Ready, Set, Mail: How to Send Your Wedding Invitations Like a Pro
It’s not a wedding without an invitation—after all, without one, there are no guests! But anyone who’s been through it knows: preparing and sending wedding invitations can quickly become one of the most stressful parts of planning, especially if you’re doing it on your own. If you’re working with a stationery designer, they’ll often handle mailing for you (though at an added cost). So if you’re sourcing your invitations through Etsy, Minted, Zazzle, or a similar platform, this guide is for you.
When to Send Wedding Invitations
The million-dollar question that keeps couples up at night: when should invitations actually go out?
As a general guideline:
Save the Dates: 6–8 months in advance for local weddings
Destination weddings: 8–12 months in advance to give guests time to plan travel
For wedding invitations specifically:
Local weddings: send 8–10 weeks before the wedding
Destination weddings: send 10–12 weeks before the wedding
What to Include in a Wedding Invitation
My philosophy is simple: less is more. Your invitation should feel clean, intentional, and direct guests to your wedding website for everything else. This also gives you flexibility to update details without reprinting anything.
Your invitation suite typically includes:
Couple’s names
Wedding date
Ceremony start time
Venue name
City and state
Dress code (optional, but helpful)
Wedding website
Details card (optional) – includes schedule, transportation, hotel blocks, or additional events
RSVP information – deadline and method (card or website)
I strongly recommend online RSVPs. They’re easier for guests and significantly simpler for you to manage.
I Just Received My Invitations… Now What?
Start by assembling one full invitation suite as your sample.
A typical stack order (largest to smallest) looks like:
Invitation (back)
Details card
Additional cards (rehearsal, events, etc.)
RSVP card (if included)
Place everything into the envelope so the pieces face upward when your guest opens it.
Traditionally, you insert the suite as if you’re right-handed holding it in your left hand—so everything reads correctly when opened.
To seal your envelopes, you can use:
Envelope adhesive strips or seals, or
A damp paper towel or sponge (a classic planner trick)
Once you’ve assembled one complete suite, bring it to your local post office. Have it weighed to determine exact postage before buying stamps. Depending on size, weight, and embellishments, wedding invitations typically cost $0.78–$1.75 per piece to mail.
To Hand Cancel or Not to Hand Cancel?
Once everything is assembled, it’s time to mail—but first, consider hand canceling.
Hand canceling is when a postal worker manually stamps each envelope instead of running it through sorting machines. This helps protect delicate invitation suites from damage.
Couples often choose hand canceling if their invitations include:
Wax seals
Ribbon or belly bands
Thick cardstock
Square envelopes
Hand lettering or delicate calligraphy
These elements can sometimes be damaged in automated mail processing, so hand canceling adds an extra layer of protection.
It can help reduce the risk of:
Smudged ink
Torn envelopes
Bent or crushed invitations
Damaged decorative details
Most post offices offer hand canceling, sometimes for free, though some may charge a small fee (typically around $0.21–$0.50 per envelope, depending on location). Policies vary widely, so it’s worth calling ahead—or even visiting a couple of locations.
And if they’re short on time, some couples even offer to hand-stamp envelopes themselves.
The Best Part
Once your invitations are sent, it becomes real in a whole new way. Take a breath, pour a glass of wine, and celebrate—it’s officially happening.
