Creating A Wedding Invitation Suite With Double Envelopes

Wedding invitation assembly can be a confusing process for many couples, but it's not rocket science. If you're using two envelopes (an inner envelope and an outer envelope), the process is a little more elaborate. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to put together wedding invitations with two envelopes:

1. Gather and assemble your invitation materials: Depending on the type of invitation you're using, the traditional order of insertions can vary. For flat and single-fold cards, additional materials like protective wedding tissue and response cards go on top. For multiple-fold cards, insertions should be placed within the first fold.

2. Place the complete invitation ensemble inside the inner envelope: Insert the invitation, response card/envelope, and enclosures, printed side up, within the inner mailing envelope. The inner envelope is traditionally left unsealed for courtesy.

3. Place the inner envelope inside the outer envelope, with the address side out: Flip the loaded envelope so that the guest's name is facing outwards. Slide the completed inner envelope into the outer mailing envelope and seal it.

Order of cards

The order of the cards in a wedding invitation suite is important to ensure that all the information is presented logically and clearly to your guests. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to order the cards when putting together your wedding invitations:

Step 1: Start with the Main Invitation Card

The invitation card should be at the very bottom of the stack, with the printed side facing up. This is typically the largest card in the suite, so it makes sense to build the rest of the suite on top of it.

Step 2: Add Tissue Paper or Vellum Overlay (Optional)

If you have chosen to include a sheet of tissue paper or vellum overlay, place it on top of the invitation card. Traditionally, this was used to prevent smudging, but it is now more of a stylistic choice.

Step 3: Stack the Reception Card

If you are including a reception card, which provides details about the time and location of the wedding reception, place it face-up on top of the invitation card (or the tissue paper/vellum, if using).

Step 4: Add Other Enclosure Cards

Place any remaining enclosure cards, such as a map, hotel accommodations, or travel information cards, on top of the reception card. If there are multiple enclosure cards, order them from largest to smallest, with the largest card closest to the invitation card.

Step 5: Include the RSVP Card and Envelope

Place the RSVP envelope face-down on top of the stack of 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 stamp the RSVP envelope!

Step 6: Add Finishing Touches (Optional)

If you wish to include finishing touches such as a belly band, ribbon, or vellum wrap, now is the time to assemble them around your invitation suite.

Once you have ordered the cards correctly, you can insert the fully assembled invitation suite into the inner envelope (if using double envelopes) or directly into the outer envelope. Remember to insert the invitation suite with the left edge going in first for a single-card invitation, or the folded edge first for a folded invitation.

Inner envelope

The inner envelope is traditionally used to indicate the names of the invitees and contains the invitation inside. It is placed inside the outer envelope, which is stamped and addressed. The inner envelope is usually left unsealed as a courtesy.

When addressing the inner envelope, you can be more informal. For married couples with the same last name, you can use "Mr. and Mrs." followed by their last name. For married couples with different last names, write out their full names with "Mr." or "Mrs." included. For unmarried couples, list both names with their respective titles on one or two lines. For single persons, use "Mr." for males, "Ms." for females, and "Mx." for non-binary guests.

When assembling the invitation, place the invitation card at the bottom, print side up. If you are using a reception card, place it face up on top of the wedding invite. Then, stack any other enclosure cards, such as direction or detail cards, face up on top of the reception card. If you are using a response card, place it under the flap of the response envelope, face up, and place the envelope on top of the stack of cards, with the flap on the left. Finally, place the whole suite into the inner envelope with the guest's name facing out.

Outer envelope

The outer envelope is the first thing your guests will see when they receive your wedding invitation, so it's important to get it right. Here's a step-by-step guide to assembling and addressing the outer envelope:

• Insert the Invitation Suite: Place the invitation card, along with any other inserts such as RSVP cards and information cards, into the inner envelope. Make sure they are facing the correct way and are not folded or bent. Once the inner envelope is prepared, you can place it inside the outer envelope.
• Addressing the Envelope: The outer envelope will include the recipient's address, as well as return address. The return address is typically placed in the upper left corner of the envelope. This lets the post office know where to return the invitation if it is undeliverable. You can use your own address or the address of the venue, followed by "RSVP" or "Kindly Respond".
• Addressing a Married Couple: When addressing a married couple, the traditional format is "Mr. and Mrs. James Johnson" if the wife has taken the husband's last name. If the wife has kept her maiden name or uses a hyphenated name, the format would be "Mr. James Johnson and Ms. Janet Jones" or "Mr. James Johnson and Ms. Janet Jones-Johnson", respectively.
• Sealing and Posting: Once you have addressed the outer envelope and inserted the inner envelope with the invitation suite, it's time to seal the envelope. Make sure you have the correct postage for the size and weight of your invitation suite, and place the stamps in the upper right corner of the outer envelope. You can then drop off your invitations at your local post office or in a mailbox.

Remember to proofread all addresses and ensure that you have the correct postage before sending out your wedding invitations.

Tissue paper

If you are using a double envelope, the tissue paper should be placed between each layer. If you are using a single envelope, the tissue paper should be placed over the invitation before placing it in the envelope.

The tissue paper can be used to protect the invitation and ensure that it is not damaged during the mailing process. It can also add a touch of elegance and tradition to your wedding invitations.

When assembling your wedding invitations, it is recommended to have all your materials laid out in front of you, including the envelopes, invitations, tissue paper, response items, stamps, etc. This will make the process more efficient and help you avoid any confusion.

• Start by placing the invitation card face-up on the table.
• If using tissue paper, place it on top of the invitation card.
• Add any additional cards, such as reception cards, face-up on top of the tissue paper or invitation card.
• Place the reply envelope face-down on top of the stack, with the flap on the left.
• Insert the reply card under the reply envelope flap, face-up, so that the printed side is visible.
• If using a double envelope, insert the assembled invitation into the inner envelope, with the left edge first for a single card or the folded edge first for a folded invitation. The printed side of the invitation should be visible when the envelope flap is opened.
• Place the inner envelope into the outer envelope, with the guests' names facing the back flap.
• If using a single envelope, insert the assembled invitation into the envelope following the same instructions as for the inner envelope.
• Seal the envelope and add any necessary postage.

Your wedding invitations are now ready to be mailed!

RSVP card

The RSVP card is a critical part of your wedding stationery suite. It is important to get the RSVP cards right as they will determine how and when your loved ones confirm their attendance. Here is a detailed, step-by-step guide on what to include on your RSVP cards and how to put them together:

What to Include on Your RSVP Cards:

• A blank line for guests to write their names: On a formal RSVP card, write an "M" at the start of the line to indicate that guests should include their proper honorific (Mr., Mrs., Ms., or Miss) before their name.
• Accept or decline: The primary purpose of an RSVP card is to learn who is coming to your wedding. So, include an attendance line for guests to accept or decline your invite. This could be formatted as checkboxes, circling, or fill-in-the-blank lines.
• RSVP deadline: Set an RSVP deadline of around four weeks before your wedding date and feature it prominently on the card.
• Food preferences and dietary requirements: If you are serving dinner at your wedding reception, include guests' food preferences and dietary restrictions or food allergies.
• Special request line: You can also include a special request line on your RSVP cards. This could be song requests, guests' drink of choice, or a favourite memory of the couple.

How to Put Together Your RSVP Cards:

• Place the RSVP card and envelope towards the top of your invitation suite, with the envelope flap on the left.
• Insert the reply card under the envelope flap, face up, so the printed side is visible.
• Pre-stamp the reply envelope.
• If you are using a belly band, ribbon, or vellum wrap, assemble this now and place it towards the top of your invitation suite.
• Insert the whole suite into the envelope with the cards facing up.

Frequently asked questions