Assembling Wedding Invitations: The Martha Stewart Way

Wedding invitations are a special kind of correspondence. They are often the first glimpse your guests will have of your wedding, setting the tone and creating a sense of anticipation for the event. The process of assembling and addressing them is a thoughtful and detailed endeavour, with many traditions and nuances to consider. From the outer and inner envelopes to the enclosures, there is a specific order and format to follow. Martha Stewart's wedding invitation tips provide a comprehensive guide to navigating the world of wedding invitation etiquette, ensuring your invitations are a memorable keepsake for your guests.

Envelope liners

Etsy offers a wide range of envelope liner options, including customizable liners, DIY print-at-home liners, and pre-assembled liners with envelopes. Some Etsy sellers even offer free shipping on envelope liner orders. You can choose from various colours, such as oyster, beige, and black, and select from different materials like paper, suede, and velvet. Many of the envelope liners on Etsy also come with free shipping, making them a convenient and cost-effective option.

If you're looking for an eco-friendly option, Paper Culture offers envelope liners made from 100% recycled paper. They also plant a tree for every order placed, so you can feel good about your purchase. The liners come with an easy-to-use peel-off strip, so you can assemble them without any glue.

When choosing envelope liners, consider the overall theme and colour scheme of your wedding. You can opt for classic floral patterns or more unique designs, such as artistic petals or tropical shells. For a luxurious touch, go for liners with foil detailing or velvet finishes.

Don't forget to pay attention to the size of your envelopes when ordering liners, as you want to ensure a perfect fit. With the right envelope liners, you can elevate the look of your wedding invitations and make a great first impression on your guests.

Wax seals

When choosing wax seals, the first step is to select a design that speaks to you and complements your wedding aesthetic. There are various designs available, including florette, posy, and wreath patterns in different colour options such as gold, silver, pearl, and bronze. You can also opt for monogram wax seals featuring your initials or family crest.

Another option is to use pre-made personalized wax seal stickers. These self-adhesive seals are easy to use and perfect for DIY brides. You can customize them with your monogram, initials, or even a custom logo. They come in a variety of colours and designs, making it easy to find the perfect match for your invitations.

If you want to add a unique touch, you can create your own wax seals using a custom wax seal stamp kit. These kits allow you to personalize your wax seals with your chosen design, logo, or initials. You can find kits in different colours and sizes to fit your needs. Custom wax seal stamps can also be used on other wedding stationery, such as save-the-date cards and decorations.

When incorporating wax seals into your wedding invitations, consider the placement and overall design. You can use the wax seals to secure the outer envelope, adding a touch of elegance to the first impression of your invitation suite. Alternatively, you can use them to seal the inner envelope, creating a beautiful surprise for your guests as they open their invitations.

Inner envelopes

The inner envelope is the second envelope that you can use for your wedding invitations. While it is not necessary, it ensures that your guests will receive a pristine envelope, even if the outer envelope has been damaged in the mail. The inner envelope should include the names of the invited guests in the household, including children, whose names are not included on the outer envelope.

For a formal invitation to a married couple, the outer envelope may include the husband's first name, while the inner envelope will only include titles and the last name. For a less formal feeling, the house number can be written as a numeral, and the couple can be addressed by their first names on the inner envelope. If the couple has different last names, the wife's name is traditionally written first, and the names are connected by the word "and" to imply marriage.

When addressing children on wedding envelopes, a formal approach is to use an outer envelope identical to that of a couple without children. On the inner envelope, the name and title of each invited guest in the household are written out. A boy under the age of 13 is addressed as "Master," while girls and young women under the age of 18 are called "Miss." For an informal approach, the parents' first names are used on the outer envelope, and the inner envelope includes the parents' and children's first names without titles.

For a single woman, "Ms." or "Miss" is appropriate, while a single man is addressed as "Mr." On the inner envelope, write the guest's name followed by "and Guest." It is more personal to include the guest's name on a separate line if you know who they will be bringing.

Tissue paper

The use of tissue paper in wedding invitations dates back hundreds of years to when invitations were handwritten. Tissue paper was placed over the invitation wording to blot excess ink and prevent smudging. Although modern printing methods have made this less necessary, the tradition has endured for aesthetic and practical reasons. Tissue paper provides a nice, organised, formal presentation and can also serve as a protective layer to prevent smudging, scratching, or other damage during mailing.

When assembling your wedding invitations, place the tissue paper over the invitation card, which should be at the bottom of the stack with the print side up. If desired, you can also place tissue paper between each card for added protection. Stack all other inserts, such as maps, reception cards, and reply cards, on top of the invitation card in order of size, with the smallest on top. The reply card should be placed under the flap of its envelope, which should be pre-printed with the mailing address and stamped.

You can purchase tissue paper for wedding invitations online from various retailers, such as Amazon and Etsy. It is typically sold in packs of 50 or 100 sheets and is available in standard sizes that fit A7 envelopes. Custom sizes may also be available from certain sellers.

Postage

Before sending out your wedding invitations, there are a few things to keep in mind regarding postage. Firstly, make sure to get organised about a month before your desired send-out date, which should be six to eight weeks before the wedding. This will allow your guests enough time to respond and help you get a reliable headcount.

Secondly, bring a completed invitation to the post office to have it weighed. Many invitations require postage for at least two ounces, which usually exceeds the cost of a first-class stamp. Have a reply card and its envelope weighed as well, so you don't over or underpay for postage. Ask about the stamp options available at your local post office or browse a wider variety online. You can also customise stamps to match your wedding theme or monogram.

If you want to add a special touch, consider purchasing vintage stamps from philatelic societies. These stamps are worth the amount printed on them but may cost more due to their collectibility and limited quantity. Alternatively, you can add a unique touch by using vintage postage stamps.

Finally, you can request hand-cancelling at the post office to prevent heavy machines from damaging your invitations. Hand-cancelling involves marking each stamp, keeping your invitations neat and pristine. Some towns will even cancel your stamps with their names, adding a charming detail to your invitations. Simply enclose your stamped and addressed invitations in a padded envelope or box, along with a note detailing your request, and send them to the postmaster of your chosen town.

Frequently asked questions