I’m almost done with the invites. I promise! Until then… the paper details. When I was researching for invitations and first started reading Weddingbee, I was so overwhelmed with paper terminology and types.
overwhelmed with invitation details
Here are ourinvitation details – hopefully to help someone out there!
Sizing
I used a standard A7 (5″x7″) size for the main invite and 4bar (3-1/2″ x 4-7/8″) for the reception and RSVP cards. This made it easier to find pre-made envelopes.
Weight
Mrs. Pug did a nice series on paper here. I also found this reference guide from Paper and More very helpful. I recommend around 110# to have that invitation “feel”. For the envelope liner, go as thin as you can cut for two reasons 1) it’s easier to cut and fold thin liners and 2) saves on postage.
Paper
Envelope Liner: Print Icon 24# Text in Silver Dot
Main Invite (A7 size), Reception, and RSVP (4bar) Cards: Crane Lettra 110# in Fluorescent White
Card backing: Paper Presentation Classic Linen 80# cover in Charcoal
- The Crane and Linen papers have very nice texture. The Lettra is made for letterpress but if you use digital or offset printing, your printer person might recommend a less textured/less soft paper so that the print stays crisp and doesn’t bleed.
Envelopes
Outer A7.5: Paper Presentation Classic Crest in Solar White
RSVP / Reception card 4bar: Paper Presentation Classic Crest in Solar White
Inner A7: Print Icon Vellum in White
Twine: Divine Twine in Oyster and Lemon
- Originally, I sent my envelopes to a printer to do the addresses. The professional sized machine warped the envelopes and the heat sealed them shut. I ended up printing them on my home printer (came free with my Mac). I did have some creases but I’m blaming that on USPS.
- Tip: Buy EXTRA envelopes if you’re printing at home. You’ll run into snafus like printing on the wrong side or upside down, etc. Or test print on some envelope-sized papers.
- Printing on vellum? Change your print settings to draft or transparent to lessen the ink used. Allow enough time for the ink to DRY completely for no surprise smudging.
Twine tying options
First attempt at printing envelope – creased with rando dashes
Postage
The invitation ended up weighing in at 81 cents and that’s because of the twine tie adding the “package surcharge”. Be sure to bring it in to ask your friendly USPS rep and don’t say you want to mail it “regular mail” because it doesn’t exist. It’s called First Class mail and Mr. Lobster learned that the hard way. LOL.
a king and a queen for my 81 cents
Lobster Lesson: start putting together your details WAY ahead of time. I procrastinated because of indecision and didn’t account for snafus that ended up adding a couple of weeks. Now I’m pushing the envelope (HAHAHA – is that an invitation pun? I hope so.) on the proper RSVP window time for my guests. And please. For the love of invitations. Proofread. A LOT.
Did invitations take much longer than you expected? What kind of obstacles did you run into?
This article was originally posted onWeddingbee.
