My invites came in - NO WEDDING STAMP available until JUNE 24 at the new rate

Mrs.Ptobe Posted: Apr 25, 2007 11:19 PM

My invites came in - NO WEDDING STAMP available until JUNE 24 at the new rate

My invites are in - yay!!!! How soon should I send them out? The RSVP is June 15 - but bare in mind that the rate of stamps is going up - I have .39 stamps for the outter and had to ORDER from zazzle.com stamps at .41 for the response cards. The new rate takes effect on 5/15, but I called the USPS 800# and I was arguing with the woman I spoke to in the 'stamp department' b/c she said the wedding stamp would not be available until 6/24! I told her that is rediculous - am I supposed to have a flag on my reply envelopes? She told my my other option was some forever stamp with the Liberty Bell (b/c that is just screaming WEDDING). So I went back to zazzle where I ordered customized rose stamps with our names and the date on them. I just ordered a smaller version and without the customization at .41. If they are going to raise the prices - and raise them during 'wedding season', shouldn't they have the wedding stamp available????? I was really ready to write a letter... I had to pay for shipping for the zazzle stamps, and since I'm on a huge time limit for stuffing the envelopes... I was left with no choice but to overnight them - a whopping $16.00. I have to have the invites stuffed and ready to go out the door ASAP b/c of my job. I just wonder if they should actually be mailed this early.... anyone?

SylvieB Posted: Apr 25, 2007 11:27 PM

Re: My invites came in - NO WEDDING STAMP available until JUNE 24 at the new rate

You should mail them approx. 2 months b/f your wedding date. Maybe earlier for OOT guests, if you didn't send STD's.

My date is 10/12 and my RSVP date is 9/12. I'll mail them out early August.

Mrs.Ptobe Posted: Apr 25, 2007 11:34 PM

Re: My invites came in - NO WEDDING STAMP available until JUNE 24 at the new rate

I can't send them that late b/c the price of postage goes up on 5/15, I know it's only .2/stamp, but I custom ordered .39 stamps. Would people really care if they got them 10 days early and I'll send them out around 5/12? I already got an invite to a 6/30 wedding... about 2 weeks ago we got it. Either way, they have to be stuffed sooner than later b/c I have no time...

waterspout4 Posted: Apr 26, 2007 12:35 AM

Re: My invites came in - NO WEDDING STAMP available until JUNE 24 at the new rate

Your invites are light enough for the 39 cent stamp?!?!? Did you get them weighed? Most wedding invitations need more. If they are okay with that stamp, send them out now. Don't wait until a few days before the rate increase.

The stamps increased for our wedding last year too and the wedding stamps didn't come out until months later. I was soooo mad and embarrassed about it. I didn't want to use flag stamps. I totally forgot about it until the new stamp rate was announced this year. In other words, I got over it really quick!!

ejm1219 Posted: Apr 26, 2007 06:23 AM

Re: My invites came in - NO WEDDING STAMP available until JUNE 24 at the new rate

If your RSVP date is 6/15 I would send them out way before 5/15 and then u can use the old 63 cent stamp!

LBride Posted: Apr 26, 2007 06:57 AM

Re: My invites came in - NO WEDDING STAMP available until JUNE 24 at the new rate

in the end... it's just a stamp and the envelope gets thrown in the garbage.... it may seem really important right now, but don't stress!

Kara and Todd Posted: Apr 26, 2007 08:33 AM

Re: My invites came in - NO WEDDING STAMP available until JUNE 24 at the new rate

My invites go out the last week in May / first week in June.

While I realize they are 'just stamps' -- (1) I am spending a LOT of money on invitations and calligraphy for the envelopes -- I'm not topping that off with a Star Wars stamp. (2) Not that people would care, per se, but plenty of people will look and think, 'Doesn't she know they have really nice wedding stamps?'

I'm either ordering custom stamps (most likely scenario) or adding a $.02 stamp to the inner envelope.

Does anyone know - can we just use the old wedding stamps for the outer envelope since the cost of the 2 oz stamps is going down?!

Kara and Todd Posted: Apr 26, 2007 08:39 AM

Re: My invites came in - NO WEDDING STAMP available until JUNE 24 at the new rate

Posted by Mrs.Ptobe

I can't send them that late b/c the price of postage goes up on 5/15, I know it's only .2/stamp, but I custom ordered .39 stamps. Would people really care if they got them 10 days early and I'll send them out around 5/12? I already got an invite to a 6/30 wedding... about 2 weeks ago we got it. Either way, they have to be stuffed sooner than later b/c I have no time...

Most wedding invitations require more postage than a one ounce stamp! Did you have them weighed first?!

dancerandchef Posted: Apr 26, 2007 10:27 AM

Re: My invites came in - NO WEDDING STAMP available until JUNE 24 at the new rate

Do they still have the 2006 wedding stamp? That is our question. We are doing a test trial with stamps.com. We ordered 20 from walgreens since I do not have a photo scanner and can not do them on my own. We will see how they turn out this saturday.

~dancer and chef~

Kara and Todd Posted: Apr 26, 2007 10:46 AM

Re: My invites came in - NO WEDDING STAMP available until JUNE 24 at the new rate

Posted by dancerandchef

Do they still have the 2006 wedding stamp? That is our question. We are doing a test trial with stamps.com. We ordered 20 from walgreens since I do not have a photo scanner and can not do them on my own. We will see how they turn out this saturday.

~dancer and chef~

They should still have it now and through May 14.

I'm ordering a trial of custom stamps, too. We're using a floral pic, though, not our own photos... Ugh... but hey, if stamps are the worst problem with the planning so far, I figure I'm doing okay!

Wintersbride Posted: Apr 26, 2007 07:22 PM

Re: My invites came in - NO WEDDING STAMP available until JUNE 24 at the new rate

Did you weigh them stuffed? Usually they do require a $0.63 stamp for the outer. I forgot you did not get them yet. I would stuff one w/ everything you could need (direction card, invite, RSVP card and envelope, and any hotel info for OOT guests since it's better to overshoot than undershoot). Stuff it and bring it to the post office on a sunny day w/ no humidity (the envelopes could weigh more in humid weather...remember this when you mail them) and double check that you only need a $0.39 stamp. If it needs more, do not fret about the stamps you bought, you could use them for thank yous. If you do need a $0.63 stamp then go to the post office and get them. Do not pay shipping for stamps again.

ETA: You can send them a little early if you need to, do not worry (as long as the RSVP stamp reflects the $0.41 price.

ourday08 Posted: Apr 26, 2007 07:31 PM

Re: My invites came in - NO WEDDING STAMP available until JUNE 24 at the new rate

Posted by Mrs.Ptobe

I can't send them that late b/c the price of postage goes up on 5/15, I know it's only .2/stamp, but I custom ordered .39 stamps. Would people really care if they got them 10 days early and I'll send them out around 5/12? I already got an invite to a 6/30 wedding... about 2 weeks ago we got it. Either way, they have to be stuffed sooner than later b/c I have no time...

I'm sure that it will be ok if you send them out a few days early. Most people will not notice.

Bride4Mike07 Posted: Apr 26, 2007 07:33 PM

Re: My invites came in - NO WEDDING STAMP available until JUNE 24 at the new rate

I sent mine out already....and I'm before you...so you can send them out in the next two weeks.

LaurenluvsTJ Posted: Apr 26, 2007 08:34 PM

Re: My invites came in - NO WEDDING STAMP available until JUNE 24 at the new rate

Posted by LBride

in the end... it's just a stamp and the envelope gets thrown in the garbage.... it may seem really important right now, but don't stress!

I agree... a stamp is just a stamp. No one notices except for you

weddingbunny Posted: Apr 26, 2007 08:53 PM

Re: My invites came in - NO WEDDING STAMP available until JUNE 24 at the new rate

Posted by LaurenluvsTJ

Posted by LBride

in the end... it's just a stamp and the envelope gets thrown in the garbage.... it may seem really important right now, but don't stress!

I agree... a stamp is just a stamp. No one notices except for you

I also agree - I've NEVER noticed the stamp on an envelope, unless it was like huge and fancy or something.

I really can't imagine anybody caring - or having any thought at all like 'oh, doesn't she know about the wedding stamps?'

the calligraphy will look just as lovely with or without a wedding stamp.

oldladybride Posted: Apr 26, 2007 11:57 PM

Re: My invites came in - NO WEDDING STAMP available until JUNE 24 at the new rate

trying to show you a stamp supposedly coming out 5/11. it's triangular picture of Jamestown settlement with ship and blue skies - - better than flag or bell for RSVP envelopes. (hope it works right to show you)