The Perfect Way To Pack Your Wedding Invites

Wedding invitations are an important part of the wedding planning process. They set the tone for the event and give guests important information. But how do you assemble and pack them? Here's a step-by-step guide:

Firstly, gather all the necessary materials, including the invitation cards, reception cards, response cards, envelopes, stamps, tissue paper or vellum, and any other enclosures or adornments. Then, create an assembly line to speed up the process. Clear a table and lay out all the pieces in neat piles.

Next, start with the invitation card, which is usually the largest card in the suite, and place it face up on the table. If you're using tissue paper or vellum, place it on top of the invitation card. Then, add the reception card, followed by any other enclosure cards such as maps, accommodation details, or travel information.

After that, include the response card and envelope. Place the response envelope face down on top of the enclosure cards, and insert the response card under the envelope flap, face up. Make sure the response envelope is pre-addressed and stamped.

Finally, insert the fully assembled invitation suite into the outer envelope, with the left edge going in first for a single card or the folded edge for a folded invitation. The text on the invitation card should be facing up so that guests can immediately read it when they open the envelope.

Some additional tips include using envelope moisteners instead of licking the envelopes, considering address labels or stamps to save time, and having your assembled invitation weighed at the post office to ensure you have the correct postage.

Invitation card

The invitation card is the most important piece of your wedding invitation suite. It should include the names of the couple, the date and time of the wedding, and the location of the event. Here are some steps to help you assemble your invitation cards:

• Start with the invitation card: Place the invitation card face up on the table. This is usually the largest card in the suite, so it makes sense to build the rest of the suite on top of it.
• Add a tissue paper or vellum overlay (optional): Traditionally, a sheet of tissue paper was included to prevent smudging of ink. If you want to include it, place the tissue paper on top of the invitation card. Vellum overlays are also a popular choice and would go on top of the invitation card.
• Add the reception card: Place the reception card, which includes the time and location of the reception, face-up on top of the invitation card.
• Include other enclosure cards: Place any remaining enclosure cards, such as maps, hotel accommodation cards, or travel information, face up on top of the reception card. If there are multiple enclosure cards, start with the largest and work your way down to the smallest.
• Add the RSVP card and envelope: Place the RSVP envelope face 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-address and stamp the RSVP envelope.
• Finish with a belly band, ribbon, or vellum wrap (optional): If you want to add a finishing touch, such as a belly band, ribbon, or vellum wrap, assemble it now. Belly bands are narrow strips of paper that wrap around your invitation suite and can be personalised with your names or a message. Ribbons can be tied around the suite or used to create a bow. Vellum wraps can be folded and scored to fit around your suite.

Once you have assembled all the pieces of your invitation suite, you can insert them into the envelope, with the left edge going in first for a single-card invitation or the folded edge first for a folded invitation. The text on the invitation card should be facing up, so that it is visible to the guest when they open the envelope.

Vellum/tissue paper

Vellum and tissue paper are both popular additions to wedding invitations. They are usually placed over the invitation card and sometimes between each card in the ensemble. They are used for tradition, aesthetics, and practicality.

Vellum and tissue paper are thin, delicate, and translucent. However, vellum is a more contemporary alternative to tissue paper, as it is offered in a variety of colours and sizes, and can be printed with custom text and designs. It is also thicker and heavier than tissue paper.

Vellum is a great way to add a touch of luxury to your wedding invitations. It can be used as an invitation card, overlay, gatefold, wrap, envelope liner, belly band, or jacket. If you want to use vellum as an invitation card, you can print directly on it or layer it over a base card. The two layers can be joined with eyelets and ribbon, or wrapped with jute string or twine. You can also finish it with a wax seal. If you're using vellum as an envelope liner, a thinner weight paper, such as 100gsm, is ideal as it's easy to cut and fold.

Tissue paper is a more traditional option, dating back to when invitations were handwritten. It was used to prevent smudging and protect the invitation from damage during transport. Today, most inks won't smudge, but the tradition of including tissue paper has continued. If you're using tissue paper, simply place it over the invitation card, and then add any other cards, such as reception cards and enclosure cards, on top.

Whether you choose vellum or tissue paper, these additions can help to create a luxurious and elegant look for your wedding invitations.

Reception card

The reception card is an essential part of your wedding invitation suite, providing guests with key details about the celebration to follow the ceremony. Here are some detailed steps and tips to help you prepare and pack your reception cards:

Preparing the Reception Cards

• Design: Start by selecting a reception card template that complements your wedding theme and colour palette. You can find various options online, or you can design them from scratch. Include your reception venue's name and address, along with the event's start time.
• Customisation: Choose a font or two that align with your wedding theme. You can also enhance your reception cards with graphic elements like icons, vectors, or illustrations.
• Printing and Paper: Consider the quality of paper you want for your reception cards. You can print them yourself or use a professional printing service. If sustainability is important to you, opt for a company that uses premium, eco-friendly paper.
• RSVP Details: If you have limited space on your main invitation, you can include RSVP details on the reception card. Provide an RSVP deadline date and, if desired, a QR code for guests to respond digitally.

Packing the Reception Cards

• Order and Placement: Wedding invitations are typically assembled in size order, with the largest card at the bottom. Place the reception card face-up on top of the main invitation or any tissue paper/vellum overlay you've included.
• Enclosures: If you have multiple enclosure cards, such as maps or accommodation details, place them face-up on top of the reception card. If they differ in size, start with the largest card first.
• RSVP Card Placement: Place the RSVP envelope face-down on top of the enclosure cards, with the flap on the left. Insert the RSVP card under the envelope flap, ensuring the printed side is visible. Don't forget to include a stamp on the RSVP envelope.
• Inner and Outer Envelopes: If using two envelopes, place the fully assembled invitation suite into the inner envelope first, with the left edge going in first for a single-card invitation. Then, insert the inner envelope into the outer envelope so that the guests' names are visible when opened. If using a single envelope, insert the assembled suite with the left edge first and the printed side facing the envelope flap.

Remember, the key to successful wedding invitation packing is to ensure that all essential information is included and that the cards are assembled neatly and securely.

Enclosure cards

• Directions or a map to the wedding venue(s)
• Accommodation options for out-of-town guests
• Wedding website and/or RSVP information
• Dress code or attire guidelines
• Wedding timeline or schedule of events

When assembling your wedding invitations, the enclosure cards should be placed face-up on top of the main invitation card. If you have multiple enclosure cards, order them from largest to smallest.

• Direction or map card
• Accommodation card
• Wedding website and/or RSVP card (don't forget to include the RSVP envelope, stamped and addressed)
• Dress code or attire card
• Wedding timeline or schedule card

Remember to include your enclosure cards when determining the weight of your invitation suite for postage. Assembling and stuffing your wedding invitations can be a fun process, especially if you create an assembly line with friends and family!

RSVP card and envelope

When packing your wedding invites, the RSVP card and envelope should be added to the suite after the direction or detail card, map card, or hotel accommodations card. The envelope for your RSVP should be placed printed side down, with the envelope flap on the left. The reply card should then be inserted under the envelope flap, face up, so that the printed side is visible.

Don't forget to pre-stamp the reply envelope, which will save your guests from having to find postage. If you are using a folded-style invitation, all enclosures should be placed within the folded invitation, rather than on top.

If you are using two envelopes (an inner envelope and an outer envelope), insert the fully assembled invitation suite into the inner envelope first. When the envelope flap is opened, you should be able to see the printed side of the invitation. Then, insert the inner envelope into the outer envelope so that the guests' names are visible when they open it up.

If you are using a single envelope, insert the fully assembled invitation suite into the envelope with the left edge first for a single-card invitation, or the folded edge first for a folded invitation. Again, when the envelope flap is opened, the printed side of the invitation should be visible.

Frequently asked questions