Guide To Placing Wedding Invites And Rsvps In Envelopes

Wedding invitations are an important part of the wedding planning process. While it may seem as simple as sticking a card in an envelope, there are many details to consider. From choosing a design that reflects your wedding style to ensuring all the necessary details are included, there's a lot to think about. One key component of wedding invitations is the RSVP card, which allows guests to confirm their attendance. In this article, we will discuss the steps to properly assemble and stuff your wedding invitations, including the RSVP card and envelope, to ensure you get the responses you need.

How to assemble the invitation suite

The process of assembling your wedding invitation suite is a lot less complicated than you may think. Here is a step-by-step guide:

• Start with the invitation card: Place the invitation card at the bottom, print side up. This is usually the largest card in the suite, so it makes sense to build upon it.
• Add vellum liners (optional): If you have chosen to include a thin sheet of vellum, place it on top of the invitation card. Traditionally, this was used to prevent the ink from smearing but has continued as a popular choice.
• Stack the reception card: If you are using a reception card, place it face up on top of the wedding invite.
• Add other enclosure cards: Place any remaining enclosure cards, such as a map, hotel accommodations, or travel information cards, face up on top of the reception card. If there is more than one enclosure card, start with the largest and work your way down to the smallest.
• Include the RSVP card and envelope: Place the envelope for your RSVP, printed side down, on top of the enclosure cards, with the envelope flap on the left. Insert the reply card under the envelope flap, face up, so the printed side is visible. Don't forget to pre-stamp the reply envelope.
• Add any finishing touches: If you have chosen to include a belly band, ribbon, or vellum wrap, assemble this now.
• Insert the suite into the envelope: Insert the fully assembled invitation suite 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 should be print-side up so that when the envelope flap is opened, guests can immediately read the text.
• Seal the envelope: Use a bottled envelope moistener to wet the gummed edge of the envelope, being careful not to use too much to avoid a soggy result. Place a heavy book on top of the stack of envelopes to ensure they are securely sealed.
• Add the return address: Apply address labels, skinny wraps, or rubber stamp address labels to each envelope.
• Mail your invitations: Before mailing, bring a fully assembled set to the post office to weigh, so you know how much postage you will need. It is recommended to hand-cancel the invitations at the post office, which means they will be manually sorted instead of going through machines, reducing the risk of damage.

What to include in the RSVP card

The RSVP card is a crucial part of the wedding stationery suite, giving guests a first glimpse of the wedding theme and style. Here is what to include on the RSVP card:

Names

A blank line for guests to write their names, with an ""M" at the start of the line to indicate that guests should include their proper honorific (Mr., Mrs., Ms., or Miss). This guarantees that the couple knows who is attending and how to correctly spell everyone's names for the seating chart.

Attendance

The primary purpose of an RSVP card is to establish who will be attending the wedding. Include a section for guests to accept or decline the invitation. This could be formatted with checkboxes, circling, or fill-in-the-blank lines. A deadline for the RSVP should also be included, with the date prominently displayed on the card. This is usually around four weeks before the wedding date.

Number of Guests

To avoid any misunderstandings, it is important to clearly communicate the number of guests invited. This can be done by addressing the invitation specifically to those invited and/or including a line on the RSVP card that states the number of seats reserved for the guests.

Food Choices

If a sit-down dinner is being served at the reception, the RSVP card should include a section for guests to select their choice of entrée, with consideration for any dietary restrictions or allergies. If a brunch is being held the day after the wedding, it is also helpful to ask guests to reply to this additional event for an accurate headcount.

Special Requests

The RSVP card can also include a special request line, such as song requests, drink preferences, or a favourite memory of the couple. This adds a fun and personal touch to the responses.

Contact Details and Dress Code

It is also useful to include the couple's contact details and any other relevant information, such as the wedding website URL and dress code. This ensures that guests have easy access to this information.

How to address the envelopes

When addressing the envelopes for your wedding invitations, there are a few things to keep in mind. Firstly, it is important to use the proper courtesy titles when addressing your guests, such as Mr., Mrs., Ms., or Miss. When addressing the soon-to-be married couple, only use their first names.

Secondly, you have the option to include an inner envelope and an outer envelope. Traditionally, the inner envelope is left unsealed and is placed within the outer envelope, with the guest's name facing out. However, it is becoming more common to use just a single outer envelope for sustainability and simplicity. If you do choose to use both, insert the fully assembled invitation suite into the inner envelope, with the left edge going in first for a single-card invitation, or the folded edge first for a folded invitation. The printed side of the invitation should be visible when the envelope flap is opened. Then, insert the inner envelope into the outer envelope so that the handwritten guests' names on the inner envelope are visible when opened.

If using a single outer 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, the printed side of the invitation should be visible when the envelope is opened.

• Print the address on the envelope: Don't make your guests do extra work. Printing the address ensures that your guests only need to write their names, check a box, and mail the reply back to you.
• Send them to the right person: While you can address the response cards to yourself and your partner, you may want to consider addressing them to your wedding planner, parents, or anyone else who is responsible for collecting and tracking RSVPs.
• Include postage: It is courteous to include a pre-stamped envelope to make it convenient for your guests to respond and increase the likelihood of receiving timely responses.

Remember to give yourself enough time to assemble and stuff your wedding invitations, especially if you plan to add extras like wax seals or envelope liners. It is recommended to assemble your invitations at least a week before you want to mail them.

How to stuff the envelopes

So, you've got your wedding invitations, and now it's time to stuff the envelopes. Here's a step-by-step guide on how to do it:

Step 1: Create an Assembly Line

Clear a table and lay out all the necessary pieces: the invitation, any enclosure cards, envelopes, and adornments like belly bands, ribbons, or wax seals. It's a good idea to have everything organised and within easy reach.

Step 2: Start with the Invitation

Place the invitation card face up on the table. This is usually the largest card and will form the base of your stack.

Step 3: Add Tissue Paper or Vellum Overlay (Optional)

If you've chosen to include a tissue paper or vellum overlay, place it on top of the invitation card. Traditionally, this was used to prevent smudging, but it's now more of an optional stylistic choice.

Step 4: Stack the Reception Card

If you have a reception card, place it face-up on top of the invitation (or tissue paper). This card includes the time and location of the wedding reception and any other important information for guests.

Step 5: Include Other Enclosure Cards

Add any remaining enclosure cards, such as maps, hotel accommodation details, or travel information. Place them face-up on top of the reception card, with the largest cards at the bottom, working your way up to the smallest.

Step 6: Don't Forget the RSVP Card and Envelope

Place the RSVP envelope face-down on top of the stack of enclosure cards, with the flap on the left. Then, 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!

Step 7: Insert the Stack into the Outer Envelope

If you're using two envelopes (an inner and outer envelope), place the assembled invitation suite into the inner envelope first, 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 visible when the envelope flap is opened. Then, insert the inner envelope into the outer envelope so that the guests' names are visible.

If you're using a single outer envelope, insert the assembled suite directly into this envelope, following the same guidelines for which edge goes in first.

Step 8: Seal and Address the Envelope

Seal the envelope, and don't forget to add the return address! You can use a rubber stamp, address labels, or calligraphy for a more elegant touch.

Step 9: Weigh and Post Your Invitations

Before posting your invitations, take a fully assembled invitation suite to the post office to get the correct postage. It's a good idea to hand-cancel the invitations, which means asking the post office to manually sort them instead of running them through machines, reducing the risk of damage.

When to send the invitations

The timing of sending out your wedding invitations is essential. It gives your guests ample time to RSVP, plan their outfits, organise travel arrangements, and prepare any gifts.

The general rule of thumb is to send out your invitations six to eight weeks before the wedding. This is considered the "sweet spot" as it gives your guests plenty of time to clear their schedules and respond, while also allowing you to request RSVPs sooner and get a final headcount for your vendors.

However, there are some circumstances where you may want to send out your invitations earlier. If you have a large number of guests coming from out of town or overseas, or if your wedding falls on a holiday weekend, it is advisable to send out invitations eight to twelve weeks in advance. This will give your guests enough time to request time off work, secure accommodations, and make travel arrangements.

For destination weddings, it is recommended to send out invitations as early as possible, even up to a year in advance. This allows guests ample time to plan their trip and make the necessary arrangements.

On the other hand, sending out invitations too early can also have its drawbacks. If you send your invitations more than four months in advance, you risk them getting lost or your guests forgetting the date.

As a courtesy, it is also important to send out "Save the Date" notifications to your guests before sending the official invitations. These should be sent four to six months before the wedding, or earlier if it is a destination wedding. This will let your guests know to reserve the date and give them a heads-up to start making travel plans if necessary.

Frequently asked questions