wedding invites- I sometimes see people talk about the "outer and inner" envelopes?

Question

I bought a wedding invite kit to make them myself- so I have the mailing envelope, the invite, the rsvp, and the smaller envelope for the rsvp. What are we talking about when we say inner envelope? And when people talk about this- they are telling someone how to address the "inner" envelope. I am only putting the recipient's name (myself) on the rsvp envelope for them to mail back. Does that seem right? It didn't seem as if I'd have to put their return address on that envelope.....?

Answer 1

Hi again.

Normally, if you order invitations....or back in the day....people had 2 envelopes....the "outer" and the "inner" envelope. This is not done as much now.

If you HAD two envelopes....the "outer" would be addressed as:

Mr. and Mrs. John Smith
123 Lane
New York, NY 10000

and then the "inner" envelope would say:
Uncle John and Aunt Sally....(or whomever they are).

Now a days, people simply use 1 envelope....so just address it to:

Mr. & Mrs. John Smith
address
city, state, zip

If it is a single person and you want them to bring a date, put
Mr. John Smith and guest

OR....if it is a family:
Mr. & Mrs. John Smith and family

OR...if it is a less formal wedding...you can simply put:
John Smith
address
city, state, zip

Hope this answers your question.

Answer 2

The "inner envelope" is not the envelope for your RSVP- it is basically a second envelope that holds all of the pieces of the invitation, so that the dirty envelope that went through the mail can be thrown away, and everything kept together in the inner envelope. The inner envelope is only a tiny bit smaller than the main envelope, so that it can fit neatly inside.

You don't have to put a return address on the RSVP envelope, just your own, and a stamp.

Answer 3

I am making my own invitations. The outer envelope holds everything: invitation, rsvp, small envelope and any directions or maps. The inner envelopes only have my address on them and no return address. The inner envelope is the one that the guests will use to send back the rsvp. They need to be stamped and addressed back to you as well so the guests don't have to buy their own stamp or look up your address. It's a courtesy.

Answer 4

the "outer" envelope is traditioanlly the one you would write the address on. inside that, the inner envelope may be blank or just have the names of the guests, holding the invitation, rsvp card and reply envelope.

the outer evnvelope is optional though, and many invitation kits don't include them. if you choose not to use an outer envelope, write your return address on the back where you seal it so the front still looks neat and tidy.

the rsvp envelopes should all have your address and be pre-stamped by you, so all they have to do is check the box and pop it in the mail

Answer 5

On a very formal invite, you have the outer envelope which is where you put who you are sending it to, address and all. Then you place the inner envelope inside it with their first names only - and inside that envelope is all of your invite, and RSVP.

Answer 6

iloveweddings is right even though i went to two wedding this year and both had outer and inner envelopes. It doesn't make sense to me why you would have two envelopes unless your invitation is small.