The Art Of Stuffing Formal Wedding Invitations

Stuffing a formal wedding invitation is a simple process, but it's easy to feel lost, especially if you're a traditional bride. The process can be made fun by gathering friends and family to help, creating an assembly line, and turning on some music. The first step is to gather all the necessary pieces, such as the invitation, reception card, RSVP card, and envelope. Next, you'll want to place them in the correct order, usually with the invitation on the bottom, followed by the reception card, and so on, with the smallest card on top. Finally, you'll stuff the invitation packet into the envelope, ensuring the text on the invitation is visible when the envelope is opened.

Order of cards in the envelope

The order of the cards in the envelope is important to get right, and there are a few variations depending on the type of invitation suite you have chosen. Here is a step-by-step guide to the order of cards for a formal wedding invitation:

Firstly, if you are using a double envelope system, the inner envelope is where you will place the invitation suite. The inner envelope is usually more decorative and is designed to protect the invitation suite. It is also used to clarify who is invited to the wedding. The outer envelope is the standard mailing envelope with the guests' addresses.

Now, for the invitation suite itself, the general rule is to place the cards in size order, with the largest card on the bottom, and all cards placed face up. The first card is the invitation card, which should be placed face up.

Next, if you are using a vellum or tissue paper overlay, place this on top of the invitation card. This is a traditional element that was used to prevent ink smudges, but it is now more of a stylistic choice.

The third card in the stack is the reception card, which outlines the time and location of the wedding reception. This card should also be placed face up on top of the invitation card.

The fourth card is the response card, which is tucked under the flap of the response envelope. The response envelope is placed face down, with the flap opening to the right, and the response card is placed inside, face up, so that the printed side is visible.

The fifth card is any additional enclosure cards, such as a map, hotel accommodations, or travel information. These cards are also placed face up on top of the reception card.

Finally, if you are using a belly band, ribbon, or vellun wrap, this is placed around the stack of cards to hold them together.

So, in summary, the order of cards in the envelope is as follows:

• Invitation card (face up)
• Vellum/tissue paper overlay (optional)
• Reception card (face up)
• Response envelope (face down, flap opening to the right)
• Response card (face up, tucked under the flap)
• Enclosure cards (face up)
• Belly band/ribbon/vellun wrap (optional)

Sealing the envelope

Preparing the Envelope

Before sealing, ensure that you have inserted the invitation suite correctly. The invitation packet should be placed into the envelope with the left edge first for a single-card invitation or folded-edge first for a folded invitation. The text should be print-side up, so that when the flap is opened, guests can immediately read the invite.

Sealing Methods

There are several ways to seal the envelope:

• Use an envelope moistener to dampen the adhesive on the envelope flap. You can use a damp sponge or even saliva, but be careful not to over-wet the adhesive—just enough to activate the glue.
• Alternatively, use double-sided tape or a glue stick if the envelope doesn't have adhesive.
• If you opt for a wax seal, add it after securing the envelope.

Securing the Seal

To ensure a firm seal, press down firmly on the flap or place the envelope under a heavy book.

Return Address and Postage

Before sending out your invitations, don't forget to add address labels and sufficient postage. You can use a SkinnyWrap™ or a rubber stamp address label. Then, bring a fully assembled invitation to the post office to determine the exact postage required, taking into account any embellishments that may affect the postage rate, such as wax seals or ribbons.

Hand-Cancelling

Finally, bring your stamped invitations to the post office to be hand-cancelled. This means the post office will manually sort the envelopes instead of running them through machines, reducing the risk of damage during the mailing process.

Inner and outer envelopes

The inner and outer envelopes are an important part of the formal wedding invitation process. This traditional style is more ornate and formal and involves a little more work.

The outer envelope is the standard mailing envelope, with the guests' mailing address. This is the envelope that will be stamped and sent. The inner envelope is usually more decorative, perhaps featuring delicate materials or calligraphy. This envelope is not sealed and is placed inside the outer envelope. It states the names of the guests being invited to the wedding and is a nice way to ensure the outer envelope remains clean and unmarked.

To assemble, place the inner envelope inside the outer envelope, with the guests' names facing the open side of the outer envelope. The inner envelope should be left unsealed and often don't even have adhesive on the flap. The outer envelope should be sealed with a bottled moistener or sealed with double-sided tape or a glue stick if the adhesive is insufficient.

If you are using a single envelope, the invitation suite is placed directly inside. The invitation should be placed face-up, with the text facing the envelope flap. This way, when the envelope is opened, the text is immediately visible.

Belly bands and vellum wraps

You can finish the look with wax seals, ribbon, or both. These can be sealed with a wax stamp, sticker, or twine to create unique invitations. You can also use double-stick tape or glue dots to close the bands.

Vellum wraps and belly bands are usually shipped flat and arrive unscored and unfolded, so some DIY assembly is required. You can also order them blank or digitally printed.

When stacking your enclosures, place the RSVP card under the flap of its envelope with the card face up and the addressed side of the envelope face down. Then, stack the enclosures face-up in order of size, with the largest piece on the bottom.

Weighing and posting

Once you've assembled your wedding invitations, it's time to weigh and post them. Here are some detailed instructions to ensure your invitations reach their intended recipients:

Weighing Your Invitations:

Before you can post your invitations, you need to determine the correct postage. The weight of your invitations will dictate the postage required. Most standard wedding invitation suites, including the mailing envelope, invitation, RSVP card, and RSVP envelope, will only need a regular First-Class Stamp. However, if your invitations include additional enclosure cards, embellishments like wax seals or ribbons, or thicker paper, they will likely weigh more and require additional postage.

The best way to determine the correct postage is to take a fully assembled invitation, including all enclosures and embellishments, to your local post office. They will weigh your invitation and let you know the exact postage needed. It's recommended to do this well in advance, as there may be unexpected costs or weight-related issues.

Posting Your Invitations:

When it comes to posting your wedding invitations, there are a few things to keep in mind. Firstly, ensure that you have the correct postage for the weight of your invitations. You can purchase the necessary stamps from the post office after having your invitations weighed.

Secondly, consider the timing of sending out your invitations. Wedding etiquette suggests that invitations should be sent out between four to six weeks before the wedding. By this time, guests will have already received a save-the-date card and should have access to your wedding website for further details.

Finally, it's essential to confirm the spelling of your guests' names and addresses. Double-check that the names and addresses on both the outer and inner envelopes are accurate. This is an important aspect of wedding etiquette, and errors can be avoided by taking the time to proofread.

Final Thoughts:

Frequently asked questions