Creative Ways To Address Wedding Invites For Bad Handwriting

Wedding invitations are a time-consuming task, and addressing them by hand can be a tedious job, especially if you have bad handwriting. While it is generally recommended to hand-address wedding invitations, there are several alternatives to consider if you are not confident in your penmanship. One option is to hire a calligrapher to address the envelopes for you, adding a personalized and elegant touch. Another option is to print the addresses directly on the envelopes or use clear address labels with a nice font and design. You can also explore alternatives such as envelope printing or custom calligraphy services. Ultimately, the decision comes down to your preference and budget, but knowing your options can help you achieve the desired look for your wedding invitations without the stress of handwriting.

Printing addresses on envelopes

Step 1: Prepare Your Guest List

Begin by creating a spreadsheet with all your guest addresses. You can use Excel or Google Sheets for this. Include columns for names (e.g., "Mr. and Mrs. Carter" or "James Brown"), street address, apartment number or street address 2, city, state, zip code, and country if you have international guests. Ensure that you format international addresses correctly, as they may require additional columns for codes and cities.

Step 2: Choose Your Template and Fonts

Select an envelope template that matches the size of your envelopes. You can create your own or purchase one online. Consider the program the template uses and your comfort level with it. Choose fonts that complement your wedding style and theme. You may want to use a combination of a block font and a cursive font for a stylish look.

Step 3: Set Up Your Envelope Template

Open your template in a word processing program, such as Microsoft Word. Change the page layout size to match your envelopes to ensure accurate scaling. Set up text boxes with your chosen fonts and format the spacing to ensure a neat appearance. Remember to centre the recipient's address on the front of the envelope and place the return address in the upper left corner or on the envelope flap.

Step 4: Merge Your Guest List and Template

Use the mail merge function in your word processing software to combine your guest list with your envelope template. This will allow you to generate a print-ready file with all your guest addresses in the correct format. Save your final file as a PDF to ensure compatibility with various printers.

Step 5: Test Print and Adjust Settings

Before printing all your envelopes, it's essential to do a few test prints to get the settings right. Print on plain paper or use spare envelopes to avoid wasting your good ones. Try placing the envelopes upside down in the printer feed, with the printing side facing you, for better alignment. Adjust your printer settings to match the envelope size and always choose "no scaling" or 100% to prevent distortion.

Step 6: Print Your Envelopes

Once you're happy with the test prints, it's time to print your envelopes. Remember to flatten the edges of the envelopes with a bone folder, the edge of a ruler, or your fingernail to prevent smudging. Tuck in the envelope flap to avoid jamming. Depending on your printer and ink type, you may need to print in batches and lay each invitation flat before printing the next one to avoid smudging.

With these steps, you'll be able to create beautifully addressed envelopes for your wedding invitations, even with bad handwriting!

Using address labels

If you're worried about your handwriting but still want to send out wedding invitations that look elegant and are easy to read, address labels are a great option. They're also a good choice if you want to save time and avoid hand cramps from writing out hundreds of addresses!

Address labels are simply stickers that display names and addresses, making it much easier to mail your wedding invitations. You can find both wedding return address labels, printed with your address, and wedding guest address labels, printed with your guests' mailing information. These labels will give your envelopes a streamlined and sophisticated look, and there are many gorgeous options available that will make your invitations feel extra special.

You can buy wedding address labels from numerous online retailers and stationery stores. Etsy, for example, offers a wide range of unique designs, from maximalist to minimalist, and even digital downloads that you can print yourself. Zazzle is another great option, offering customisation options such as font, background colour, font colour, and size, as well as matte or glossy transparent vinyl.

When ordering address labels, you'll need to decide if you want just return address labels, just guest address labels, or both. If you choose to include both types of labels, consider whether you want them to be in the same font and design style, or if you're happy with two coordinating designs. For return address labels, simply write out your names and address, and for guest address labels, you'll usually be able to fill out the addresses directly on the website or provide a document with your guests' names and mailing information.

While some people may have strong opinions about handwritten envelopes, many guests won't mind receiving a wedding invitation with address labels. As long as you choose a nice font and design that matches the style of your wedding, your guests will likely appreciate the clarity and effort that went into ensuring their invitations are readable and elegant.

Hiring a calligrapher

Cost:

Calligraphy services can vary in price depending on the calligrapher's experience and the local market. On average, envelope addressing can range from $3.50 to $5.50 per envelope. It's important to remember that you get what you pay for, so be cautious of prices that seem too good to be true.

Timing:

It's recommended to book your calligrapher early, around the same time you book your invitations. Calligraphy is a physical job, and calligraphers can only take on a limited number of projects at a time. Securing their services early will ensure you get your preferred calligrapher and allow them enough time to complete the job.

Finding a Calligrapher:

To find a calligrapher, you can start by checking with your local calligraphy guild or association. Most states or major cities have a calligraphy group that can provide a listing of local calligraphers or put you in touch with their members. Word-of-mouth recommendations from friends or family who have used calligraphy services for their weddings are also a great option.

Benefits of Calligraphy:

Calligraphy adds a timeless and artistic element to your wedding invitations, envelopes, or escort cards. It sets the tone for your wedding and gives your guests a hint of what to expect on the big day. Calligraphy can also be used on non-traditional surfaces such as tiles, stones, shells, and bottles, adding a unique and personalized touch to your wedding decor.

Alternatives to Consider:

If hiring a calligrapher is not feasible due to budget or time constraints, there are several alternatives you can consider:

• Printing directly on the envelopes: This option is more affordable and can give a neat and elegant look, especially if you use a calligraphy-style font.
• Address labels: Clear address labels with a nice script or font can be a simple and cost-effective solution. While some consider labels tacky, others argue that guests will not pay much attention to the address and will likely discard the envelope after receiving the invitation.
• Handwriting with calligraphy pens: If you have the time and patience, you can try improving your handwriting by practising with calligraphy pens. This option may be more feasible for smaller guest lists, as handwriting a large number of envelopes can be time-consuming and tiring.

Tracing over printed words

If you want to address your wedding invitations with elegant penmanship but don't trust your handwriting, consider tracing over printed words. This method will give you the "hand-written" effect without the worry of smudges or mistakes.

To do this, start by printing out your addresses in a dark black font on regular printer paper. You can use Microsoft Word to type out the addresses and choose a nice calligraphy font. Once you have your printed sheet, place it under a blank invitation envelope and carefully trace over the letters with an inexpensive calligraphy pen from a craft store.

This method is a great way to achieve a polished and personalised look for your wedding invitations without the hassle and expense of hiring a calligrapher. It also ensures that your envelopes are legible and mistake-free, reducing the risk of your invitations getting lost in the mail.

Some things to keep in mind: make sure to use a good quality pen that won't smudge or leak through the envelope. Take your time and consider ordering extra envelopes in case of mistakes. You can also ask a friend with nice handwriting to trace the addresses for you.

While some people prefer the personal touch of handwritten envelopes, others may not notice or care as much. Ultimately, it's up to you to decide what works best for your wedding invitations and your budget.

Asking a friend with neat handwriting

If you have bad handwriting, there are several ways to address your wedding invitations. One option is to hire a calligrapher to do it for you. This can be expensive, but it will give your invitations a sophisticated and elegant look. You could also print the addresses on your envelopes using a service like Minted, which offers free envelope printing with your invitation order. Alternatively, you could use address labels, although some consider this option to be tacky. If you want to avoid labels, you could try printing directly on the envelopes or using a cheater's calligraphy technique by printing the addresses in dark black font on plain paper and tracing over the letters with a calligraphy pen.

If you have a friend with neat handwriting, you could also ask them to address your wedding invitations for you. This is a great option if you want to save money and don't want to worry about printing or labels. It's also a fun way to get your friend involved in the wedding planning process. Here are some tips to keep in mind if you decide to go this route:

• Bribe your friend: Offer to take them out for dinner or drinks, or give them a small gift as a token of your appreciation.
• Provide them with the right tools: Make sure they have ultra-fine point markers that won't smudge or leak through the envelopes. You could also offer to reimburse them for any supplies they need to purchase.
• Give them plenty of time: Addressing wedding invitations can be time-consuming, especially if your friend has to write out a large number of envelopes. Make sure you give them enough advance notice and don't put too much pressure on them to finish quickly.
• Order extra envelopes: Mistakes are bound to happen, so make sure you have plenty of extra envelopes on hand in case your friend needs to start over.
• Provide a spreadsheet: Create a spreadsheet with all the guest names and addresses to make it easy for your friend to access the information they need.
• Proofread: Once your friend has addressed all the envelopes, take the time to proofread them to catch any mistakes.
• Keep it consistent: If your friend's handwriting varies a lot, ask them to try to keep it as consistent as possible across all the envelopes. This will give a more polished and professional look.

Remember to be considerate of your friend's time and effort, and don't take advantage of their help. They are doing you a favor, so make sure you express your gratitude and return the favor when you can!

Frequently asked questions