Mailing Advice
Frequently Asked Questions About Mailing Invitations
How do I assemble my wedding invitations?
When assembling your invitation suite, the main invitation should be on the bottom, with the text facing up. All other pieces should then be stacked on top, according to size, with the smallest card on top. The stack of cards should be placed so that the text is visible when your guest opens the envelope.
Make sure to include a postage stamp on the upper right corner of the reply envelope before mailing your invitations!
How much postage do I need for my wedding invitations?
Wedding invitation postage will vary depending on the number of cards you have and their thickness and size. Take one full invitation to your post office to have it weighed. Remember that your reply envelope will also need a postage stamp!
Ask your local post office to show you options for stamps to use on your invitations. Vintage postage stamps are also available for order through Sincerely, Addison.
When mailing, ask the post office to “hand cancel” your invitations. This means that an employee will stamp each invitation as opposed to having them run through a machine. This ensures that the invitations will arrive to your guests in good condition.
How should I address my wedding invitations?
Invitations should be addressed by either a hand calligrapher, or by using computer calligraphy.
Some etiquette instructions to keep in mind:
Full names should be used, instead of nicknames.
Make sure to use the appropriate social titles. Titles other than Mr. and Mrs. should be spelled out. For example, Doctor, The Honorable (for Judges), and Military titles.
Unmarried couples who live together should be listed on separate lines. Typically, the woman's name always goes first, unless you know the male guest significantly better. The word "and" indicates that a couple is married.
Spell everything out! Instead of abbreviating use “Post Office Box”, “Apartment”, “Northwest”. This goes for states as well. House numbers 1-20 should also be spelled out.
If you have inner and outer envelopes, the outer envelope is addressed with the couple's formal names and address. The inner envelope would then just contain the names of those invited.
If children are invited, they should be listed in age order (oldest to youngest). It is acceptable to list "and family" instead of naming each child if all members of the family are invited. For example, "Mr. and Mrs. John Smith and family". If using inner envelopes, children's names should be listed there.
Each child over the age of eighteen should receive their own invitation even if they live in the family home.
If allowing someone to bring a plus-one, always try to find out the guest's name. It is ideal to address invitations to the specific individuals invited. If that is not possible, the envelope would be addressed as "Mr. John Smith and guest".