Save On Wedding Invitation Stamps With These Tips

Wedding invitations can be expensive, but there are ways to save money on stamps. The cost of postage depends on the weight, size, and thickness of the letter. To save money, couples should consider the following: sending rectangular invitations as square envelopes require more postage; using an online RSVP service to eliminate the need for RSVP cards and stamps; buying stamps early before prices increase; and weighing the invitation ensemble at the post office to purchase the correct amount of postage.

Use rectangular envelopes

Using rectangular envelopes is a simple way to save money on stamps for your wedding invitations. Square envelopes require more postage, so opting for a rectangular shape will cost less to mail.

According to the United States Postal Service (USPS), a standard 73-cent stamp is sufficient for a letter weighing up to one ounce and sent in a rectangular paper envelope. The envelope must be at least 5 inches long and 3.5 inches wide, and can be no larger than 11.5 inches long by 6.125 inches high. When sealed, the envelope can be no more than 0.25 inches thick.

If your wedding invitations include multiple cards, enclosures, or embellishments, make sure to weigh the entire assembled suite before adding postage. You can do this by bringing a fully assembled invitation to your local post office and having them weigh it. This will ensure you know exactly how much postage you need and avoid any additional costs.

Another way to save on postage is to use RSVP postcards instead of cards and envelopes. Postcards require less postage, so this is a cost-effective option. You can also include a phone number or email address for responses, eliminating the need for RSVP postage altogether.

Opt for a paper bellyband or vellum instead of a ribbon tie

When it comes to wedding invitations, postage is often an afterthought. However, the cost of stamps can quickly add up, especially when you consider that couples will need 3-4 stamps per household they are mailing invitations to. One way to save on postage costs is to opt for a paper bellyband or vellum instead of a ribbon tie.

A ribbon tie for your envelope liner can be a beautiful touch, but the knot of the ribbon will usually be thicker than 1/4", which is the maximum thickness for envelopes to be processed through a sorting machine. If your envelope is thicker than 1/4" at its thickest point, it will need to be hand-sorted, which will incur an additional cost. So, if you're looking to save on postage, consider using a paper bellyband or vellum instead of a ribbon tie. This will help keep the thickness of your envelope within the allowable limit and avoid the extra hand-sorting fee.

Another factor to consider when trying to save on postage costs is the weight of your invitation ensemble. The more pieces you include in your invitation suite, the heavier it will be, and the more you will need to spend on postage. So, when designing your invitations, try to keep the number of enclosures to a minimum. Include only the essential information in your invitation suite and make any additional details available on a wedding website. This will help keep the weight of your invitation ensemble down and save you money on postage.

In addition to the weight and thickness of your invitations, the size and shape of your envelopes can also impact the cost of postage. Square envelopes, for example, will always require more postage than rectangular envelopes, regardless of weight. So, if you're looking to save on postage, it's best to stick with a rectangular envelope.

To ensure you are using the correct amount of postage for your wedding invitations, it's a good idea to take a fully assembled invitation suite (in the envelope!) to your local post office and have them weigh it. They can then advise you on the correct amount of postage to use. This will help you avoid the embarrassment of having your invitations returned to you or, worse, having your guests asked to pay the remaining postage cost to receive their invitation.

Use an online RSVP service

One way to save on stamps for wedding invitations is to use an online RSVP service. This method is not only cost-effective but also convenient and efficient.

Online RSVP services offer a range of features that make managing your guest list and collecting responses a breeze. For example, you can create a beautiful event website that matches your wedding theme and paper invitations. These websites can be customized with your chosen colours, fonts, and photos, and are designed to look perfect on both desktop and mobile.

Additionally, these services often provide advanced features such as the ability to add sub-events (e.g. a ceremony rehearsal) and ask guests about their menu selections, dietary requirements, music preferences, and more. You can also limit the number of +1s for each guest, restrict RSVPs to guest-list only, and protect your event with a password.

Another benefit of online RSVP services is the ability to track and manage guest responses easily. You can receive email notifications when guests reply, and download the guest list in Excel or other formats to save on your computer or send to your vendors. This eliminates the need for return envelopes and stamps, saving you time and money.

Furthermore, online RSVP services offer convenience for your guests as well. They can respond in just a few clicks, without the need to register or download an app. This can also help speed up the response time, as guests won't have to worry about forgetting to mail back their responses.

Overall, using an online RSVP service is a great way to save on stamps for your wedding invitations while still maintaining an elegant and modern look.

Buy stamps in advance

Planning a wedding can be an expensive endeavour, so it's important to save money where you can. One way to do this is to buy your stamps in advance.

The price of stamps tends to increase over time, so buying your stamps early can save you money. You can find out when the next postage increase will be by visiting the Forever Stamp Value website, and you can even sign up to get notified by email when the next price increase will occur. This will allow you to buy your stamps at the lower price before the increase.

Additionally, buying your stamps in smaller batches over a period of time can help you avoid spending a large sum of money all at once. This can be especially helpful if you are sending out a large number of invitations. For example, if you're sending 200 wedding invitations, you might be spending over $100 on postage. By buying your stamps in advance, you can spread out this cost and make it more manageable.

Another advantage of buying stamps in advance is that you can take advantage of current designs that may not be available by the time you need to send out your invitations. If you see a stamp design that you like, it's a good idea to buy it then, rather than risk it being discontinued later on. This is especially important if you're looking for stamps that match your wedding theme or colour palette.

Finally, buying your stamps in advance gives you the opportunity to weigh your invitation suite at the post office and determine the exact amount of postage you need. This will help you avoid the embarrassment and hassle of having your invitations returned to you or your guests being asked to pay for additional postage.

By planning ahead and purchasing your stamps in advance, you can save money and ensure that your wedding invitations are mailed without any issues.

Weigh your invitation at the post office

Weighing your invitation at the post office is a crucial step in determining the correct postage and avoiding any mishaps or delays in delivery. Here are some detailed instructions to ensure you get it right:

• Finalise Your Invitation: Before heading to the post office, ensure you have a fully finished and assembled invitation suite. This includes all the inserts, cards, and any embellishments you plan to include. It's essential to replicate the exact weight and thickness of your invitation as closely as possible.
• Select a Post Office: Consider visiting a USPS processing centre, as suggested by stationery designer Emily Baird. This is because your invitations will likely be sent out from this facility, so you'll get the most accurate weight measurement and postage cost. If that's not feasible, opt for your local post office.
• Weigh the Invitation: Once at the post office, ask a staff member to weigh your invitation. The weight will determine the cost of postage. Remember that weight readings may vary slightly between different post offices, so take that into account if you're weighing at a location different from the one you initially visited.
• Calculate Postage: After obtaining the weight, you can calculate the required postage. The cost will depend on the weight and dimensions of your invitation. Standard rectangular envelopes that weigh one ounce or less typically require a single Forever Stamp, which costs around $0.55. Heavier invitations will require additional postage. For example, a two-ounce letter would need two Forever Stamps, currently costing $1.01.
• Consider Hand-Canceling: If your invitations include three-dimensional details like wax seals or are non-rectangular in shape, they may be considered "non-machinable" and require hand-canceling. This means a postal worker or you will need to hand-stamp each envelope with cancellation markings to prevent reuse. Hand-canceling often costs extra per envelope, so be sure to inquire about this when weighing your invitation.
• Purchase Stamps: Once you know the exact postage required, purchase the necessary stamps from the post office. You can also buy stamps online or from other vendors, but the post office is the most obvious and economical choice.
• Apply Stamps Correctly: When affixing multiple stamps, consider lining them across the top of the envelope instead of clustering them in a corner. This makes it easier for postal workers to calculate the total postage value and provides more space for calligraphed addresses.

Remember, each additional ounce or any non-standard features will increase the cost of postage. Taking the time to weigh your invitations and calculate the correct postage will ensure your invitations reach their destination without issue and help you avoid any unexpected costs.

Frequently asked questions