Best Way to Sign, Seal and Deliver Wedding Invitations

Wedding invitations have their own special rules

By Jen Whitten

Photo by iStockphoto.com

The day you pick up your wedding invitations from the printer is an exciting day because it means you are ready to complete yet another task from your list. It may be tempting to slap everything together and drop the invitations in the next mail slot you see, but wedding invitations have their own etiquette. Make sure your invitations arrive early and provide a lovely glimpse of what guests can expect at the wedding.

• What You Need to Know
• Consult your calendar and to-do list to determine how far in advance invitations should go out.
• Ask for help assembling your invitations, but envelope addressing should be done by one person in the same handwriting.
• Have your guest list with addresses prepared; track down any doubtful or unknown addresses.

Step 1:

Address your envelopes. Do this by hand as opposed to using address labels to give your wedding invitations a classic look. Spell out words in the address instead of using common abbreviations.

Step 2:

Assemble the wedding invitations. Elements vary by bride, but the concept remains the same. As the largest inclusion, the wedding invitation goes on the bottom with the response card nestled under the flap of its envelope. A piece of tissue paper, if included, goes on top of everything.

Step 3:

Insert the invitations into the envelope. Place the inner envelope face down so that the invitations are facing the envelope's opening.

Step 4:

Close the inner envelope. You can fasten it with a seal, moisten the adhesive strip or tuck the flap inside the envelope.

Step 5:

Insert the inner envelope into the addressed envelope.

Step 6:

Seal the outer envelope for mailing. Use the adhesive strip on this envelope to close it to avoid lost contents and tearing in transit. The additional use of a seal is optional.

Step 7:

Visit the post office. Let the postal clerk weigh your completed wedding invitation to find out how much postage costs.

Step 8:

Purchase and affix the appropriate postage. So long as the amount is correct, you may use any stamp you like. Love stamps are typical, but any stamp that fits your theme is acceptable.

Step 9:

Ask for hand canceling. The postmark machine can flatten or tear wedding invitations. Having a person apply the postmark by hand allows your invitations to stay in pristine condition.

• Tips & Warnings
• Proofread your wedding invitations before leaving the printer or stuffing the envelopes. Once they're gone, it's too late to make changes.
• Separate your inner envelopes from the outer envelopes to avoid addressing the wrong set.
• Consider hiring a calligrapher to address your wedding invitations.
• Never wait until the last minute. Mail wedding invitations six to eight weeks in advance.
• Address your envelopes before you stuff them.
• Don't purchase stamps until you know the exact cost of postage for your wedding invitation unless you want to risk having them returned.