Choosing The Perfect Stamp For Your Wedding Invites

Wedding invitations are a special way to invite your loved ones to witness your union and celebrate with you. It is important to select the right postage stamps to ensure your invitations reach their destination. With various options available, from vintage stamps to custom designs, choosing the perfect stamp can enhance the visual appeal of your wedding invitation and make it a cherished keepsake for your guests.

Vintage stamps

Choosing Vintage Stamps:

• Theme and Design: Consider the theme and colour palette of your wedding and try to find vintage stamps that complement this. For example, if you have a floral theme, look for vintage stamps with floral designs.
• Condition: Look for unused vintage stamps, as used stamps can be a letdown. Make sure they are not collector's stamps, as these are likely to have been used and "cancelled".
• Denomination: Vintage stamps are often priced higher than their original denomination. Be prepared to pay more for older, rarer stamps.
• Correct Postage: Ensure that the vintage stamps you choose add up to the correct current postage amount for your wedding invitations. Weigh your envelopes and check the mailing rules to determine the required postage.

Sourcing Vintage Stamps:

• Etsy: Treasure Fox on Etsy is recommended by some for its wide selection of unused vintage stamps, excellent customer service, and quick turnaround.
• Little Postage House: This company offers curated vintage postage collections and can work with you to design a specific collection to match your wedding invitations.
• Flourish Fine Writing: This company also specialises in curating custom vintage postage sets for invitations. You can send them your colour palette or personal details, and they will put together a beautifully curated selection of stamps.
• Other Options: You can also try eBay, Amazon, or your local post office. The USPS website may have a larger selection of stamps than your local branch.

Custom stamps

Designing Your Own Stamps

If you're looking to design your own custom stamps for your wedding invitations, there are a few online services that can help. Services like Zazzle, Minted, and Etsy offer custom stamp designs that you can personalise with your initials, wedding date, or other special details. You can upload your own artwork or choose from their existing templates to create a unique design that coordinates with your wedding theme and colour palette.

Vintage Stamps

Vintage stamps can add a touch of elegance and charm to your wedding invitations. Many couples choose to use vintage stamps that are no longer in circulation, often featuring beautiful intricate designs. You can find vintage stamps at specialty shops, online marketplaces like Etsy and eBay, or through vintage stamp dealers. When using vintage stamps, be sure to verify their authenticity and ensure they still have their full gum adhesiveness.

Customised Postage

Another option for customisation is to create personalised postage featuring your own photos or artwork. Some postal services, like the USPS, offer this service, allowing you to upload your images and create unique stamps that reflect your style. This option is perfect for showcasing your engagement photos or incorporating your wedding colours and themes.

Working with a Designer

If you're unsure about designing your own stamps or need help coordinating your wedding stationery, consider working with a professional designer. They can guide you through the process, from selecting the right stamp size and format to creating a cohesive design that complements your invitations. Designers often have access to high-quality printing services, ensuring your stamps look flawless.

Things to Keep in Mind

When creating custom stamps, it's important to consider the weight and size of your invitations, as these factors will impact the postage required. Be sure to weigh your complete invitation suite, including any enclosures, to determine the correct postage amount. Also, keep in mind that custom stamps may take longer to produce and ship, so plan accordingly to ensure you have enough time for assembly and mailing.

Love-themed stamps

USPS Love/Wedding Stamps: The United States Postal Service (USPS) offers a variety of Love/Wedding-themed stamps that are perfect for wedding invitations. These stamps feature pretty flowers and other appropriate motifs. You can find these stamps on the USPS website or at your local post office. Some examples include the "Celebration Blooms" and "Tulip Blossoms" stamps.

Vintage Stamps: Vintage stamps add a unique and romantic touch to your invitations. These are typically printed decades ago on antique printing presses, giving them a different aesthetic and tactile feel from modern stamps. Vintage stamps can be more expensive, as they have been carefully preserved and are no longer in production. You can find vintage stamps on sites like Etsy, Edelweiss Post, and Little Postage House.

Custom Curated Stamp Sets: If you want something truly personalised, consider creating your own custom stamp set. Sites like Flourish Fine Writing offer custom postage sets that meet your specific requirements and tell your love story. You can also find curated stamp collections on sites like Little Postage House, where you can choose stamps by colour or theme.

Love Forever Stamps: For a simple and elegant option, consider the LOVE Forever stamps offered by USPS. These stamps are super cute and will add a touch of love to your invitations.

When choosing stamps for your wedding invitations, it's important to consider the weight and dimensions of your envelopes, as you may need additional postage for heavier or larger invitations. Be sure to check with your local post office to ensure you have the correct amount of postage.

Floral stamps

The USPS website offers a range of floral stamps, including the Wedding Blooms stamp, which features an abstract bouquet of flowers and greenery rendered in vibrant ink and gouache. This stamp can accommodate heavier invitations and is valid for the rate printed on it. The USPS also offers the Tulip Blossoms stamp, which features multiple stamp designs and formats.

For those looking for a more unique option, combining vintage floral stamps with other themed stamps is a great idea. For example, one could pair vintage floral stamps with stamps featuring lemons, grapes, or coffee for a fun and unexpected twist.

When choosing floral stamps for wedding invitations, it is important to consider the weight of the invitation and the correct postage amount. It is also worth noting that some people may prefer more simple designs, as a lot of postmarks can cover the stamp.

Weight and size of the invitation

The weight and size of your wedding invitations will determine how much postage you need to buy. For example, a thicker invitation may require additional postage. It's important to ensure you have enough postage on each envelope, otherwise, your invitations may not be delivered and could be returned to you.

You can calculate the correct postage by weighing your invitations and checking the mailing rules. This will help you determine if you need to purchase additional ounces or if your invitations fall into a different category, such as large envelopes or odd-sized/non-machineable letters.

There are also postage calculators available online that can help you determine the right amount of postage based on the weight and size of your invitations.

Additionally, if you're using vintage stamps or combining different sets of stamps, make sure they add up to the correct postage amount. It's worth noting that vintage stamps are often priced higher than their denomination, and you'll want to avoid any that are intended for collectors as they may have already been used.

Frequently asked questions