Are inner and outer envelopes necessary for your wedding invites? Short answer: No! Many people forgo the outer envelope these days, whether to save on costs and time or to conserve paper.

But…there are some times when double envelopes come in handy, and some of the reasons to use them may surprise you. (Yes, there are still practical purposes.) Below, we’ll discuss three main reasons inner and outer envelopes are alive and well and why you may consider using them.

If you’re planning a traditional or formal wedding, then double envelopes are a must. When your guests receive an invitation that’s carefully packaged inside of two envelopes, it sends a signal that this piece of mail is important–they’ll likely pause in their rush to open the daily mail. It’s not every day you’re presented with two envelopes in one, right?

More importantly, double envelopes tell your guests that your wedding will be traditional and formal. They should get ready for a lovely, upscale evening out to celebrate you and your beloved. And who won’t look forward to that after almost two years of sitting at home? It’s finally time to break out those evening dresses again!

No matter how many measures you take, there’s always a risk of envelopes getting marred or dirty as they travel through the post office’s sorting process. Hand-canceling can reduce this risk, but it’s never a guarantee. So, if it’s important to you that your guests receive a pristine envelope, the outer envelope can help! It will protect the inner envelope from smudges, so you can feel free to upgrade that inner envelope and really integrate it with a stunning custom design.

In addition, an outer envelope is always a good idea when investing in a custom envelope liner. Oftentimes, a guest may open the invitation with a letter opener or simply rip through the envelope flap. Without an outer envelope, guests may cut off the gorgeous envelope liner that you love! How sad would it be if you invested in a custom venue illustration for your liner only to have it sliced in two? Since inner envelopes are not sealed when assembling wedding invitations, this risk is mitigated, and your guests get to enjoy the beautiful presentation of your invites!

Finally, the last main benefit of double envelopes is clarity. Etiquette states that only a single person’s name or a couple’s names should appear on the mailing envelope. This practice reduces clutter and allows you to keep your addresses clean and formal. However, if you’re allowing plus ones or inviting children, the inner envelope provides an easy way to show that they’re included. For instance, you can list out the first names of an entire family of six without cluttering the envelope. Not everyone chooses to invite children to their wedding, but if you have young cousins, nieces, or nephews you can’t get married without, double envelopes will ensure their parents know they’re welcomed!

So, are inner and outer envelopes the right choice for you? Maybe we should amend the answer to…maybe! If any of these reasons resonated with you, then you should strongly consider investing in double envelopes. They give your guests a more upscale experience while also letting them know exactly who’s invited to the wedding. Plus, there’s a better chance of your invitations arriving safely!

At Camellia Memories, we include printed guest addresses for all of our custom-made invitation clients, whether you choose double envelopes or not! Your envelopes will blend perfectly with the rest of the design, and you’ll never have to worry about hand-writing all those invitations yourself. Check out our custom-made invitation services to learn more!