Envelopes Arrived

Our outer envelopes have arrived.  We ordered them from Jampaper.com this Saturday (2 days ago), it was processed on Monday (yesterday) and arrived today - talk about awesome service.  They were packed very nicely and arrived in perfect condition.  I could not have been happier.

Side note:  As you know, I ordered my free samples of envelopes from envelopesexpress.com.  I ordered my sample in Dark Purple and it was a perfect match.  However, Jampaper.com was cheaper, but didn't offer free samples.  They also offered Dark Purple envelopes, so I decided to just to for it and order without seeing  sample.  The Dark Purple envelopes from both sites were identical.  I don't know if this is always the case, but it worked out in this situation.

The Search for Outer Envelopes

A while ago I discovered that I needed outer envelopes for my Vistaprint invitations.  Since then, I have been searching for great deals on envelopes.

First, if you are using Vistaprint invitations and their envelopes as inner envelopes, then you need a size A8 envelope for your outer envelope.

Here is the breakdown of sizes:
Vista Print Invitations:  5" x 7" (actually 4.61" x 7.17")
Vista Print Envelopes:  4.75" x 7.50" (slightly bigger than invitation - perfect for inner envelope)
A8 Envelopes:  5.50" x 8.125" (next size up from inner envelopes - perfect for outer envelopes)

First things first, you CANNOT find A8 envelopes anywhere in stores.  The closest thing that you will find in stores are A9 envelopes (5.75" x 8.75").  And stores only sell them in white.  In my opinion, these envelopes are just too big.

Just in case you are interested in the A9 envelopes here is what I have found.  Craft stores don't sell them (I checked A.C. Moore, Michaels, and Hobby Lobby).  You can find the A9 envelopes at office supply stores.  I found them at Office Max ($16.99/100ct.) and Staples ($13.99/100ct.)

Returning to the search for A8 envelopes - your only option is to buy them online.  I still haven't ordered, but here are my top three sites..

1) envelopesexpress.com:  This is my current favorite.  Sample are completely free (including shipping).  This is the only site that I have found with this offer.  They also have a large variety of colors.
Cost:  $42.30/100ct + $0 shipping = $42.30

2) envelopemall.com:  Samples cost $1.50 per envelope with free shipping.  However, shipping on a regular order is not free.  Also, they have a more limited color selection unless you go with metallic envelopes (these are NOT good for shipping, they confuse the machines a the post office).
Cost:  $21.95/100ct +$10.01 shipping = $31.95

3)  jampaper.com:  Samples are free plus $3.25 shipping.  They have a large variety of colors.  Also, when I signed up for the email, I got a coupon for 15% off my first purchase.
Cost:  $28/100ct + $13.09 shipping = $44.74

Elements of an Invitation

About a month ago I finalized my invitation suite....or so I thought.  While on Pinterest, I stumbled upon the following:

That's when I realized that I needed inner and outer envelopes.  Vistaprint only came with one envelope per invitation (as any normal person, myself included, would expect). 

If you decide to go with Vistaprint for invitations you have two options:

1) Use the Vistaprint envelopes as inner envelopes (since they just fit the invitation) and then buy outer envelopes from somewhere else.

OR

2) Don't use Vistaprint envelopes at all and buy a matching set of inner and outer envelopes.

We have opted for Choice #1.  Since our wedding colors (and therefore our invitations) are dark purple and white, we will be using the white Vistaprint envelopes on the inside and will get dark purple envelopes for outer envelopes.