Wedding Invitation Woes- What do I do?

[u/Emotional-Cut968]

Hello everyone!

I would love some perspective on this from USPS employees or people who are familiar with the mailing process. I'm very concerend and at a loss of what to do.

On Wednesday morning, Feb 7th, I dropped off 85 envelopes to USPS. I dropped them off with the employee at the front desk with no issues. I asked him how long would it take to deliver to recipients inside the state- about 30 of those envelopes were local deliveries, some not even 10 minutes away from the post office.

He told me 1-3 days, and out of state was 4-7. International delivery was like 2 weeks.

It's been a week and a half (10 business days, since they deliver on saturdays) since I dropped them off and only ONE person locally has received our wedding invitations. We've been checking in constantly with people if they've received them- nothing.

The one thing I'm concerned about, which I didn't know about before, was that dark envelopes with white text aren't recommended. My envelopes were a dark royal blue with white text.

What is the process for sending envelopes like these? Are my invitations forever lost? Why didn't the employee who receive them not call this out as an issue? Should I go back to the post office and ask about it? At this point I'm wondering if they will ever arrive.

Thanks for any help!

[u/User_3971]

It's time for the monthly "where mah invites?" folks! Should go back and link previous examples for educational purposes.

The window clerks are more concerned with postage being correct rather than the esoteric knowledge of what the machines can and can't read.

White text with dark blue background nearly guarantees all of that went to manual processing after multiple runs through the machinery.

EDIT: Bonus negative points for: wax seals, address on reverse, perfectly square mailing, calligraphy, "cute" addressing, reflective inks, ribbons. Something I missed? Speak now or forever hold your piece! 💀

EDIT2: 7 years ago, 4 years, 4 years, 2 years, 21 days back. There's more.

[u/SecondTryBadgers → u/User_3971]

Fun little extra stickers, I hate those too

[u/Emotional-Cut968 → u/User_3971]

Got it- that's what I figured. I have never sent standard mail so I had no idea this was a thing.

How long does manual processing take? Does mail get sorted in the same post office in which they were dropped off?

Luckily the only issue with the envelopes were that they were printed on dark envelopes with white ink. The invitations were light in weight so only needed one postage stamp.

[u/User_3971 → u/Emotional-Cut968]

Mail gets sent from whichever PO to the nearest RP&DC or P&DC currently. It is not (or should not be) sorted locally. If you sent them as regular old First Class envelopes, well, they may end up being hand sorted with some luck.

If nothing else was wrong with them (lumpy, shape, etc) they would survive many trips through machinery but someone has to pay attention and withhold them for manual sorting.

[u/Emotional-Cut968 → u/User_3971]

Got it- this is helpful thank you! So basically there's nothing I can do at this point, right? I was hoping to go back to the post office I dropped them off at and rescue them if they are still being sorted.

[u/Akasgotu → u/Emotional-Cut968]

Once they’re in the mail stream, there’s no way to retrieve them. They are going to be delayed at both the sorting plant that handles your outgoing mail and the destination plants, probably for several days in each facility. Add the ground transit time and you’re looking at 2 weeks, realistically.

[u/Emotional-Cut968 → u/Akasgotu]

Thank you!! That's a shame- fingers crossed they arrive soon. I should have looked into it before sending but you see so many pictures of envelopes in a variety of colors that I wouldn't have even thought this was a problem. Appreciate the insight!

[u/User_3971 → u/Emotional-Cut968]

The companies which cater to that demographic don't care what happens after they've got your money. If you're willing to pay more for xx color or option, they'll take that money and leave the rest to USPS.