Step 3: Compile Pieces
Everything necessary for a completed invitation should be available--addressed envelopes, invitation cards, postage, manpower, etc. First and foremost, clean off a work area. It's going to be cluttered and pieces will be lying everywhere, which is fine, dirt and grime is not.
Get anything that can soil the pieces that make up your invitations off the table. Don't be forced to rewrite a set of envelopes just because some glue or soda got onto them. Make sure your area has been wiped clean and then you can start.
To begin, lay the invitation card face up on the table. Place the invitation tissue on top of it. Next, the response envelope goes face down. Lift up the response envelope's flap and tuck the response card underneath it. Place any additional items (i.e. map, driving directions) on top. Open up the inner invitation envelope and insert everything that you just piled up.
Inside the inner invitation envelope this should be the order: invitation card on the bottom, then tissue, response envelope, response card, and on top should be any additional pieces you have chosen to include. If that is not the order, fix it so that it is.
Finally, without sealing it, place the inner invitation envelope inside the outer invitation envelope. The inner invitation envelope will remain unsealed. Seal the outer envelope, apply postage and that invitation is complete.
Form An Assembly Line
The most effecient way to address envelopes and compile invitations is by working as a team, or teams. The key is assigning the tasks properly and making sure that everyone knows how to complete their part.
The best way is to form teams made of writers and assemblers. The writers will address each set of envelopes that go with an invitation (response card, invitation envelope and outer envelope) and the assemblers will apply postage and insert all the other pieces of the invitation. Since each task can be quite complicated and have specific rules, this allows everyone to focus on being an expert for the task they are assigned.
Generally, assembling takes less time than writing, so it is better to have more writers than assemblers. Again though, this is your wedding, those are your invitations and you are familiar with the strengths of the people you have helping you. So, however you think the task will best be accomplished to your satisfaction is the way to go.
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