Creative Ways To Wrap Your Wedding Invites

Wedding invitations are a crucial aspect of wedding planning, setting the tone and style for the big day. Assembling wedding invitations can be a daunting task, but with the right guidance, it becomes a seamless process. This paragraph aims to introduce the topic of how to wrap wedding invitations, exploring the various options available to create elegant and personalised invites that will impress your guests. From classic belly bands to trendy vellum wraps, and even luxurious silk ribbons, there are numerous ways to transform simple invitations into stylish keepsakes. In the following paragraphs, we will delve into the step-by-step process of wrapping wedding invitations, offering practical tips and design inspiration to make your invitations stand out.

Belly bands: slim paper bands that hold all the pieces of your wedding invitation set together

Belly bands are slim paper bands that add a stylish and elegant finishing touch to your wedding invitation suite. They are typically used to hold all the pieces of your invitation set together, including the invitation card, reception card, enclosure cards, and RSVP card with its envelope. Belly bands are usually made of paper but can also be made of vellum, ribbon, or fabric. They can be plain or feature designs, patterns, or personalised details such as monograms, dates, or names.

To apply a belly band to your wedding invitation suite, start by stacking your invitation suite in the correct order, with the invitation card on the bottom and all cards facing up. Then, centre the belly band over your stacked suite, with any personalisation centred. Apply pressure to hold everything in place, and wrap your index fingers around the back of the invite. You should be able to pick up the suite without anything moving. Next, flip the suite towards you so that all the information is face down, and carefully pull one end of the band over the back, creasing it. Repeat with the other end. Pull both ends of the belly band tight, without bending the sides of your stationery, and adhere the two ends together using the included glue dots or a clear adhesive sticker. Finally, place your completed invitation suite into the envelope with the cards facing up.

Belly bands are a great way to add a decorative element to your wedding invitations, creating a cohesive and stylish look. They can also be used to secure multiple pieces of a mailing together, ensuring your invitation suite stays neatly presented. Belly bands are fully customisable and can be personalised to match your wedding theme and colour scheme.

Vellum wraps: a stylish, low-cost way to present your invitations

Vellum wraps are a fantastic way to add a stylish touch to your wedding invitations without breaking the bank. Vellum is a thin, translucent paper that can be used to wrap your invitation suite, creating a beautiful and elegant presentation. Here are some tips and instructions to help you create vellum wraps for your wedding invitations:

Benefits of Vellum Wraps:

• Style: Vellum adds a touch of elegance and sophistication to your invitations. The translucent nature of vellum allows a glimpse of the contents inside, creating a sense of intrigue and refinement.
• Protection: Vellum wraps provide an extra layer of protection for your invitation suite. They help keep the contents secure and prevent them from getting damaged or bent during mailing.
• Customisation: Vellum wraps offer a versatile design option. You can choose to include a vellum sheet between each invite or use it as a wrap for the entire suite. You can also customise your vellum wraps with wax seals, ribbons, or stickers for a more personalised touch.

Step-by-Step Guide to Creating Vellum Wraps:

• Size and Assembly: Vellum wraps are designed to fit specific invitation sizes, typically 5" x 7" cards and invitations. When ordering vellum wraps, ensure they are the correct size for your invitations. Vellum wraps will usually arrive flat, and you will need to fold them yourself.
• Inserting Invitations: Before wrapping your invitations, ensure you have assembled your entire invitation suite, including any enclosure cards, response cards, and envelopes. Place the largest card on the bottom, face up, followed by the other cards in size order.
• Securing the Vellum: Once your invitations are assembled, you can slide them into the pre-folded vellum wraps. You can secure the vellum wraps with a wax seal, ribbon, or custom sticker. If using a wax seal, remember to expose the adhesive on the back of the seal before placing it on the vellum.
• Adding Embellishments: To enhance the elegance of your vellum wraps, consider adding embellishments such as ribbons or belly bands. You can tie a ribbon around the wrapped invitation suite or use a belly band to hold the vellum wrap in place. These additions not only add style but also help keep the contents secure.
• Final Touches: After securing your vellum wraps and adding any desired embellishments, your invitations are almost ready to be mailed. Remember to weigh your assembled invitations at the post office to determine the correct postage required. You can also hand-cancel your invitations to ensure they are handled with extra care during mailing.

Vellum wraps offer a stylish and cost-effective way to present your wedding invitations. By following these steps and customising your vellum wraps, you can create elegant and refined invitations that will impress your guests and set the tone for your special day.

Wax seals: add a wax seal to your envelope for a luxurious touch

Wax seals are a great way to add a luxurious and regal touch to your wedding invitations. They can elevate your wedding stationery and make your invitations feel like bespoke works of art. You can use wax seals to close the flaps of your wedding invitation envelopes or to seal a wrap or belly band around your invitation suite. You can also use them on other paper products such as escort cards, place cards, table numbers, and favour boxes.

There are a few different ways to create wax seals:

• The traditional method involves melting wax and allowing it to drip directly onto the envelope. An engraved metal stamp is then pressed into the cooling wax before it hardens, leaving an imprint of the design.
• Self-adhesive wax seals are a more convenient option, featuring adhesive backings and are handmade by professional wedding stationers or calligraphers.
• Using a metal stamp and a wax furnace, wax beads, or wax sticks is another way to create wax seals.

When using wax seals on your wedding invitations, there are a few things to keep in mind:

• You will need to add a "non-machinable surcharge" for mailing wedding invitations with wax seals, as the bump created by the seal cannot go through the machines used by the post office.
• If you are concerned about the seals getting damaged in the mail, you can use outer envelopes to protect the seals or ask your local post office about hand-sorting or hand-cancelling the mail.
• When creating your own wax seals, it is important to use quality wax and to keep your metal seal cool by placing it on an ice pack between uses.

Silk ribbon: tie your invitations with silk ribbon for a charming and romantic feel

There is something so romantic about silk ribbon. Tying your wedding invitations with silk ribbon will make your guests feel like they are opening a present when they receive your invitations. The traditional option is to use a pretty, wide silk ribbon, tied in a big fluffy bow. This is perfect if you're looking for a romantic and sweet way to hold all the pieces of your stationery together.

You can buy silk ribbon in a variety of colours, from white to blush pink to black, and in different widths. A wider ribbon, such as 1.25", is perfect for a big bow, while a skinnier ribbon, such as 0.5", will give your invitation suite a vintage feel.

If a bow isn't for you, you could try a knot instead. This will lie flatter in your envelope, which means you could save on postage, and it's much easier to tie if you're assembling the invitations yourself. You can also wrap the ribbon around your invitation suite a few times and add a small tag with your monogram or wedding website address.

To calculate how much ribbon you need, first decide whether you want to wrap once around the centre, or both ways like a parcel, and whether you would like to tie a knot or a bow. For one wrap around the middle, measure across the invitation suite and double it, then add three inches for a knot or five for a bow. For wrapping both ways, measure both dimensions, add them and double it, then add three inches for a knot or five for a bow.

Double envelopes: a traditional style of envelope that includes an inner and outer envelope

Double envelopes are a traditional, formal style of envelope that includes an inner and outer envelope. The outer envelope is used for mailing and should list the household name and address on the front. The inner envelope is used to hold the invitation suite and lists the names of each guest, eliminating any confusion over who is invited. The inner envelope is ungummed and unsealed, acting as an additional layer of protection during mailing. It also ensures that guests receive a clean, unmarked envelope for their invitation suite.

When assembling double envelopes, start by sliding an envelope liner into the inner envelope. This will be placed about a quarter of an inch from the top, with the tape strip side facing upwards. Once in position, peel off the backing and press the liner firmly into place, creasing it into the envelope.

Next, place the invitation suite into the inner envelope. The inner envelope will be printed with the names of the guests actually invited to the wedding. Then, place the inner envelope into the outer envelope. The outer envelope will have a gummed strip on the flap for sealing. Slide the inner envelope all the way to the bottom of the outer envelope and fold over the flap to seal it for mailing.

Frequently asked questions