So, you’ve got all your wedding invitations together with your new double envelopes, response cards, and any other information or enclosures you’ll be sending to your guests. Now how do you put it all together? What follows are some brief guidelines to help you construct a traditional wedding invitation mailing ensemble. These are merely generally accepted methods — feel free to deviate from them if you want.

Some tips before you actually begin:

- It can be helpful to clear out a space, such as a large table, to work in and and to set up all your materials (inner and outer envelopes, invitations, tissue, response cards, response envelopes, stamps, etc.) beforehand to reduce confusion.
- Make sure you have the correct amounts of invitations and envelopes.
- Pre-stamp your response envelopes.
- You may want to invest in a small bottle of envelope sealer or glue to save your tongue some troubles. Alternately, you can use a moist sponge.

Gather all your invitations, folding them if necessary. Depending on the type of invitation you’re using, the traditional order of insertions can vary. Generally, if your invitation is a no-fold (single card) or single-fold (like a book), your insertions such as protective tissue and response cards go on top. If your invitation has multiple folds, then the insertions should be placed within the first fold. Just remember that if you’re using protective tissue, it should always be placed directly over the printed words on the invitation.

Slide the response card, face up, underneath the flap of the small response envelope. Place this envelope/card combo on top of your invitation. Any other insertions or enclosures such as maps and directions or additional information may be placed on top of the response envelope.

Your invitation, response card/envelope, and enclosures may now be placed — printed side up — within your inner mailing envelope (slide them in so that the flap of the inner wedding envelope opens away from you). This inner envelope is traditionally left unsealed for politeness.

Now, flip the loaded envelope so the guest’s name is facing up (flap side down). Slide the completed inner envelope into the (flap side up) outer mailing envelope, seal it, and you’re done!

The reason for this whole elaborate process is to ensure that your guests are greeted with a professional-looking invitation, and so that all the information is presented in a logical manner. A little preparation and work will go a long way toward helping make your special day all the more manageable and enjoyable.

Further suggested reading:
Wedding Invitation Traditions Part 2 – Double Envelopes
What are single unlined, double unlined, and double lined wedding envelopes?
Double Wedding Envelopes? Inner Envelopes, Why?

Will Collins
willc@lcipaper.com