Crafting Wedding Invitations: A Guide To Assembling Yours

Wedding invitations are an important part of the wedding planning process. Wedding Paper Divas offers exclusive designs from top designers, boutique-style service, and innovative online tools to ensure your wedding stationery shopping experience is as easy as possible. They also offer a range of DIY finishing embellishments such as wax seals, envelope stickers, and belly bands.

While assembling your wedding invitations, it is important to set up an assembly line and recruit family and friends to help. It is also crucial to clean your workspace and keep food and drinks away to avoid accidents. The order of the inserts is important, with the general rule being that inserts are placed in size order, with the invitation being the largest and at the bottom of the stack. The response card should be tucked into the flap of its envelope, pre-addressed to the wedding host(s), and have the correct postage applied. Finally, don't forget to confirm the required postage with your local post office before mailing your invitations.

Preparing your workspace: Clean surfaces, no food or drink, and recruit helpers

Preparing your workspace is an important step in the process of assembling your wedding invitations. Here are some tips to ensure your workspace is ready for the task:

Clean surfaces: It is essential to have a clean and clutter-free workspace when assembling your wedding invitations. Clear the area of any dust, dirt, or debris. Wipe down the surfaces with a damp cloth to ensure they are free of any residue. This will help ensure that your invitations remain pristine and untouched during the assembly process.

No food or drink: Food and drinks should be kept away from the workspace to avoid any accidental spills or stains on your invitations. Assembly requires careful handling, and a single spill could ruin multiple invitations. It is best to keep food and drinks at a safe distance to prevent any mishaps.

Recruit helpers: Assembling wedding invitations can be a tedious and time-consuming task, so consider recruiting helpers to make the process more efficient and enjoyable. Enlist your family members, friends, or wedding party to lend a hand. Turn on some music and make it a fun group activity. Having extra sets of hands will not only speed up the process but also ensure that everything is assembled accurately and consistently.

By following these simple steps, you can create a conducive environment for assembling your wedding invitations. Remember to take your time and double-check each invitation before sealing and sending them out to your guests.

Order of cards: Address envelopes, then stack inserts in size order, smallest to largest

When assembling your wedding invitations, it's important to follow the correct order to ensure they look neat and are easy for your guests to read. Here is a step-by-step guide to help you with the process:

• Address the envelopes first: Before you begin assembling the cards, make sure all your envelopes are addressed. This will ensure that your writing looks neat. Trying to address the envelopes after assembling the inserts will make your writing look wonky.
• Prepare your workspace: Clear a table and give it a good wipe down. You don't want any smudges or stains on your pristine invitations.
• Gather all the pieces: Layout all the necessary pieces in neat piles. This includes the invitation, any enclosure cards, additional envelopes, and adornments like belly bands, ribbons, or wax seals.
• Start with the invitation: Place the invitation face up on the table. This is usually the largest card, so it makes sense to build upon it.
• Add tissue paper or vellum overlay (optional): If you have chosen to include a tissue paper or vellum overlay, place it on top of the invitation. Traditionally, tissue paper was used to prevent ink from smudging, but this is now optional.
• Stack the reception card: Place the reception card, if applicable, face-up on top of the invitation.
• Add other enclosure cards: Place any remaining enclosure cards, such as maps, hotel accommodation cards, or travel information, face-up on top of the reception card. If there are multiple enclosure cards, start with the largest and work your way to the smallest.
• Include the RSVP card and envelope: Place the RSVP envelope face-down on top of the enclosure cards. Insert the RSVP card under the envelope flap, face-up, so that the printed side is visible. Don't forget to pre-stamp the reply envelope.
• Add any adornments: If you are using any adornments like belly bands, ribbons, or wax seals, now is the time to add them.
• Insert the stack into the envelope: Once you have assembled all the pieces, insert the stack into the envelope with the printed side facing up. If using a single envelope, insert the left edge first for a single-card invitation or the folded edge first for a folded invitation.

By following these steps, you will have a beautifully assembled wedding invitation that is sure to impress your guests.

Adornments: Belly bands, ribbons, and wax seals are added last

Adornments like belly bands, ribbons, and wax seals are the perfect finishing touch to your wedding invitations. These additions can make your invitations feel more luxurious and exciting for your guests. Here are some tips for using these adornments effectively:

Belly bands are a great way to hold all the pieces of your invitation suite together. They are typically made of paper or vellum and can be solid-coloured, patterned, or custom-designed. Measure the invitation width, double it, and add an extra inch so that the ends overlap. Use glue dots to adhere the belly band, and consider sneaking the other pieces inside after belly-banding the invitation to ensure a snug fit. You can also add a wax seal to your belly band to secure it and create a unique impression.

Ribbons can be used to make a bold statement. Silk ribbon is a popular choice for its gorgeous raw edges and organic texture. You can choose ribbon widths ranging from 1/8" to 2 or 3", depending on your desired impact. When using ribbons, be aware that the resulting knot will require a "non-machinable surcharge" on your envelope, usually $0.15.

Wax seals are a versatile and trendy addition to your wedding invitations. You can place them directly on the envelope, the invitation itself, or use them to secure a belly band or ribbon. Consider pairing a wax seal with a vellum envelope or vellum wrap for a soft, romantic feel. If using wax seals on envelopes, it's recommended to place them on the inner envelope and then put that into a larger envelope for mailing to avoid damage during the mailing process.

Postage: Take a sample to the post office to check required postage

Wedding invitations are an exciting part of wedding planning. When it comes to postage, it's important to take a fully assembled sample invitation to your local post office to determine the exact postage required. This is a crucial step, as wedding invitations typically have multiple pieces and are printed on heavier paper, requiring more postage than a standard letter. Here are some detailed tips to ensure your invitations reach their destination:

Determine the Correct Postage:

Taking a sample invitation to the post office is the best way to ensure you have the correct postage. Wedding invitations often have multiple enclosures, such as response cards, details cards, and envelopes, which increase the weight and size of the mailing. By bringing a fully assembled invitation, you can have it weighed and measured to determine the exact postage needed. This is especially important if your invitations have non-standard features, such as ribbons, wax seals, or unusual envelope sizes.

Purchase Appropriate Stamps:

Once you know the required postage, purchase stamps that complement your invitations' colour scheme and aesthetic. The postal service offers a variety of stamp designs, so you can choose ones that match your wedding theme or colours. Consider purchasing stamps in advance to ensure you have enough for all your invitations. Remember, each invitation and its response card will require postage, so calculate the total number of stamps needed accordingly.

Addressing and Mailing:

Before assembling your invitations, ensure that all envelopes are correctly addressed. Clear and accurate addressing will ensure timely delivery and avoid any returned mail. It is also a good idea to assemble your invitations in a clean and food-free workspace to prevent any last-minute smudges or stains. Finally, take your time when affixing the stamps and double-check that each invitation has the correct postage before mailing them out to your guests.

Timing and Delivery:

Keep in mind the timing of your wedding invitations. It is recommended to mail your invitations 6-8 weeks before the wedding date to give your guests enough notice. Additionally, consider using a delivery confirmation service offered by the postal service to track your invitations and ensure they are delivered securely. This adds a layer of assurance, especially if you have many invitations to send out.

By following these steps and taking a sample invitation to the post office, you can be confident that your wedding invitations will reach your guests with the correct postage and without any delays. This attention to detail will ensure a smooth start to your wedding planning and set the tone for your special day.

Final steps: Seal envelopes, add return address, and mail

Now that you've assembled your wedding invitations, it's time to seal the envelopes, add return addresses, and mail them out! Here are the final steps to complete your wedding invitation process:

Seal the Envelopes:

Use a bottled envelope moistener to dampen the adhesive edge of your envelopes. Be cautious not to use too much moisture, as you don't want the envelopes to become soggy and warped. After sealing all the envelopes, place a heavy book on top of the stack to ensure they are securely sealed. If you're using wax seals, this is the time to add them after securing the envelope.

Add Return Addresses:

Ensure your envelopes have address labels. You can use skinny wrap labels, rubber stamps, or printed labels. This step ensures that any invitations that cannot be delivered will be returned to you.

Mail Your Invitations:

Before mailing, take a fully assembled invitation to your local post office to determine the exact postage required. Purchase the appropriate stamps and affix them to the envelopes. It is recommended to hand-cancel your invitations at the post office, which means they will be manually sorted instead of going through machines, reducing the risk of damage.

And that's it! You've now completed the assembly and mailing process for your wedding invitations. Your guests will soon receive these beautiful invitations, and you can focus on the next steps of your wedding planning journey.

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