Franklin Dean
When it comes to wedding invitations, the envelope is an important consideration. Not only do you want to choose an envelope that reflects your style and wedding theme, but you also need to ensure it is practical and will reach your guests without issue. While coloured envelopes can add a unique and stylish touch, it is important to be mindful of potential issues with mail delivery. Dark-coloured envelopes with light-coloured text, for instance, may not be properly read by mail sorting machines, causing delays or even the loss of invitations. To avoid this, it is recommended to use cream or white envelopes with dark text, ensuring sufficient contrast for easy readability. Additionally, consider using address labels with good contrast to guarantee delivery. Ultimately, the choice of envelope colour depends on your preference, but being aware of potential issues can ensure a smooth process and a positive first impression for your guests.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Colour | White, cream, ivory, red, blue, green, yellow, orange, pink, purple, grey, brown, black, silver, gold, etc. |
| Size | 12 x 17, 9 x 12, 6 x 9, 4 x 6, 3 x 4, 4 x 8, 4 x 7, A7 (5 x 7), 5 x 8, square, small, etc. |
| Type of seal | Gummed, peel and seal, button and string |
| Type of flap | Euro flap, square flap, V-flap, pocket, open top |
| Type of paper | Kraft, recycled, laid paper, translucent, glassine bags |
What You'll Learn
Contrast between envelope and writing colour
When selecting the envelope colour for your wedding invitations, it is important to consider the contrast between the envelope and the writing colour. A dark-coloured envelope with light-coloured writing can be striking and elegant. However, it is crucial to ensure that the writing colour stands out clearly against the envelope colour to avoid delivery issues.
Opting for a dark envelope, such as navy, black, or dark green, paired with metallic writing in gold, silver, or white can create a sophisticated and luxurious look. Nevertheless, it is essential to be mindful of the potential challenges that may arise during delivery. Some postal services use machines to read the mail, and if there is insufficient contrast between the writing and the envelope, it may cause delays or even result in invitations being misplaced.
To circumvent this issue, consider using a light-coloured envelope, such as cream, white, or light grey. These colours provide an excellent backdrop for darker writing, ensuring that the address is clear and legible. Alternatively, if you prefer a darker envelope, you can use a white address label to ensure sufficient contrast and avoid any potential delivery problems.
Ultimately, the choice of envelope and writing colour for your wedding invitations should not only reflect your personal style and wedding theme but also be practical and functional to ensure a smooth delivery process.
Crafting Vintage Wedding Invitations: A Step-by-Step Guide
You may want to see also
Wax seals
When it comes to wedding invitations, wax seals are an elegant and traditional way to secure your envelopes. Here are some tips and ideas for incorporating wax seals into your wedding invitations:
Types of Wax Seals
Colours and Designs
Things to Consider
When choosing wax seals for your wedding invitations, it's important to consider the colour of your envelopes. As shared by some users on Reddit, dark-coloured envelopes with insufficient contrast in the writing may cause issues with mail delivery. It's recommended to use white or very light-coloured envelopes, such as blush or sage, to ensure your invitations are delivered without delays. If you have your heart set on a darker envelope, consider using white address labels or opting for lighter-coloured writing to ensure readability. Additionally, hand-cancelling your mail at the post office can help ensure special mail isn't sorted by machine, reducing the risk of delays or damage.
Wedding Guest Lists: Invite Numbers and Event Duration
You may want to see also
Envelope colour and delivery time
When it comes to wedding invitation envelopes, there are a few things to consider when it comes to colour and delivery time. Firstly, the colour of your envelope can greatly impact the delivery time of your invitations. It is recommended to avoid brilliant or dark-coloured envelopes, especially if the text on the envelope is in a light colour, such as white. This is because postal services often use machines to read the mail, and if there isn't enough contrast between the text and the envelope colour, it may not be read properly and could result in delays.
To avoid potential issues and delays, it is best to opt for light-coloured envelopes, such as cream, ivory, or white. These colours are also commonly preferred by brides as they coordinate well with bolder-coloured invitations or invitations featuring photos. If you have your heart set on a coloured envelope, it is recommended to use a white address label to ensure there is enough contrast for the machine to read the address. Alternatively, you can hand-cancel the mail at the post office, ensuring it is processed by hand rather than by machine. This method is often used for fancy mail, such as wax-sealed envelopes or those with calligraphy addresses.
Another factor to consider is the time it takes for your invitations to be delivered. Depending on the postal service and your location, it can take up to several weeks for your invitations to reach your guests, even if they are local. It is recommended to send out your invitations 10-12 weeks prior to your wedding date to account for any potential delays. For destination guests, it is advisable to add an extra 4 weeks to ensure their invitations arrive on time.
In summary, when choosing the colour of your wedding invitation envelopes, opt for light colours such as white or cream to ensure timely delivery. If you prefer a darker or more colourful envelope, consider using a white address label or hand-cancelling the mail to avoid potential delays. Additionally, keep in mind the delivery timeframes provided by your postal service and send out your invitations well in advance to ensure your guests receive them in a timely manner.
Including Apartment Numbers on Wedding Invites: A Simple Guide
You may want to see also
Envelope size
When it comes to envelope size, the standard invitation size is a 5"x7" card, which can be oriented vertically or horizontally. This classic style should have enough room for most of your text as long as the design isn't too elaborate. If you have more information to include, you can opt for a tall/thin/skim invitation (4"x9"), a large invitation (6"x8" or 7"x9"), or a square card (5"x5").
The size and shape of your wedding invitation envelope should match the largest element within your invitation bundle. As a rule of thumb, the dimensions of your envelope will increase by 1/4 inch for both height and width for the largest part of your invitation bundle. For example, a classic 5" x 7" invitation will come with a 5 1/4" x 7 1/4" envelope.
If you're sending a coloured envelope, be aware that some postal services use machines to read mail, and if there isn't enough contrast between the letters and the background, your invitations may not be delivered. It's a good idea to use a white address label to ensure there's enough contrast for the machine to read.
Preserving Wedding Invites: The Art of Shellacing
You may want to see also
Envelope flap style
The flap style of an envelope is an important consideration when choosing your wedding invitation envelopes. Here are some options to consider:
Euro Flap Envelopes
The Euro flap style is a popular choice for wedding invitations, offering a modern and elegant look. These envelopes feature a distinctive, slightly curved flap that gives them a stylish appearance. Euro flap envelopes are available in a wide range of colours and finishes, allowing you to match your wedding theme or colour scheme. They also come in various standard invitation sizes, ensuring a perfect fit for your invitations.
Square Flap Envelopes
Square flap envelopes have a crisp, contemporary look, with straight edges and a sharp square flap. They are often chosen for their simplicity and versatility. Square flap envelopes are typically available in white or ivory, creating a neutral backdrop for your invitations. This style is also offered in coloured options, allowing for customisation and a pop of colour.
V-Flap Envelopes
V-flap envelopes feature a distinctive V-shaped flap that adds a unique touch to your wedding invitations. This style is often chosen for its ability to stand out and make a statement. V-flap envelopes are usually available in classic colours such as white or ivory, providing a traditional and elegant option for your wedding invitations.
Pocket Envelopes
Pocket envelopes, also known as inner and outer envelopes, are a traditional option for wedding invitations. This style consists of two envelopes, with the inner envelope fitting inside the outer one. Pocket envelopes are often chosen for formal or traditional weddings and can add a layer of elegance to your invitation suite. They are typically available in white or ivory, complementing the refined nature of the style.
When selecting envelope flap styles, it is important to consider the overall aesthetic of your wedding invitations, as well as your colour scheme and theme. The flap style can enhance the visual appeal of your invitations and create a lasting impression on your guests.
Should You Invite Ex Family to Your Wedding?
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
Envelopes for wedding invitations come in a variety of colors, including white, ivory, red, blue, green, yellow, orange, pink, purple, gray, black, silver, and gold.
Most brides prefer to use white or cream-colored envelopes for their wedding invitations.
Yes, you can use colored envelopes for your wedding invitations. Colored envelopes can make your invitations stand out and create a memorable first impression. However, it is important to note that using dark-colored envelopes with light-colored text may cause delivery issues with USPS.
USPS uses machines to sort mail, and if there is not enough contrast between the envelope color and the text, it may not be read correctly by the machine. This can result in delays or even the invitation being lost in the mail.
To avoid issues with USPS, it is recommended to use white or cream-colored envelopes with dark-colored text. If you want to use a colored envelope, ensure there is enough contrast between the envelope and the text. You can also use white address labels or hand-canceling to ensure your invitations are not sorted by machine.
