1. WEIGH AND MEASURE A SAMPLE INVITATION FIRST

Before you buy stamps or head to the post office, create one complete invitation suite—including all inserts, envelopes, embellishments, and seals—and take it to the post office to be weighed and measured. This will:

• Ensure you purchase the correct postage.
• Help you determine whether your invitation is classified as a "non-machinable" item (more on that below).
• Avoid returned mail or delayed delivery due to insufficient postage.

Tip: Always bring an extra copy to the post office to test, especially if your suite includes non-standard shapes or bulky elements.

 
2. KNOW THAT YOUR INVITATION WILL PROBABLY BE MARKED AS "NON-MACHINABLE" 

USPS machines are designed to process standard-sized, flat envelopes. If your invitation is:

• Rigid (due to layers or thick paper)
• Square-shaped (rather than rectangular)
• Over 1/4 inch thick
• Weighs over 1 oz, or
• Includes embellishments like wax seals, silk ribbon, or other raised elements

…it will likely be considered non-machinable. This means it must be hand-sorted, which requires additional postage (usually around $0.40 extra per piece). Because most invitations are dropped at USPS locations in very large batches, it may also mean it's moved to a larger sorting facility to begin the sorting and mailing process.

 

While non-machinable mail adds charm and elegance to your invitations, please know it also increases the likelihood of:

• Delays in delivery due to manual processing
• Damage to fragile details, like wax seals or silk ribbon details
• Returned or lost mail if postage is incorrect

 
3. REQUEST HAND CANCELING (But Don’t Rely on It)

Hand-canceling is when a postal worker manually marks your stamps instead of running the envelope through a sorting machine. This can protect your invitations from damage, especially if they include wax seals or raised lettering. 

 

However:

Not all post offices offer hand-canceling. It’s also not guaranteed, even if you request it. Large batches may not be feasible for some locations. If the invitations are hand canceled, be sure to remember this will add another layer of USPS processing and may prolong the overall delivery time.

If you’re set on hand-canceling, call your local post office ahead of time to ask about their policy. Consider splitting your mailings across a few visits or stations. 

 
 
5. USE CLEAR ADDRESSING + AVOID FANCY CURSIVE FONTS

While calligraphy and specialty fonts look gorgeous, they can sometimes be hard for USPS scanners (or even human eyes) to read. To keep things running smoothly, our best recommendations are:

• Use dark ink on light envelopes for contrast
• Keep the address in a simple block font that is easily legible (to add beauty to the envelopes, consider printing only guest names in calligraphy)
• Consider using printed labels for return addresses or RSVP cards to save time and reduce error

 
6. MAIL EARLY TO ACCOUNT FOR DELAYS

Even under perfect conditions, USPS delivery times can vary. It's also important to keep in mind that certain months are much busier than others (spring & summer months are busy wedding invitation months, and of course, the holiday card season!). Add in manual sorting for thicker and embellished suites, and delays become more likely. Aim to mail your invitations 8-10 weeks before your wedding date, and even earlier for destination weddings.

Add extra buffer to this timeline time if your design is heavily layered or requires special handling.
 
 
FINAL THOUGHTS: Beauty and Function Can Coexist

Your wedding invitations are a reflection of your love story — and it’s perfectly okay to go all-out with design elements that speak to your style. Just remember that the USPS operates within certain limitations, and the more you accommodate those, the more seamless your mailing process will be.

By planning ahead, testing your suite, and understanding how the post office handles non-standard mail, you can strike a balance between form and function—ensuring your guests receive your invitations in perfect condition, right on time.

 
Need help figuring out if your invitation suite will require extra postage? Reach out to your stationer or local USPS branch for guidance — or drop us a message, and we’ll help guide you through it!