Guide To Arranging Wedding Invites For Envelopes

Wedding invitation assembly can be a confusing process for many couples, but it's not rocket science. The process can be made fun by turning it into a date night activity with your partner. It is important to proofread your wedding invitations and confirm the spelling of guests' names. Wedding invitation etiquette dictates the order in which all the pieces of the wedding invitation suite should go. Typically, each card would go face up in size order, from biggest to smallest, starting with the invitation card. The invitation is the most important piece within your suite. It provides the names of the couple, the date, time, and location of the wedding. The response card is the second most important piece, meant to be sent back with accept or regret information. Other enclosures include accommodation or reception details, maps, or direction cards. The proper order for assembly is as follows: invitation, large enclosure, response envelope, response card, small enclosure, and then bound together with a belly band.

Order of cards in the envelope

When it comes to the order of cards in the envelope, the general rule is to place them in size order, with the largest card at the bottom. Here is a step-by-step guide:

• Start with the main invitation card, which is usually the largest card. Place it at the bottom, print side up.
• If you are using a thin sheet of vellum or tissue paper, place it on top of the invitation card. Traditionally, this was used to prevent smudging, but it's optional nowadays.
• Add the reception card, which outlines the time and location of the wedding reception. Place it face-up on top of the invitation card.
• Stack any other enclosure cards, such as direction or detail cards, map cards, or hotel accommodation cards. Place them face-up on top of the reception card, starting with the largest card first if they are different sizes.
• Include the RSVP card and its envelope. Place the envelope for the RSVP, printed side down, on top of the enclosure cards, with the flap on the left. Insert the RSVP card under the envelope flap, face-up, so that the printed side is visible. Don't forget to pre-stamp the reply envelope.
• If you are using an inner envelope, insert the fully assembled invitation suite into it, with the left edge going in first for a single-card invitation, or the folded edge for a folded invitation. The printed side should be facing up so that guests can see the text when they open the envelope.
• If you are using an outer envelope as well, insert the inner envelope into it, ensuring that the guests' names on the inner envelope are visible when they open it up.

Remember, if you are using a folded invitation, place all enclosures within the folded invitation, rather than on top.

Envelope styles

There are two envelope styles for your wedding invitation suite: single envelopes and double envelopes.

Single Envelope Style

This style is commonly used and only available for classic wedding invitations and vellum wedding invitations. It consists of one invitation envelope and one response card envelope. The names of all invited guests should be placed on the front along with the mailing address. Your return address should be placed on the envelope flap.

Double Envelope Style – Highly Recommended

Available for all wedding invitations and required for floral, ribbon, and letterpress wedding invitations. This style includes an inner and outer envelope for mailing each invitation suite. Double envelopes are more formal and traditional. The outer envelope is meant for mailing and should list the household name and address on the front. The inner envelope is used to hold the invitation suite and list the name of each guest in order to eliminate any confusion about who is actually invited. The inner envelope is not gummed since it will not be sent through the mail. It also acts as an additional layer of protection during mailing and allows your guests to have a clean, unmarked envelope for holding their invitation suite.

Envelope Liners

If you purchased slip-in envelope liners with your invitations, be sure to slide them into your envelopes before inserting your suite. To do so, peel off the strip of adhesive on the back of each liner and slide it into place, pressing firmly to ensure it is secure.

Minted's envelope liners can be purchased as a matching accessory to wedding invitations; they are packaged separately from the invitation envelopes, have a pre-applied adhesive strip, and can be easily slipped into the envelope for quick assembly.

Sealing the Envelope

Use a bottled envelope moistener to wet the gummed edge of your outer envelopes; be careful not to use too much—you don’t want soggy, puckered envelopes. After you’ve sealed all the envelopes, place a heavy book or two on top of the stack to ensure all of them are securely sealed.

Applying a belly band

Step 1: Prepare the Belly Band

Print your belly band design on thin paper that can easily wrap around your invitations. The standard size for a belly band is 11 x 2 inches for a 5 x 7-inch invitation. You can find matching templates or create your own design with decorative paper. Cut out the individual bands using a paper cutter or X-acto knife.

Step 2: Assemble the Invitation Suite

Stack your invitation cards from largest to smallest, starting with the invitation itself, followed by any enclosures, and finally, the response card and envelope. Ensure that all pieces are facing the correct way and centred.

Step 3: Position the Belly Band

Lay the belly band over your stacked invitation suite, centring any personalisation or designs. Apply pressure with your thumbs to the top of the band and enclosures to keep everything in place.

Step 4: Wrap and Secure

Wrap your index fingers around the back of the invitation suite and lift it up. Flip the suite towards you so that all the information is facing down. Carefully pull one end of the belly band over the back and crease it. Repeat with the other end. Pull both ends tight, ensuring you don't bend the sides of your stationery. Adhere the ends together with glue dots or double-sided tape.

And there you have it! A beautifully assembled wedding invitation with a belly band. Repeat these steps for each invitation, and your guests are sure to be impressed when they receive their invites.

Applying a vellum jacket and wax seal

Firstly, you will receive your vellum jackets flat, ready for assembly. Start by folding the left side of the jacket along the pre-scored line. This will make it easier to slide your assembled invitation suite into.

Next, slide your invitation suite into the folded area of the jacket and pinch it with your left hand to keep it in place. Centre the invitation within the vellum jacket, and then fold the right side of the jacket along the other pre-scored line.

Once both folds have been made and the jacket slightly overlaps on the front of your invitation, you can apply the wax seal. Expose the adhesive on the back of the wax seal and place it on the front of the jacket to hold the flaps closed.

And that's it! You now have a beautifully elegant invitation, sure to impress your guests.

Some things to keep in mind:

• Vellum jackets are a great way to keep all the pieces of your invitation suite together while still allowing your guests a sneak peek of the enclosed invitation.
• Wax seals are a versatile addition to your wedding stationery. They can be used on envelopes, belly bands, invitation cards, vellum wraps, or even ribbon.
• If you are planning to mail your invitations with a wax seal, consider placing the seal on your inner envelope and then placing it in a larger envelope for mailing. This will help protect the raised seal from damage during the mailing process.

Tying a silk ribbon

Step 1: Choose the Right Ribbon

Select a silk ribbon that complements the colour and style of your wedding invitations. Consider the width and length of the ribbon. For a medium-sized bow, cut approximately 15 inches of ribbon. You can use fabric scissors to ensure a clean cut.

Step 2: Prepare the Ribbon

Before you begin tying, ensure that your ribbon is not twisted. You want to create a smooth and polished look. If your ribbon is frayed, you can use a sewing machine to create a zig-zag stitch along the edges, giving it a more finished appearance.

Step 3: Create the Loops

Form two large loops with the ribbon, similar to the "bunny ears" technique when tying shoelaces. Cross the right loop over the left loop, creating a third small loop where they meet. Ensure that the tails of the ribbon are of equal length and flat, which will help when trimming the bow.

Step 4: Tie the Bow

Take the left loop and fold it behind the right loop, bringing it through the bottom loop. Pull the top loops taut to form a tight knot in the centre. You can adjust the loops and tails to even out each side and create a symmetrical bow.

Step 5: Finishing Touches

Trim the tails of the ribbon and notch the ends for a neat appearance. If you prefer a more rustic look, you can leave the ends untucked. Play around with the bow to achieve your desired shape and size. Don't be afraid to start over if needed—tying the perfect bow may take a few tries!

You can also experiment with different types of bows, such as a simple ribbon knot or a ribbon band. Remember that adding ribbon to your invitations will require additional postage, so be sure to take a fully assembled invitation to the post office to determine the correct postage.

By following these steps, you'll be able to create elegant and personalised wedding invitations that are sure to impress your guests.

Frequently asked questions