Wedding Invitation Envelopes: A Simple Setup Guide

Wedding invitations are a special kind of mail, and assembling them is an art. It's less complicated than it seems, but there are a few things to keep in mind to ensure your invites make it into your guests' hands safe and sound. From the placement of the invitation card to the sealing of the envelope, each step is important. So, let's get started on how to set up wedding invitations in an envelope, ensuring that every envelope carries not just information but the essence of your celebration.

Order of cards in the envelope

The order of cards in the envelope is important to ensure that your invitations are assembled correctly and that your guests receive all the information they need. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to order the cards in your wedding invitation envelope:

Start with the invitation card: Place the invitation card at the bottom of the stack, with the printed or text side facing up. This is usually the largest card in the suite, so it serves as the base for the other pieces.

Add a tissue paper or vellum overlay (optional): Traditionally, a thin sheet of tissue paper was used to prevent ink smudges. If you want to include this, place it on top of the invitation card. Vellum overlays can also be used and should be placed in the same way.

Stack the reception card: If you have a separate reception card, place it face-up on top of the invitation card (or tissue/vellum overlay). This card includes important details such as the time, location, and dress code for the wedding reception.

Include 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 are multiple enclosure cards, start with the largest and work your way to the smallest.

Add the RSVP card and envelope: Place the reply 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 pre-stamp the reply envelope.

Finish with any additional touches: If you're adding a belly band, ribbon, or vellum wrap, assemble it around the stacked cards now.

Insert the whole suite into the envelope: Place 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. Ensure that the text is print-side up, so your guests can immediately read the invitation when they open the envelope.

Seal and address the envelope: Use an envelope moistener or a wax seal to seal the envelope. Add address labels or use calligraphy to address the envelopes. Don't forget to include a return address label or stamp as well.

Envelope assembly

Before assembling your wedding invitations, it's a good idea to clear a table and give it a wipe down. You don't want to smudge your pristine invitations with red wine or last night's dinner! Then, lay out all the necessary pieces in neat piles. This includes the invitation itself, any enclosure cards and additional envelopes, and adornments like belly bands, vellum or tissue paper overlays, ribbons, and wax seals.

Now, you're ready to start assembling your invitations. The general process is as follows:

• Start with the invitation: Place the invitation face up on the table. This is usually the largest card in the suite, so it makes sense to build upon it.
• Layer on tissue paper or a vellum overlay (optional): Traditionally, tissue paper was used to keep the ink from smudging. If you want to include it, place the tissue paper on top of the invitation. Vellum overlays are also popular and would go on top of the invitation card.
• Add the reception card: Place the reception card face-up on top of the invitation (or tissue paper, if included). This card includes the time and location of the wedding reception and other important information like the dress code.
• Include other enclosure cards: Place any remaining enclosure cards, such as maps, hotel accommodations, and travel information, face up on top of the reception card. If there is more than one enclosure card, start with the largest and work your way to the smallest.
• Don't forget the RSVP card: Place the reply envelope face down on top of the enclosure cards. Insert the reply card under the envelope flap, face up, so the printed side is visible. Remember to pre-address and stamp the reply envelope.
• Add any finishing touches: If you're using a belly band, ribbon, or vellum wrap, assemble it now.
• Insert the suite into the envelope: If you're using two envelopes (an inner and an outer envelope), insert 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 first for a folded invitation. When the envelope flap is opened, the printed side of the invitation should be visible. Then, insert the inner envelope into the outer envelope so that the guests' names are visible when they open it up. If you're using just one envelope, insert the assembled suite with the left edge first for a single-card invitation or the folded edge first for a folded invitation. Again, ensure that the printed side of the invitation is visible when the envelope flap is opened.
• Seal the envelope: Use an envelope moistener to wet the gummed edge of the envelope, being careful to avoid using too much to prevent sogginess. Place a heavy book on top of the stack of sealed envelopes to ensure they are securely sealed.
• Add the return address: Apply address labels or use a rubber stamp address label to each envelope.
• Mail your invitations: Before mailing, bring a fully assembled invitation to the post office to have it weighed so you know how much postage you'll need. Then, bring your stamped invitations to the post office to be hand-cancelled, which will help ensure they are handled with care.

And that's it! Your wedding invitations are now ready to be sent out to your guests.

Envelope sealing

Before sealing, ensure that you have correctly addressed the envelopes and assembled all the necessary inserts, such as the invitation, reception card, enclosure cards, and RSVP card and envelope. Place the assembled invitation suite into the envelope with the printed side facing up, so that guests can immediately read the invite as they open the envelope.

If you are using inner and outer envelopes, insert the assembled suite into the inner envelope first, with the print side up. Then, place the inner envelope into the outer envelope so that the guests' names on the inner envelope are visible when opened. Traditionally, the inner envelope is left unsealed.

For the outer envelope, use a bottled envelope moistener to wet the gummed edge. Be careful not to use too much moisture, as you don't want the envelopes to become soggy and puckered. Seal all the envelopes and place a heavy book on top of the stack to ensure they are securely sealed.

If you are adding any wax seals, adhesive envelope liners, or return address labels, now is the time to do so. Add any final embellishments and your envelopes are ready to be stamped and mailed!

It is recommended to bring a fully assembled invitation to the post office to have it weighed, so you can determine the correct postage required. You can also request hand-cancelling at the post office, which means the invitations will be manually sorted instead of going through machines, reducing the risk of damage.

Addressing the envelope

The outer envelope should include all the information the postal service needs for delivery. This includes the guests' full names, avoiding nicknames or initials. Use appropriate social titles, such as "Mr." and "Mrs." and include suffixes, e.g. "Mr. Joseph Morales, IV". Spell out all words in the address, including "Street", "Post Office Box" and "Apartment". The same rules apply to the city and state, e.g. "Washington, District of Columbia". House numbers smaller than 20 should also be written out in full.

The return address is usually placed on the back flap of the envelope. Traditionally, this was done with blind embossing (colourless raised lettering), but today most couples opt for printing in the same style as the invitations.

If you are using an inner envelope, this should include the names of the invited guests in the household, including children. The outer envelope protects the inner envelope, which is why only the outer envelope needs to include delivery information.

There are a few options for addressing the envelopes:

• Handwrite the addresses
• Hire a calligrapher
• Print the names and addresses directly on the envelopes

If you opt for a calligrapher, allow 2-3 weeks for this service and provide them with a neat guest list, including full addresses and titles.

Finally, weigh a completed invitation at the post office to ensure you have the correct postage.

Postage and handling

Now that you've assembled your wedding invitations, it's time to talk about postage and handling. Here are some tips to ensure your invitations reach your guests safely and on time:

Weigh Your Invitations:

Before you purchase postage, it's essential to know the weight of your assembled invitations. Take one fully assembled invitation suite, including all enclosures and embellishments, to your local post office and have it weighed. This will help you determine the exact postage required. The weight of your invitations can impact the cost of postage, so it's crucial to have an accurate measurement.

Determine the Number of Stamps:

The number of stamps you'll need depends on the weight of your invitations and the value of the stamps. A standard weight stamp, or "Forever Stamp," costs 55 cents in the US, and each additional ounce costs 15 cents. You may need more than one stamp per invitation, especially if you've included multiple enclosures or used thicker cardstock. Calculate the total value of stamps needed and adjust as necessary.

Hand-Canceling:

To protect your invitations from potential damage by postal machines, consider requesting hand-canceling. This process involves manually "canceling" or postmarking the envelopes with a hand stamp instead of using sorting machines. Hand-canceling helps prevent tears and ink smudges. While some post offices may charge an additional fee for this service, it's worth inquiring to ensure your invitations remain intact during transit.

Vintage Stamps:

If you're using vintage stamps to match your wedding theme or colour palette, keep in mind that these stamps were often created at lower values. As a result, you may need to use more stamps to reach the required postage amount. Vintage stamps can also be more time-consuming to apply and may require individual application with a glue stick or tape runner.

RSVP Postage:

Don't forget to include postage on your RSVP cards. It's considered proper etiquette to provide pre-stamped and pre-addressed envelopes for your guests' responses. This makes it convenient for your guests to reply, and you're more likely to receive timely RSVPs.

Timing:

Give yourself ample time for mailing your wedding invitations. Hand-canceling and potential postal delays can slow down the process. Aim to mail your invitations at least two weeks in advance to avoid any last-minute snags.

Calligraphy:

If you're using calligraphy for addressing your invitations, be aware that there may be a higher chance of them being returned or undelivered. Some calligraphers state in their contracts that up to 20% of invitations may be sent back. This could be due to illegibility or smudged ink. While calligraphy adds a beautiful touch, you may want to consider printing addresses for a higher chance of successful delivery.

Non-Machinable Elements:

Certain decorative elements may be considered "non-machinable" by the post office. These include wax seals, envelopes thicker than 3/4 of an inch, and custom envelope sizes (such as square envelopes). These elements will require hand-processing and hand-canceling, which incurs an additional fee per invitation.

Save the Dates:

Save the dates usually require fewer postage considerations. In most cases, your save-the-date postcards will only include one piece, weighing under the standard postage limit and requiring just one stamp. However, if you're using custom shapes, it's best to send them from your local post office to avoid any issues.

Assembly Party:

If you're feeling overwhelmed, consider hosting an assembly party. Invite a few friends or family members to help with the process. Provide snacks and drinks, and assign specific tasks to make it a fun and efficient gathering. This way, you'll have support and company while assembling and posting your wedding invitations.

Remember to double-check the postage requirements with your local post office, as rates may vary over time.

Frequently asked questions