Creating Wedding Address Labels: A Simple Guide

how to make wedding address labels

Wedding invitations are the calling card for your special day. While the invitation itself is important, it's also crucial to ensure that the outside of the envelope is just as impressive. One way to do this is by creating custom address labels that complement your wedding theme. There are several ways to create address labels, from using templates provided by companies like Avery and printing them yourself, to hiring a professional calligrapher to inscribe your envelopes.

Characteristics Values
Time to send out wedding invitations Six to eight weeks before the wedding
Address format Full names, no nicknames or initials; use appropriate social titles, e.g. "Mr. and Mrs."
Spelling Spell out all words in addresses, including "Street", "Post Office Box", "Apartment", city and state names; house numbers smaller than 20 should also be spelled out
Return address Printed on the envelope's back flap; traditionally done through blind embossing, but couples now use the same method as their invitations
Outer and inner envelopes Include all delivery information on the outer envelope; inner envelope contains names of invited guests in the household, including children
Postage Bring a sample invitation to the post office to have it weighed and determine the correct postage
Printing Use a service like Avery or create your own using Word and Excel

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Using a service like Avery or Shutterfly to design and print your labels

Avery provides an extensive selection of blank wedding labels that you can purchase by the sheet. You can choose the material, shape, size, and quantity that best fit your needs. They also offer free Design & Print software, which makes it simple to merge your wedding contact list with the products you are ordering. This software allows you to design all your labels for your wedding stationery at once, quickly and easily. You can also check out their free wedding templates to personalise or use as inspiration.

Avery's wraparound labels offer a unique, elegant look for your envelopes. You can design these labels with your return address on one side and your guest's address on the other, and then simply wrap them around the side of your envelope for an eye-catching invitation. You can also add a colourful, round seal with the wedding date or a fun personal message to the back of the envelope, or try a square label for a modern twist.

Shutterfly also offers a highly customisable service, allowing you to create something special in just a few minutes or dive deep into the details. They guarantee 100% happiness, with best-in-class printing done in the USA.

Both services provide an easy way to design and print elegant, coordinated wedding labels and stationery.

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Ensuring your labels match your wedding theme

Wedding address labels are an excellent way to personalise your wedding invitations and ensure they match your wedding theme. Here are some tips to ensure your labels complement your special day:

Choose a Design that Reflects Your Wedding Theme

Decide on a design that aligns with your wedding's style and colour palette. If you're having a rustic-themed wedding, opt for address labels with earthy tones and perhaps a twine or wooden texture. For a more elegant or formal wedding, consider sophisticated fonts, elegant borders, and a minimalist colour scheme. Playful fonts, colourful illustrations, and vibrant shades suit a fun, light-hearted wedding.

Customise Your Labels

Customisation is key to ensuring your labels match your wedding theme. You can use online tools like Canva, which offers free, editable wedding label templates. Adjust the colour palette to match your wedding colours, and feel free to add specific design elements, such as borders, graphics, and backgrounds, to achieve the desired look.

Use Matching Accessories

Carry the design of your address labels through to other wedding stationery and accessories. This includes save-the-date cards, thank-you cards, place cards, and tags for wedding favours. Using matching or complementary designs across your wedding stationery adds a cohesive touch and elevates the overall presentation.

Explore Different Shapes and Styles

The shape and style of your labels can also help tie in with your wedding theme. For example, rectangle wraparound labels offer a unique, elegant look, while colourful, round seals add a modern twist. Square labels are versatile and can accommodate images or longer messages.

Consider Eco-Friendly Options

If sustainability is important to you, opt for eco-friendly labels made from recycled paper and printed with eco-friendly processes. This way, you can showcase your commitment to environmental responsibility while still achieving a polished, personalised look.

By following these steps and paying attention to the small details, you can ensure that your wedding address labels beautifully match your wedding theme.

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The pros and cons of printing directly onto envelopes

Wedding invitations are the calling card for your special day. The outside of the envelope is just as important as the inside, so it's worth considering the pros and cons of printing directly onto envelopes.

The Pros

Printing directly onto envelopes is a low-cost alternative to hiring a calligrapher. It is a quick, easy, and cost-effective way to address your envelopes. You can also print envelopes at home, saving you time and money. With digital printing, you can achieve consistent, legible addresses on every envelope, which is great for those with messy handwriting. You can also mix and match fonts and graphics for a modern style.

The Cons

Printing may not follow traditional wedding etiquette, and the personal touch of handwritten addresses may be lost. Print colours may be limited, and some printing methods can be expensive. For example, foil or letterpress return addressing, or white ink toner. Additionally, without the proper knowledge or equipment, DIY printing can be time-consuming. It is always a good idea to order samples to test print before purchasing, as not all printers can print on envelopes.

When designing your envelopes, it is important to adhere to postal guidelines to ensure your invitations are delivered. Avoid placing any wording or art too close to the edge, especially on the top or bottom right, where postal barcodes will be added. Keep addresses clear and legible, and ensure your envelope size matches your document size.

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How to format your guests' names and addresses

There are a few different scenarios to consider when formatting your guests' names and addresses on your wedding invitations. Here are some guidelines to ensure your invites are addressed correctly and your guests feel welcome:

Outer Envelope:

  • For a married couple with the same last name, the traditional format is "Mr. and Mrs." followed by the husband's full name. For a same-sex couple, either name can go first.
  • If you want to include both spouses' names, you can write "Mr. Thomas Warren and Mrs. Michelle Warren".
  • For a married couple with different last names, write their full names on the same line with the person you are closest with first, or in alphabetical order if you are equally close to both. For example, "Ms. Maria Stevens and Mr. David Estevez".
  • When addressing a married couple where one spouse has a hyphenated last name, include both full names, with the person you are closest with first. For example, "Mr. Marcus Craft and Mr. Brian Crosby-Craft".
  • For an unmarried couple living at the same address, write their full names on the same line, with the person you are closest with first. For example, "Mr. Stanley Kim and Ms. Amanda Rhee".
  • When inviting a single female, use "Ms." if she is over 18, and "Miss" if she is under 18. For example, "Ms. Stephanie Chen" or "Miss Stephanie Chen".
  • For a single male, use "Mr." if he is over 18. Otherwise, no title is necessary. For example, "Mr. James Montgomery".
  • If you are inviting a family, you can address the outer envelope to "The Thompson Family" or include the parents' names, such as "Mr. and Mrs. Alan Thompson".

Inner Envelope:

  • The inner envelope is more informal, so you have more flexibility with the formatting. You can include only the last name or use first names only if you prefer a more casual vibe.
  • For a married couple, you can use their shared last name, or write out both of their first names. For example, "Mr. and Mrs. Warren" or "Thomas and Michelle".
  • If you are inviting a single person with a plus-one, you can write their name and "and Guest" on the inner envelope. For example, "Ms. Chen and guest" or "Stephanie and guest".
  • When inviting a family with children, list each child's name on the inner envelope. For girls under 18, you can use "Miss". For example, "Alan, Emily, Roger, Chance, Miss Jennifer, and Miss Lily".

Remember to give yourself enough time to organize your guest list and addresses, and consider using templates or printing services to create beautiful, personalized wedding address labels.

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The benefits of using a calligrapher

Wedding invitations are a calling card for your special day. While you can create custom address labels and matching wedding accessories in a few clicks, there are many benefits to using a calligrapher for your wedding address labels.

Firstly, calligraphy is a beautiful, traditional art form that brings an elegant, formal look to your wedding stationery. It is a time-consuming process that requires practice and skill to master, so you are guaranteed to receive a high-quality, unique product. Calligraphy is often done using an ink brush, pen, or marker, and features decorative flourishes such as loops, strokes, curves, and serifs, resulting in a sophisticated and impressive finish.

Secondly, hiring a calligrapher can save you time and effort. As it is an intricate and detailed process, it can take a professional calligrapher several days to complete an order of 100 envelopes. This means that you can focus your time and energy on other aspects of your wedding planning. Additionally, a calligrapher will be able to advise you on the best style to suit your wedding theme and can offer a personalized, tailored service.

Thirdly, using a calligrapher for your wedding address labels can add a special, luxurious touch to your invitations. It is a traditional way to greet your guests and elevate their experience. Receiving a handwritten, calligraphic invitation is a rare and exciting occurrence that your guests are sure to appreciate.

Finally, a calligrapher can ensure that your envelopes are legible and meet postal requirements. This will prevent any potential issues with deliveries and ensure that your invitations arrive safely and on time.

While there are alternatives to hiring a calligrapher, such as printing labels or handwriting the envelopes yourself, using a professional calligrapher will undoubtedly add a touch of elegance and sophistication to your wedding invitations.

Frequently asked questions

You can use Microsoft Word and Excel to create address labels for each guest. First, create an Excel file with your guest list, complete with full addresses and social and professional titles. Then, use the mail merge function in Word to import your list and print your labels.

You can buy blank address labels from any office supply store, or from retailers like Walmart, Amazon, or Staples.

The outer envelope should include all the information the postal service needs for delivery. This includes the full names of your guests, avoiding nicknames or initials, and their addresses. For married couples, use "Mr. and Mrs.". For men with suffixes, write "Mr. Joseph Morales, Jr." or "Mr. Joseph Morales IV". Spell out all words in the address, including "Street", "Post Office Box", and "Apartment".

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