufficient. Forever Stamps are available in various designs, including wedding-themed options. If your invitation is heavier or includes bulky embellishments, you may need additional postage stamps in smaller denominations to make up the difference.

If you're using non-rectangular envelopes or have a large number of enclosures, your invitation may be considered "non-machinable" and require hand-cancelling. This means that the postmaster will stamp each envelope by hand instead of using a machine, incurring an extra fee of $0.44 per envelope. Hand-cancelling can add a classic touch to your invitations, as the hand-cancel stamp includes the city and state of mailing.

To save money on postage, consider using single-ply paper, avoiding wax seals or knotted ribbons, and limiting inserts to the invitation, details card, and RSVP envelope. This can help keep your postage costs closer to the standard letter rate.

When purchasing stamps, you can opt for wedding-themed Forever Stamps or explore vintage stamps for a romantic touch. The United States Postal Service (USPS) offers a variety of themes and colours, including a "Love/Wedding" subcategory. Etsy is another great option for vintage and curated stamp collections, while Amazon offers modern designs and bulk purchasing options.

Frequently asked questions