The Ultimate Guide To Assembling Wedding Invites

Wedding invitation assembly can be a confusing process for many couples, but it's not rocket science. The process of assembling wedding invitations and stuffing the envelopes is less complicated than it seems. The first step is to proofread your wedding invitations and confirm the spelling of your guests' names. Then, place the invitation card at the bottom, print side up, followed by the reception card and other enclosure cards. Next, add the RSVP card and envelope. Finally, seal the envelope, add the return address, and mail your invitations.

Proofread your invitations

Proofreading your wedding invitations is a crucial step in the assembly process. Here are some detailed tips to ensure your invitations are flawless:

Check for Accuracy:

Go over every detail with a fine-tooth comb. Confirm that your wedding date, time, and venue name are correct. Double-check the names of your parents and your partner's parents, if they are listed. Verify that the time of the ceremony or reception is clear, and ensure that any other details included are accurate. It's also a good idea to have a second pair of eyes review the invitations, such as your significant other or a member of your wedding party, to catch any potential mistakes you may have missed.

Look Out for Stains or Spills:

When your invitations arrive, inspect each one for any spills or stains. You don't want to send out invitations that are marked or damaged. Check both the front and back of the invitations, as well as any enclosures or envelopes, to ensure they are all in pristine condition.

Confirm Guest Names and Addresses:

Whether you've used calligraphy or printed envelopes, it's essential to check that your guests' names and addresses are spelled and written correctly. Sending an invitation with a misspelled name is considered poor wedding etiquette. If you're unsure about the spelling, don't hesitate to reach out to a family member or friend who may know the guest better. Leave yourself enough time to make corrections and resend the invitations if needed.

Review the Invitation Suite Order:

The order in which you place the different cards in the invitation suite is important. Typically, the cards are placed face up, starting with the largest card on the bottom and working your way up to the smallest. The invitation card usually goes on the bottom, followed by any vellum liners, reception cards, and other enclosure cards. The response card is then tucked under the flap of the response envelope, also face up. If you have an inner envelope, place the assembled suite into it before inserting it into the outer envelope.

Final Checks:

Before sealing and sending out your invitations, take one last look to ensure nothing has been missed. Check that the invitations are facing the correct way in the envelopes, with the text visible as guests open the flap. Confirm that any stamps, return addresses, or wax seals are correctly placed. By taking the time to proofread your invitations thoroughly, you can avoid any embarrassing mistakes and ensure that your invitations accurately represent your special day.

Check guests' names are spelled correctly

Wedding invitation assembly is a confusing process for many couples, but it's important to get it right to avoid causing offence. One key aspect of this is ensuring that your guests' names are spelled correctly.

Whether you've used calligraphy or had the envelopes printed by a vendor, it's essential to check that your guests' names are spelled correctly. Sending a guest an invitation with their name spelled incorrectly is poor wedding etiquette. Check both the outer envelope and the inner envelope (if you have one) to ensure that the guests' names and mailing addresses are accurate. If you're unsure about the spelling, check with a family member who knows the guest well. Allow yourself enough time to make corrections and resend the invitations if necessary.

It's also important to proofread the rest of the invitation. Check that your wedding date, the time of the ceremony or reception, the name of the wedding venue(s), and your parents' and partner's parents' names (if included) are all correct. Ask a member of your wedding party or your significant other to double-check for any mistakes.

Place cards in the right order

Wedding invitation etiquette dictates the order in which all the pieces of the wedding invitation suite should go. Typically, each card would go face up in size order, from biggest to smallest, with the invitation card on the bottom.

If you are using a reception card, place it face up on top of the wedding invite. Then, if you have a separate reception card, that would come next. On top of the reception card is the response card, which would be tucked under the flap of the response envelope, face up so that the copy is seen.

Next, include any enclosure cards, such as a map card or direction card that provides guests with an idea of where the ceremony and reception are, or an accommodation card that lets guests know the best guest accommodations. If you have a wedding website, include the website address and password info on one of the enclosure cards.

If the main wedding invitation is a folded card, place enclosures within the folded invitation (not on top).

Calculate the right amount of postage

Wedding invitations can be heavier than your average letter due to multiple enclosure cards, so it's important to calculate the right amount of postage. Here's a step-by-step guide:

• Weigh a fully assembled invitation: Take a fully stuffed envelope to your local post office and ask them to weigh it. This will give you the exact weight of your invitation suite, which is essential for determining the correct postage.
• Confirm the required postage: Once you know the weight of your invitation, you can determine how much postage you'll need for each envelope. The post office staff will be able to advise you on this. Purchase the required postage right away so you have it on hand.
• Do a test run: If you want to be extra cautious, mail a test invitation to a member of your wedding party or a close friend or family member. This will ensure that your invitations arrive safely and on time, giving you peace of mind.
• Consider international rates: If you're sending invitations to guests in other countries, be sure to ask the post office about international postage rates. These rates can vary significantly from domestic rates, so it's important to factor them into your calculations.
• Hand-cancelling: When you bring your invitations to the post office, request that they be hand-cancelled. This means the post office will manually sort the envelopes instead of running them through machines, reducing the risk of damage during the mailing process.
• Additional postage for embellishments: If you're adding any embellishments, such as ribbons or wax seals, keep in mind that these can increase the weight and size of your invitations. Be sure to calculate the correct postage for these invitations to avoid any issues.
• Bulk postage: If you have a large number of invitations to send, inquire about bulk postage rates. Sometimes postal services offer discounts for bulk mailings, which can help you save money.
• Timing: Plan to assemble and mail your invitations at least a week in advance. This will give you enough time to accurately calculate postage, purchase any necessary stamps, and ensure that your invitations are delivered on time.

Send out invites early

Wedding planning can be stressful, but sending out your wedding invitations should be fun! Here are some tips to ensure you give yourself enough time to send out your invites early:

Plan ahead

Give yourself enough time to assemble your wedding invitations by planning to do so at least a week in advance. The process can be more time-consuming than you think, especially if you're adding extras like wax seals or belly bands.

Create an assembly line

Make the process more enjoyable and efficient by creating an assembly line with your significant other or a group of friends. Put on some music, pour some drinks, and get to work! Clear off a table and give it a good wipe down – you don't want to smudge your pristine invitations with red wine or last night's dinner!

Order your invitations

The first step is to place the invitation card at the bottom, print side up. This is usually the largest card in the suite. If you're using a sheet of vellum or tissue paper, place it on top of the invitation card. Traditionally, this was used to prevent the ink from smearing, but it's optional if you're using modern printing methods.

Add reception and enclosure cards

Next, place the reception card face-up on top of the invitation. This card includes the time and location of the wedding reception and any dress code information. Then, add any other enclosure cards, such as maps, hotel accommodations, or travel information, placing them face-up on top of the reception card. If there are multiple enclosure cards, start with the largest and work your way down.

Include the RSVP card and envelope

Place the RSVP envelope face-down on top of the enclosure cards, with the flap on the left. Insert the reply card under the envelope flap, face-up, so that the printed side is visible. Don't forget to pre-stamp the reply envelope to make it easier for your guests to respond.

Stuff the envelopes

If you're using an inner envelope and an outer envelope, insert the fully assembled invitation suite into the inner envelope first, with the left edge or folded edge going in first. The printed side of the invitation should be visible when the envelope flap is opened. Then, insert the inner envelope into the outer envelope, ensuring the guests' names are visible when opened. If you're only using one envelope, simply insert the fully assembled suite into the outer envelope.

Mail your invitations early

Wedding etiquette suggests sending out invitations 4-6 weeks before the wedding. However, by this time, guests should have already received a save-the-date card and have access to your wedding website for travel and accommodation details. Sending out the invitations early ensures that your guests have plenty of time to make arrangements and allows you to get an early estimate of the guest count for catering purposes.

Frequently asked questions