10 Forgotten Wedding Expenses

When planning your wedding, you are going to find many posts & lists regarding the wedding budget.  But many of those forget about setting aside funds for "miscellaneous" expenses such at those listed below:

• Postage for save the dates, wedding invitations and response card, thank you cards for shower and wedding gifts 
• Clothing for pre-wedding events
• Alterations for wedding attire
• Feeding and parking for vendors
• Tips and gratuity
• Marriage license
• Accommodations the night before the wedding
• Month-of coordinator
• Hair and make-up trials
• Officiant fees

Until next time...WEDologize!

(Photo credit - Alvarado Photography)

Really??? Postage Rates DECREASE!

Usually I'm writing a blog about postage rates increasing, but not this time.  As for 4/10/16, the First Class stamp has decreased from $.49 to $.47!!!  This is just in time for wedding season.  There have been a few additional changes.  Please see below:

The additional ounces of first-class letters will drop to $.2, from $.22.
International letters drop to $1.15, from $1.20.
Postcards drop from to $34, from $.35

Until next time...WEDologize!

Another Postage Increase!!!

As of May 31st, postage rates have increased again!  Out of the blue, too!!!  So if you have purchased your wedding stamps...you are going to need to visit the Post Office again.

The first class (1 ounce, metered mail) stamp will remain the same price of $.49.  This is the stamp used on most respond card envelopes.
BUT
For that additional ounce, the rate goes from $.21 to $.22.  This means, the $.70 stamp you purchase to mail most wedding invitations is no longer $.70 but now $.71.  And guess what, most Post Office do not have the $.71 stamp in stock yet :(  Also the $.34 post card stamp has now increased to $.35.

SO what does that mean for you?  Head back to your local Post Office and grab some $.1 stamps so that you can mail your wedding invitations.

Until next time...WEDologize!

(photo credit - www.usps.com)

Mail Handling Your Wedding Invitations

Let’s assume that you have already ordered your invitations and you now have your invitation mock or print proof.  

What you should do with that proof (after making sure that all the information is correct, of course) is mail it to yourself.  Take the proof to the post office, ask someone to run it over the scales and through the sorters to find out the postage costs. Buy that amount of postage, and mail it to yourself that day.  Track the number of days it takes to arrive and see what condition the envelope is in when it comes to your home.  Only after you are satisfied with the receipt and condition should you purchase postage for the total number of invitations you will be mailing.

Some glossary terms that will help you in the process are listed below.  Final tips and tricks will wrap up this Method Monday at the end of our post…

• Postage - the total monetary value of the stamps placed on the outside envelope to guarantee delivery to the addressee or recipient. 
• Weight - the amount of ounces the total invitation envelope measures on a calibrated postal scale.
• First Class Postage – the current cost for mailing a ‘regular’ size 1-ounce or less envelope.  Currently that is $ .44 cents.  It is not scheduled to increase in 2011.  It is also the current value of any forever stamp.
• Non Machineable - the categorization of an envelope that is not able to be run through the postal machines.  Anything that is too rigid, too thick or not the right shape will be considered non-machineable.  The extra fee for a non-machineable envelope is $ .21 cents
• Square - an envelope that is the same size on both edges.  The extra fee that is paid for a square envelope is THE SAME FEE that you will pay if your invitation is too rigid to sort.
• Oversize - any envelope whose larger edge is greater than 6 ¼” wide.  There is an extra fee for an oversize envelope.
• Additional Postage - the amount in excess of $ .49 to mail an invitation.  Additional ounces and non-machineable fees are considered additional postage. 
• Hand Cancelling - means having the person behind the counter use a rubber stamp to mark the postage as ‘spent.’  It WILL NOT prevent your invitation from being sent through the sorting machines.
• Minimum mailing size - the size that a piece of mail must be in order to be legally mailable.  Currently that size is 3 ½” by 5”
• Postcard - a single card printed with information on one side and an address on the other.  It must be a certain thickness and size to be mailable, and it costs less than first-class regular postage.  The maximum size for a postcard is 4” x 6”  Currently, the postcard costs $ .34 to mail
• Hand Sorting - the process by which small packages are run through the postal system.  This is not the same as hand cancelling.  Hand sorting goes into a different bin at the post office.  If you want an envelope to be hand sorted – you will have to pay the non-machineable fees.

While there are several more intricacies of the US Postal Service and their categories, extra fees and additional services, this information will give you a beginning postal primer.  What to keep in mind when mailing (and sometimes when ordering) your invitations is that the general or average weight of an invitation ensemble is between 1.7 and 2.5 ounces. The first ounce is $.49 and each additional ounce will cost $.21 each.  Most pocket invitations are considered too rigid for the sorting machines, so there will be another $.21 fee.  But that also covers a square invitation, so size won’t be an obstacle when you order.

If you pay the $.21 non machineable fee, be sure to give your invitations to a person to have them HAND SORTED, not hand cancelled.  The process of hand sorting ensures that a person not a machine looks at them each step of the way.  When taking them to the counter, use the phrase “Put these with the spurs and small packages.”  It should  ensure that they are delivered to your guests in pristine condition.  Boxed invitations are considered small packages and postage costs are based upon weight and classification.

These tips and tricks should help your invitations get to their destination as pretty as they were the day they were picked up from the stationer.  Overall, if you choose to have a completely custom invitation created for you, then the additional postage costs to ensure they are gorgeous when put into your friends’ and families’ mailboxes will be small in comparison to the reduction in worry about how the post office will handle your invitations.

Thank you to Kasey Larson of DBY Invitations for allowing us to post this very informative article!!!

Until next time...WEDologize!

(photo credit - www.rushphotovideo.com)

Addressing Wedding Invitations

Addressing wedding invitation outer and inner envelopes is a HUGE project!  You should begin working on addressing about a month before you actually plan in mailing the invitations.  This will alleviate a lot of stress.  But of course, there are some tips that you should be aware of before going to the post office.  Take a look:

Inner Envelopes (if applicable)

• Inner envelopes bear the title and last names of the specific people invited. It is acceptable to write familiar names for close family members.
                  Examples:     Mr. and Mrs. Sonnek
                                       Aunt Mary and Uncle Phil
• The names of children who are 18 years old and younger should be written on separate lines below their parents' names.
                  Example:     Mr. and Mrs. Sonnek
                                      Leah Sonnek
                                      Logan Sonnek
• Children 19 years old or older who still live at home with their parents should receive their own invitation.
• If inner envelopes are not being used, the children’s names are written on the outer envelope below the names of their parents.

Outer Envelopes

• Outer envelopes should be addressed conventionally using titles and full names (first, middle, and last).
• Middle initials aren’t used, so either write out middle names (if known), or omit them.
• All titles should be written out, except "Mr." and "Mrs."
• All other words should be written out (Street, Saint, Post Office Box, North, Apartment, etc.). House numbers under twenty should be written out, as well.
• Proper etiquette indicates to write out the state name; however, the two-letter postal code abbreviation is also acceptable when dealing with limited space. 

Until next time...WEDologize!

(photo credit - https://www.etsy.com/shop/CTDESIGNSWED; Tips - http://dejanaeevents.carlsoncraft.com)

Overlooked Wedding Invitation Tips

Once you have selected your wedding invitation suite, it's time to get them packaged and in the mail to your invited guests.  Below are a few tips to consider when working on the preparation, assembly and mailing process. Take a look:

• Use the names of all guests whenever possible. Using "and guest" just isn't as warm and friendly.
• Get names, titles, and addresses correct when addressing. It's impressive and flattering! When in doubt, ask.
• Invitation envelopes should always be handwritten. Printed labels are not acceptable. Consider hiring a calligrapher or enlisting the help of others if you feel overwhelmed.  If a calligraphist isn't possible, ask your stationery designer about digital calligraphy.
• Take an assembled invitation to the post office and have it weighed to ensure proper postage. If invitations vary (e.g., one for local guests, another for out-of-town guests) have each variation weighed.
• Before sealing the outer envelope, make absolutely sure that the names on the inner and outer envelopes match.
• Mail all invitations at the same time. Don't wait to see how many will be attending from the first mailing before sending another. Simply estimate that 10 to 20 percent of invited guests will send regrets; doing this is so much better than using a standby guest list.

 

Until next time...WEDologize!

(photo credit and tips from - http://dejanaeevents.carlsoncraft.com)

2014 Postage Rate Increase

Get your Forever stamps for Save The Dates and wedding invitations before the postage rate increase takes effect on January 26, 2014.  The First-Class stamp is not increasing by one cent but by THREE CENTS!!!  See the details below:

• Letters (1 oz.) — 3-cent increase to 49 cent.  This stamp will be used for most Save The Dates and the reply card envelope.
• Letters additional ounces —  1-cent increase to 21 cents.  This stamp will be on the outer envelope for most wedding invitations.  So the cost will go from $.66 to $.70 to mail a complete invitation suite.
• Letters to all international destinations (1 oz.) — $1.15
• Postcards — 1-cent increase to 34 cents

STOCK UP NOW!  Just think, if you are mailing on average 100 wedding invitation suites w/ a reply card and envelope, the cost will be $1.19 per household/invitation for a total cost of $119.00 just on postage.

Until next time...WEDologize!

Postage Rates Are Increasing...Again!

On January 27, 2013 postage rates will increase AGAIN.  Get your Forever Stamps now for those save-the-dates, wedding invitations and thank you notes you will be sending this spring.  The new rate charges are below:

• Letters (1oz.) — 1-cent increase to 46 cents
• Letters additional ounces — unchanged at 20 cents
• Postcards — 1-cent increase to 33 cents
• ...and USPS is introducing a new GLOBAL stamp that will allow you to mail a one-ounce letter anywhere in the world for $1.10.

 

Self Mailers a.k.a. Seal and Send Invitations must be able to go through the machines WITHOUT damage.  If damage occurs, they will need to be "hand cancelled" a.k.a. hand stamped for an additional $.20.  This change will take effect on January 5, 2013. 

Until next time...WEDologize!

(picture credit - www.ridingtype.com and www.DejanaeEvents.com)

Stamps Have Gone Up Again!

Effective on Sunday, January 22nd, postage rates have increased once again. Gotta love this economy :)  See the details below as your move forward with your wedding stationery budgets.

Letters (1 oz.) are now 45 cents.  These stamps will be needed for your basic Save The Date and reply card envelope.

Letters (2 oz.) are now 65 cents.  These stamps will be needed to mail your standard size wedding invitation set, which include the invitation, reception card and reply card.
***Note: Square-shaped invitations and postcards will still cost extra.

Postcards are now 32 cents.

So if you have 44 cent stamps, you will need to apply a 1 cent stamp in order to receive it back in the mail.  Still, I always suggested to take your wedding mailing inside the Post Office to have it properly weighed to ensure your guests will receive their envelope.

Until next time...WEDologize!

(photo credit: www.perfectpostage.com; www.brides.com; www.stamps.com)
 

Postage for Wedding Invitations

One of my favorite invitation designers, Christy of CT Designs, wrote a blog about envelopes and a thought popped in my head to discuss postage! Many brides are ordering and now receiving invitation suites for their summer 2011 weddings. It's now time to pay that visit to USPS to get the invitation and it's enclosures weighed for mailing.

Below you will find the current postage rates:

Postcard
$0.28

1st class up to 1 oz
$0.44

1st class up to 2 oz
$0.61

1st class up to 3 oz
$0.78

1st class up to 3.5 oz
$0.95

Non machineable surcharge (Square)
$0.20

But please note, some of the postage rates listed above will are scheduled to change on April 17, 2011.

Until next time...WEDologize!

(photo credit - http://www.weddingsbycolor.com/)

Addressing Etiquette and Assembly

Now that you have selected your beautiful invitation ensemble and they are in your possession, it's time to assemble those invitations and get them in the mail! The first thing you want to do is take a completely assembled invitation, including enclosures and the envelopes, to the post office to get it weighed for mailing. Most invitations will cost at minimum $1.05 to mail and can require additional postage do to weight and shape. This amount will include the outer envelope postage and the reply card envelope postage, so remember to include this cost in your stationary budget.

Now you need to get your best girlfriends together and plan an "invitation assembly" day...the more help the merrier! If your invitation suite contains the following components - outer envelope, invitation, reception card, reply card and envelope - they should be assembled in the following fashion:

From top to bottom
Invitation
Reception Card
Reply Card (tucked under the flap of the reply envelope)
Reply Card envelope (and don't forget to adhere postage)
Additional inserts such as Direction or Accommodation Card
...Then place these components into the INNER envelope
...Finally you will place the stuffed inner envelope into the outer envelope flap-to-flap and adhere postage.

Rather you are hiring a calligraphist to address the outer envelope or using labels or writing them your self, there are certain rules of etiquette that you should consider:

• Avoid nicknames or abbreviations unless you are using the following salutations - Mr., Mrs., Ms., Miss, Dr., Rev., Jr., Senior, Roman Numerals, etc.
• Use full titles when addressing the military
• It is okay to use a First initial if you do not have the full first name
• City, State and Numbered Streets are spelled out
• Avoid the phrase "and family" but instead list everyone who is invited in the household on the inner envelope
• Both the names of two unmarried people living in the same household should appear on the envelopes
• Your return address should appear on the back flap of the outer envelope

Until next time...WEDologize!