Both traditional wax seals and new peel and stick faux wax seals add an elegant, romantic touch to a wedding invitation. Larissa Hensley offers an explanation of the advantages of both types of seals, as well as some helpful tips on applying traditional wax seals.

How does the application of traditional wax seals differ from the more modern faux wax peel and stick seals?

The new peel and stick wax seal is an exciting creative product on the market. The stunning improvement in application process of peel and stick wax seals over the application of traditional seals is one of the reasons why. What was a relatively time-consuming, meticulous process for the crafty types is now a relaxing, easy process for beginners to advanced crafts people. That is not so with the traditional type.

I recall the first time that I applied wax seals the old way on an invitation project. The burning candle and dripping wax, in combination with my beautiful invitations that could be ruined with one wrong move of the hand, certainly required intense concentration on my part. I can’t think of a way someone could make a mistake with a peel and stick process, and I recommend them. Nonetheless, here are some tips if you want to proceed with the traditional wax process.

• You are working with a flame so be careful!
• Dripping wax can get messy. (You might find wax not just on your wax seal but on your furniture, clothing, and/or on random areas of your invitation.)
• Unsightly black carbon from the burning wax can appear on your final seal. Try blending the dripped wax in a circular manner to remove the carbon.
• You need to get it right the first time. If you have to remove the melted wax seal, the paper might tear as the wax soaks into the paper and also the wax will leave a stain on your invitation. Make a light pencil mark where you want the seal and perhaps create a few extra invitations in case of errors.
• Melted wax seals require drying time so plan accordingly and do not be tempted to touch the seal before it is dry.

What’s so exciting about the new wax seals is that they evoke the beauty, romance, and elegant taste of yesteryear, and they are so easy to apply!

Can traditional melted wax seals or modern wax peel and stick seals be sent through the mail?

There is no guarantee of the traditional melted wax seal staying attached to the envelope when going through the modern day postage system. Therefore, placing the invitation with traditional seal in a padded envelope is recommended. The new peel and stick wax seals take care of this limitation. LCI peel and stick seals will stay attached on the outer envelope, and the post office will accept them.

I am putting together an invitation for an outdoor bridal shower using the Love’s Brocade design. I’d like to use a seal on it. What type and color of seal would you recommend?

The Love’s Brocade design features LCI’s soft pink, pleasingly tactile 100% cotton handmade paper in combination with the intricately laser cut Silver Brocade Heart sticker. Even though the LCI wax seal also features a heart motif, I wouldn’t recommend adding another design element to this invitation. The exquisite silver laser cut sticker is the “main attraction” or “the icing on the cake,” and placing a wax seal on the envelope would detract from the element you want in the spotlight. One of the tricks of creating any visual work is knowing when you’re done. One suggestion is to create another version of the Love’s Brocade design with a pink or white bow replacing the Silver Brocade Heart sticker and then using either the silver heart faux wax seal or the pearl heart faux wax envelop seal on the outside of the envelope. A bow is a simpler element that will not compete with the wax seal but instead is a lovely compliment.