Shipping Soon? Here's How To Send Wedding Invites

Wedding invitations are a special type of snail mail that lets the recipient know a celebration is on the horizon. They are often printed on thicker cardstock, occasionally include three-dimensional details such as wax seals, and are sometimes designed in non-rectangular shapes. Due to these customisations, it is important to correctly calculate the postage required to ship wedding invitations. The cost of postage depends on the weight, size, and thickness of the envelope and its contents. To avoid the dreaded return to sender moment, it’s best to consult a post office professional directly on what is required to successfully send out your invite.

Choosing the right envelope shape and size

Firstly, the weight of your invitation suite will impact the postage cost. Each additional enclosure card increases the weight, so consider including only the essentials in your invitation suite and providing other information on a wedding website. If your invitation weighs one ounce or less, a standard "Forever" stamp will suffice. However, most wedding invitations with multiple inserts will weigh between one and two ounces, requiring additional postage.

The size and shape of your envelope also matter. Square envelopes require more postage due to their abnormal shape, and they must be hand-cancelled, resulting in an additional cost. Rectangular envelopes are a more cost-effective option. To avoid extra charges, select a standard rectangular envelope that is at least 5 inches long and 3.5 inches wide, with a maximum size of 11.5 inches by 6 1/8 inches.

Thickness is another critical factor. If your envelope is thicker than 0.25 inches, it will be considered a parcel, attracting a higher postage rate. Avoid adding bulky items like wax seals or knotted ribbons. Instead, opt for flat inserts and consider using single-ply paper to keep your invitation suite slim.

Finally, consider the closure method. While licking the adhesive flap is an option, it is neither hygienic nor reliable. Instead, use glue, a glue stick, or double-sided tape to ensure a secure seal. You can also add a sticker or a piece of washi tape for decoration, but don't rely on these as the primary closure method.

Determining the postage cost

The cost of postage depends on the weight, size, and thickness of your invitations. Generally, wedding invitations are either less than an ounce or more than an ounce. "Save the date" cards, which usually consist of a single piece of cardstock, are typically under one ounce and require a "forever" stamp, which costs $0.55 each. Wedding invitations often include multiple pieces, increasing the weight, and will require 1-2 stamps each.

Square invitations require more postage than rectangular envelopes because they cannot be processed through the sorting machine and must be "hand-cancelled", i.e. sorted by hand. This service usually incurs an additional cost of around $0.20 per card.

The thickness of your envelope is also important. If the envelope is thinner than 1/4" at its thickest point, it can go through the sorting machine. However, if you include a ribbon tie for the envelope liner, the knot will likely be thicker than 1/4", and you will need to increase the postage.

Before purchasing your stamps, it is recommended to take a fully assembled invitation to your local post office to have it weighed. They will be able to tell you the exact postage required, which may depend on the distance between the origin and destination zip codes. It is also worth asking about hand-cancelling, which can add to the aesthetics of your invitation but may cost extra.

To save money on postage, consider using single-ply paper, avoiding three-dimensional details like wax seals and knots, and limiting your inserts. This will help keep your invitation under the weight and thickness limits, reducing the cost of postage.

Tissue paper inserts

Choosing Tissue Paper Inserts

Arranging Tissue Paper Inserts

When arranging your wedding invitations with tissue paper inserts, here's what you need to do:

• Place the tissue paper over the main invitation wording. If necessary, you can also place tissue paper over each card for protection, especially if you have multiple cards in your invitation suite.
• Stack your invitation ensemble from largest to smallest, with the invitation card at the bottom and the reply card and envelope on top.

Benefits of Tissue Paper Inserts

There are several benefits to using tissue paper inserts in your wedding invitations:

• Tradition: The use of tissue paper in invitations dates back to when invitations were handwritten. Tissue paper was used to blot excess ink and prevent smudging.
• Aesthetics: Tissue paper adds a nice, elegant touch to your invitations by separating layers and cards, keeping them neat and organised.
• Practicality and Protection: Tissue paper can also serve as a protective layer for your invitations, especially if you have embellishments like crystals, string, or ribbon that could damage other cards in the suite.

Where to Buy Tissue Paper Inserts

You can find tissue paper inserts for wedding invitations at stationery stores, online retailers, or specialty paper suppliers. Some popular options include LCI Paper, Amazon, and Zola. These suppliers offer a range of sizes, colours, and customisation options for tissue paper inserts.

Remember to include the cost of tissue paper inserts in your overall wedding invitation budget, as they can add a small additional expense.

Using adhesive to seal envelopes

• Moistening: If your envelopes have a gum or glue seal, you can use a cotton swab (Q-tip), a thin paintbrush, or a sponge to apply water and moisten the adhesive. Be sure to only use enough water to make the glue tacky, as too much can cause wrinkling. You can also use a glue stick to apply adhesive directly to the flap, but again, be careful not to use too much to avoid wrinkling.
• Sealing: After applying the adhesive, firmly press the flap closed. For added security, you can use a heavy book or paperweight to compress the envelope while it dries, ensuring a strong seal and reducing the chances of flap wrinkling.
• Additional Adhesives: If your envelopes have trouble staying shut, you can use additional adhesives such as double-sided tape or tape rollers. However, these methods work better with straight flap envelopes rather than angled or euro flap styles.
• Wax Seals: Wax seals are a decorative and secure way to close your envelopes. You can create your own wax seals using a metal stamp and melted wax, or opt for self-adhesive wax seals for convenience. If using traditional wax, consider using outer envelopes to protect the seals or request hand-sorting at the post office to prevent damage.

Hand-cancelling your stamps

To hand-cancel your stamps, start by assembling a mock-up of your invitation, complete with all inserts and embellishments. Take this to your local post office and have it weighed and checked by a postmaster or another postal employee. They will be able to advise if your envelope is too bulky for machine processing and inform you of the required postage based on weight.

Once you know the weight of your invitation and the required postage, purchase the necessary stamps. Remember that hand-cancelling incurs an additional cost, so be sure to include this in your calculations. The current rate for hand-cancelling is $0.24 per envelope, but this may vary over time.

When your invitations are ready to be mailed, return to the post office during off-peak hours to avoid long waits. Ask the postal clerk to verify that you have the correct postage and request that they hand-cancel your stamps. They will use a special rubber stamp to mark each postage stamp with the date and postal location. This bypasses the need for envelopes to go through the sorting machine, reducing the risk of damage.

Hand-cancelling can take a significant amount of time, depending on the number of invitations being sent. It is also worth noting that hand-cancelled invitations may take at least a week longer to arrive at their destination than those processed by machine. Therefore, it is essential to plan accordingly and allow for this extra time when deciding when to send out your wedding invitations.

Frequently asked questions