Assembling Wedding Invitations: Vellum Envelopes, A Simple Guide

Planning a wedding can be an overwhelming experience, but assembling your wedding invitations doesn't have to be. Translucent vellum paper is a popular choice for wedding invitations, as it has a soft, dreamy transparency and looks chic printed or plain. If you're assembling your wedding invitations with vellum, it's important to start with clean hands and a clean surface. Stack your invitation cards, ensuring they are aligned to your desired specifications, and insert them into the pre-folded flap. Then, fold the remaining vellum on top of your suite, using your finger, nail, or a bone folder to make a sharp crease. Finish the assembly with a wax seal, ribbon, or belly band.

Stacking: Place the invitation card at the bottom, followed by the reception card and any other enclosure cards

When assembling wedding invitations, it's important to ensure that all the elements are in the correct order and that the invitation suite is well-presented and easy to read. Here's a detailed guide on how to stack your wedding invitation cards, starting from the bottom:

Placement of the Invitation Card

Start by placing the invitation card at the bottom of the stack, with the printed side facing up. This is the largest card in the invitation suite and serves as the foundation for the other enclosure cards. It typically includes important details such as the names of the couple, the date, time, and location of the wedding ceremony.

Adding the Reception Card

After placing the invitation card, the next step is to add the reception card. Place it face-up directly on top of the invitation card. The reception card provides information about the time and location of the wedding reception and may include details such as the dress code or any other relevant information for the guests.

Stacking Other Enclosure Cards

On top of the reception card, you can include other enclosure cards such as direction or detail cards, map cards, or hotel accommodation cards. Place these cards face-up, following the same principle of placing the largest card first. If there are multiple enclosure cards of different sizes, arrange them from largest to smallest, ensuring a neat and organised stack.

Finalising the Stack

Once you have placed all the enclosure cards, your stack should be well-ordered and aligned. Remember to include any relevant website addresses, passwords, or QR codes on one of the enclosure cards if you have a wedding website. Additionally, if your invitation is a folded card, place the enclosures within the folds instead of stacking them on top.

Following these steps will ensure that your wedding invitation suite is properly stacked and ready for the next steps in the assembly process, such as adding RSVP cards, envelopes, or decorative elements like vellum wraps or ribbons.

Vellum Placement: Put the vellum on top of the invitation card

Vellum is a versatile material that can be used in many ways when assembling wedding invitations. One popular way is to use it as an overlay, adding a soft and dreamy touch to the invitation suite. If you choose to use vellum in this way, here is a step-by-step guide to placing it correctly:

Start by gathering all the pieces of your invitation suite, including the invitation card, reception card, enclosure cards, and RSVP card. Make sure you have a clean surface to work on and that all your cards are facing up.

Place the invitation card at the bottom, as it is usually the largest card in the suite. If you want to include a tissue paper overlay, place it on top of the invitation card. Tissue paper was traditionally used to prevent smudging, but it has become more of a stylistic choice nowadays.

Now, it's time to add the vellum. Place the vellum sheet on top of the invitation card, or over the tissue paper if you chose to include it. The vellum overlay will complement the invitation without overwhelming it. You can also consider printing directly on the vellum for a chic, modern look.

If you're using a vellum wrap, gatefold, or jacket, you will need to fold the vellum around the invitation suite. First, fold the left side of the vellum along the pre-scored line. Then, place your assembled suite into the folded area and pinch it with your left hand. Finally, fold the right side of the vellum along the other pre-scored line, creating a neat wrap around your invitation.

You can secure the vellum wrap with a wax seal, ribbon, or belly band. If using a wax seal, place it on the front of the invitation, where the two flaps of the vellum overlap. For a more secure closure, use adhesives or a ribbon tied in a bow.

By following these steps, you will have a beautifully assembled wedding invitation with a vellum overlay or wrap that adds a unique and elegant touch to your special day.

Securing the Vellum: Use a wax seal, ribbon, or belly band to secure the vellum

There are several ways to secure vellum around your wedding invitation suite. One way is to use a wax seal. The wax seal can be placed on a vellum envelope, a belly band, or directly on the invitation itself. If you are using a wax seal on a vellum envelope, it is recommended to place the sealed envelope inside a larger envelope for mailing to protect the seal. If you are using a wax seal to secure a vellum wrap, you can place the seal in the front, where the two flaps overlap.

Another option for securing vellum is to use ribbon. Silk ribbon is a popular choice, with its gorgeous raw edges and organic texture. You can also use other types of ribbon, such as velvet, to secure your invitation suite. To use ribbon, simply wrap it around your invitation suite and secure it with a wax seal. This adds a touch of elegance to your invitations.

Belly bands are another way to secure the different pieces of your invitation suite together. A belly band is a piece of paper or vellum, usually around 1-2 inches thick, that wraps around the invitation suite. You can use glue dots or double-sided tape to adhere the ends of the belly band together. If you are using a vellum belly band, you will need to use vellum glue dots to avoid the adhesive showing through.

Insertion: Insert the invitation suite into the envelope with the left edge going in first

When you're ready to insert your invitation suite into the envelope, there are a few things to keep in mind. Firstly, ensure that the invitation suite is facing the correct way. The text on the invitation card should be facing up, so that when the recipient opens the envelope, they can immediately see the text. Insert the invitation suite with the left edge going in first for a single-card invitation, or with the folded edge going in first if it's a folded invitation. This way, the recipient will be able to remove the invitation with their right hand without having to turn it.

If you're using a single envelope, open the flap and rotate it clockwise before inserting the invitation suite. This will ensure that the invitation is removed right-side-up. If you're using double envelopes, follow the same process for the inner envelope, leaving it unsealed and without adhesive. Then, insert the inner envelope into the outer envelope, making sure that the names of the guests are visible when they open the flap.

Before sealing the envelope, consider adding a return address label or stamp. This will ensure that any invitations that cannot be delivered will be returned to you. You can also add vintage stamps or a wax seal to add a touch of elegance to your invitations. However, keep in mind that adding embellishments may require additional postage, so it's a good idea to take a fully assembled invitation to the post office to have it weighed.

Sealing: Seal the envelope using an envelope moistener, glue stick, or a sponge

Sealing your wedding invitations is the final step before mailing them out. Here are some tips for sealing your envelopes:

Use an Envelope Moistener: Envelope moisteners are a great way to seal your envelopes as they include a little extra glue. Be careful not to use too much moisture, as you don't want soggy, puckered envelopes.

Glue Stick: Using a glue stick is another option for sealing your envelopes. It ensures that the envelope will stay closed, but there is a higher chance of the envelope ripping when opened.

Damp Sponge: You can also use a damp sponge to wet the adhesive on the envelope flap. However, be cautious not to over-wet the envelope, or the flap won't stick properly.

Saliva: While not the most hygienic or pleasant option, saliva can be used to seal envelopes. However, it is time-consuming and not recommended for a large number of invitations.

After sealing all your envelopes, place a heavy book on top of the stack to ensure they are securely sealed. If you're using wax seals, add them now. Then, add your return address labels or stamps, and your invitations are ready to be mailed!

It is recommended to take a fully assembled invitation to your local post office to be weighed so you can purchase the correct amount of postage. You can also hand them in at the counter to ensure they are handled with care.

Frequently asked questions