Following up on the history of wedding invitations (see part 1 from last week, Wedding Invitation Traditions Part 1 - Seals, Response Cards, Tissue Paper), here's a brief history of the tradition and utility of traditional wedding envelopes.
Did you ever wonder why wedding invitations are enclosed in two envelopes? This is a tradition that dates back to soon after the Industrial Revolution (ca. 1800) and the invention of lithography. Lithography is a printing process in which chemicals are used to accept and print ink, instead of the labor- and time-intensive processes of calligraphy (elegant handwriting) or engraving (carving) which had been two popular methods before. Lithography was a cheap
printing technique that allowed wedding invitation producers to market their products to the then-burgeoning middle class. Delivery of these newly-minted invitations would prove to be problematic, however, as the postal service of the time was still unreliable. Thus, two envelopes were used: an inner one, unsealed (for the sake of courtesy), and an outer one, addressed and used to protect the inner from the rigors of travel.
Elizabeth Post, in her etiquette book _Emily Post On Weddings_ (1994, Harper-Collins, New York), elaborates:
The use of two envelopes is a tradition that probably goes back to when invitations where delivered by hand. For politeness the envelopes were left unsealed. Later, when mail services, began, the unsealed envelopes were inserted into larger ones that could be sealed. A practical reason for using two envelopes today is that the names of family members, escorts of your invited guests and children can be listed on the inner envelope.
Since the modern U.S. Postal Service requires a return address on all first-class or better mail, the "sanctity" of the inner envelope (and thus, the
invitation) can be preserved by the outer one. You can affix stamps to and print the mailing and return addresses on the outer envelope, and avoid marring the more personal inner envelope.
As you can see, the tradition of the double wedding envelope is in place for both practical and aesthetic reasons. Double envelopes add class and flair to your wedding ensemble.
Useful Links:
LCI's full range of double wedding envelopes
What are single unlined, double unlined, and double lined wedding envelopes?
Double Wedding Envelopes? Inner Envelopes, Why?
Will Collins
During the middle ages, weddings were often announced by a town crier to all and sundry; anyone who heard the news was generally invited to join in the party. After the invention of the printing press, however, it became common practice among the nobility (since the common folk were largely illiterate) to deliver written or printed invitations to their wedding guests. These invitations were often enclosed with a protective piece of tissue to prevent the calligrapher's writing or the primitive printed ink from smudging. This is a practice which survives to this day, for example, invitation kits that use tissue paper or the substitution of a piece of elegant, translucent vellum.
Often, the nobility would affix or emboss their crest, seal, or coat of arms onto these invitations to lend them legitimacy and a sense of class. This is yet another tradition that is still observed in modern times with the faux wax seal.
Black has always been a popular color choice for formal wedding decor, from invitations to favors. It should come as no surprise, then, that brides today are daring to don a black gown for this occasion. Wearing black on your wedding day is certainly a personal choice, but there are other great reasons for choosing black. Black is formal for men's wedding attire, and elegant and slimming for women. It can also create a dramatic look, especially if the groom is in an all-white tuxedo or your bridesmaids wear white. 
A black dress is also a great choice for a themed wedding, such as a Las Vegas themed wedding, Gothic or Halloween wedding, or a Fantasy 40's retro-themed wedding. Black accents on a white dress are another striking style, thanks to Audrey Hepburn's classic choice for the movie Sabrina.
Are you planning a Christmas party this holiday season? Although planning a Christmas party is a joyful occasion, at the same time it can be overwhelming with all the demands of the holiday season. Planning this year’s party doesn’t have to be a stressful undertaking. Here are some helpful tips that will guide you through all the steps of planning a successful Christmas party.
