Inner Envelope???

I don't think inside envelopes are necessary unless you're requiring guests to mail back their RSVP's!

For example: Our RSVPs will be done electronically, so we won't include RSVP cards or mail back envelopes with our invites!

An inner envelope is not necessary. However, if you are requiring guests to mail back RSVPs, an envelope for the RSVP should be included unless using a postcard RSVP card.

Etiquette doesn't change but tradition does. The inner envelope has nothing to do with etiquette. It's leftover from when mail was delivered on horseback through all weather and the outer envelope protected the inner envelope from the elements (wind, rain, snow, mud, etc.) and the inner envelope was addressed to those specifically invited. Because the modern mail system isn't too different, some choose to keep the inner envelope for that reason.

As long as you make it perfectly clear who is invited, you can skip the inner envelope.

We wrapped our invites in a fancy belly band. Then I’m the larger envelope.

Truly, some things have hardly changed. 🙂 For any party or dinner invitation, as well as a wedding invitation, these days it makes it clearer to have that second envelope just have the names of those invited. Yes mommy and Daddy, not the kids. Yes/ or no to other adult like a MIL living with the family. It is harder to miss the fact that it did Not say "and family," or list your kids. . When most are couples with no questions, you can skip it.

I've really only seen inner envelopes used for the fanciest of black tie weddings. I'd say skip it!

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Hi Shelley,

Thank you for responding. Yes, we have RSVP's and envelopes for the guests to mail back. I was on the fence about an inside envelope to hold everything. I agree...I think I'll just do the tissue paper. Thanks again!

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Hi Hannah,

Yes we're having RSVP's with the return envelope. I was contemplating eliminating the inner envelope so as to save a few bucks. If I could get away with not having them - I'd go with it. Thanks so much for your reply.

View Quoted Comment I ordered my invites from Ann's Bridal Bargains, and they included the inner and outer envelopes and a postcard style RSVP as part of the whole set.

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Hi Michelle,

Wow thank you for the detailed response. I appreciate it. We have RSVP's with the guest's name already typed in. There's no mistaking who is invited because of this, so that's also why I figured I could skip having the inner envelope. Thanks again!

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Hi Liz,

I love the belly band look. I was up in the air about either belly bands or ribbon and the ribbon won! Lol I appreciate your feedback! Thanks again.

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Hi Judith,

Thanks for responding! I completely understand your thinking. We have RSVP's with the invited guest names typed out on them. In my opinion that's what I am attempting to do - make it perfectly clear on who the invitation is for. Hence, my thought on do I even need an inner envelope. Decisions! Decisions! Lol Thanks again Judith for your help!

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Hi Hannah,

Thanks so much for your thoughts. We certainly aren't doing black tie! Lol So I think I'm liking you're thinking! Lol No need for the inner envelope! Thanks a bunch!

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Hi again Hannah,

I am actually doing my own invitation suites on my computer and sending to a local printer that I use. I used LCIpaper.com for the envelopes and are having the return and mailing address plus RSVP envelope custom printed. It's a little more for them but looks beautiful and saves me from writing them myself. Because of the custom printing, I wanted to save wherever I could, hence the tissue paper thought. Hannah, I so appreciate your input and suggestion! Thank You!

View Quoted Comment Yes, fully written/ typed out names on RSVP are another very clear message that makes it hard to say, Oh, My, I did not see that it said...

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Then I think you're good, no inside envelope needed! The tissue paper will look really pretty and delicate holding everything together!

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In that case you can definitely skip the inner envelope. Most brides feel adding invited guests' names to the reply card is way too much work but it is valuable for not only letting them know who actually is invited but to help you identify who the card is from when it comes back.

I had an inner envelope because I didn't want the actual invitations to be ruined from any sort of outside elements (weather, bad mail carrier, etc). But I don't think they're necessary. I think my guests were more confused than anything by them.