Postage Rate Increase!

Yes, the post office has done it again... they announced a postage rate increase beginning May 12, 2008. I send a lot of samples and large envelopes, and was *just* starting to remember what the postage was for each! Darn it!

Anyway, summer brides - be sure to stock up on the FOREVER stamps for your RSVP cards if you are planning on sending your invitations anytime in April, May or June - just to be sure the RSVP gets back to you in time no matter when your guest decides to drop it in the mail! See more details on the rate increase here. The first ounce of a first-class letter will rise to 42¢ and the cost to mail a postcard will also go up a penny, to 27¢.

Most invitations are currently taking 58¢ stamps, and in May this will go to 59¢ but always have your invitation checked and weighed at the post office to make sure! for this rate, invitations need to be rectangular, At least 3-½ inches high x 5 inches long x 0.007 inch thick, no more than 4-¼ inches high x 6 inches long x 0.016 inches thick. If your envelope is larger than this or square you will need an additional stamp see the guidelines here: http://www.usps.com/businessmail101/mailcharacteristics/cards.htm

To avoid marring your pretty invitations with all those "make-up" postage stamps you may want to consider doing custom stamps....you can use your photo or purchase one of their pre-made designs. Custom Programs can do this for you for an extra fee and use the same motif or monogram you are using on your invitations! See more information on custom stamps here: http://photo.stamps.com/Store/wedding-advisor/ or here: http://www.zazzle.com/knot?ZCMP=pl3knot

Another tip: 
If you have a thick envelope like for Envelopments® invitations - or your invitation uses a bulky item like a rhinestone or ribbon, take your finished invitations to the post office and request that they "hand cancel" them. This saves one trip though their automated machines at least, and may save some of the mangling that can occur when it is sorted later (I have heard that the teller can choose not to do this for you though - especially if they are busy - I heard one bride had to visit 3 post offices to get this done - and then ended up using their stamp to free up the teller!). Good Luck!