George Boyle
Assembling wedding invitations can be a daunting task, but with a little patience and planning, you can beautifully craft them. The first step is to ensure you have all the components, including the invitation, RSVP card and envelope, and an accommodations card. Next, prepare your workspace by clearing a clean surface and gathering all the necessary supplies, such as postage for the RSVP card envelope, adhesives, and embellishments. Then, it's time to start assembling! The invitation usually goes at the bottom, followed by the larger accommodation card, and finally, the RSVP card, which is placed under the flap of its envelope, facing up. You can secure the stack with a belly band or twine and then place it in the main envelope. Finally, take one assembled invitation to the post office to weigh and confirm the postage rate.
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What You'll Learn
Clean hands and a clean surface are a must
If you're using a belly band, you'll need to stack your wedding invitation suite with the invitation facing up at the bottom of the pile. Then, place your belly band next to the pile face down on a flat surface. The belly bands are pre-scored so they should fold easily, with the two back flaps facing up into the air. Now, carefully flip your invitation suite over and centre it over the belly band. Once the cards are lying flat on the band and table, you can fold the scored flaps over and secure them with a piece of invisible tape.
If you're not using a belly band, assembling your invitations is as simple as stacking the pieces and stuffing the envelope. Start with the invitation on the bottom, then stack your other cards on top in order of size, from largest to smallest. The largest enclosure card could be the RSVP card, followed by the rest of the enclosure cards. Finally, slip your invitation suite into your envelope with the top cards facing up.
If you're using a glue gun or tying your invitations with twine, you may want to take one assembled invitation to your local post office so they can weigh it and quote a postage rate. You can use any combination of stamps as long as they add up to at least the quoted amount.
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Stack cards in size order, largest to smallest
Stacking your wedding invitation suite in size order, from largest to smallest, is a recommended way to assemble your invitations. This method is also known as the "stacking neatly" approach.
To begin, place your wedding invitation at the bottom of the pile, facing up, so that it will be the first thing your guests see when they open the envelope. The invitation is typically the largest card.
Next, you will place the largest enclosure card, which could be the RSVP card, on top of the invitation. If you have a separate RSVP envelope, place it printed side down, with the envelope flap on the left, before inserting the RSVP card under the flap, face up.
Finally, stack the remaining enclosure cards in size order, from largest to smallest, on top of the RSVP card. This could include accommodation cards, directions cards, or any other additional information for your guests.
Once your suite is stacked neatly, you can secure it with a belly band, ribbon, or vellum wrap if desired. Then, simply insert the assembled suite into your envelope, with the top card facing up, and you're ready to mail your invitations!
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Include postage on RSVP envelope for easy replies
Including postage on your RSVP envelope is considered proper etiquette. This makes it easier for guests to send their responses back to you. If you're collecting RSVPs online, you can skip this step. However, some people may still prefer to mail their responses. In this case, it is customary to include a stamp on each envelope so your guests don't have to pay for postage.
If you are concerned about the cost of stamps, you could consider including stamps only on the envelopes of those you know will prefer to mail their responses. This might include older relatives who are less likely to respond digitally.
Alternatively, you could opt for an entirely online RSVP system. This saves money on stamps and printing reply cards and envelopes. However, some people may still prefer to mail their responses, and you may need to provide postage for international guests.
Including postage on your RSVP envelopes can help to ensure you receive timely responses. However, it is not a guarantee, and some guests may still need to be chased up after the RSVP deadline. Ultimately, the decision of whether or not to include postage comes down to personal preference and your wedding budget.
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Bind with twine, or use glue and bows
When assembling your wedding invitations, it's important to take the time to do it right. Here are some tips for creating a beautiful and functional invitation suite:
Prepare your workspace:
Start by washing your hands and clearing off your workspace. Gather all the necessary materials, including your invitations, RSVP cards, envelopes, twine or ribbon, scissors, glue, and any other embellishments you plan to use.
Stack your invitation suite:
Begin by placing the invitation at the bottom, followed by any additional cards such as accommodation cards or direction cards. The largest card should be at the bottom, with the smallest card on top. If your main invitation is a folded card, place any enclosures within the folds, not on top.
Secure with twine or ribbon:
If you're using twine or ribbon to secure your invitation suite, cut the desired length of twine or ribbon, allowing for a little extra length to tie a bow. Wrap it around the stacked cards and tie it in your desired style—a simple knot, a bow, or a wraparound band. Cut the ends at a sharp angle or dovetail them for an elegant finish.
Add embellishments:
If you wish, you can add a small charm or icon hanging from the twine or ribbon. This can be a personal touch or a theme that ties into your wedding decor.
Final touches:
Place the stacked and bound invitation suite inside the envelope. If you're using a pre-lined envelope, simply insert the suite, ensuring the guest's name is facing the open side of the envelope. If your envelope has a flap, use an envelope moistener, a damp sponge, or saliva to activate the glue, then press down firmly to seal. You can also use double-sided tape or a glue stick if the envelope flap doesn't have adhesive.
Remember to include postage on your RSVP card envelope to make it easier for your guests to respond. Assembling your wedding invitations with twine or glue and bows adds a unique and handcrafted touch to your special day.
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Weigh and add postage before sending
Weighing your wedding invitations and RSVP cards before sending them out is a crucial step to ensure that your invitations are mailed out without a hitch. Here are some tips to guide you through this process:
Weighing and Postage
Before you start assembling your wedding invitations, it's essential to determine the correct postage for your invites and RSVP cards. Take a fully assembled invitation, complete with all the embellishments, to your local post office. They will weigh it and provide you with the appropriate postage rate. This step is important because it ensures that your invitations are mailed with the correct amount of postage, preventing any delays or issues during delivery.
Buying Postage
Once you know the required postage, you can purchase stamps for both your invitations and RSVP card envelopes. Standard 1-ounce postage is typically used for RSVP envelopes. You have the option to buy postage online or from your local post office. Buying online may offer a wider selection of stamps. Remember, you can use any combination of stamps as long as they add up to the quoted amount.
Assembling for Weighing
When preparing your invitations for weighing, make sure to assemble them exactly as you would before mailing. This includes placing the RSVP card under the flap of its envelope, ensuring the card is face up and the addressed side of the envelope is face down. Stack the enclosures face-up, with the largest piece on the bottom, and place the invitation at the bottom of the pile. This way, you get an accurate weight for your fully assembled invitation suite.
Postage Etiquette
Including postage on your RSVP card envelope is considered proper etiquette. It makes it easier for your guests to send their responses back to you. If you're collecting online RSVPs, you can skip this step. However, offering both digital and paper RSVP options is a great way to cater to all your guests' preferences.
By following these steps and considering the postage requirements, you can ensure that your wedding invitations are correctly weighed and have the appropriate postage. This will help ensure a smooth mailing process and increase the likelihood of receiving timely responses from your guests.
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Frequently asked questions
The wedding invitation should be placed at the bottom, followed by the RSVP card and other enclosure cards in descending order of size. The RSVP card should be placed under the flap of its envelope, not inside it, with the card facing up and the addressed side of the envelope facing down.
It is important to start with clean hands and a clean surface. Working in batches can help keep the process organized and efficient. If you are including postage on your RSVP card envelope, ensure you have the correct postage rate by taking a fully assembled invitation to your local post office to weigh it.
Yes, digital RSVPs are becoming increasingly popular. Wedding websites offer a convenient and cost-effective way for guests to respond, and there is no risk of online RSVPs getting lost in the mail. However, it is important to consider that older guests may not be comfortable using a wedding website to RSVP, so offering both digital and paper options is recommended.
