Assembling Wedding Invitations: Adding Lace For A Delicate Touch

Assembling wedding invitations can be a confusing process for many couples, but it doesn't have to be stressful. The process is quite simple: gather your supplies, proofread your invitations, confirm the spelling of your guests' names, place them in the right order, calculate the right amount of postage, and send them out early.

The invitation suite should be stacked in size order, with each card placed face up and the largest card on the bottom. This means starting with the invitation card, followed by the reception card, and then any enclosure cards such as a map or hotel accommodations. The RSVP card and envelope should be placed on top, with the envelope flap on the left, so that the printed side is visible. If you are using an inner envelope, place it inside the mailing envelope with the guest names facing the open side. Finally, insert the fully assembled invitation suite into the envelope with the text facing up.

If you want to add lace to your invitations, you can consider using a belly band, a ribbon, or a vellum wrap. Belly bands are narrow strips of paper that are designed to wrap around your invitation suite and can be personalised with your names, the wedding date, or a message of your choosing. Ribbons can be tied around the invitation suite in a variety of ways, such as a wraparound band, a knot, or a bow. Vellum wraps can be folded and scored to fit around your suite.

Belly bands, ribbons, and vellum wraps

Step 1: Choose Your Materials

Select the materials you want to use for your belly bands, ribbons, or vellum wraps. Belly bands can be made from various materials such as lace, satin, silk ribbon, twine, or vellum. Ribbons are also a popular choice and can be made from materials like silk, cotton, or chiffon. Vellum wraps are thin, translucent paper that can be used to create a soft and classic look.

Step 2: Prepare the Materials

If you've purchased pre-made belly bands, ribbons, or vellum wraps, you may need to cut them to the desired length. For ribbons, consider using fabric shears to achieve a crisp, clean cut and prevent fraying. Cut the ribbon ends at a sharp angle or dovetail for a polished look. If you're using vellum wraps, you may need to fold and score them to fit around your invitation suite.

Step 3: Assemble the Invitation Suite

Before adding the belly band, ribbon, or vellum wrap, assemble the rest of your invitation suite. Place the invitation card at the bottom, followed by any enclosure cards such as reception cards, direction cards, or accommodation cards. Place the RSVP card under the flap of the response envelope, face up. If you're using a belly band, stack your invitation suite with the invitation on the bottom and all cards facing up.

Step 4: Apply the Belly Band, Ribbon, or Vellum Wrap

Center the belly band over your stacked invitation suite and secure it with a clear sticker. If using a ribbon, wrap it around the suite and tie it in your desired style (wraparound band, knot, or bow). For vellum wraps, simply wrap it around the suite and secure it with adhesive or stickers.

Step 5: Insert into Envelope

Once your invitation suite is assembled with the belly band, ribbon, or vellum wrap, carefully slide it into your envelope. Insert the suite with the left edge first for a single-card invitation or the folded edge first for a folded invitation. Ensure that the text is print-side up so that guests can immediately see it when they open the envelope.

Step 6: Finalize and Mail

Before sealing your envelopes, double-check that all the information is correct and that your invitation suite is securely assembled. Consider adding a wax seal or return address label for a final touch. Calculate the correct postage for your invitations, as the weight of the paper and embellishments may require additional postage. Finally, bring your invitations to the post office to be hand-canceled, ensuring they are handled with care.

RSVP cards and envelopes

RSVPs are an important part of your wedding invitation suite. Here is a detailed, step-by-step guide on how to assemble your RSVP cards and envelopes:

Firstly, place the RSVP card under the flap of its envelope, ensuring the card is face-up and the printed side is visible. The addressed side of the envelope should be face down. Do not put the card inside the envelope. The envelopes should be pre-addressed to you and your fiancé, and postage should be applied.

Next, if you are using an inner envelope, place the RSVP envelope inside the inner envelope, ensuring the guest names are facing the open side. If you are not using an inner envelope, you can skip this step.

Now, place the invitation suite, with the invitation at the bottom and all cards facing up, into the inner envelope (or outer envelope if you are not using an inner envelope). The invitation should be placed facing up so that the text is legible when removed by the recipient.

Finally, seal the envelope. Inner envelopes should be left unsealed and often do not have adhesive. Use an envelope moistener, a damp sponge, or saliva to activate the glue on the mailing envelope flap. Alternatively, use double-sided tape or a glue stick if your envelopes do not seal properly.

Your RSVP cards and envelopes are now assembled and ready to be sent out!

Inner and outer envelopes

The inner envelope is used to hold the invitation suite and list the name of each guest, eliminating confusion about who is invited. The inner envelope is not gummed and is usually left unsealed. It also acts as an additional layer of protection during mailing and allows your guests to have a clean, unmarked envelope for holding their invitation suite.

The outer envelope is meant for mailing and should list the household name and address on the front. If you are using two envelopes, insert the fully assembled invitation suite into the inner envelope (left edge first for a single-card invitation; folded edge first for a folded invitation). When the envelope flap is opened, you should see the printed side of the invitation. Insert the inner envelope into the outer envelope so that the handwritten guests' names on the inner envelope are visible when opened.

If you are using just one envelope (an outer envelope), insert the fully assembled invitation suite into the envelope (left edge first for a single-card invitation; folded edge first for a folded invitation). When the envelope flap is opened, the printed side of the invitation should be visible.

Invitation card and enclosures

Wedding invitations are a fun part of the wedding planning process, but assembling them can be a little confusing. Here is a detailed, step-by-step guide on how to assemble your wedding invitations, focusing on the invitation card and enclosures.

Firstly, clear a table and lay out all the necessary pieces in neat piles. This includes the invitation card, any enclosure cards, envelopes, and adornments like belly bands, vellum or tissue paper overlays, ribbons, and wax seals.

Now, let's assemble the invitation card and enclosures:

• Start with the invitation card: Place the invitation card face up on the table. This is usually the largest card in the suite, so it makes sense to build upon it.
• Add a tissue paper or vellum overlay (optional): If you want to include a traditional touch, you can add a sheet of tissue paper or vellum on top of the invitation card. Tissue paper was traditionally used to prevent ink smudges, but it is mostly optional nowadays.
• Stack the reception card: If you have a separate reception card, place it face-up on top of the invitation card. This card outlines the time, location, and other important details of the wedding reception.
• Add other enclosure cards: Place any remaining enclosure cards, such as a map, hotel accommodations, travel information, or additional details, 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 reply envelope face-down on top of the enclosure cards. Insert the RSVP card under the reply envelope flap, face-up, so that the printed side is visible. Don't forget to pre-address and stamp the reply envelope to make it easier for your guests to respond.
• Add a belly band, ribbon, or vellum wrap (optional): If you want to add a finishing touch to hold all the pieces together, you can use a belly band, ribbon, or vellum wrap. Center it over your stacked suite and secure it with adhesive or clear stickers.

Now that your invitation card and enclosures are assembled, you can move on to inserting them into the envelope.

Sealing and postage

Now that your wedding invitations are assembled, it's time to seal the envelopes and apply postage. Here are the steps to follow:

• Insert the invitation suite into the envelope: Place the fully assembled invitation suite into the envelope with the left edge first for a single-card invitation or folded edge first for a folded invitation. Ensure that the text is print-side up, so your guests can immediately read the invitation when they open the envelope.
• Seal the envelope: Use a bottled envelope moistener or a damp sponge to wet the adhesive edge of the envelope flap. Be careful not to use too much moisture, as you don't want the envelope to become soggy or puckered. Seal all the envelopes and place a heavy book on top to ensure they are securely closed.
• Add a return address: If you haven't already done so, add return address labels to the envelopes. You can also use a custom rubber stamp to apply the return address.
• Calculate postage: Take a fully assembled invitation, including all enclosures and embellishments, to your local post office to have it weighed. The weight and size of your invitations will determine the correct amount of postage needed. Purchase the appropriate postage for each invitation.
• Apply postage: Stamp each invitation envelope with the correct amount of postage. If you have a large number of invitations, you may want to bring them to the post office for hand-cancelling instead of dropping them in a mailbox. This ensures that the envelopes are handled with care and reduces the risk of damage during mailing.
• Mail your invitations: Your wedding invitations are now ready to be mailed! Send them out to your guests, following the recommended timeline for wedding invitation mailing.

By following these steps, you can ensure that your wedding invitations are properly sealed and posted, ready to be received and admired by your guests.

Frequently asked questions