Sealing Your Wedding Invites: Tips For A Perfect Finish

There are many ways to seal wedding invitations. Some prefer the traditional method of licking the envelope, but this can be unhygienic and time-consuming, especially for large numbers of invitations. Some alternatives include using a damp sponge or paintbrush, clear glue sticks, double-sided tape, or wax seals. After sealing, it is recommended to place the envelopes under a heavy book to ensure they are securely sealed.

Using a wax seal

Wax seals are a great way to add a decorative touch to your wedding invitations and can be used in a variety of ways. Here are some tips and tricks for using wax seals to elevate your wedding stationery:

Preparing the Wax Seals

Before you begin, it is important to have everything ready. Address your envelopes and add postage, and pre-assemble your invitations if using the glue gun method. If using the traditional method, you can assemble each suite while the wax melts. Choose your wax colour, keeping in mind that the traditional sealing wax colour is red or burgundy, but you can select any colour that fits your wedding theme. Pastel colours such as pink, light purple, and cream are popular choices.

Melting the Wax

There are a few different ways to melt the wax:

• The Old-Fashioned Way: Melt wax over a flame into a special spoon and pour it onto the envelope. This method can be messy and time-consuming, but it is great for mixing colours or small quantities.
• The Glue Gun Way: Use a low-heat glue gun with glue gun wax that fits correctly into the gun. This method is faster and more convenient.
• Wax Furnace: Use a wax furnace to melt small wax beads into liquid that can be poured onto the envelope.
• Traditional Wax Sticks: Light the wick of a traditional wax stick, similar to a birthday candle, and allow the melting wax to drip onto the envelope.
• Melting Spoon: Place wax beads or sticks into a melting spoon and heat gently with a candle.

Applying the Wax Seal

Once the wax is melted, quickly pour a dollop (about the size of a quarter) onto the envelope flap seam. Firmly press your stamp of choice into the wax and hold for a few seconds before releasing. The stamp should be right-side-up and free of condensation to ensure a clean release. You can also add extra embellishments, such as dried flowers, lavender, rosemary, or baby's breath, by placing them on the paper and pouring the wax over them.

Mailing the Invitations

Wax seals can be mailed, but there are a few precautions to take. Hand-cancelling your invitations will ensure they are processed by hand and not sent through a machine that could damage the delicate wax seals. You may also want to place each wax-sealed invitation into a larger outer envelope for extra protection. Additionally, the wax will add weight to the envelope, so you may need extra postage.

Troubleshooting

If the wax seal is sticking to the stamp, allow the wax to cool before trying to remove the stamp. You can also use a small amount of grape seed oil on a cotton swab to dab the stamp and make it easier to remove. If the wax is blackened, adjust the position of the wax stick or melting spoon to avoid the flame.

Other Uses for Wax Seals

Wax seals can be used beyond just sealing envelopes. Consider adding them to belly bands, vellum wraps, or ribbon around your invitations for a unique touch. They can also be used on wedding day stationery, such as menu cards or escort cards, or even on favour boxes, gift tags, or bouquet ribbons.

Q-tip, water and firm pressure

Sealing wedding invitations with a Q-tip, water, and firm pressure is a simple and effective method. This technique is a modern twist on the traditional method of using a sponge and water to moisten the glue seal. It is also a more hygienic alternative to licking the envelopes, which is not recommended due to the potential risk of glue ingestion and exposure to viruses and bacteria present in saliva.

Step 1: Prepare a bowl of water. This will be used to moisten the Q-tip.

Step 2: Dip the Q-tip into the water. Ensure that the Q-tip is moistened sufficiently, but not dripping with water, as this may cause the envelope to become soggy and wrinkled.

Step 3: Glide the moistened end of the Q-tip across the adhesive strip of the envelope. Apply even pressure and ensure that the entire adhesive area is covered.

Step 4: Close the envelope flap and press firmly. Using your fingers or the palm of your hand, apply firm pressure to the flap of the envelope. Press along the entire perimeter of the flap two to three times. This will help create a strong and secure seal.

Step 5: Allow the envelope to dry completely. Place a heavy book or object on top of the sealed envelope to ensure it stays flat and secure while drying. This step will help prevent any flap wrinkling and ensure a neat finish.

By following these steps, you can effectively seal your wedding invitations using a Q-tip, water, and firm pressure. This method is a hygienic and precise way to ensure your invitations are securely sealed before mailing, without the mess or potential risks associated with licking the envelopes.

Paintbrush, water and adhesive

Using a paintbrush, water, and adhesive is an effective way to seal wedding invitations without the mess of licking envelopes or the hassle of finding a custom wax seal. This method is simple, quick, and adds a decorative touch to your wedding invitations.

To start, you will need a small paintbrush, a bowl of water, and a water-soluble adhesive of your choice. You can find a suitable adhesive at any craft store, or online. When you are ready to seal your envelopes, dip your paintbrush into the water and gently moisten the glue on the envelope flap. Be careful not to use too much water, as this can cause the envelope flap to wrinkle.

Next, apply a small amount of the water-soluble adhesive to the flap. This extra step will ensure that your envelopes are securely sealed and will prevent them from opening during mailing. With your paintbrush, gently smooth out the adhesive, creating an even layer.

Finally, close the envelope flap and press firmly around the entire perimeter. You can place a heavy object, such as a book, on top of the sealed envelopes to ensure they stay flat while drying. This extra weight will also help to prevent any flap wrinkling.

By following these simple steps, you can confidently seal your wedding invitations, ensuring that they arrive at their destination intact and without any hassle.

Glue sticks

To use glue sticks to seal your wedding invitations, simply run the glue stick over the adhesive flap of the envelope and then apply a little bit of pressure when closing the flap. Be sure to use just enough glue to seal the envelope, as using too much can cause the envelope to wrinkle.

If you're looking for a quick and easy way to seal your wedding invitations, glue sticks are a great option. They are also a good choice if you want to avoid licking envelopes or using other sealing methods that involve water, such as sponges or cotton swabs, which can be messy and time-consuming.

Overall, glue sticks are a simple, effective, and affordable way to seal your wedding invitations, ensuring that they arrive securely at their destination.

Double-sided tape

Using double-sided tape will also provide a better "tearing experience" for your guests. They will be able to open the envelope without a letter knife, and the envelope will not shred or tear at odd angles. Your guests will be able to reseal the envelope neatly, allowing them to keep it as a memento.

If you are concerned about the appearance of the tape, you can use a decorative sticker on top of the sealed flap to dress it up. Alternatively, you can use double-sided tape on the inside of the envelope, with a wax seal on the outside, to ensure the envelope is securely closed.

Frequently asked questions