Printing Wedding Invite Envelopes: Addressing Etiquette

Wedding invitations are a tedious task, but there are many ways to address the envelopes for your big day. You can print the addresses on the envelopes yourself, using Microsoft Word and Excel, or opt for a printing service that will do it for you. If you're looking for a more personal touch, you can also consider handwritten addresses or hiring a calligrapher. Printing addresses on envelopes yourself can be a cost-effective option, but it may require some trial and error to get the formatting and printing settings right. On the other hand, using a printing service can save you time and stress, ensuring that your invitations look professional and are mailed out on time. Ultimately, the method you choose will depend on your budget, time constraints, and desired level of personalization.

Printing addresses on envelopes at home

Prepare your guest list

Start by creating an Excel spreadsheet with all your guest's addresses. Include columns for names, street addresses, apartment numbers, cities, states, zip codes, and country if applicable. This will make it easier to format and print the addresses on the envelopes.

Choose your envelope

Select envelopes that match the size and style of your wedding invitations. You can find envelopes in various colours, finishes, and sizes at craft stores or online. Make sure to select envelopes that will fit in your printer and that are compatible with the ink you will be using.

Set up your printer

Before printing, test the alignment by feeding a blank sheet of paper into your printer and adjusting the margins as needed. This will ensure that the addresses are printed in the correct position on the envelopes. You may also need to adjust the paper size in your printing settings to match the size of your envelopes.

Design your template

Use a program like Microsoft Word or Google Docs to create a template for the addresses. Play around with different fonts and text sizes to find a style that suits your wedding theme. You can even use a combination of fonts, such as a block font for the names and a cursive font for the addresses. Don't forget to include a return address on the back flap of the envelope!

Mail merge

Instead of copying and pasting each address individually, use the mail merge function in your word processing software. This will allow you to automatically populate the addresses from your Excel spreadsheet onto the envelope template. There are plenty of online tutorials that can guide you through this process.

Printing

When you're ready to print, make sure your envelopes are loaded correctly and that your ink cartridges are full. Print in small batches to avoid smudging, and allow the ink to dry completely before stacking the envelopes. Depending on your printer and envelope type, you may need to print one envelope at a time to avoid jams.

Using address labels

When using address labels, there are a few things to keep in mind. First, you'll need to decide if you want just return address labels or if you also want guest address labels. Return address labels only include your and your future spouse's address, while guest address labels will have the mailing information of your invitees. If you choose to use both types of labels, you can either coordinate their designs or choose two completely different styles.

Another thing to consider is whether you want to print the labels yourself or have them professionally printed. Sites like Etsy, Zazzle, and The Knot offer customizable address labels that you can print at home or send to a local print shop. This option allows you to personalize the labels with your preferred font, colour, and size. On the other hand, some companies like Staples and Office Depot may be able to print the labels for you, although this option may be more expensive.

When creating your address labels, it's important to ensure that all guest names and addresses are spelled correctly. You can use a spreadsheet or document to keep track of this information and triple-check it before placing your order.

Overall, using address labels for your wedding invitations is a convenient and cost-effective option that can add a touch of elegance to your envelopes. With the variety of styles and customisation options available, you can easily find or create labels that match your wedding theme and stationery.

Printing addresses directly on envelopes

Prepare your guest list

Create an Excel spreadsheet with all the necessary information for each guest, including their names, street addresses, apartment numbers, city, state, zip code, and country if applicable. This will make it easier to format and print the addresses later on.

Choose your fonts and design

Decide on the fonts and design you want for your envelopes. You can use a combination of block and cursive fonts to create a stylish look. Consider adding a small detail, such as "kindly deliver to", to make your envelopes stand out. You can purchase affordable fonts from sites like Creative Market.

Set up your template

Change the page layout size in Microsoft Word to match the size of your envelopes. This will ensure that your addresses are scaled correctly. Create a template with the fonts and spacing you want, and be sure to include your return address as well.

Mail merge

Perform a mail merge in Microsoft Word to combine your guest list with your envelope template. This will automatically generate all your addressed envelopes, saving you time and effort. You can also use the Envelope Wizard in Word to guide you through the process.

Test your printer

Before printing a large batch, test your printer by printing on a marked scrap of paper first. This will help you determine the correct way to load the envelopes and avoid any smudging or ink smearing issues. For metallic or shimmer envelopes, you may need to remove each envelope before printing the next one to prevent smudging.

Print in batches

Depending on your printer and envelope type, you may need to print in smaller batches to avoid smudging. Lay each printed envelope flat before printing the next one to allow the ink to dry.

By following these steps, you can easily print addresses directly on your wedding invitation envelopes, creating a beautiful and personalised look while saving time and money.

Handwritten addresses

Handwriting the addresses on your wedding invitation envelopes is a thoughtful touch and can make your invites feel more personal. However, it is time-consuming and leaves more room for error. If you're not confident in your handwriting, you could consider hiring a professional calligrapher to write your envelopes for you. This can be an expensive option, so it might be worth looking into printing the addresses yourself at home.

If you're set on handwriting your envelopes, there are a few things to keep in mind. Firstly, make sure you have a neat, legible handwriting style that your guests will be able to read easily. You don't want your invites getting lost in the mail! It's also important to use the correct titles and formats for addressing the envelopes. For example, for a married couple, you would address the envelope to "Mr. and Mrs. John Smith". If the couple has different last names, you would list their names separately: "Ms. Celine Elgin and Ms. Jacqueline Purcell". For a single person, you would use "Ms." or "Mr." followed by their full name.

Another thing to consider is the timing. Give yourself enough time to write out all the addresses and have a buffer period to double-check any mistakes before you send out your invitations. Collecting all the necessary addresses and information can take some time, so don't leave this task until the last minute. It's also a good idea to have some extra envelopes on hand in case of any mistakes.

Handwriting your wedding invitation envelopes can be a labour of love, but it's definitely achievable if you plan ahead and give yourself enough time.

Outsourcing envelope addressing

Wedding Address Labels

Address labels are stickers that display the names and addresses of your wedding guests, making it easier to send out your invitations without having to write out each address by hand. You can find both return address labels, with your address, and guest address labels. These labels give your envelopes a streamlined and sophisticated look. You can buy address labels from online retailers and stationery stores, with options for customisation in terms of font, background colour, and font colour. Etsy, for example, offers a wide range of designs created by independent artisans, while Zazzle allows for customisation of font, background colour, and font colour.

Envelope Address Printing

Another option is to have the guest and return addresses pre-printed directly on your envelopes. This option saves you the time and effort of sticking on address labels. The Knot Invitations offers this service, where you can select envelopes with guest addressing, return addressing, or both.

Envelope Calligraphy

If you're looking for an ultra-elegant way to address your envelopes, consider hiring a professional calligrapher. They will work with you to determine your preferred penmanship style and then write directly on each envelope. Calligraphy is a true art form, so this option will likely be more expensive than address labels or printing.

Printing at Home

If you have a home printer, you can also print addresses directly on your envelopes or on clear labels. This option may require some trial and error to get the formatting right, but it can be a budget-friendly choice.

Handwriting

Of course, you can always handwrite the addresses yourself. This option is time-consuming and may not be suitable if you have a large guest list or if your handwriting is not clear. However, it can add a thoughtful, personal touch to your invitations.

Frequently asked questions