Address Labels For Wedding Invites: Tacky Or Time-Saver?

Wedding planning is a tedious task, and couples often struggle with the decision of whether to handwrite or use address labels for their wedding invitations. While some consider handwritten invitations more elegant and thoughtful, others prefer the convenience and consistency of address labels. Ultimately, the choice depends on personal preference, time constraints, and the desired level of formality for the wedding.

Etiquette and appropriateness

The use of address labels for wedding invitations is a convenient option for couples who want to save time and effort in handwriting each envelope. While some consider this approach acceptable, others view it as less formal and possibly tacky. Here are some considerations regarding the appropriateness and etiquette of using address labels:

Formality and Tradition:

Traditionally, the address on a wedding invitation should be handwritten, and printed labels were not considered appropriate. This is especially true for more formal weddings where adhering to traditional etiquette is expected. However, times are changing, and computer-generated calligraphy directly on the envelope is gaining popularity and acceptability.

Guest Experience and Appreciation:

Some guests may appreciate the personal touch and effort of handwritten invitations. They may view it as a thoughtful gesture and take the time to mention it in their replies. On the other hand, some couples opt for address labels or printing directly on the envelope to ensure clarity and legibility, avoiding the risk of their invitations getting lost in the mail due to illegible handwriting.

Practicality and Convenience:

Address labels offer a practical solution, especially when dealing with a large number of invitations. They save you from the tedious task of handwriting each envelope and can help prevent hand cramps. Additionally, they ensure uniformity and consistency in the appearance of your invitations.

Customization and Design:

Address labels can be customized to match your wedding theme and colour scheme. Websites like Etsy offer a wide range of unique designs, from minimalist to maximalist styles. You can also find clear labels that blend seamlessly into the envelope, making them less noticeable.

Alternatives:

If you're unsure about using address labels, there are a few alternatives to consider. You can opt for envelope printing, where the guest and return addresses are pre-printed directly on the envelopes. Another option is to hire a professional calligrapher to inscribe your envelopes, adding an elegant and personalized touch.

In conclusion, the appropriateness of using address labels for wedding invitations depends on your personal preference, the level of formality you wish to convey, and the overall guest experience you aim to create. While some may consider it less formal, others view it as a practical solution that doesn't detract from the special nature of the occasion. Ultimately, the decision rests with you and your partner, and there are plenty of options to choose from to ensure your invitations reflect your style and theme.

Handwriting vs. printing

When it comes to addressing wedding invitations, there are two main options: handwriting or printing. Both have their pros and cons, and the decision ultimately comes down to personal preference and budget.

Handwriting

Handwriting wedding invitations is the traditional and more personal approach. It follows proper wedding protocol and etiquette, and can make each invitation feel special and unique. However, handwriting can be time-consuming and costly, especially if you hire a professional calligrapher. Additionally, if you have bad handwriting, your envelopes may not look polished or may be difficult to read.

Printing

Printing wedding invitations is a modern and cost-effective option. It is quick and easy, and ensures consistent and legible addresses on every envelope. Printing is also a good choice for those with messy handwriting. However, it may be considered less traditional and personal than handwriting. Additionally, print colors may be limited, and some printing methods can be expensive.

Other Considerations

If you're looking for a compromise between handwriting and printing, you might consider faux calligraphy or computer-printed calligraphy. Faux calligraphy involves writing your address in cursive and then reinforcing the downstroke with a black pen, creating the illusion of professional calligraphy. Computer-printed calligraphy uses a light grey font printed directly on the envelopes, which you can then trace over with a fountain pen. These options can save time and money while still adding a personal touch to your invitations.

Ultimately, the decision to handwrite or print your wedding invitations depends on your preferences, budget, and the amount of time you're willing to spend on this task. Both options can be equally effective in conveying your invitation information, so choose the one that feels right for you and your wedding.

Return address labels

When creating your return address labels, you have the option to order just the return address labels or to include guest address labels as well. If you opt for the latter, you can choose to have your return address and guest address labels in the same font and design style, or you can select two coordinating designs that complement each other.

When it comes to the design and style of your return address labels, there are many options available. You can find clear labels that will blend in with the colour of your envelopes, or you can opt for labels with a coloured background or a simple white label. You can also add a touch of elegance with gold foil or a wedding invitation wax seal. If you're looking for a more casual or modern look, there are labels with minimalist designs and fonts that will give your invitations a sleek and sophisticated feel.

When ordering your return address labels, it's important to provide accurate information to ensure timely delivery. Include your names as a couple and your address. If you're using a service that offers customisation, you can choose to include titles such as "Mr." and "Mrs." before your names.

Overall, return address labels are a convenient and practical option for your wedding invitations, and with the variety of designs available, you can easily find ones that fit your wedding theme and style.

Font and design

The font and design you choose for your wedding invitations will depend on the tone you want to set for your wedding. It's important to pick a font that aligns with your wedding theme and is legible. You may also want to use accent fonts to highlight names or your wedding date.

If you're going for a sophisticated script, a clean, modern look, or a handwritten style, there are plenty of options to choose from. For a classic wedding invite combination, try a cursive font like Great Vibes paired with a sans serif like Montserrat. The subtle slant, medium weight, and even x-height of Great Vibes make for great accessibility in the form of elegant letterforms, while Montserrat balances this with its uniform, straight lines.

For a timeless appeal, serif fonts are a great choice. Playfair Display is a classic-type serif font with subtle transitions between thick and thin lines. This can be accentuated by Montserrat Light, with its even linearity playing off nicely with the upright structure of Playfair.

If you're looking for a more modern font, Bodoni is a good option. It's a modern font with a high contrast between thick and thin strokes, and completely flat serifs. This can be paired with a geometric vintage-inspired font like Josefin Sans for a vintage-contemporary pair that works perfectly with simple designs.

For a formal feeling grounded in traditional styling, script fonts are a good choice. These often have lots of flourishes, like swooshes and extras around each letterform, which add to the ornate styling. For a more modern take, try a mix of modern calligraphy, where the letters are varied and feel more hand-drawn.

If you're looking for a font that's easy to read, serif fonts are a great option for print design. They have extra "feet" that help bridge the visual lines between each letter and make for better legibility. There are two styles of serif fonts: more traditional, grounded in centuries-old styling; and a modern serif styling that is elevated and borrows from current design trends while still being grounded in tradition.

Sans serif fonts are the cleanest letters, with no extra flourishes or feet. They are excellent for digital invitations and are the most legible. They have a modern elegance and can be paired together to create contrast through different thicknesses of fonts.

When it comes to design, you can choose to print directly on the envelope or use address labels. While printed labels used to be considered inappropriate, they are now gaining popularity and acceptability. If you want to use labels, clear labels can blend into the envelope, while labels with a coloured background or gold foil can add a touch of sparkle or sophistication. You can also find labels with sweet design elements, such as floral flourishes or watercolour-style greenery, that can add a soft touch to your invitations.

Where to buy

Wedding address labels are a great way to save time and ensure your invitations look elegant and sophisticated. If you're looking to purchase some, here are some options for where to buy them:

Etsy

Etsy is an excellent source for unique and independent artisans' designs. You can find a wide range of wedding address labels on Etsy, from maximalist to minimalist styles. They offer digital downloads that you can print yourself, as well as various customisation options like different fonts, colours, and sizes. Etsy sellers often provide quick shipping, but it's a good idea to order in advance to account for potential variations.

Zazzle

Zazzle is another fantastic option for wedding address labels, especially if you're looking for sweet design elements and good customisation options. Depending on the design, you can edit the font, background colour, font colour, and font size. They offer standard shipping, which takes about two weeks, and express shipping, which cuts that time in half.

Shutterfly

Shutterfly is a well-known company that offers a range of printing services, including wedding address labels. They guarantee your satisfaction and have best-in-class printing done in the USA.

Amazon

Amazon provides a vast selection of wedding address labels, with options to suit various aesthetic preferences and practical needs. You can find labels in different materials, such as clear, white, gold, or silver, and choose from a variety of designs, including floral, minimalist, or elegant styles. Many of the options on Amazon also offer free shipping.

The Knot Invitations

If you're looking for a more streamlined approach, The Knot Invitations offers a service where you can pre-print guest and return addresses directly on your envelopes. This saves you the time and effort of sticking individual labels on each envelope.

In addition to these options, you can also consider engaging a professional calligrapher to address your envelopes or using a mail merge feature in programs like Microsoft Word and Excel to print addresses directly onto labels or envelopes.

Frequently asked questions