How to Use Wax Seals

Posted October 3, 2011 by EmmalineBride | ♥ 7 Comments

Are you using wax seals for wedding invitations? You won’t want to miss this post! Today we’re showing you how to use wax seals for your wedding, share our favorite DIY wax seal tutorial, show you where to purchase a wax seal kit and share a few wax seal alternatives we think you’ll love. But first… did you know that wax seals date all the way back to the 12th century? It’s true. The first ever embossing method was used earlier in 3200 B.C. as a proof of signature for officials. Later, when wax was introduced, the embossing method was used directly on wax to authenticate documents, eliminate forgery and prove identification. Today, wax seals are used to fasten wedding invitations or packages and also as decoration. Read on to find out how to use wax seals, learn how to seamlessly apply your seals to your invitations, make your own and more. Enjoy!

How to Use Wax Seals

1. Seal your envelopes. Use wax seals to keep wedding invitation envelopes securely fastened. (*EB TIP: To keep the seal in place, use the seal on the inner envelope instead. Or, place wax seals on the outer envelope but have the invitations hand-canceled at the post office. This will eliminate running the envelopes through the sorting machine which can damage the seals.)

2. Add a decorative touch. Wax seals can apply a cohesive theme throughout your entire event. Place wax seals on your ceremony programs, wedding favors, or your escort cards. Here’s one example:

We also think they’d look cute on menus at each guest’s place setting:

3. Use wax seals to fasten notes for the bride + groom. This picture shows how to make a guest book alternative even cuter by having guests seal the envelopes with wax. Use pre-made wax seals with an adhesive on the back to save on time, space and materials required on your guest book table.

Helpful Videos

Watch these two videos to give you a few helpful hints on how to seamlessly apply wax seals:

- (one) how to apply the wax seal to your invitations,
- (two) apply the seal with enhanced gold ink

DIY Wax Seal

Did you know you could make your own DIY wax seal with a wooden dowel, wood burning tool, pencil, cutout design, xacto knife and a few other easy-to-find supplies? It’s true! Our favorite DIY wax seal tutorial comes from Ragehaus which tells you how to make your own seals complete with a supply list and step-by-step tutorial. Read the full how-to here!

Where to Buy Wax Seal Kits

We spotted these beautiful handmade wax seal kits by Katrina Alana. Take a peek:

For more samples + to buy yours, visit her shop.

Wax Seal Alternatives

I know how time-consuming applying wax seals can be… in fact, I bought my own wax seal kit for my wedding invitations and ran out of time to use them. So, if you’re hoping to use wax seals but you’re just about to send out those invites, fear not – there are two wonderful alternatives you can try instead:

1. The Wax Seal Stamp This stamp gives you the look of a wax seal – in a stamp form! It is handmade + customized with your initial. Plus, you can stamp it any color you choose!

These beautiful wax seal stamps are handmade by The Letter Kay, featured artisan in The Marketplace. Check out her EB Shop to see her full collection.

2. The Wax Seal Sticker The wax feel and look you love without the wax process… just stick and send! We spotted a great collection of handmade wax seal stickers via Jarrs Creations:

3. Wear It! Check out these wax seal inspired jewelry items to wear around your neck, on your wrist, on your finger or on your fiancee’s sleeve!

Happy Planning!

♥
-E.

7 Responses to “How to Use Wax Seals”

1. amanda @ baci
   October 3rd, 2011 @ 2:14 pm

   LOVE wax seals!! We’re actually doing an escort card project with them next week :o) YAY!

2. The Perfect Palette
   October 3rd, 2011 @ 3:23 pm

   Wax seal kits are definitely great gift ideas.

   Thanks for sharing,

   Chrissy

3. Kate/MagnoliaRouge
   October 3rd, 2011 @ 4:29 pm

   I love them…. I used one on my wedding invite many years ago!! I love that bracelet as well!! Great find!

4. Clare Tam-Im
   October 3rd, 2011 @ 5:48 pm

   Great post! I love wax seals and want to use them for our invites when we eventually get married lol.

5. Andrea
   October 3rd, 2011 @ 8:51 pm

   This might be one of my favorite ideas…I may just have to use this :)

6. Katrina
   October 3rd, 2011 @ 11:00 pm

   Thank you for featuring our wax seals. They do add a lovely touch to envelopes and even favour boxes. We love them so much that’s why we decided the sell them.

7. Best of the Blogs – Our Favorite Posts! | MyDeejay Wedding DJs Blog | MyDeejay
   October 4th, 2011 @ 2:42 pm

   [...] How to Use Wax Seals Emmaline Bride has a very cool, very extensive post all about wax seals. If that’s your thing, be sure to click over and check it out! [...]

Name (required)

Email Address(required)

Website

Comments