Adding Wax Seals to Wedding Invitations: Tips, DIY Challenges, and Mailing Considerations

Wax seals add a timeless elegance to wedding invitations, creating a romantic and personalized touch. Whether you’re considering adding them to envelopes or invitation suites, wax seals bring a handcrafted, vintage feel to your stationery. Here’s everything you need to know about including wax seals in your invitations, the challenges of DIY, design options, and mailing considerations. Make sure to visit our DIY wax seal shop here.

1. Creative Ways to Add Wax Seals to Your Wedding Invitations

Wax seals can be used across your wedding stationery in multiple ways, from closing envelopes to decorating menus and place cards.

• Envelope Flap: Placing a wax seal on the envelope flap is a classic choice, giving your invitations a sophisticated touch as soon as guests open them.
• Invitation Belly Band: Use a wax seal to secure a ribbon or belly band around your invitation suite for a luxurious and cohesive look.
• On the Invitation: Applying a wax seal directly to the invitation adds an elegant accent to your design.
• Additional Stationery: Wax seals can be a beautiful touch on menus, seating cards, and thank-you notes, unifying your wedding theme through all paper goods.

2. Challenges of DIY Wax Seals for Invitations

While DIY wax seals add a personal touch, they come with a few challenges to keep in mind:

• Consistency: Ensuring each wax seal is consistent can be tricky. Melting the wax evenly and pressing the stamp uniformly takes practice.
• Time Investment: Creating wax seals by hand can be time-consuming, especially for larger guest lists. If you’re short on time, pre-made wax seal stickers offer a convenient alternative with the same look.
• Temperature Sensitivity: Wax hardens quickly, so you need to work fast. Warm temperatures can soften wax too much, while cold temperatures make it brittle.

If you’re opting for DIY, pre-made wax seals or stickers can offer a quick and consistent solution without sacrificing style.

3. Personalizing Wax Seal Designs for Your Wedding

Wax seals allow for numerous customization options, giving you the freedom to add personal details. Here are some ideas for designing the perfect wax seal:

• Initials or Monogram: A classic choice, adding your initials or a monogram is both elegant and personal.
• Floral Motifs: For a natural or garden-inspired wedding, floral designs in the wax seal add a romantic and thematic touch.
• Wedding Crest: If you’ve created a custom wedding crest, consider incorporating it as your wax seal design.
• Simple Shapes: Hearts, stars, or geometric shapes work well for minimalistic weddings, adding a simple yet meaningful detail.

When choosing wax colors, neutrals and metallics are versatile choices, while bold colors can add a pop to your wedding invitations.

4. Mailing Invitations with Wax Seals: Things to Know

Wax seals bring an elegant touch to your invites, but they do have some mailing challenges:

• Non-Machinable: Because wax-sealed invitations are often non-machinable, postal services may charge an additional fee for manual handling.
• Durability Concerns: Wax seals may crack or break in transit. Opt for flexible sealing wax for a more durable seal.
• Outer Envelopes: To protect the wax seal, some couples place their invitations inside a protective outer envelope. The outer envelope shields the wax from direct handling, helping it arrive intact.

If you’re mailing a large batch, it’s a good idea to consult with your local post office to understand any additional handling requirements. For more tips on mailing invitations, browse our mailing guide here.

Wax Seal Tips for a Polished Look

Achieving the perfect wax seal is easier with the right techniques:

• Use Quality Sealing Wax: Sealing wax sticks or beads are designed for stationery and offer consistency.
• Prep Your Wax Stamp: Lightly dust the stamp with cornstarch or cool it on a cold surface before pressing into the melted wax to prevent sticking.
• Match Wax Color with Your Theme: Choose wax colors that align with your wedding color scheme or blend two colors for a unique, marbled effect.

Final Thoughts

Adding wax seals to your wedding invitations creates a beautiful, cohesive look that enhances your wedding stationery. With a little planning and personalization, wax seals can elevate your invitations and impress your guests. Whether you go DIY or choose a pre-made option, wax seals bring a memorable, elegant touch to your wedding day.