Wedding Invitations and Postage

Many couples at the beginning of their wedding planning journey are focused on wedding invitations in regards to the overall look, style, and how to wow their guests. Working with an amazing stationer or having your invites arrive for you to assemble and mail out gets you pumped - but how do you get these beautiful works of art to their destinations? What stamps do you use? What the heck is "hand-canceled" or "non-machinable"? What about Vintage Postage, where do you get it? ...It's a lot to consider once you're ready to head to the Post Office and can be extremely overwhelming when maybe snail mail isn't your regular jam

The cost of mailing a standard wedding invitation can vary depending on factors such as the weight, size, and destination. In the United States, as we head into 2024, a standard one-ounce wedding invitation typically requires a First-Class postage stamp (think "Forever Stamp" as more people are familiar with that term). In 2024, the value of a First-Class (or "Forever stamp") will be bumping up to $.68. The great thing about Forever stamps is they will hold whatever value they are assigned - hence "forever". so even if you buy 100 of them for your invites in 2023, but are not mailing until after the value goes up in 2024, you are still covered as long as your invitations fit within the designated specs (being 1oz and standard rectangle shape/size).

**A reminder as well that if you are opting for mail-back RSVP cards, don't forget to add postage to them before assembling and sealing your envelopes! Guests are more likely to mail them back in a timely fashion if all they have to do is drop them back in the mail already paid for.

What if my wedding invitation is heavier than one ounce?

More than likely, it is. If your wedding invitation weighs more than one ounce, you'll need to add additional postage. The exact cost will depend on the total weight of the invitation and any additional enclosures, such as RSVP cards or extra inserts. This is pretty standard as well as couples typically opt for heavier-weight cardstocks for their invitations, which bumps the weight up. Other factors that increase the cost of postage can be wax seals, ribbon ties, as well as acrylic invitations - which sometimes must be treated as packages depending on how thick they are.

Invitations weighing more than one ounce may only require an additional ounce postage

stamp paired with a forever stamp - which your post office clerk should be able to tell you relatively easily. The next step up, is if your invitations need to be hand canceled. When you are investing in beautiful paper goods for your event, this is crucial to ensure they arrive to your guests in the best condition. Hand canceling is a postal service process in which a postal worker manually stamps a cancellation mark on a piece of mail, typically by using a rubber hand stamp. This process is used to prevent automated sorting machines from processing the invitations, which can bend, tear, and cause a lot of damage. The cancellation mark applied during hand canceling typically includes the date and location of the post office or mail processing center where it was processed - so sometimes this in itself is a special touch if you are having a destination wedding and want them processed through the local post office.

If your invitations are especially thick, rigid, or a nonstandard size or shape - this will push you up into the next bracket being a parcel, which currently is around $5 per envelope to mail. If you want to avoid this high of a postage charge, it is important to discuss with your stationer your expectations about design and budget early on so they can design something amazing but with your priorities in mind.

How do I get my invitations Hand-Canceled?

If your wedding invitations need to be hand-canceled, you can request this service at your local post office. Keep in mind that there may be an additional fee associated with hand canceling, and not all post offices offer this service, so it's a good idea to check with your local postal service to see if it's available and what the associated costs are. The other issue here is that unfortunately some postal workers may not understand hand canceling and will try to charge you a package rate for your invitations - don't be afraid to ask for another worker's opinion or even go to a different post office, as a stationery designer, I have had to do this on multiple occasions when I go to not usual post office and am told the envelopes need to be run as packages if I don't want them to go through the machines.

The second piece of hand-canceling is having a "non-machinable" rate stamp, which covers the surcharge of the pieces having to be hand-sorted. You can always add additional stamps to meet this value if you don't have a true non-machinable stamp on hand, but you need to be sure to go in and hand the invitations to a clerk and verbally confirm with them that you need them hand canceled and ask them to double check that you have the correct amount of postage.

What about Vintage Postage?

Finding and curating vintage postage stamp collections for your invitations adds a beautiful and charming touch - plus extra flair for your envelopes! There are many online retailers that sell bulk out-of-circulation stamps, or will even curate a set for you based on color/region, etc. What you need to expect here is that you are paying an additional fee for this service in addition to the actual cost of mailing your invitations, so you will need to budget accordingly. One other hidden cost associated with vintage postage is the time cost of applying them via tape runner or glue-stick to envelopes. When you have to apply 5 stamps to your invitations versus 1, you are assigning yourself a lot of extra work to get them ready to mail.

The best practice for vintage postage is also to take in a sample of your invitations to be weighed and double-checked for value at the Post Office, it's better to be sure they are good to go than having them bounce back to you or arrive to your guest with "insufficient postage" that they must pay for.

My favorite places to source vintage postage are from sellers on Etsy, as well as Little Postage House and Edelweiss Post.

How early should I send out wedding invitations?

Sending out wedding invitations well in advance is important to give your guests enough time to RSVP and plan for the event. Typically, from what I see with my clients, wedding invitations are mailed 8-12 weeks before the wedding date, with save-the-date cards or notices sent 8-12 months before the wedding date. If you have a lot of guests coming from out of state or out of the country, the more notice you can give them to make travel arrangements, the better. Opting for a mail-back RSVP card can also add to the timeline, as you then have to wait for guests to send them back, and there is always the potential they could get lost in the mail or guests forget, and then you have to make phone calls and follow up. If you are opting for RSVPs to be done electronically via a website or email, you can shorten the timeline a bit.

Can my Stationer do this instead?

Absolutely! Most stationery designers are happy to handle the mail out for you - yes there will be an additional fee for the postage, as well as the time, but you are investing in ensuring that they are sent out correctly the first time. Many will also handle finding and curating vintage postage as well if you want to add that service on. When in doubt, trust the professionals - whether it is the Stationery designer or the Post Office Clerks, we are on your side to get your invitations where they need to go, and keeping them safe and beautiful while in transit.

Wedding Sign Materials - pros, cons, and what you need to know

Paper, chalkboard, mirrors, oh my! It's daunting enough choosing materials to bring the vision for your big day to life, but have you also considered the environmental impact? Below, we break down the pros and cons of various signage materials as well as discussing some of the impact to our planet.

Looking back over the last eight years that L&D has been creating wedding details and specifically day of signage, watching the trends shift has given rise to an interesting internal struggle. L&D was created by recognizing that many signs needed in weddings, did not need to be a one time use, and either kept by the couple—who would want to keep a 200 person seating chart in their home—or toss them in garbage. This was around the time that chalkboards became a popular choice for use, and from there making the jump to renting chalkboard signs that could then be returned and reused by dozens of couples. This also typically allowed couples to on average spend less money for "custom" signs being that they were rentals, and could also be placed in different frames to be more versatile.

Next up were re-useable wood signs and mirrors, which changed the industry again as couples now had either a more rustic / organic option as well as a more glam / romantic direction in mirrors. These, along with chalkboards, were most typically being hand-lettered with chalk and chalk or water based paint pens, which you can erase with Windex.

Then there was a major shift into acrylic. Clear acrylic, solid core acrylic, painted acrylic, it gave rise to so many more aesthetics and themes or color stories that the options really became limitless. What also came along with this, was a sudden realization that this material was not nearly as reusable as chalkboards, mirrors and wood signs. Frequently, when couples reach out about their day of needs, many of them are wanting to create as little waste from their wedding as possible—which, hell yes, weddings create so much trash it's insane, and the first option they jump to is acrylic, with the rational that it is reusable. While this is true, it is only so to a certain extent. That is why it is important we actually look at the pros and cons of each material option for your celebration:

CHALKBOARDS

Pros: Chalkboards are versatile and can be used for a variety of wedding signs, from seating charts to menus. They can be purchased pre-made or can be created using chalkboard paint which also comes in many colors. Chalkboards are versatile, can be reused for different events many many times, many in my inventory have been used 50+ times with new chalkboard paint in between to touch up scratches.

Cons: They can be difficult to read from a distance, and the chalk may smudge or rub off if not sealed properly, although using chalk pens or water based paint pens tends to solve this problem.

Environmental Impact: Chalkboards themselves are relatively low impact, as they are typically made from slate or other natural materials. However, using chalk or chalk markers can generate waste and may contain chemicals that can be harmful to the environment.

WOOD SIGNS

Pros: Wooden signs are a classic choice for weddings, can be painted or stained to match the wedding theme and are quite durable. They can be made from various types of wood, such as plywood, reclaimed wood, or pallet wood and sealed to actually become reusable with chalk pens or vinyl.

Cons: They can be heavy and difficult to transport, and they may warp or crack if exposed to moisture or extreme temperatures.

Environmental Impact: The environmental impact of wooden signs depends on the type of wood used and how it was harvested. Opting for reclaimed or salvaged wood can reduce the impact, as it reduces the need for new logging. However, if the wood is sourced from non-sustainable forests or if excessive amounts of energy are used in the manufacturing process, it can have negative environmental impacts. The chemicals used to seal the wood so it can be useable also has it's own impact. While we do get many uses out of each of our wood signs, they can be scratched and damaged to the point of needing to be disposed of, which, with the sealant makes them not recyclable.

ACRYLIC SIGNS

Pros: Acrylic signs are modern and sleek, and can be customized with text, graphics, or even photos. They can be clear, frosted, or colored, and can be mounted on stands or hung from the ceiling. They are a very versatile option and can be cut into unique shapes as well as layered and cut with a laser cutter.

Cons: They can be expensive, can scratch or crack if dropped or mishandled, and may reflect light in a way that makes them difficult to read. They can be damaged by cleaning chemicals and can only be reused a handful of times based on the finish before they must be cut down and used for other purposes, or inevitably be thrown out.

Environmental Impact: Acrylic signs are typically made from petroleum-based plastics, which have a high carbon footprint and can take hundreds of years to break down in the environment. However, some companies offer recycled or biodegradable acrylic options that can be more sustainable, but unfortunately these are not "on trend" with many wedding looks. At L&D we try to get the most use out of our acrylic as possible, and larger pieces that can no longer be used are cut down and used for other projects like making bases etc. Unfortunately, there is still acrylic that will end up in landfills and it's impact is huge. Custom printed acrylic (not vinyl graphics or hand lettering) cannot be reused and go straight to the landfills.

FABRIC SIGNS

Pros: Fabric signs can add a soft, romantic touch to a wedding. They can be made from canvas, burlap, linen, velvet, silk, and even more options and can be painted or printed with custom designs. They are also lightweight and easy to transport.

Cons: They can be delicate and may require special care to avoid wrinkling or staining on the day of.

Environmental Impact: The environmental impact of fabric signs depends on the type of fabric used and how it was produced. Opting for natural fibers like organic cotton or linen, or recycled materials, can reduce the impact. However, synthetic fabrics made from polyester or other petrochemicals can have a high environmental impact. One possibility for recycling printed fabric, or at least giving it a longer life is to sew it into keepsakes like pillows a throw blanket etc. Some of the larger pieces I also cut down to use for cleaning rags.

PAPER / FOAM CORE SIGNS

Pros: Paper signs are a budget-friendly option and can be easily customized with text, graphics, photos and calligraphy. They can be printed on cardstock, kraft paper, or even vellum, and can be framed or hung with string. Paper signs are lightweight and easy to transport.

Cons: They can be delicate and may rip or tear if not handled carefully, and may not hold up well in outdoor settings or in humid conditions. Frames are a good thought if outdoors at a windy location.

Environmental Impact: Paper signs and their impact depends on the type of paper used and whether it was produced sustainably. Choosing recycled or FSC-certified paper can reduce the impact, as can minimizing the amount of paper used. Paper can also be shredded down to use for packing materials, or cut down to note size and written on as scratch paper - again with the goal being to extend the life as much as possible. Foam core is a more rigid option for printing signs and holds up better during the event, and is recyclable, but typically must be taken to a recycling center.

This is an overwhelming amount of information and we encourage couples to talk with their stationer or day of designer about what is important to them in regards to desired look, what sign materials are practical for your setting, and also how to reduce their environmental impact. From the L&D standpoint, painted back acrylic is the least eco friendly option as the paint colors tend to not be as popular to reuse, removing the paint takes a lot of harmful chemicals and ruins the finish, and lasercutting paint is not recommended. One solution we propose to couples wanting this look is to do signs they will want to keep in their homes as painted back, typically a welcome and a bar sign as those two are fun keepsakes, and then we do the rest of the signage in the rental materials of clear, frosted, black or white. They still look cohesive by keeping the same fonts throughout and adding illustrations.

A last point to be brought up is that in the last few years there has been a shift to using vinyl on signs for that more perfect, modern look. L&D has made this change more out of necessity than being on trend. As a mom of small kids, I needed to be able to work more quickly, which vinyl allows for. The tradeoff is that removing the vinyl creates more waste, both with the actual vinyl pieces and the chemicals used to remove it. This is the internal struggle I mentioned, having created a company out of seeing an unnecessary waste that could be reduced by rental options, only to come full circle and now be facing the fact that I am creating more of that waste, just in a different process. If you feel passionately about this, please opt for hand lettering on you items—just tell us when you inquire that it is important to you! The best thing we can do is continue educating within the industry as well as making information easily available to those planning weddings and other events.

Want to discuss these points further? Reach out! This post is based on my personal experience running this business and the research I have been able to find, but I am open to learning more and working together to make better changes within the wedding industry and for our environment!

Gabby's Dollhouse 3rd Birthday Party

My daughter, Luna, was born in 2020—which meant in 2021 for her first birthday, we were still mid pandemic, so no big party (but we did have Schitt's Creek Photoshoot, go find the post!). In 2021 we also discovered that she had a dermoid cyst above her eye that would need to be removed, which of course was scheduled two days before her second birthday. We had a very small family party planned but her eye was so swollen and she was just not feeling great so we cancelled it. Yes, she was a baby and will never remember these birthdays, but as a mom in the events industry, all I wanted was to give her a big party and really CELEBRATE her! Plus being isolated for so long just made it that much harder. Bring on 2023...we spent a month dealing with illnesses like RSV and colds, and possibly stomach flu—I actually had to move the party I had been planning for her a week back, thankfully that just gave me more time to decorate!

You can find a link to all the goodies I ordered through Amazon here — hopefully to make your life easier!

Luna has loved Gabby's Dollhouse since she was around 15 months old—she loved the songs and colors and learned a lot of her first words watching the episodes. When I asked what she would like her party theme to be, her key words were "Gabby's dollhouse, rainbow, and Halloween!" ...the Halloween threw me, but because she dressed as the Gabby's Dollhouse character "Pandy" for Halloween, I told her she could wear her costume and I would wear mine - I was Gabby. After that, I set to making our small space have all the Gabby - cat accoutrements I could manage. I created custom cat cuts on my laser-cutter, as well as vinyl stickers to place all over, such as on planters, the lights, the kitchen tiles, and there was even one on the toilet—you might as well have fun with it right!? We also had six shelf spaces in our family room, the same number of rooms as in Gabby's Dollhouse, so I printed the backdrops and taped them in between the shelves, so standing back it was like looking into the show!

Amy Johnston with Johnston Style and Confetti Friends PDX created some awesome pastel rainbow balloon arches - because I did not forget she mentioned rainbows, plus I found a rainbow arch serving tray on Amazon!

I was definitely feeling the pressure of having a lot of kiddos over, so I tried to have some activities spread out. I found some cute puzzle piece photo frames that kiddos could decorate if they needed a bit of quiet craft time. It worked great to have paint sticks, glue, pom poms and stickers in plastic candy style jars so the artists could see what they were grabbing. The ball pit and play room were a hit, as well as the backdrop wall with fun cat-themed favor boxes.

Probably the most exciting element of the party was the Pandy cake made by the fabulous Liz Marek of Sugar Geek Show and Confetti Friends PDX. While Pandy looked adorable, the cake he was holding was actually a mini cake that served as Luna's own personal cake! She was so excited watching it come over and for us all to start singing.

I am so very grateful to finally have the big party I have always wanted for Luna, we have spent the last year of her going to other birthdays and being so excited to sing for her friends and celebrate them, I just wanted her to know what it was like to be on the other end. She loved it. And we definitely ate cake for at least three days in a row! A huge shout out to Bunn with Bunn Salarzon Photography and of Confetti Friends PDX for giving us these photos to remember such a fun day.

Party made possible by:

Confetti Friends PDX

Liz Marek - Sugar Geek Show / Cake

Bunn Salarzon - Photography

Amy Johnston - Balloon arches

Brittany Aguila - Letters & Dust / Decor and Signs