How to Stuff Wedding Invitations

There is etiquette involved in stuffing wedding invitations.

Your wedding invitations communicate much more than simply the time and place of your wedding. They also convey your wedding's tone and theme. So while at first glance, concerning yourself with the proper way to stuff your wedding invitations might seem a bit trivial, if you wish to express an air of elegance and tradition, there is a proper way to assemble the materials. Because your guests will surely appreciate the extra time and effort you put into the presentation of your invitations, be certain to pay careful attention to the process.

Things You'll Need

• Wedding invitations (non-folding)
• Wedding invitation tissue papers (optional)
• Enclosures (e.g., reception card, reply card with envelope, map and directions card)
• Inner envelopes
• Outer envelopes

Instructions

1. Place your invitation face up on a table, then lay the tissue paper over the words of the invitation. It is not absolutely necessary to use the tissue paper. Its original purpose was to prevent the ink from smudging on its journey from the printer to the customer. Over time, however, it became tradition to include the tissues when mailing the invitations.

2. Set the largest of your enclosures, with the text facing up, on top of the tissue paper (or on top of the invitation if you have chosen not to use the tissue paper). Place the second largest enclosure on top of that. Continue until you have placed all of your enclosures on top of your invitation, from largest to smallest. The text on all of the materials should be facing up and in the same direction. Your response card and its envelope will likely be one of these enclosures. When arranging it, tuck the response card under the flap of its envelope before placing it in its proper order on the stack of enclosures.

3. Insert this collection of invitation materials into the inner envelope, with all of the wording facing the back of the envelope (that is, toward the flap).

4. Place the inner envelope, closed but unsealed, inside the outer envelope. The flap of the inner envelope should be facing away from you, toward the front of the outer envelope.

Tips & Warnings

• Remember to include postage on the enclosed response card envelopes.

• Mail your invitations at least four to six weeks before your wedding date.

• Because of the enclosures and extra envelopes, wedding invitations often require extra postage. To avoid returns and delays, bring an assembled invitation to your local post office and have a postal employee weigh it to determine the correct amount of postage.

• Be aware that there are also customs to follow when addressing both the inner and outer envelopes of wedding invitations (see Resources).

• Know that there are specific instructions and traditions regarding wedding invitations that fold, including exactly how to fold and position them (see Resources).

Resources

• Rexcraft: Wedding Etiquette
• Beau-coup Favors, Inc: Assembling and Mailing Your Invitations