Merry Brides: The Best Dressed Wedding Invitation

Top 10 Red Carpet Mailing Tips

(MS) - This wedding season, there is good news for couples-to-be and wedding planners. The cost of postage for a 2-ounce wedding invitation has gone down from 63 cents to 58 cents. Here are some other postage perks: tips and pointers for making sure that wedding invitations - and associated save-the-date cards, response cards, wedding announcements and thank-you notes - get to recipients on time, and are fun and memorable, too.

· "Accessorize" your correspondence by using the new love stamps, available June 27. Featuring vines that form the shape of a heart, these stamps were designed especially for mailing wedding invitations and RSVPs and are available in both the 2-ounce (58 cents) and the 1-ounce (41 cents) First-Class postage rate denominations.

Stamps are an inexpensive way to add color to an invitation and you can also use them to decorate an envelope, even on the flap (where they do not count toward required postage). Star Wars stamps issued this year may be a fun way to speed your response cards back to you.

· Mail your invitations four to six weeks before the wedding and make sure the return address is complete and legible.

· Whether you dress your Wedding invitation in a traditional style or use more flamboyant papers and embellished envelopes, take care with the most important accessory: the address. Provide a complete address, including apartment number, on each envelope. Confirm ZIP Codes easily at www.usps.com by clicking on Find a ZIP Code on the navigation bar.

· For other postal needs and assistance, go to the Postal Service Web site, www.usps.com. There you can order stamps, view and purchase related postal products, look up ZIP Codes instantly, learn about mailing options, and calculate postage.

· Affix your stamps securely, but do not put tape over the stamp(s) - this invalidates the postage. If your envelope is textured or contains decorative fibers or floral inclusions, you may want to secure the postage using a glue stick.

· Or, prepare your invitations online and mail them through the Postal Service's NetPost Print and Mail Services - you'll save time and money.

· For save-the-date cards and thank-you notes, create customized postcards at www.usps.com/netpost. Postage is included in the price, and discounts are available with every mailing.

· The hottest trend is to use your own artwork or photograph on your thank-you notes. Customize the postage on thank-you cards with a first-peek picture from your wedding. For more information go to Print Postage Online at www.usps.com.

There are also options for family and friends who can't make the big day. Tell them about Net Post Gift Card, where from the convenience of their computer they can send greetings and a gift card from a wide choice of popular national retailers at denominations from $25 to $200.

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