✉️ Tips for Mailing Your Wedding Invitations
Once your invitations are printed, assembled, and ready to go, it’s time for one of the most exciting steps — sending them out to your guests! ✨ While it may seem as simple as placing them in the mailbox, there are a few important details to keep in mind — especially when it comes to postage, packaging, and protecting your invites.
Below, we’re sharing our top tips to make sure your invitations arrive beautifully and on time.
1. 💌 Understand the Difference Between Acrylic and Cardstock Invitations
Not all invitations are treated equally by the post office!
Acrylic invitations, because they’re rigid and non-bendable, are considered “non-machinable” mail. That means they can’t go through the USPS sorting machines and must be hand-processed — which requires a higher postage rate.
| Invitation Type | USPS Classification | Typical Postage | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard cardstock (under 1 oz) | First-Class Letter | $0.73–$0.78 | Most cardstock invitations fall here. |
| Heavier cardstock or suites with embellishments (1–2 oz) | First-Class Letter (2 oz) | $0.99–$1.07 | For layered or ribbon-wrapped suites. |
| Acrylic invitations (rigid, non-bendable) | Parcel / Package | $5–$6.75 | Considered a "parcel" because it's non-bendable. |
💡 Golden Moments Tip: Take one fully assembled suite to your local post office for an official weight and postage check before mailing the rest.
2. 📏 Weigh One Full Invitation Before Buying All Your Stamps
Even small embellishments — thicker envelopes, wax seals, vellum wraps — can add enough weight to bump you into the next postage tier. Have the post office weigh your heaviest invitation to confirm the rate before buying hundreds of stamps.
3. 💎 Protect Acrylic Invitations with Care
Acrylic invitations are stunning, sturdy, and ready to mail — no bubble mailers or extra padding required. As long as you’re using the envelopes provided by Golden Moments and applying the correct postage rate, they’ll arrive beautifully.
Because acrylic is non-bendable, we recommend:
- Requesting hand-canceling at the post office (so they’re not run through machines).
- Avoiding wax seals on the outer envelope (they can stick during sorting).
- Mailing one test invitation to yourself before sending the full batch — just to confirm timing and postage.
That’s it! No extra inserts or protective sleeves are necessary.
4. 💐 Assemble Thoughtfully
When stuffing your envelopes:
- Stack cards largest → smallest (invite → details card → RSVP).
- Face the front of the invitation toward the envelope flap.
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For suites with inner & outer envelopes, place the unsealed inner envelope (guest name up) inside the outer one.
5. 🕊️ Timing Is Everything
Mail your invitations 8–10 weeks before the wedding, or 12+ weeks for destination weddings.
Save-the-dates typically go out 6–8 months before the big day.
6. 🕯️ A Note About Wax Seals
If your invitation suite includes wax seals, especially our peel-and-stick wax seals, please read this part carefully!
Wax seals can add a beautiful finishing touch — but they’re also one of the most delicate details to mail. During USPS processing, envelopes are stacked, sorted, and sometimes handled under pressure, which means wax seals can crack, stick, or transfer to other mail pieces.
Here’s what we recommend:
- For outer envelopes: Avoid using wax seals directly on the outside. They may catch or melt slightly during handling.
- For inner envelopes or wraps: Wax seals are perfectly safe inside your suite (for example, sealing vellum wraps or inner envelopes).
- If you must use them outside: Ask the post office to hand-cancel your envelopes and consider mailing one test invite first.
- Peel-and-stick wax seals: While convenient, they are slightly softer than poured wax and may not withstand heavy machine handling.
💡 Golden Moments Tip: We recommend placing wax-sealed invitations inside an outer mailing envelope if you’d like that elegant finishing touch without the risk.
7. ✨ Final Checklist Before Mailing
✅ Invitation suite fully assembled and weighed
✅ Correct postage applied
✅ Return address printed or stamped
✅ Hand-cancel request confirmed
✅ One test invitation mailed to yourself
💛 Final Thoughts
Your wedding invitations set the tone for your celebration — and ensuring they arrive safely is worth every bit of care. At Golden Moments, we design both card stock and acrylic invitations with mailing in mind, offering guidance on assembly, packaging, and postage so your guests receive a flawless first impression.
If you’re unsure which postage option your suite will need, we’re happy to help! Reach out before mailing and we’ll walk you through the safest, most elegant way to send your invitations.