Addressing Invitations

It probably is not correct etiquette, but seriously does anybody now a days really care how the outside of an envelope is addressed?! Why don't you try the clear stickers with a fancy font, maybe that will ease your mind. I'm sure others will say NO they have to be hand addressed, but people rip open the envelope & throw it out! Who cares.

I agree w/monarchmom...it is just paper that gets thrown out...the last few weddings I have been to the invites have been addressed w/printed address labels and I think they look fine Its also cheaper than hiring a caligrapher too.

If it helps any I will probably type mine up also..we have a lot to address also

Hi Sarah,

I'm an invitation designer and really recommend that you have each envelope printed. Address labels are frowned upon when you are sending wedding invitations. It kind of tells your guests that the invitation is something you didn't think too much of and they, in turn, may feel likewise.

It's really not that big of a deal to print directly on the envelopes unless your printer is unpredictable or you are not comfortable working with your word processor. The hardest part is making sure that your document is measured properly. Then, it's a simple copy and paste from your list (which is either in the form of a spreadsheet or labels). Format the font and you are golden.

If it sounds like too big of a deal, pop me an email and I can give you more guidance, or give you a quote for envelope printing.

Best of luck!

Jo-Anne Asuncion

www.kalijoworks.com

**@***********.***

I just would add that I think a lot of people do care about the personal touches you add to your day. How often does anyone receive snail mail anymore? One of the best things about having a wedding is sticking to time honored traditions. These traditions are not meant to confine you but rather show one how to put care and time into a very special day, even if it is over something that seems as silly as envelopes that will be thrown out. It is a beautiful thing to receive an invitation that speaks to the couples true tastes. Like some one said above, make an evening out of it!

My personal opinion is that for someone to sit and actually put thought into the fact of whether someone handwrote or used address labels on an invite says to me that they have a lot of spare time on their hands and need a hobby big time. I have gotten invites both ways and thought no different about them either way.I was just thankful to be invited.Put a label on it and call it a day you will spend way less time get the clear ones if it will make others feel better.

How about printing right on the envelopes..with a fancy font? That's my plan.

If you need a fast and easy addressing software for your wedding invitations check out our product - Weddings Addressed - http://www.kitbiz.com/products/address-software.aspx

This is just my opinion, but I really don't think there's anything wrong with printing out address labels. I have terrible handwriting, I didn't want to spend money on a calligrapher, I didn't want to put that kind of pressure on my friends who might have nice handwriting, and I didn't know who I was inviting far enough in advance to have the invitations made with printed addresses. So, I printed out address labels with a fancy font and a cute bride and groom motif. So far, no complaints from anyone about it. I even printed out the labels for the inner envelope.

If you are making the entire invitation yourself, you can print out the address directly on the envelope. Otherwise, just use clear mailing labels like I did, and find a template online (I used one on the Avery website).

Remember, weddings should reflect the tastes of the bride and groom. If you're not old-school traditional, then why worry about it?

Typed address labels are absolutely not rude, Sarah, especially when having a large wedding. Another option, if you know someone who does calligraphy, provide that person the list and have them do the address labels in calligraphy. It looks wonderfully elegant!

Connie..."Heart and Soul Events"

Thanks for all the responses! We have decided to compromise and print the addresses onto the envelopes. I decided that if people are that upset that their envelope wasn't hand written they don't have to come!

There is a history about wedding invitations...why are you supposed to use black ink; why an outer and inner envelope; etc. It is really not the "vendor" it is traditional etiquette. Etiquette is a courtesy. Whether an event is traditional or modern, Your wedding invitation is the most important part of your wedding as far as your guests go. Hand addressing makes the Wedding more personal to the guests. The invitation is what is going to show your personality, style, and let guests have a hint of what to expect.

In the end it is up to you. I wouldn't print,type,or use stickers/labels.

my motto is: A beautiful invitation deserves a beautiful hand addressed envelope. GO WITH WHAT UR GUESTS R XPECTING

I bought a Addressing Software program from Jean M for $24 and it helps you properly address your inner, outer, thank you note, back return address envelopes. The link to the product on their site is:http://www.myjeanm.com/engine.cfm?iCatID=11533. I even used it for my Holiday Cards. The fonts on there you can choose from and it looks like you had a colligrapher do your envelopes for you for a fraction of the cost. It even comes out better than using Microsoft Word. I had offered to do my brother-in-law and soon to be sister-in-law's addresses using this software for them but they refused and wanted to use word. It's a fabulus product for half the price. I hope this will help you instead of using labels. Lables are ok to use on your place cards, but not on the envelopes.

Honestly with the guide card for my husbands and my announcement cards to send out to our family and friends, I have very legible cursive handwriting (I can't do calligraphy) and tried to handwrite all of the addresses on our envelopes (literally received them in the mail the day I went into labor with our son) and found out how unsatisfied they came out, which is why I ordered the software. There are some calligraphy fonts on there that look like what hand addressed envelopes look like by a calligrapher. I would have loved to have hired a calligrapher if my hubby and I could have afforded it, but if it's not in your Wedding Budget there are ways around it without offending guests. A friend of mine handwrote guests addresses on their wedding invitations and the one we received looked like a 1st grader wrote the address, it didn't look at all even slightely neat or like a pro could have done it. We were happy to be invited, but appearance makes a statement to your guests on invitations.

I'm so glad there's a post for this. I've been debating whether or not to hand-write or type the address for our invites too. I really personally don't think there's anything wrong with typing--especially if you use clear labels and a nice font. I never had plans to get a caligrapher, and I'm the only person in my bridal party and immediate family with nice hand-writing. So I would have been the one addressing each envelope.

I think I may just type them up--use a mail merge and get some nice labels.