Guide To Placing Ribbon Wedding Invites In Envelopes

There are many ways to assemble a wedding invitation suite, but the most important piece is the invitation itself. This should be placed face up, with the printed side up, and is usually the largest card in the suite. The response card, or RSVP card, is the second most important piece and is meant to be sent back by the invitee. This is placed face up, with the printed side visible, and the envelope flap on the left.

If you are using a ribbon to tie your wedding invitations, you will need to cut the ribbon to the desired length. For portrait-oriented invitations, a length of 22 inches is recommended, and for landscape-oriented invitations, a length of 31 inches. Place the cut ribbon on a table, with the invitation suite in the middle, and then tie the ribbon in a knot or a bow.

Once your invitation suite is assembled, you can insert it into the envelope. If you are using a single envelope, place the invitation suite inside with the left edge going in first for a single card, or the folded edge for a folded invitation. If you are using double envelopes, the inner envelope holds the invitation suite and lists the names of the invited guests, while the outer envelope is used for mailing and lists the household name and address.

How to tie a simple knot with the ribbon

Tying a simple knot with a ribbon is a great way to add a decorative touch to your wedding invitations. Here's a step-by-step guide on how to do it:

Start with your fully assembled invitation suite. Place it face-up on a flat surface.

Cut a piece of ribbon to your desired length. The ribbon should be long enough to wrap around your invitation suite comfortably. You can use fabric shears to cut the ribbon for a crisp, clean cut.

Take the ribbon and place the loose end on the right, going around the back of the invitation suite. The roll should be on your left.

Cross the loose end of the ribbon over the left side. Then, tuck the loose end under the left side, which is still on the roll. Keep the ribbon flat as you do this.

Now, do a half-twist with the end of the ribbon that is still on the roll. This will help keep the half-knot relatively flat.

Tighten the half-knot. At this point, you should have a simple loop around your invitation suite.

Take the loose end of the ribbon (which is now at the top) and cross it over the other end.

Tuck the loose end into the loop you just made, keeping the ribbon flat by folding it under.

Now, hold onto the loose end and the flat, loose knot. Pull on the end that is still attached to the roll until you see the loops start to slip into the flat knot.

Make a half-twist with the loose end, then tighten the knot. Congratulations, you've tied a simple knot!

You can adjust the placement of the knot and trim the ribbon ends as needed. For an elegant touch, cut the ribbon ends at a sharp angle or dovetail both ends.

By following these steps, you can easily add a simple ribbon knot to your wedding invitations, enhancing their visual appeal and making them truly stand out.

How to tie a bow with the ribbon

Tying a bow with a ribbon is a great way to add a charming and romantic touch to your wedding invitations. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to tie a beautiful bow:

Start by cutting your ribbon to the desired length. For portrait-oriented invitations, cut the ribbon to 22 inches, and for landscape-oriented invitations, cut it to 31 inches. Use fabric shears or scissors to ensure a clean, straight cut.

Place your cut ribbon on the table with the matte side facing up. Position your invitation suite in the centre of the ribbon.

Take the left end of the ribbon and fold it across the front of the invitation. Then, take the right end and fold it across, tucking it under the left end.

Hold the middle of the ribbon with your right middle finger to secure the centre of the bow. Keep applying pressure to this twist throughout the process.

Use your left hand to fold the bottom piece of ribbon upward, so it is parallel to the other end.

Now, take the left end of the ribbon and fold it over the right end. Tuck the left end through the loop created in the middle, just like you're tying your shoelace.

Continue to apply pressure to the twist while pulling the two ends tight. Adjust the bow as needed to ensure it is neat and balanced.

If you're using double envelopes, place the beautifully tied invitation inside the inner envelope, and then put the inner envelope inside the outer envelope. This provides an extra layer of protection for your invitation during mailing.

Your wedding invitations with elegant ribbon bows are now ready to be sent out to your guests!

How to combine a ribbon with a wax seal

Combining a ribbon with a wax seal is a beautiful way to embellish your wedding invitations. Here are some steps and tips to help you achieve this elegant look:

Firstly, decide on the type of ribbon you want to use. Silk, chiffon, or cotton ribbons in various widths and colours are popular choices for wedding invitations. You can choose a ribbon that complements your wedding colour palette or opt for a neutral shade like ivory or blush.

Next, you'll need to prepare your wax seal. You can either make your own wax seal using a stamp and melting spoon, or you can purchase custom self-adhesive wax seals. If making your own, ensure you have a wax seal stamp with your desired design, melting spoon, and wax in your chosen colour. Melt the wax, carefully fill the stamp, and allow it to dry.

Now, it's time to combine the ribbon and wax seal. One way to do this is to create a ribbon belly band for your invitation. Wrap the ribbon around the invitation, ensuring it sits snugly, and then secure it at the back with glue or double-sided tape. Place the wax seal over the ribbon, pressing down gently to adhere it to the ribbon and paper.

Another method is to tie a bow with the ribbon and adhere it to the front of your invitation with a small piece of double-sided tape. Then, apply the wax seal directly onto the envelope or invitation, slightly overlapping the ribbon to secure it in place.

If you're looking for a more unique approach, consider threading the ribbon through a wax seal stamp. This method creates a 3D effect, with the ribbon appearing to weave in and out of the seal. Simply thread the ribbon through the seal and then adhere the seal to your invitation with a small amount of glue or wax.

Remember to practice before applying the final seals, as it may take a few attempts to perfect the technique. Combining ribbon and wax seals is a beautiful way to elevate your wedding invitations, adding a touch of elegance and sophistication.

How to calculate the amount of ribbon needed

The amount of ribbon you need depends on several factors, including the size of your invitation, the type of finish you want, and the number of wraps. To get a good idea of how much ribbon you will need, it is recommended that you take a piece of string and wrap it around your invitation in your desired style.

For a 5x7 invitation, if you want to do a single wrap around the narrowest (5") part of the card:

• With a bow finish, each card will need 23" of ribbon, giving you 4 invitations per spool with about 16" left over.
• With a knot finish, each card will need 15" of ribbon, allowing for 7 invitations per spool with about 3" left over.

So, for 100 invitations:

• With a bow finish, you will need 25 spools (100 ÷ 4 = 25)
• With a knot finish, you will need 14 spools (100 ÷ 7 = 14)

For a portrait-oriented wedding invitation:

• Ribbon band: 13 inches
• Simple ribbon knot: 22 inches
• Ribbon bow: 30 inches

For a landscape-oriented wedding invitation:

• Ribbon band: 16 inches
• Simple ribbon knot: 31 inches
• Ribbon bow: 39 inches

How to tie a silk ribbon

There are several ways to tie a silk ribbon around a wedding invitation. The first step is to decide whether you want to wrap the ribbon once around the centre or both ways like a parcel, and whether you would like to tie a knot or a bow.

If you want to wrap the ribbon once around the centre, measure the width of the invitation and double it, then add three inches if you're tying a knot or five if you're tying a bow. If you want to wrap the ribbon both ways, measure both dimensions, add them together, double that number, then add three inches for a knot or five for a bow.

For a simple and chic style, you can tie the ribbon around the envelope with a simple knot. This is a timeless, neutral, and classic option. If you would like something more elegant or romantic, you can tie the ribbon into a bow. Just make sure that the two parts of the bow are balanced, and that the tails are not too long. You can cut the tails straight for a clean look, or on a bias cut along the diagonal to make them more playful.

You can also combine the silk ribbon with a wax seal for a unique, refined, and elegant look. The length of the ribbon for this style should be slightly greater than double the width of the envelope.

Frequently asked questions