Creating Seal And Send Wedding Invites: A Step-By-Step Guide

Seal and send wedding invitations are a unique, affordable, and high-quality way to invite your guests to your wedding. They are easy to mail, fun to receive, and budget-friendly. Seal and send wedding invitations are self-mailing, meaning there is no need for separate envelopes. They are also highly customisable, allowing you to add your personal touch with colours, foil, and monograms. You can even add a wax seal for a regal, old-world aesthetic. This guide will take you through the steps of making seal and send wedding invitations, from choosing a theme to assembling and sending your invitations.

Folding: fold upward from the bottom, then fold the response section inward, and finally fold the remaining flap downward

When it comes to folding seal and send wedding invitations, the process is straightforward but must be done carefully. Here is a detailed, step-by-step guide:

Firstly, lay the invitation flat in front of you, ensuring that the wording side is facing up while the address side is facing down. Don't forget to affix a postcard-rate stamp to the response postcard before you begin folding.

Now, for the folding: fold upward from the bottom, starting with the response postcard section. The return address on the response postcard will now be upside down and facing you. Remember, this section is perforated, so your guests can easily tear it off and send it back. Therefore, try to avoid folding and unfolding this piece more than once or twice.

Next, continue folding the response section inward. Fold it upward so that the return address on the response card is now facing inward towards your wording. At this point, the section of the invitation facing you will be blank, with no wording.

Finally, fold the remaining flap at the top downward so that the invitation's return address is now visible and facing you. This completes the folding process, creating a neat, sealed package.

To secure the flap, use a clear seal. Position the seal's perforated line along the bottom edge of the top flap to facilitate easy opening by your guests.

Sealing: use three clear seals to secure the invitation, placing one on each side and one on the flap

When it comes to sealing your seal and send wedding invitations, it's important to ensure that they are secure and won't come undone during mailing. Here's a detailed guide on how to seal your invitations using three clear seals:

Firstly, lay your invitation flat with the wording side facing up. This is important as you want to ensure the invitation is easy to read once opened. Then, begin the process of folding your invitation as per the instructions provided by the invitation manufacturer. The exact folding process may vary depending on the style of your invitations, but generally, you will fold it upward and then fold the response section inward.

Once you've completed the folding, it's time to secure the flap with a clear seal. This will ensure that your invitation stays closed during mailing. Place the seal along the perforated line at the bottom edge of the flap. This placement will make it easy for your guests to open the invitation when received.

Next, place a clear seal on each side of the invitation. Line up the perforated line on the seal with the fold of the invitation. This step is crucial as it ensures that your invitation can be easily fed through postal service equipment. Using three seals in total helps to secure any additional enclosures, such as map cards or accommodation cards, that you may have included with your invitation.

Finally, flip the invitation over horizontally to reveal the blank portion where you will write the guest's address. It's important to flip it horizontally so that the guest's address is not upside down in comparison to the invitation's return address. Write the address clearly and legibly, ensuring all information is correct.

Your seal and send wedding invitations are now ready to be mailed! This sealing process will ensure that your invitations arrive intact and create a polished and secure presentation.

Addressing: flip the invitation horizontally before addressing to ensure the guest's address is the right way up

When it comes to addressing seal and send wedding invitations, it's important to follow a specific process to ensure that your guests' addresses are written correctly. Here's a detailed guide on how to address these invitations:

First, it's essential to understand the unique format of seal and send wedding invitations. These invitations are designed to be self-mailing, eliminating the need for separate envelopes. They have a long format that requires careful folding before mailing.

Now, let's get into the addressing process:

• Start by laying the invitation flat in front of you, ensuring that the wording side is facing up while the address side is facing down.
• Before you begin folding, don't forget to add a postcard-rate stamp to the response postcard, which is usually located at the bottom of the invitation.
• Begin the folding process by folding the response postcard at the bottom upward. After this fold, the response postcard's return address will be upside down and facing you. Be gentle with this fold, as you don't want to fold and unfold this delicate perforated section multiple times.
• Continue folding the response section upward so that the response card's return address folds inward towards the invitation wording. At this point, the section facing you will have no wording.
• Now, fold the remaining flap at the top downward so that the invitation's return address is facing you.
• Secure the flap closed with a clear seal. Position the seal so that its perforated line aligns with the bottom edge of the top flap, making it easy to open.
• Place additional clear seals on the left and right sides of the invitation, ensuring that the perforated lines run along the folds. These seals are crucial for securing any enclosures, such as map cards or accommodation cards, and for ensuring smooth processing through postal service equipment.
• Here's the crucial step to ensure the guests' addresses are written correctly: Flip the invitation horizontally (left to right) to reveal the blank portion where you will write the guests' addresses. Flipping horizontally is essential because flipping vertically (up and down) will result in the guests' addresses being upside down in comparison to the invitation's return address.
• Once the invitation is flipped horizontally, you can start writing the guests' addresses on the blank portion.

By following these steps, you can ensure that your seal and send wedding invitations are addressed accurately and aesthetically. Remember, it's always a good idea to practice on one invitation before addressing the entire batch to ensure a consistent and polished look.

Wax seals: use self-adhesive wax seals or make your own with a metal stamp for a personalised touch

If you want to add a personalised touch to your wedding invitations, you can make your own wax seals using a metal stamp. This is a great way to add individuality and artistic flair to your wedding stationery.

To make your own wax seal stamp, you can use Sculpey Clay Sealing Wax, a metal spoon and candle, or a hot glue gun to melt the wax. You will also need carving tools, such as sharp pencils, pens, needles, or a safety pin.

First, warm up the clay in your hands and create the desired shape for your stamp. You can roll the clay into a ball, shape it into a cylinder, and then pinch the top to create a handle. Tap the top of your stamp gently against a table to keep it nice and smooth.

Now, it's time to design your stamp! Press your chosen design into the clay using whatever tools you have available. You can use pendants or embellished jewellery to create an impression, or you can carve your design by hand. Remember that everything you carve into the stamp will be in reverse when you stamp the wax, so hold it up to a mirror to make sure it will stamp correctly before you cook it.

Follow the instructions on the packaging to cook your stamp. Once it's ready, let it cool before you use it.

To create your wax seal, melt your wax using a wax furnace, traditional wax sticks, or a glue gun with round wax sticks. Choose your desired colour—metallic gold and silver are the most traditional, but you can find wax in a variety of colours.

Once your wax is melted, pour it onto your wedding invitation. Carefully press your stamp into the wax while it is still hot and allow it to rest for a few minutes. You'll know it's ready to be removed when you see a small gap between the wax and the stamp.

If you don't want to make your own wax seals, you can opt for self-adhesive wax seals. These are ideal if you don't have the time or inclination to make your own. Self-adhesive wax seals are handmade by professional wedding stationers or calligraphers and can be customised with your initials or other personal details. You can find a variety of options on Etsy and Minted.

Belly bands: place a narrow strip of paper and a clear sticker around your invitation stack for a finishing touch

Belly bands are narrow strips of paper that are wrapped around the middle of your invitation suites, keeping them neatly assembled. They are usually sealed with a clear adhesive sticker, which helps to secure the paper band around the invitation card, RSVP card, insert card, and corresponding envelopes. Belly bands add a touch of elegance and sophistication to your wedding invitations and are perfect for keeping multiple articles of stationery together in a fashionable format.

Belly bands come in a variety of colours, styles, and materials. When choosing a belly band, you can opt for a design that complements the colour scheme and theme of your wedding. For instance, you could choose a belly band in a similar colour palette as your invitation suite or go for a contrasting colour for a bold, modern look. You can also select from different materials such as paper, cardstock, vellum, or ribbon, adding texture and dimension to your invitations.

When assembling your invitation suite with a belly band, it is recommended to order the stationery by size, with the largest piece at the bottom. Typically, the formal invitation is placed at the bottom, followed by the reception card, enclosure cards, and then the reply envelope. Secure the belly band closed using the accompanying sticker and place the entire bundle inside the envelope.

Belly bands are a great way to add a stylish and elegant touch to your wedding invitations, ensuring that your stationery is well-organised and beautifully presented.

Frequently asked questions