The Art Of Addressing: A Guide To Calligraphy For Wedding Envelopes

There are many options to consider when addressing wedding invitations. The choice is yours: handwritten, faux, monk, or machine. Handwritten calligraphy is a beautiful art form that requires practice to perform well. It can be time-consuming and costly, with pricing ranging from $1 to $5+ per envelope, but it adds a personal touch to your invitations. If you're confident in your handwriting skills, you can opt for a DIY approach. Alternatively, you can hire a professional calligrapher for a more luxurious option. Another option is to use a computer to print out envelopes, which can save time and money. Some online stationer companies offer free guest addressing services, providing a modern and economical solution. Ultimately, the decision depends on your budget, time constraints, and personal preferences.

Choosing the right pen for calligraphy

Felt-Tip Pens

Felt-tip pens are good for beginners as they are cheap, easy to use, and require no ink preparation. However, they tend to run out of ink fast, and the ink can soak through paper. These pens are good for practice but not for important documents or artwork.

Fountain Pens

Fountain pens are commonly used by intermediate and advanced calligraphers. They contain changeable nibs and ink cartridges, with the ink feeding into the nib and then onto the page through a slit. Fountain pens are less messy and more convenient than dip pens, but they offer limited choices in inks and nibs and are less flexible to write with.

Dip Pens

Dip pens are used by advanced calligraphers but can be used by beginners with patience and practice. They consist of a handle/shaft, a nib-holder, and a nib. Some also have a small reservoir that holds ink. Dip pens give you more freedom to choose nibs, inks, and holders, but they can be messier and more temperamental than fountain pens.

Brush Pens

Brush pens consist of a thin brush with a nylon or sable head. The brush head should be short and stiff to give you more control over the lines. Writing calligraphy with a brush pen is different from using a nib pen, as the brush responds to pressure by producing thicker lines and can create a scratchy look when it runs out of ink. Brush pens are messier for beginners and may be more challenging than felt-tip or fountain pens.

When choosing a pen, consider how messy you want the process to be and how simplified you want your setup to be. Additionally, think about your desired calligraphy style, as some pens are better suited for specific styles. For example, a monoline pen creates strokes with a consistent width and is good for faux calligraphy and hand lettering, while a broad-edge pen produces extreme contrast between thick and thin strokes and is used for styles like Blackletter or Gothic.

Finally, get ink cartridges for a fountain pen or buy ink for a dip pen or brush pen. Calligraphy ink is thicker and clings better to the nib, giving you more control. For dip pens and brush pens, use thicker inks like Indian ink or Chinese stick ink, avoiding those with shellac, which can damage the nib.

Ensuring your address is legible

When writing wedding addresses in calligraphy, it is important to ensure that your address is legible. Here are some tips to achieve that:

Start by choosing the right writing utensil. A calligraphy pen or paintbrush might feel intimidating, so you may want to consider addressing with a brush pen or waterbrush. Brush pens come in various colours and sizes, allowing you to match them to your wedding card suite. Water brushes use ink and watercolour paint, acting like a paintbrush, so you can match the colour to virtually any shade you like.

Next, ensure your addresses are written straight. One way to achieve this is by drawing lines on your envelopes using a ruler and pencil. For darker envelopes, use a piece of transfer paper between your pencil and the envelope to make the lines visible. Alternatively, work on a lightbox with a template placed under or inside your envelopes. This method is beginner-friendly and creates fewer eraser crumbs. You can also purchase or make an envelope addressing guide to help you letter within a certain area and keep your lettering straight.

When writing, make sure to leave room at the top for stamps. Write out the names in pencil first to plan your design and identify where the descenders are (e.g. the tails of letters like y, g, and f). This will help you decide if your design needs to be left-justified, right-justified, or centred. Always work from the bottom up so that you don't run out of room for the calligraphy name and stamps.

Finally, when it comes to the calligraphy itself, you can stick to legibility by writing your name in calligraphy and your address in block letters. For the recipient's name, feel free to curve and curl and do little loopedy loops. But for the actual address, opt for something normal and very legible. You don't want your hard work to go to waste if your recipients can't read their addresses!

Addressing envelopes with centred, left-justified, or right-justified writing

When addressing wedding envelopes with calligraphy, there are several options to consider, including centred, left-justified, or right-justified writing. Here are some detailed instructions and tips for each of these options:

Centred Writing:

Centred text is when the text is aligned symmetrically along an axis in the middle of the envelope. This option is often used for titles, headlines, poems, songs, and short invitations. Centred text can be less readable for longer texts as the ragged starting edges can make it challenging for the recipient to track from one line to the next. When using centred text, it is essential to vary the line length to create a pleasing and interesting silhouette. Additionally, generous line spacing should be applied to enhance readability.

Left-Justified Writing (Flush Left):

In left-justified writing, the text is aligned along the left margin or gutter, resulting in a straight left edge and a ragged right edge. This alignment is commonly used for English and most European languages. Left-justified writing ensures even word spacing and eliminates the need for hyphenation, improving readability. To achieve a pleasing appearance, the trick is to ensure that the ragged edge on the right does not have large chunks or bites out of the paragraph.

Right-Justified Writing (Flush Right):

Right-justified writing is the opposite of left-justified writing, with the ragged edge on the left and the straight edge on the right. This alignment also provides even word spacing and minimal hyphenation. However, it is more demanding to read as recipients have to search for the beginning of each line due to the varying positions caused by the ragged edge. Therefore, right-justified writing is best suited for short texts such as image captions.

Tips for Writing on Envelopes:

Regardless of the alignment chosen, here are some general tips for addressing wedding envelopes with calligraphy:

• Practice first: Before writing directly on the envelopes, practice on plain paper to refine your calligraphy skills and ensure a consistent style.
• Choose the right writing utensil: A calligraphy pen or paintbrush may be intimidating for beginners. Instead, consider using a brush pen or waterbrush, which come in various colours to match your wedding card suite.
• Create guidelines: Use a ruler and pencil to draw lines on the envelopes as a guide for writing straight. For darker envelopes, place a piece of transfer paper between the pencil and the envelope. Alternatively, use a lightbox with a template for lighter-coloured envelopes.
• Consider time and budget: Calligraphy is time-consuming, so set a realistic goal, such as addressing 10-15 envelopes per day. If you prefer a more efficient option, consider hiring a professional calligrapher or using printed envelopes.

In conclusion, when addressing wedding envelopes with calligraphy, you can choose centred, left-justified, or right-justified writing, each offering a unique appearance and readability level. By following the tips provided, you can create elegant and personalised envelopes for your wedding invitations.

Hiring a professional calligrapher vs. doing it yourself

Wedding calligraphy is a beautiful, traditional art form that can add a personal touch to your wedding invitations. It is a time-consuming process that requires practice and skill to master. So, should you hire a professional calligrapher or do it yourself? Here are some things to consider:

Hiring a Professional Calligrapher:

• Time-saving: Planning a wedding can be overwhelming, and hiring a professional calligrapher will save you time and effort. You can focus on other aspects of your wedding while the calligrapher takes care of the invitations.
• Professional results: Calligraphy is an intricate art, and a professional will ensure that your invitations look elegant and flawless. They have the experience and expertise to create consistent and beautiful results.
• Etiquette and style: Professional calligraphers are knowledgeable about the etiquette of addressing envelopes, which can be tricky. They can also offer a range of lettering styles, from traditional to modern, to match your wedding theme.
• Cohesive design: If you've hired a custom stationery designer, a calligrapher can work with them to create cohesive and complementary designs for your invitations and envelopes.
• Guest experience: Your guests will be delighted to receive a beautifully handwritten invitation. It adds a personal touch and makes them feel valued.

Doing It Yourself (DIY):

• Cost-effective: Calligraphy services can be expensive, and if you're on a tight budget, DIY might be a more affordable option. The cost of materials for DIY calligraphy is generally lower, and you can find online tutorials and kits to guide you.
• Creativity and customization: With DIY, you have complete creative control over the design and style of your invitations. You can experiment with different techniques and personalize each invitation to your liking.
• Learning a new skill: Calligraphy can be a fun hobby to pick up, and you may even discover a hidden talent! It can be a rewarding experience to create your own wedding invitations from scratch.
• Flexibility: When doing it yourself, you are not bound by a calligrapher's schedule or turnaround time. You can work at your own pace and make changes as needed without time constraints.
• Intimate experience: Creating your own invitations allows you to pour your heart and soul into each one, making it a labour of love. It can be a meaningful way to connect with your partner as you work together on this project.

Whether you decide to hire a professional calligrapher or take the DIY route, wedding calligraphy will undoubtedly add a special touch to your invitations. Consider your budget, time constraints, and the level of professionalism you desire to make the right choice for your big day.

The cost of wedding invitation calligraphy

Cost Factors

• Experience of the calligrapher: The cost will depend on the calligrapher's years of experience and expertise. More experienced and sought-after calligraphers will usually charge a higher rate.
• Time and complexity: The amount of time it takes to complete an order and the complexity of the design will impact the cost. Elaborate designs with custom flourishes or special materials like metallic ink can increase the price.
• Materials: The cost of materials, such as specialty papers, inks, or other non-paper items like mini sparkling wine bottles or seashells, can affect the final price.
• Turnaround time: Rush orders or expedited services may incur additional fees. It's advisable to book your calligrapher early to avoid last-minute surcharges.
• Location: The cost of calligraphy services can vary by region, with prices fluctuating based on local market rates.

Additional Costs

In addition to the base cost of calligraphy services, there may be additional expenses to consider:

• Return address: Addressing the return address on the envelope typically costs between 50 cents and $1 per envelope.
• Place cards or escort cards: Calligraphy for place cards or escort cards is usually charged per name and can range from 50 cents to $2 each.
• Table numbers: Expect to pay around $1 to $2 per table number for calligraphy services.
• Wedding program: Calligraphy for a wedding program can cost anywhere from $100 to $200, depending on the complexity and length of the text.
• Special requests: Custom requests, such as coloured or metallic inks, additional flourishes, or logos, can add 50 cents to $1 per envelope to the final cost.

Sample Budgeting

Let's say you're inviting 100 guests to your wedding and you want to have calligraphy on your invitation envelopes. Based on the average cost of $3.50 to $5.50 per envelope, you can expect to spend between $350 and $550 on this service. If you also want to include return addresses, place cards, and a simple wedding program, your total cost could range from $550 to $950.

It's important to remember that these are just estimates, and the final cost will depend on the specific details of your order and the calligrapher you choose to work with. Be sure to discuss all the options and pricing details with your calligrapher before finalizing your decision.

Frequently asked questions