Creating Beautiful Wedding Envelopes: Tips For A Pretty Postmark

Wedding invitations are often expensive, so creating your own envelope liners can be a good way to save some money. There are many ways to make your wedding envelopes stand out and create a feeling of anticipation for your guests. From using bright or bold colours to adding wax seals, you can make your envelopes pop. You can also use patterned paper or stamps to decorate the outside of the envelopes. Another idea is to add a printed liner, which is an unexpected way to show your guests that you're focusing on every little detail.

Use bright or bold colours

Using bright or bold colours is a great way to make your wedding envelopes stand out and create a fun, unique look. Here are some ideas to incorporate vibrant hues into your envelope design:

Envelope Liners

Add a pop of colour by creating DIY envelope liners. Choose a bold, colourful pattern or portrait that speaks to your wedding theme and style. You can find free artwork or low-cost artwork online, such as from The New York Public Library or The Metropolitan Museum of Art. Print your chosen design on text-weight paper, cut it to size, and adhere it to the inside of your envelopes. This will serve as a colourful background for your invitations, surprising your guests as they open the envelope.

Bold Type

Play with typography by making your text a bold, vibrant colour. This trend focuses on the text as the focal point of the invitation, often paired with a neutral colour palette and mixed typography. You can customise your invitations by choosing unique fonts, colours, and even adding QR codes.

Envelope Colour

Opt for coloured envelopes instead of the traditional white or cream. A bold envelope colour, such as dark blue or plum, will make a statement and excite your guests before they even open the envelope. You can also get creative with the ink colour used for addressing the envelopes. For darker envelopes, consider metallic shades like silver, gold, or white.

Nature-Inspired

Take inspiration from nature for a romantic and whimsical look. Incorporate floral patterns, pressed botanicals, and lush greenery into your envelope design. This can be in the form of envelope liners, wax seals, or even the envelopes themselves.

Destination-Themed

If you're having a destination wedding, tailor your envelope design to reflect the theme or location. For example, a beach wedding could inspire envelopes with a sandy colour palette and seashell motifs, while a mountain wedding might prompt envelopes featuring earthy tones and woodland elements.

Remember, your wedding invitations are the first glimpse your guests will have of your special day, so have fun and get creative with your envelope design!

Opt for all-over script fonts

Script fonts are a great way to add a traditional and formal touch to your wedding envelopes. This style of font mirrors cursive writing, with long, loopy characters that are connected, often with flourishes and swooshes.

Script fonts are a beautiful choice for wedding envelopes as they bring a sense of elegance and sophistication to your stationery. They are ideal for highlighting the names of the happy couple and other important details, such as the wedding date and location. However, it is best to refrain from using this style for the body text of your invitations as they can be more challenging to read, especially for important details like the time and place of the ceremony.

When selecting a script font for your wedding envelopes, it is essential to consider legibility. While some highly scripted fonts may look beautiful, they can sometimes be difficult to read. To ensure your guests can easily understand all the information, pair your script font with a simple, legible font for the body text. This combination of fonts will create a stylish and engaging design.

Additionally, consider choosing a script font that aligns with your wedding theme and aesthetic. For example, if you are having a traditional or formal wedding, a classic script font with elegant flourishes may be the perfect choice. On the other hand, if your wedding has a whimsical or playful theme, opt for a script font with a bit of fun and personality, such as a calligraphy-inspired font.

Overall, opting for all-over script fonts for your wedding envelopes can add a touch of elegance and sophistication to your wedding stationery. By considering legibility and choosing a font that aligns with your wedding theme, you can create beautiful and informative envelopes that your guests will adore.

Add a wax seal

Adding a wax seal is a great way to elevate your wedding envelopes and give them a regal, Old-World aesthetic. It's a popular choice for classic and vintage-style weddings, but wax seals can be customised to suit any wedding theme.

There are a few different ways to create wax seals. The traditional method involves melting one end of a stick of wax (imagine a small taper candle) and allowing it to drip directly onto the envelope. An engraved metal stamp is then pressed into the cooling wax before it hardens, leaving an imprint of the design. This method can be messy and time-consuming, but it's a good option if you want to mix colours or only need to make a small quantity.

An easier alternative is to use a low-heat glue gun with specially-shaped glue gun wax that doesn't have a wick. This method is more beginner-friendly and allows for greater precision.

If you don't want to make your own wax seals, you can also purchase pre-made self-adhesive wax seals, which are like fancy stickers. These are a good option if you're short on time or don't feel comfortable making your own. Self-adhesive wax seals come in a variety of custom or standard designs and can be personalised with your initials or other details.

When adding a wax seal to your wedding envelopes, it's important to consider the weight and size of the seal, as this may affect the postage cost. You may also need to add a "nonmachinable surcharge" to your envelopes with wax seals, as the bump created by the seal may not fit through the machines used by the postal service.

To ensure your wax seals last through the mailing process, consider using a protective outer envelope or asking your local post office about hand-sorting or hand-cancelling the mail. This means that a postal worker will manually inspect and approve each invitation, but it may incur additional postage and take extra time for the invitations to be sent.

• Keep your metal seal cool by placing it on an ice pack between uses.
• Use parchment paper as a surface to make your wax seals, as they're easily removable once dried.
• Use quality wax to avoid gunking up your glue gun or metal seal.
• Avoid touching the wax seals before they're dry, as this can affect the final look.
• Use Washi tape or sharpies to mark your seal for easier alignment.
• Print a dot on the envelope as a reference guide for where to place the seal.
• Consider using double-sided tape or adhesive dots to attach the seal to the envelope, especially if you're concerned about the wax coming off.

Include a printed liner

Envelope liners are a great way to add a touch of elegance to your wedding invitations. They can be a bit pricey, but if you're looking to save some money, making your own liners is a simple and effective way to add style and colour to your guests' mailboxes while showcasing your wedding theme.

To get started, you'll need to choose a pattern or portrait that speaks to you. You can find free artwork or low-cost artwork online, such as from The New York Public Library or The Metropolitan Museum of Art. Once you've found the perfect design, get it printed on text-weight paper, not cardstock.

Next, you'll need to gather your materials: a paper cutter or trimmer, envelopes, your printed lining pattern, a pencil for tracing, and an adhesive like tape or glue. If you're cutting the liners yourself, you'll also need sharp scissors made for cutting paper.

Before you start cutting, create a template by tracing the shape of the liner onto a piece of card. This will make it easier to cut out multiple liners in the same size. Cut the liners out, then slot them into your envelopes one by one, securing them just below the sticky part with a small amount of adhesive. Finally, fold the liner downwards to create a crease.

If you're looking for a more convenient option, you can also find ready-made envelope liners that come with a peel-off adhesive strip. These liners are available in various designs, including floral, Regency, and modern, and can be customised with your initials, wedding date, and other personal touches.

Address envelopes with your own handwriting

Adding a personal touch to your wedding envelopes by addressing them with your own handwriting is a great way to make them pretty. Not only is it a budget-friendly option, but it also adds a special touch that your guests will surely appreciate. Here are some tips to help you address your wedding envelopes like a pro:

Choose the Right Pen

Select a pen that complements the style and colour of your envelopes. You can opt for a classic ballpoint pen, a fountain pen, or even a calligraphy pen if you're feeling adventurous. If you want to add a bit of sparkle, consider using a metallic pen or one with glitter ink.

Practice Your Handwriting

Take some time to practice your handwriting before diving into addressing the envelopes. Focus on creating consistent letters and words, and consider practising on similar paper to get a feel for how the pen will glide. If you're using a calligraphy pen, practice the basic strokes and letterforms to get comfortable with the tool.

Gather Your Materials

Before you begin, make sure you have all the necessary materials. This includes the envelopes, your chosen pen, and a ruler if you want to create straight lines for the addresses. It's also a good idea to have a few extra envelopes on hand in case of mistakes.

Create a Template

To ensure consistency and avoid mistakes, create a template for the addresses. You can do this by printing out the addresses in a light colour or using a ruler to create straight lines for each line of the address. That way, you can easily trace over them with your pen.

Take Your Time

Addressing envelopes by hand can be time-consuming, so set aside enough time to complete the task without rushing. Take breaks as needed to avoid hand cramps and ensure your handwriting remains neat and legible.

Ask for Help

If you're feeling overwhelmed or short on time, don't hesitate to enlist the help of your partner, family, or friends. It can be a fun bonding experience, and it will lighten your workload. Just be sure to provide clear instructions and perhaps a sample of the style and layout you want to be maintained.

Remember, while addressing envelopes with your own handwriting can be a labour of love, there are also other options available, such as printing directly on the envelopes, using clear labels, or hiring a professional calligrapher if your budget allows.

Frequently asked questions