Once you’ve purchased your wedding invitations, sorted out the postage, and placed everyone’s address on the envelopes, you’ll need to package the invitations together and send them off to your guest list.
Wedding invitations usually have several pieces of paper, like the reception card, hotel accommodation information, and of course, the invitation.
Stuffing your invitations is an important process, as you need to ensure that all of the different pieces of stationery are in the correct order.
If you’re uncertain about this whole process, you’ll find a simple breakdown of how to pack wedding invitations below.
How To Package Wedding Invitations?
Step 1: Size Order
In most cases, wedding invites are packaged in order of size. The largest card, usually the invitation, should be on the bottom, with the smaller ones on top.
Every card should be facing upwards with their print side facing the reader. Begin with your invitation card, ensuring it’s print-face up.
Step 2: Tissue Paper
If you’re using tissue paper, or find that tissue paper is included between each of your invites, you’ll need to decide if you want to use it.
Tissue paper was used in the past to stop the ink from smudging between each sheet of paper, though it’s mainly for decorative purposes now.
If you want to use tissue paper, position the sheet layered on top of your invite card.
Step 3: Reception Card
Now, you’ll need to position your reception card on top of the invitation card, or if you’re using it, the tissue paper.
Step 4: Add Any Remaining Cards
Now you should place any leftover enclosure cards, like the map, hotel accommodations, or directions card, print side up on top, leaving the reception card underneath.
However, if your wedding invitation is a folded card, you’ll need to insert these inside the folded invite, not layered on top.
Step 5: RSVP Envelope
Next, you should position your RSVP envelope on top, with the enclosure cards underneath.
The difference here is that the envelope should be print-side down, so the pre-printed mailing address is facing downwards.
Have the envelope’s flap on the left-hand side, then place your reply card beneath the flap, print-side up so you can see the writing.
Remember to pre-stamp each reply envelope, as this means your guests won’t need to worry about finding postage.
Step 6: Two Envelopes
Formal wedding invites are usually packaged in two envelopes, where the inner envelope has guests’ names on them, while the outer one is printed with the guest’s address and name.
In the case of two-envelope invitations, position the complete packaged invitation within the inner envelope.
This would be under the left edge of a one-card invite, but under the folded edge for folded invites.
Many people wonder if the inner envelope is meant to be sealed, but the answer is no.
The inner envelope’s flap should be left open, as this lets guests read the invitation as they remove it, so they won’t need to turn the envelope around.
Now you need to put the unsealed inside envelope within the outer envelope.
Make sure that your guests’ names are on the outside so that they read their names first as they open the invitations.
Customarily, the writing on the inner and outer envelopes is written in calligraphy.
If you’re using calligraphers services, make sure they receive your envelopes at least three weeks before you need to send them out.
If you prefer, you can print the addresses and names straight onto the envelopes to save time.
Step 7: Single Envelope
If your invitation is less formal, or you prefer single-envelope invites, position your complete packaged invite into one envelope.
The left edge should be first for a one-card invite, or folded edge first if the invite is folded.
As before, make sure the writing for all of the cards is facing upward, as this allows guests to read the invitation as they remove it from the envelope, without needing to turn each card.
Step 8: Wetting The Envelopes
Now you need to wet and seal each envelope. Use a bottled envelope moistener to do this, but be cautious as you do so. Using too much will lead to wrinkled, damp envelopes.
Once you’ve sealed every envelope, place them under a heavy book to make sure they’re sufficiently sealed.
Step 9: Mailing The Invites
Don’t mail your wedding invites just yet!
Take a completely packaged set to your local post office and have it weighed, so you’ll know how much postage you’ll need to pay.
Remember to enquire about international postage rates, if necessary.
After every envelope has been stamped with the appropriate postage, it’s best to have them hand-canceled at the post office instead of sending them through mailboxes.
Hand canceling tells the post office to manually go through the envelopes instead of putting them through machines.
This will prevent your invitations from being damaged through the mail.
The Bottom Line
Once you’ve mailed your invites, you can begin any last preparations for the wedding day!
Wedding invites can have a lot of different cards, but packaging them in the correct order can prevent them from getting lost, as well as make it easier for your guests to read and reply to your invites.
Remember to keep a copy of your wedding invitation as a keepsake, as you never know when you might be feeling sentimental later on.
Frequently Asked Questions
How Many Weeks Before A Wedding Should You Send Out The Invitations?
Wedding invites should be sent to each member of your guestlist six to eight weeks before the big day.
If the wedding is a destination occasion, guests should receive their invitations a minimum of three months before the date.
You can also send save-the-date cards a year before your wedding date.
Should The Inner Envelope Of A Wedding Invitation Be Sealed?
You shouldn’t seal the inner envelope inside a wedding invite. Conventions dictate that the inner envelope is unsealed inside the outer one, with the names facing outwards.
This also lets guests read the invite as they take it out of the envelope, without taking the extra time to open another envelope.
Inner envelopes don’t usually have a gummed seal, so you shouldn’t be able to seal them anyway.
Do You Need A Belly Band For Wedding Invitations?
Belly bands can be a practical method of keeping all of your wedding invitation cards in one place. Your invitation, RSVP card, and enclosure cards will be stored safely in an attractive way.
Belly bands aren’t a necessary touch, but if you do use them, make sure that they match the color scheme of your invites.
