Business Address For Wedding Invites: Tacky Or Practical?

Wedding invitation etiquette can be a complex and nuanced topic, and one common question that arises is whether it is appropriate to mail invitations to a business address. While there is no definitive answer, some considerations include the relationship with the invitee, the formality of the wedding, and the potential for the invitation to get lost in the mail.

Mailing wedding invitations to a business address can be convenient, especially if you are inviting multiple colleagues from the same workplace. It ensures that the invitations are delivered directly to the intended recipients and can save time and effort in gathering personal addresses. However, it is essential to consider the preferences and privacy of your colleagues. Some people may not feel comfortable receiving personal mail at their workplace, especially if the invitation is elaborately designed or includes multiple enclosures.

Additionally, the formality of your wedding and your guest list can influence your decision. If your wedding is a formal affair with a traditional guest list, it is generally more appropriate to mail invitations to personal addresses. This ensures that the invitations are delivered with a sense of occasion and respect for the event.

Furthermore, there is always a risk of mail getting lost, especially when sending multiple invitations to the same address. To mitigate this risk, it is recommended to include a return address and consider using delivery confirmation services or registered mail for added peace of mind.

Ultimately, the decision to mail wedding invitations to a business address depends on various factors, including your relationship with the invitees, the tone of your wedding, and practical considerations such as the reliability of mail delivery. It is always a good idea to consider the preferences and comfort levels of your guests to ensure that your invitation is well-received and viewed as a thoughtful gesture.

Weighing your invitations

• Visit your local post office and have a fully assembled invitation weighed. This step is crucial as inserts, unusually shaped envelopes, and other factors can affect the weight and thus the required postage.
• Take into account any additional items you will be including with the invitation, such as maps, printed directions, or reply cards with envelopes. These enclosures will increase the weight and may require additional postage.
• If you are sending invitations to out-of-town guests, remember to include maps and other inserts tailored to their needs. Assemble two sets of invitations, one with and one without these additional items, and have both weighed to determine the correct postage for each.
• Consider any unique features of your invitations, such as square envelopes or wax seals, which may require a "nonmachinable surcharge" due to their inability to be processed by the post office's machines.
• Purchase wedding-themed stamps from the post office to cover the cost of postage. Keep in mind that some post offices may have limited stock, so allow enough time to find them at another branch or order them online if needed.
• If you are concerned about the appearance of your invitations, consider hand-cancelling. This involves rubber-stamping your postage stamps to "cancel" them, reducing the number of machines your invitations go through and potentially protecting their appearance. This typically costs $0.20 extra.
• For added protection, you can use mailer boxes or clear plastic sleeves to send your invitations. However, this option may require extra postage due to the additional packing materials.
• Finally, always double-check that you have the correct postage before sending out your invitations.

By following these steps, you can ensure that your wedding invitations are correctly weighed and stamped, avoiding any issues with delivery and ensuring they reach your guests without any problems.

Return address format

When it comes to wedding invitation etiquette, there are a few different approaches you can take. Here are some tips and options for the return address format:

Return Address Placement

The return address typically goes on the back flap of the outer envelope. This is the envelope that the post office will see and process. The inner envelope, if you choose to include one, usually contains less information and is not sealed with a gummed flap.

Return Address Etiquette

The return address should be the address of the person or persons hosting the wedding. Traditionally, this would be the bride's parents, but nowadays, it could also be the couple themselves or another host.

No names, only the physical address:

"12 Park Lane, Mobile, Alabama 36695"

First names only:

"Alex and John"

First and last names:

"Alex Jones and John Smith"

Last names plus "wedding":

"Jones and Smith Wedding"

Bride and groom's full names (casual):

"Kari and Bradley, 23848 Dunmore Loop, Mobile, Alabama 36695"

Bride and groom's full names (formal):

"Ms. Kari Johnson and Mr. Bradley Shaw, 23848 Dunmore Loop, Mobile, Alabama 36695"

Return Address Options

There are several ways to get your return address onto the envelope:

• Return address labels: You can create printed labels and stick them on the envelope. This option is affordable and simple but may look inelegant if the labels don't match the envelope colour.
• Pre-printed return address on the envelope: When ordering envelopes online, you can often have your return address pre-printed for a small fee. This saves time but may incur an extra cost and lead time.
• Return address stamp: You can order a custom stamp with your return address and use it over and over again. This option provides a cohesive look if you're also using calligraphy for the guest addresses.
• Calligraphy return address: Hiring a calligrapher to write your return address is the most expensive option but ensures a perfect match in writing style and ink colour.

Mailing or Hand-Delivering Invitations

Whether you're inviting co-workers or a mix of friends and family, there is no definitive rule on whether to mail or hand-deliver wedding invitations. Some people prefer mailing as it's more formal and ensures everyone receives their invitation, while others opt for hand-delivery to save postage costs. Ultimately, the decision is yours, and you can choose the option that best suits your situation and preferences.

Invitation envelope colours

When it comes to wedding invitation envelope colours, there are many options to choose from. The envelope is the first thing your guests will see, so it's important to pick the right colour to set the tone for your wedding. Here are some things to consider when choosing envelope colours:

• Wedding Theme Colours: If you have a specific colour palette for your wedding, you can choose envelopes that match or complement your theme. This could be a simple way to tie your wedding aesthetics together.
• Classic vs. Modern: Traditional wedding invitation envelopes are usually white or ivory. If you want to stick with tradition, these colours are a safe choice. However, if you're looking for something more modern and unique, you can explore other colours like black, silver, gold, or any of your favourite colours.
• Seasonal Colours: You can also consider colours that reflect the season of your wedding. For example, soft pastel colours like yellow, pink, or green for a spring wedding, or rich jewel tones like burgundy, navy, or purple for a winter wedding.
• Personal Preference: Ultimately, choose a colour that you and your partner love and that reflects your personalities. It's your special day, so feel free to be creative and unique!

• White and Ivory: These colours are classic choices for wedding invitations and give a traditional and elegant feel.
• Black: Black envelopes are perfect for a modern or formal wedding. They can be elegant and sophisticated, especially when paired with white or metallic lettering.
• Metallics: Envelopes in silver, gold, or rose gold can add a touch of glamour and luxury to your invitations. These colours are ideal for a fancy or black-tie wedding.
• Pastels: Soft colours like blush pink, light blue, mint green, or lavender are perfect for a romantic, whimsical, or garden wedding.
• Bold Colours: If you want to make a statement, go for bold colours like red, orange, yellow, or purple. These colours can represent a fun, vibrant, and non-traditional wedding.
• Neutrals: For a minimalist or rustic wedding, consider envelopes in shades of brown, grey, or cream. These colours provide an understated elegance.

Remember, you can also mix and match envelope colours and liners to create a unique look. Additionally, if you're having a very small and intimate wedding, you might consider upgrading to luxurious envelopes with textured or pearlescent finishes.

When it comes to mailing wedding invitations to business addresses, it is generally acceptable to do so, especially if you are inviting all your colleagues. However, some people prefer to hand-deliver invitations to their coworkers to save on postage and ensure they receive the invitation. Ultimately, it is a personal preference, and there is no right or wrong way as long as your colleagues receive their invitations.

Invitation postage

There are a few things to consider when it comes to postage for wedding invitations. Firstly, it's a good idea to order extra invitations—around 7 extra is recommended. This is to account for any invitations that get lost in the mail (around 3-5% of mail goes missing), as well as for photographer and keepsake purposes. It's also a good idea to weigh your assembled invitations at the post office to ensure you are using the correct amount of postage. Wedding invitations can easily exceed the weight limit for a standard stamp, especially if they include wax seals, thick ribbons, or square envelopes. These additions may also require a "nonmachinable surcharge" of $0.20.

It's also recommended to hand-cancel your stamps, which means paying a small fee ($0.20) to have them rubber-stamped to prevent reuse. This also reduces the number of machines the mail goes through, which can help protect your envelopes. You can also ask your post office if it's possible to have your envelopes hand-stamped, which will produce a different, more attractive postmark.

If you're concerned about your invitations getting damaged or ruined by inclement weather, you can send them in mailer boxes or clear plastic sleeves, but this will increase your postage costs. Another option is to use the traditional method of an inner and outer envelope, with the outer envelope protecting the smaller inner envelope.

Invitation stuffing

When it comes to stuffing your wedding invitations, it's best to create an assembly line to speed up the process. Clear a table, giving it a wipe down to ensure your invitations remain pristine. Then, lay out all the necessary pieces in neat piles. This will include the invitation itself, any enclosure cards and additional envelopes, and adornments like belly bands, vellum or tissue paper overlays, ribbons, and wax seals.

You can then start assembling your invitation stacks and stuffing them into the envelopes. Here is a step-by-step guide:

• Start with the invitation: Place the wedding invitation face up on the table. This is usually the largest card in the suite.
• Layer on tissue paper or a vellum overlay: This is optional and is usually included to prevent smudging. Place the tissue paper or vellum on top of the invitation card.
• Add the reception card: Place the reception card face-up on top of the invitation.
• Include other enclosure cards: Place any remaining enclosure cards, such as a map, hotel accommodations card, 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 down 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 reply envelope flap, face up, so that the printed side is visible. Pre-address and stamp the reply envelope.
• Insert the suite into the inner envelope: If you are using two envelopes, insert the assembled invitation suite into the inner envelope (left edge first for a single-card invitation; folded edge first for a folded invitation). When the envelope flap is opened, the printed side of the invitation should be visible. Insert the inner envelope into the outer envelope so that the guests' names are visible when they open it up.
• Insert the suite into the outer envelope: If you are using just one envelope, insert the assembled invitation suite into the envelope (left edge first for a single-card invitation; folded edge first for a folded invitation). When the envelope flap is opened, the printed side of the invitation should be visible.

Final Steps

Once you have stuffed your invitations, there are a few final steps to complete:

• Seal the envelope: Use a bottled envelope moistener to wet the gummed edge of your outer envelopes. Be careful not to use too much to avoid soggy, puckered envelopes. Place a heavy book on top of the envelopes to ensure they are securely sealed.
• Add the return address: Apply address labels, skinny wraps, or rubber stamps to each envelope.
• Mail your invitations: Before mailing, bring a fully assembled set to the post office to be weighed so you know how much postage you will need. It's also recommended to hand-cancel the invitations at the post office to reduce the risk of damage.

Frequently asked questions