George Boyle
Planning a wedding can be stressful, and the last thing you want is for your invitations to go missing in the mail. Here are some tips to ensure your wedding invitations reach your guests without a hitch and without breaking the bank.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Order of assembly | The invitation goes on the bottom, print side up. Place a sheet of tissue paper over it, then stack all other inserts, such as a map, reception card, and reply card, on the wedding invitation in order of size (smallest on top). The reply card should be under its envelope's flap, with the mailing address pre-printed and stamped. |
| Postage | Postage costs depend on the weight and size of the envelope. A standard weight stamp, or "Forever Stamp," costs 55 cents and each additional ounce costs 15 cents. Wedding stamps are available for 68 cents (1 ounce) and 92 cents (2 ounces). |
| Timing | Send invitations 6-8 weeks before the wedding to allow guests enough time to respond. Mail "Save the Dates" at least 6-9 months in advance, or even a year early if it's a destination wedding. |
| Addressing | Use full, accurate addresses with correct spelling, zip codes, state abbreviations, directionals, and apartment/unit numbers. Write out all words in the address, e.g., "Street" instead of "St." and "Washington, District of Columbia" instead of "DC." |
| Return address | The return address should be on the same side as the guest address to avoid confusion. Use only 2 lines, with the zip code on the same line as the city and state. Choose a slightly less contrasting color for the returns. |
| Color of ink | Avoid red ink or anything in the red family, as postal machines may have trouble reading it. Use darker-colored inks (charcoal, navy, or black) on light-colored envelopes. |
| Wax seals and ribbons | Wax seals and thick ribbons may not fit through the machines, requiring a "non-machinable surcharge" of $0.20. |
| Square envelopes | Square envelopes also require a $0.20 surcharge. |
| Hand-cancelling | Request hand-cancelling to prevent damage from machines. This costs $0.20 extra, but some local post offices may allow you to do it yourself for free. |
What You'll Learn
Choose standard envelope sizes to avoid extra costs
When it comes to wedding invitations, it's important to consider the cost of mailing them out. The weight, size, and thickness of your invitations will determine how much postage you'll need to pay. To avoid extra costs, it's a good idea to choose standard envelope sizes. Here are some tips to help you choose the right envelope size and avoid extra mailing costs:
- Standard rectangular envelope sizes, such as A7 (5.25" x 7.25") for invitations and A2 for response cards, are a safe choice. These envelopes are readily available and designed to fit popular card sizes.
- Square envelopes are considered "unusually shaped" by postal services and will require additional postage. If you want to avoid this extra cost, opt for a standard rectangular envelope instead.
- The weight of your envelope matters too. If your envelope is thicker than 1/4" at its thickest point, it will need to be hand-sorted, which incurs an extra cost. Consider using a paper belly band or vellum instead of a ribbon tie to keep the thickness down.
- The general rule of thumb is that the envelope should be 1/4" larger than the invitation. So, for a standard 5" x 7" invitation, choose an envelope that is 5 1/4" x 7 1/4".
- Assemble a complete invitation, including all inserts and ribbons or belly bands, and take it to your local post office to get the correct postage. This will ensure you don't underpay or overpay for postage.
- If you're concerned about costs, opt for a standard invitation size and envelope, such as 5" x 7", as this will keep your postage costs down.
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Order extra invitations to account for potential losses
When it comes to mailing wedding invitations, it's always a good idea to order extra invitations to account for potential losses or last-minute additions to the guest list. Here are some detailed tips to help you with this:
Determine the Number of Extra Invitations Needed:
Use the 10% Rule as a Guideline: A common practice is to order approximately 10% more invitations than the number of guests you plan to invite. This buffer will cover any mistakes, last-minute additions, or the need for keepsakes.
Consider Special Circumstances: Think about any unique situations that may require more invitations. For example, if you have a large guest list or anticipate a higher likelihood of mistakes, you may want to increase the number of extra invitations ordered.
Benefits of Ordering Extra Invitations:
Peace of Mind: Having extra invitations ensures you're prepared for any changes or unexpected situations. It's better to have a few left over than to stress over not having enough.
Flexibility: Extra invitations give you the flexibility to invite additional guests or send invitations to those you may have initially missed.
Avoids Embarrassment and Awkwardness: Unexpected extras can help you avoid the embarrassment of not having enough invitations or having to scramble for last-minute additions.
Keepsakes and Mementos: Ordering extra invitations means you'll have some left over as keepsakes or mementos of your special day.
Tips for Ordering Extra Envelopes:
Order Extra Envelopes: Don't forget to order extra envelopes as well. Aim for around 20% more envelopes than the total number of invitations. This accounts for addressing errors, mistakes, or the need for additional envelopes if you use calligraphy or handwrite the addresses.
Weigh Your Invitations: Before purchasing postage, take a fully assembled invitation to the post office and have it weighed. This will help you determine the exact postage required and avoid underpaying, which could result in your invitations being returned.
Hand-Cancelling: Consider requesting hand-cancelling for your invitations. This means the stamps will be manually marked or crossed out to prevent reuse, and your invitations won't be put through a machine, reducing the risk of damage. However, this service may incur an additional fee and take more time.
Additional Considerations:
Proofread and Double-Check Addresses: Before sending out your invitations, carefully proofread all addresses. Check for correct spelling, zip codes, state abbreviations, directionals, and apartment/unit numbers.
Allow Adequate Time: Have your invitations ready to mail 6-8 weeks before your wedding. This gives your invitations enough time to arrive and allows your guests sufficient time to respond.
By following these tips, you can ensure you have enough wedding invitations and that they are successfully delivered to your guests without any issues.
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Use darker ink colours on light envelopes
When it comes to addressing wedding invitations, the colour of the ink you use is important. The postal machines can read almost any colour, but they don't like red ink. It's best to avoid anything in the red family, including maroon and burgundy. Make sure your colours contrast enough that the machines will be able to read the writing. Using darker ink colours on light envelopes is a good way to ensure the writing is legible. For example, dark grey ink on pale grey envelopes or charcoal, navy, or black ink on light-coloured envelopes.
The postal machines read addresses from the bottom up, so it's important that the zip code is legible. Keep the zip code on its own line, spread out, and at the bottom of the address to ensure it can be read easily.
You can also use a mix-and-match envelope addressing style. Use calligraphy or a script font for the names, but a block print for easy reading of the address.
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Weigh your invitations at the post office to determine correct postage
Weighing your invitations at the post office is a crucial step in determining the correct postage. Here are some detailed instructions and tips to ensure you get the right postage for your wedding invitations:
Weighing Invitations:
- Take a fully assembled invitation, complete with all enclosures and decorations, to your local post office.
- Have the postal clerk weigh the invitation to determine the exact postage required. This may be more than the cost of a basic Forever stamp, especially if your invitation is bulky or has embellishments.
- Weighing one invitation should give you the postage rate for all your invitations, assuming they are similarly assembled.
Additional Weight Considerations:
- The weight of your invitation depends on the number of enclosures and the type of paper used. Card stock, for example, adds weight.
- Decorative pieces such as wax seals, thick ribbons, or square envelopes may require a "non-machinable surcharge" because they have to be hand-cancelled and cannot be processed through a machine.
- If you are concerned about weight, opt for standard rectangle envelopes and limit the number of enclosures.
Testing and Double-Checking:
- After determining the required postage, mail yourself a test invitation. This will give you peace of mind, ensuring your invitations have adequate postage and arrive in good condition.
- Double-check that your reply cards also have sufficient postage. You don't want any roadblocks in your guests' responses!
Timing and Planning:
- Give yourself plenty of time when dealing with the post office. Order any specific stamps in advance, as USPS has a 10-day processing time for stamp orders.
- Mail your invitations 8-12 weeks before your wedding. This allows time for any issues and gives your guests enough time to respond.
Remember, it's always better to be safe than sorry when it comes to postage. It's worth spending a little extra to ensure your invitations arrive safely and on time!
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Send digital invitations to save time and money
Digital wedding invitations are a great way to save money and time without compromising on style. They can be as beautiful as their physical counterparts, and you can still convey your overarching design concept digitally.
Advantages of Digital Invitations
- Cost-effective: Digital wedding invitations typically cost no more than $100, while physical invitations can cost between $5,000 and $8,000.
- Time-saving: There are no envelopes to seal, no stamps to fix, and no addresses to write, saving you time and effort.
- Eco-friendly: Digital invites are perfect for environmentally conscious couples as they don't use paper.
- Seamless design: It's easy to create a cohesive package with digital invites, save-the-dates, a wedding website, and thank-you cards all in the same design suite.
- Easy RSVPs: Online invitation services make it simple for guests to RSVP, and you instantly have their response.
Top Sites for Digital Wedding Invitations
- Greenvelope: Costs begin at $19 for up to 20 people and include RSVP tracking. You can edit the background, colours, and text, and even customise the digital envelope.
- Evite: Premium invitations start at $15.99 for 15 invites. You can add photos and embellishments or upload custom designs.
- Paperless Post: Purchase "coins" to pay for invitations, starting at 25 coins for $12. They offer designs from Kate Spade New York, Rifle Paper Co., and more.
- Bliss & Bone: Invites are priced per recipient and start at 90 cents each. They offer modern designs with unique features like texture and shadowing.
- Etsy: Downloadable templates are available for as low as $2, with classic and rustic options.
- Riley & Grey: Prices start at $35 per month for site hosting, which includes a digital invitation design, up to $240 for a year of hosting. They offer unique, luxury designs and can collaborate with you to create a custom look.
Tips for Mailing Wedding Invitations
Whether you choose digital or physical invitations, here are some general tips for mailing wedding invitations:
- Choose standard-sized envelopes to avoid extra postage for custom sizes.
- Unusual envelope shapes and sizes may require additional postage.
- Envelopes weighing over 1 ounce will require extra postage.
- Take advantage of 2-ounce wedding stamps to save money and add a pretty touch.
- Ensure your invitations are properly sealed to avoid them opening during transit.
- Mail your invitations 6-8 weeks in advance to give guests enough time to respond.
- Weigh one complete invitation at the post office to determine the necessary postage for all invites.
- Double-check all addresses for accuracy, including spelling, zip codes, and directionals.
- Request hand cancellation at the post office to protect your invites from damage by sorting machinery.
Digital wedding invitations offer a convenient, cost-effective, and eco-friendly alternative to traditional paper invites, allowing you to save time and money while still achieving a stylish and cohesive look for your special day.
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Frequently asked questions
Wedding invitations often include a lot of materials, which can increase postage costs. To save money, consider the weight of your invitation and the number of additional cards you include. You can also take advantage of 2 oz. wedding stamps, which are designed for bulkier invitations and are prettier than regular stamps.
Digital wedding invitations are a great way to save money. They typically cost no more than $100 and save you time on envelope closing, stamping, and addressing. They are also environmentally friendly and make it easier for guests to RSVP.
When addressing wedding invitations, it is important to write guests' names in full and use appropriate social titles, such as "Mr." and "Mrs.". Spell out all words in the address, including street names, city and state names, and apartment numbers.
To ensure your envelopes are properly sealed, pay close attention to the sealing process. Moisten the envelope adhesive with a cotton swab or paintbrush instead of licking it. If your invitations are bulky, use additional adhesive such as a glue stick or double-sided tape.
It is recommended to send out wedding invitations 6-8 weeks before the wedding. This gives your guests enough time to respond and allows you to get a reliable head count before the event.
