Foldable Wedding Invites: Easy Opening, Creative Design

Foldable wedding invitations are a stylish and practical choice for couples who want to make a good impression on their guests. These unique invitations not only showcase the couple's personal style and creativity but also offer a convenient and space-saving solution. When creating foldable wedding invitations, it's important to consider the paper type, size, and format to ensure they open easily for your guests. Here are some tips to help you create elegant and functional foldable wedding invitations.

Belly bands, ribbons, or vellum wraps can be used to secure the invitation suite together

Belly bands, ribbons, and vellum wraps are a great way to secure your wedding invitation suite together. They add a luxurious finishing touch, giving your guests the feel of opening a gift.

Belly Bands

Belly bands are strips of paper, usually around 1-2 inches thick, that wrap around an invitation suite. They can be made from solid paper, patterned paper, or custom-designed paper. To adhere them, use glue dots on the back of the invitation suite. Measure the width of your invitation, double it, and then add an extra inch so that the ends overlap. The paper tends to stretch, so it's best to belly band just the invitation first, then add the other pieces inside.

Ribbons

Ribbons make a beautiful statement and are very popular for wedding invitations. Silk ribbons with raw edges and organic textures are a trendy choice. The width of the ribbon can vary from 1/8 inch to 2 or 3 inches, depending on the desired statement. When tied, ribbons typically require a "non-machinable surcharge" for mailing.

Vellum Wraps

Vellum is a soft, romantic material that adds a layer of semi-transparent design to your invitations without detracting from the overall look. It can be used as a full wrap around the entire invitation suite or cut into 1-inch strips to use as a band around the middle. Vellum glue dots are necessary to avoid the adhesive showing through the layers.

Assembly and Mailing

When assembling your invitations, place the invitation card at the bottom, print side up, followed by any additional cards. Then, add your chosen belly band, ribbon, or vellum wrap to secure the suite together. Finally, insert the completed invitation suite into the envelope with the cards facing up.

Remember to consider the additional weight and size when mailing your invitations, as they may require extra postage. It's recommended to bring a fully assembled invitation to the post office to have it weighed and to request hand-canceling to ensure careful handling.

The RSVP card and envelope should be placed on top of the enclosure cards, with the envelope flap on the left

When assembling your wedding invitations, it's important to consider the placement of each element to ensure a neat and organised suite. Here are some detailed instructions for placing the RSVP card and envelope on top of the enclosure cards, with the envelope flap on the left:

Start by gathering all the components of your invitation suite, including the RSVP card and envelope. The RSVP card is also known as the reply card.

The first step is to place the main invitation card at the bottom, face up. This is usually the largest card in the suite.

Next, you have the option to include a thin sheet of vellum on top of the invitation card. Traditionally, this was used to prevent ink smudges but is often included for aesthetic purposes.

Now, if you have a reception card, place it face up on top of the invitation card (or vellum, if you chose to include it). The reception card provides details such as the time and location of the wedding reception and the requested dress code.

Then, stack any remaining enclosure cards, such as direction or detail cards, map cards, or hotel accommodation cards, face up on top of the reception card. If there are multiple enclosure cards of different sizes, start with the largest card first.

Here comes the important part: placing the RSVP card and envelope. Position the RSVP envelope printed side down on top of the stack of enclosure cards, ensuring the envelope flap is on the left. Then, slip the RSVP card under the envelope flap, face up, so that the printed side is visible. This way, your guests can easily locate the reply card and respond to your invitation.

Finally, if you have chosen to include a belly band, ribbon, or vellum wrap, assemble it around the entire suite to hold everything together.

By following these steps, you will have a beautifully assembled wedding invitation that is ready to be placed into the envelope and mailed out to your guests.

The invitation suite should be inserted into the envelope with the left edge first for a single card and the folded edge first for a folded invite

When it comes to inserting your invitation suite into the envelope, there is a specific way to do it to ensure that your guests can easily read the invite as soon as they open the envelope.

If you have a single-card invitation, insert the fully assembled invitation suite into the envelope with the left edge going in first. This means that when the envelope flap is opened, the text will be print-side up and your guests will be able to immediately read the invite.

If you have a folded invitation, insert the invitation suite with the folded edge going in first. This way, when the envelope flap is opened, the printed side of the invite will be visible to your guests.

The same rules apply if you are using a French-fold or double-fold invitation, where the print appears on the inside. If you have a single-fold invitation, where the print is on the front, all enclosures should go inside the folded card.

Envelope liners can be used to dress up the invitations and are available in various patterns and colours

Envelope liners are a great way to add a touch of luxury to your wedding invitations. They are available in a variety of patterns and colours, allowing you to dress up your invitations and make them more exciting for your guests to receive. From florals to geometrics, and bold shades to shimmering neutrals, there is an envelope liner to suit every wedding theme and style.

Etsy, for example, offers over 5,000 envelope liner options, including customisable templates that you can print yourself. You can also find liners with pre-applied adhesive strips, which are easy to assemble and require no glue. Paper Culture's envelope liners, made from 100% recycled paper, also feature a peel-off strip for simple assembly.

If you're looking for something more luxurious, you might opt for velvet or suede envelope liners, available in a range of colours, including black, gold, ecru, silver, and white. You can also add a wax seal to your envelopes for a more traditional, elegant look.

Envelope liners are a simple way to elevate your wedding invitations and create a cohesive theme for your special day. With so many options available, you can easily find something that suits your style and personality.

Double envelopes are recommended to better protect the invitation suite and provide an additional layer of protection

Wedding invitations are a special part of the wedding planning process. They are the first glimpse your guests will have of your special day, so it's important to make sure they arrive in pristine condition. One way to ensure your invitations are protected is to use double envelopes.

Double envelopes have been a tradition for wedding invitations since the time of the Industrial Revolution. Back then, the postal service was unreliable, and invitations were often damaged or lost during delivery. Today, the mail system is much more efficient, but envelopes can still get crumpled, torn, or bent in transit. Using double envelopes adds an extra layer of protection for your invitations, ensuring they arrive at their destination in perfect condition.

The outer envelope serves as the mailing envelope and is used to protect the inner envelope and its contents from the rigors of mailing. It is formally addressed and return-addressed, with stamps affixed. The inner envelope, on the other hand, is more personal and informal. It lists the names of each invited guest, including any additional family members or children. The inner envelope is left unsealed and ungummed, as a courtesy to the recipients.

Using double envelopes also has the added benefit of clarifying who is invited to the wedding. For example, for an adults-only wedding, the older teenagers in the family would be listed on the inner envelope, while small children would not. This can help avoid any confusion or misunderstandings about who is invited.

In addition to their practical benefits, double envelopes also add a touch of class and elegance to your wedding invitations. They are a traditional and formal way to present your invitations, making them a popular choice for couples who want to make a sophisticated impression.

Frequently asked questions