Here's a little refresher on the ins and outs of snail mail and what you need to know about selecting postage for your wedding invitations.

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What are my postage options?

 

For the purpose of discussing wedding stationery, postage falls into one of two categories: Forever Stamps and “vintage” stamps. 

 

What is a Forever Stamp? As the name suggests, Forever Stamps can be used to mail a 1 oz. letter regardless of when the stamps are purchased or used and no matter how prices may change in the future. Forever Stamps currently retail for $0.60 per stamp and are sold in sheets of 20. 

 

Pros: Cost efficient, envelopes look clean and only require 1 (maybe 2) stamps each.
Cons: The only con here is possibly aesthetic. There aren’t as many design or color options available compared to vintage stamps.

 

What is a “vintage” stamp? If it’s not a Forever Stamp, it falls into the vintage category. I’ve quoted “vintage” because we’re not necessarily talking about stamps that are decades old, but rather any stamp that includes a specific denomination amount. 

 

Pros: Curated sets of vintage stamps will match and enhance the look of your invitation suite. Cons: More expensive than Forever Stamps. 

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How many stamps will I need for my envelopes?

 

The weight of your envelopes will determine the amount of postage required. Take note! The USPS will be increasing prices on July 10, 2022. Purchase your forever stamps at the current rates below while you can!

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1 oz. or less = 60 cents of postage or a 1 oz. Forever Stamp

Additional Ounce Forever Stamp rate: 24 cents

2 oz. = 84 cents of postage or a 2 oz. Forever Stamp

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Pro tip: If you need more than one stamp, you can upgrade for the ounces needed rather than adding more of the same value stamp. If you add two One Ounce Forever Stamps to a two ounce envelope, you would be paying $1.20 for an item that should only cost $0.84.

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How do these weights translate to each of my envelopes?

Save The Dates - Your save the dates will weigh 1 oz. or less, requiring $0.60 worth of postage. 
 

Invitation Suite - Most invitation suites will fall under the 1 oz. weight limit and again, require $0.60 worth of postage. If your suite goes over 1 oz. in weight, you will need additional postage.

 

RSVP Cards - If your invitation suite includes RSVP cards, your enclosure envelope will require $0.60 worth of postage.

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In addition to the amount of stamps required to post your save the dates and invitations, it's a good idea to order extra in case of any last minute guest additions or envelope addressing errors. Plus, it never hurts to have extra stamps on hand for thank you cards.

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What about international guests?

 

Envelopes leaving the United States will require additional postage.

 

1 oz. or less = $1.40 worth of postage or a 1 oz. Global Forever Stamp

2 oz. or more = postage rate will vary by country. Please check with USPS.

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Where can I purchase stamps from?

 

For the best selection, I recommend ordering online. Here are my go-to's:

USPS  |  Etsy  |  WalMart  |  Ebay

 

For vintage stamps, check out Etsy or Ebay and search for “vintage postage stamps”. So many options! Here are some of my favorites:

Verde Studio  |  Underwood Letterpress  |  Love The Postage  |  Edelweiss Post

 

Pro-tip: Love the look of vintage stamps but working with a Forever Stamp budget? Use Forever Stamps for mailing to your guests and purchase a few curated sets of vintage stamps to use for photos and keepsakes. 

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When should I purchase stamps?

 

I recommend you start browsing now so you have an idea of what's out there. If you fall in love with something, let me know! We can add it to your mockups so you can see what it all looks like together. Once you've approved of your suite for print, that's when I recommend placing your postage order. By waiting until the end of the design process, you can be sure you've selected stamps that coordinate with your final envelope and suite colors.

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Do you have any postage questions?

 

Shoot me an email! I'm happy to share what I know. 

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Please note: These quoted postage rates are current as of July 2022 and are subject to change. It is always recommended that you take your invitation suite to the post office prior to mailing to confirm the proper postage amount. Homestead Ink is not  liable for any issues that may arise when dealing with the United States Postal System.