Double Wedding Envelopes

What is the etiquette about lined envelopes for weddings. I always thought the outer envelope was lined and the inner unlined. Your example looks like the opposite. Am I mistaken and is it always done the way your example shows?

- by Brenda E.

I haven't heard of an envelope set where the outer is lined and the inner is unlined. Traditionally, the outer is unlined and gummed and used as a mailing envelope. The recipient can throw away the outer envelope (which has been canceled and possibly beat up by the post office and the different handlers). They're left with a pristine inner envelope that is ungummed and that they can save with the invitation.

- by LCI Paper

Generally, the inner envelope of a double envelope set is 1/8 to 1/4 inch smaller than the outer envelope. This small difference in length and width allows for a the inner envelope to nicely fit inside of the outer envelope without an excessive amount of room in which it can slide around.

On their own, double envelopes will not necessarily require additional postage. However, the United States Postal Service uses standard shape and size parameters to determine whether an envelope will require additional postage. Essentially, if the dimensions or weight of your invitation ensembles fall outside of these parameters, then they will cost more to mail.

When Double Envelopes Will Require Additional Postage

• If they are square: Square double envelopes will automatically require additional postage, as the USPS considers square mail to be an "unusual shape" that falls outside of the standard parameters.
• If they weigh over one ounce: Mail that weighs one ounce or less does not require additional postage, but mail that weighs over one ounce will.

If your invitation ensemble consists of rectangular double envelopes and just one invitation card, it will most likely weigh under one ounce, and will need just one stamp. However, adding response items and additional insert cards to your ensemble typically brings the weight over one ounce. The additional postage cost for this will vary with exact weight.

In all cases, we recommend bringing a finished invitation ensemble to your local post office prior to mailing. This way, you can be sure your wedding envelopes have the correct amount of postage, and will not be marked with an unattractive "Return to Sender" stamp.

We also recommend asking your local post office to hand cancel your invitations

We do not have a true double envelope set to accommodate A9 invitation cards.

However, if you would like double envelopes for your A9 invitations we do have some options available. Some of our customers use a combination of

• A9 envelopes or Lined A9 Invitation Envelopes
• A10 envelopes

using the A9 as the inner envelope, and the A10 as the outer mailing envelope.

Please note that A9 and A10 envelopes are not designed to go together as double envelopes, because there is more space between the two envelopes than there is between the inner and outer envelopes of our double wedding envelope sets. See below:

There is a 1/4 inch difference in height between the two envelopes, and 3/4 inch difference in the width.

Approximately 1/4 inch difference in the height and width

Some of our customers do not mind the extra space between the width of the two envelopes, and some do, so whether this option is right for you is a matter of personal preference.