# How to Assemble Wedding Invitations: Stacking Order, Vellum, Ribbon and Wax Seals, Step by Step

URL: https://gracefulstudio.co.uk/journal/how-to-assemble-wedding-invitations · Updated 2026-10-20 · By Beth

**Short answer:** To assemble wedding invitations, stack the cards largest to smallest with the invitation at the back and every card facing up. Add the RSVP card with its envelope at the front, then secure the stack with a clip, ribbon or vellum wrap and seal. Slide it into the envelope so it faces your guest when opened.

Knowing how to assemble wedding invitations properly makes the difference between a stack of cards and a suite that feels like a gift when it’s opened. The good news: there’s a simple order to follow, and once you’ve made the first one, the rest is a rhythm. This guide covers the stacking order, which way the cards face, vellum, ribbon, wax seals, RSVP cards and the envelope, plus how long it all takes.

First, a choice. Our invitations can arrive **assembled for you**, with the cards stacked, the ribbon tied and the seal in place, or **as separate pieces** if you’d love to put them together yourself. Just let us know which you’d prefer when you send over your details. If you’re weighing it up, the table below should help.

## Assemble them yourself, or let us do it?

|  | Assemble yourself | Assembled by us |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Time | A few minutes per invitation, so a few evenings for a full set | Very little. The suite arrives put together, ready for addressing and posting |
| Best for | Couples who enjoy a project, or want to add something personal | Busy couples, large guest lists, or anyone who’d rather not tie 60 bows |
| Finish | As neat as your patience allows | Consistent from the first invitation to the last |
| Flexibility | You can tweak the order or add a note to individual guests | Choose your ribbon, seal and envelope colours when you order |

Ordering assembled? Skip ahead to [posting](#postage). Putting them together yourself? Read on.

![Grace wildflower wedding invitation, square details card and RSVP card laid out as separate pieces on a dusty pink envelope, beside peach silk ribbon, pearl wax seals, a wax seal stamp, pearl wax sticks and a gold teardrop clip](https://gracefulstudio.co.uk/products/grace-wildflower-wedding-invitation-set/grace-wildflower-wedding-invitation-set-4.jpg)

## What you’ll need

- A large, clean, dry table, cleared of drinks and anything greasy.
- All your printed pieces, counted, with the proof beside you to check against.
- Sharp fabric scissors for ribbon (paper scissors fray it).
- A ruler or a pre-cut ribbon template, so every piece is the same length.
- Wax seals, plus a wax melter or glue gun and a stamp if you’re pouring traditional wax.
- A damp sponge or envelope moistener for gummed envelopes. Please don’t lick 60 of them.
- Your guest list with addresses, in the same order as your envelopes.
- Stamps, once you’ve checked the size and weight of a finished invitation.
- Optional: cotton gloves for vellum, a bone folder for crisp folds.

## The stacking order for wedding invitations

What order do wedding invitations go in? The simple rule is **largest at the back, smallest at the front, all facing up**, so that when your guest lifts the stack every card is visible at once. With our suites, that looks like this:

1. **The invitation** (5×7 inches) at the back, face up.
2. **The details or enclosure card** (120 mm square) on top of it.
3. **The RSVP card** (A7, 105 × 74 mm) at the front, with its return envelope behind it or the card tucked under the envelope flap.

If you have more enclosure cards, such as a map or an evening schedule, slot them between the invitation and the RSVP card in size order. Some stationers put the invitation on top instead, with the inserts tucked behind it; it’s equally correct. What matters is choosing one order and repeating it for every guest. Not sure what belongs on each card? See our guides to the [details card](https://gracefulstudio.co.uk/journal/what-to-put-on-wedding-details-card) and [RSVP wording](https://gracefulstudio.co.uk/journal/wedding-rsvp-wording-uk).

### Which way should the cards face?

All the same way: face up, top edges aligned, text reading the right way round. Square the stack by tapping the bottom edge gently on the table, then centre the smaller cards so there’s an even border showing on the invitation.

### Does the RSVP card go in front of the invitation?

In a stacked suite, yes: it’s the smallest card, so it sits at the front where it’s easy to find. Address the RSVP envelope to yourselves and, if you’d like replies by post, stamp it too. Guests are far more likely to reply on time when all they have to do is tick and post.

## How to assemble wedding invitations, step by step

1. **Check every piece** against your proof and count them. It’s much easier to spot a missing RSVP card now than after the envelopes are sealed.
2. **Set up a production line**: one pile per card type, left to right in stacking order, with ribbon, seals and envelopes at the end.
3. **Prepare the RSVP envelopes** first: address them to yourselves and add stamps if you’re including them.
4. **Stack the cards** largest to smallest, face up, and square the edges.
5. **Secure the stack** with a clip, ribbon, belly band or vellum wrap (details below).
6. **Add the wax seal**, over the ribbon knot or where the vellum meets.
7. **Make one complete invitation and weigh it** before going any further.
8. **Insert into the envelope** so it faces your guest when opened, then seal it.
9. **Address and stamp** the outer envelope.

Do each step for the whole batch before moving on: all the stacking, then all the ribbon, then all the seals. It’s quicker than finishing invitations one at a time, and every one comes out the same.

## How to assemble wedding invitations with vellum

Lay the vellum jacket flat, place your squared stack in the centre, and fold the sides in so the edges meet (or overlap slightly) at the front. Run a finger lightly along each fold rather than pressing hard, as vellum creases easily. Hold it closed with twine, ribbon or a belly band, then add the wax seal where the edges meet. Handle vellum by its edges with clean, dry hands, because fingerprints show.

![Grace wildflower invitation suite wrapped in a vellum jacket with the invitation, details card and RSVP card showing softly through, tied with two loops of natural twine and closed with a pearl floral wax seal, on a dusty pink envelope](https://gracefulstudio.co.uk/products/grace-wildflower-invitation-sample-pack/grace-wildflower-invitation-sample-pack-3.jpg)

## How to assemble wedding invitations with ribbon

Cut every piece of ribbon to the same length before you start: wrap one around a finished stack, tie the bow, trim it until you like it, then untie it and use it as your template. A bow on a 5×7 invitation usually needs roughly 50–70 cm, depending on the ribbon width and whether it wraps the whole stack.

- **Wrapped ribbon**: wrap it around the stack, cross it at the back, bring both ends to the front and tie a flat bow or a simple knot.
- **Threaded bow**: if the invitation has punched holes, thread the ribbon through from the back, tie the bow on the front and keep the loops even.
- **Under a seal**: tie a single flat knot rather than a bow and press the wax seal over it. It’s the flattest option for posting.
- **Finish the ends** with a sharp diagonal cut or a small V (a fishtail) so they don’t fray.

Keep bows flat and tight. A loose, puffy bow looks lovely on the table but gets crushed in the envelope and adds thickness. More on choosing between satin and silk ribbon in our [wax seal, vellum and ribbon guide](https://gracefulstudio.co.uk/journal/wax-seal-vellum-ribbon-wedding-invitations).

![Blue floral oval wedding invitation with an oval A & T initials card tied on with a neat ivory satin bow, resting on a dusty blue envelope beside pearl wax seals, a wax seal stamp and blue hydrangeas](https://gracefulstudio.co.uk/products/blue-floral-oval-wedding-invitation-suite/blue-floral-oval-wedding-invitation-suite-3.jpg)

## With a belly band, twine or clip

A **belly band** is a strip of paper, vellum or ribbon wrapped around the middle of the stack. Wrap it snugly but not so tight it bends the cards, and fix the ends at the back with a small dot of double-sided tape (never on vellum where it will show), or close it at the front with a seal. **Twine** works like ribbon: two or three loops around the stack, knotted at the front. A **clip** is the quickest of all: slide it over the top edge so it catches every card, keeping it centred or neatly to one side on every invitation.

## Applying wax seals

With **self-adhesive wax seals**, peel the backing, position the seal over the knot or join, and press firmly for a few seconds. With **traditional wax**, melt the wax onto the spot (a silicone mat underneath catches drips), wait a moment, press the stamp in squarely, hold it for a few seconds and lift it straight up. Let poured seals set fully before stacking anything on top. Whichever you use, do a few practice seals on scrap card first.

Keeping seals inside the envelope, on the vellum or ribbon, protects them in the post. Our [wax seal guide](https://gracefulstudio.co.uk/journal/wax-seal-vellum-ribbon-wedding-invitations#postage) explains why seals on the outside are riskier.

## Adding RSVP cards and enclosure cards

Place enclosure cards in size order on top of the invitation. For the RSVP, either tuck the card under the flap of its own envelope, printed side facing up, or slip it inside the envelope. Tucking it under the flap is neater, because guests see both at once and are less likely to lose the card. Never seal the RSVP envelope: your guest needs to put the card back in.

## How to put wedding invitations in the envelope

The aim is for the invitation to face your guest the moment they open the envelope. Turn the envelope over so the open flap is facing you, then slide the stack in with the printed fronts facing you too. When your guest lifts the flap and draws the cards out, the front of the invitation is the first thing they see. A portrait 5×7 invitation goes into a landscape envelope sideways; it doesn’t matter which way round, as long as every invitation goes in the same way.

Ease the stack in gently so the ribbon or seal doesn’t catch on the envelope edge. If it’s a tight fit, the envelope is too small for the finished thickness, so check before you assemble the rest.

![Watercolour wildflower wedding invitation, details card and RSVP card arranged on a midnight envelope, with peach silk ribbon, pearl wax seals, a wax seal stamp, pearl wax sticks and a gold teardrop clip ready for assembly](https://gracefulstudio.co.uk/products/watercolour-wildflower-wedding-invitation/watercolour-wildflower-wedding-invitation-4.jpg)

### Assembling wedding invitations with an inner envelope

Inner envelopes are rare in the UK, and most couples don’t need them. If you are using one, the stack goes into the unsealed inner envelope with the fronts facing its flap, and the inner envelope goes into the outer one with the guests’ names facing the back of the outer envelope, so they’re seen as soon as it’s opened. Our [addressing guide](https://gracefulstudio.co.uk/journal/how-to-address-wedding-invitations-uk#inner-outer-envelopes) explains what to write on each.

## Sealing and posting your invitations

To seal gummed envelopes, run a barely damp sponge along the gum, press the flap down from the centre outwards and hold it for a few seconds. Self-seal envelopes just need the strip removed and a firm press. Check the corners are stuck down so nothing catches in the post.

Before you buy stamps, take one finished invitation to the Post Office to be measured and weighed. A 5×7 invitation is usually a Letter, but with a wax seal, ribbon and inserts it can go over 5 mm thick and become a Large Letter. Our [cost guide](https://gracefulstudio.co.uk/journal/how-much-do-wedding-invitations-cost-uk#postage) explains postage, and our [timeline](https://gracefulstudio.co.uk/journal/when-to-send-wedding-invitations-uk) covers when to post them.

Addressing is the last job. We can [print your guests’ names and addresses on the envelopes](https://gracefulstudio.co.uk/shop/envelopes/printed-guest-name-envelopes) in the same font as your invitations, or see our guide to [addressing wedding invitations](https://gracefulstudio.co.uk/journal/how-to-address-wedding-invitations-uk) if you’re writing them yourself.

![Two fanned stacks of dusty blue envelopes printed with guests’ names in black script, beside brass inkwells, a wooden dip pen, vintage stamps, wax seal stamps and white hydrangea petals](https://gracefulstudio.co.uk/products/printed-guest-name-envelopes/printed-guest-name-envelopes-1.jpg)

## How long does it take to assemble wedding invitations?

As rough guidance, once you’ve found your rhythm (the first few always take longer):

| Invitation | About per invitation | 50 invitations |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Invitation and envelope only | 1–2 minutes | 1–2 hours |
| Invitation, details and RSVP cards with a clip | 2–4 minutes | 2–3 hours |
| Plus a ribbon bow | 4–6 minutes | 3–5 hours |
| Vellum jacket, twine and wax seal | 6–10 minutes | 5–8 hours |

Add addressing and stamping on top. For a fully finished suite, that’s a weekend, or several evenings with a friend and a film on. If that sounds like more than you have time for, that’s exactly what the assembled option is for.

## Common mistakes to avoid

- Buying stamps before weighing a finished invitation.
- Cutting ribbon by eye, so every bow is a different size.
- Puffy bows that get crushed or snag in the envelope.
- Stacking poured wax seals before they’ve fully set.
- Glue or tape on vellum, where it shows through.
- Forgetting to add the RSVP card, or sealing the RSVP envelope.
- Putting invitations in the envelope facing different ways.
- Leaving it until the week you need to post them. Allow time for a re-order if something’s missing.

## Prefer us to assemble them?

Every one of our invitations is handmade in our UK studio, and we’re more than happy to assemble them for you: cards stacked, ribbon tied, vellum wrapped and seals in place, so what’s left for you is addressing and posting. Just let us know when you send over your details. Prefer to do it yourself? We’ll send the pieces separately, ready for you to enjoy putting together. Either way, a [sample pack](https://gracefulstudio.co.uk/shop/sample-packs) shows you exactly how the finished suite opens.

Questions:

- **What order do wedding invitations go in?** Largest to smallest, all facing up: the invitation at the back, then any details or enclosure cards, then the RSVP card and its envelope at the front. Some stationers put the invitation on top instead; either is fine as long as every invitation is the same.
- **Does the RSVP card go in front of the invitation?** In a stacked suite, yes. As the smallest card it sits at the front, either tucked under the flap of its own envelope or slipped inside it, so guests find it straight away. Never seal the RSVP envelope.
- **How do you put a wedding invitation in the envelope?** Slide the stack in with the printed fronts facing the flap side of the envelope, so that when your guest lifts the flap and draws it out, the front of the invitation is the first thing they see. Put every invitation in the same way.
- **How do you assemble wedding invitations with vellum?** Place the squared stack in the centre of the vellum, fold the sides in so the edges meet at the front, then hold it closed with twine, ribbon or a belly band and add a wax seal where the edges meet. Avoid glue, which shows through vellum.
- **How much ribbon do I need for each wedding invitation?** Roughly 50–70 cm for a bow around a 5×7 invitation, depending on the ribbon width and whether it wraps the whole stack. Tie one, trim it to the length you like, then use it as a template for the rest.
- **Do you need an inner envelope for wedding invitations in the UK?** No. Inner envelopes are mainly an American tradition and rare in the UK. One envelope with every invited guest’s name on it does the job; a vellum wrap or ribbon gives a similar sense of unwrapping.
- **How long does it take to assemble wedding invitations?** As rough guidance, 1–2 minutes each for an invitation and envelope, and 6–10 minutes for a suite with a vellum jacket, twine and wax seal. For 50 fully finished invitations, allow a weekend or several evenings, plus addressing.
- **Can I have my wedding invitations assembled for me?** Yes. Our invitations can arrive assembled, with the cards stacked, ribbon tied and seals in place, or as separate pieces if you’d like to put them together yourself. Just let us know when you send over your details.

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Web page: https://gracefulstudio.co.uk/journal/how-to-assemble-wedding-invitations · Contact: gracefulstudiouk@gmail.com · Full catalogue: https://gracefulstudio.co.uk/llms-full.txt