The Personal Touch: Handwritten Vs. Printed Wedding Invitations

When it comes to wedding invitations, there are a few options to consider: printing, handwriting, or a combination of both. Some people prefer the personal touch of handwriting, while others opt for the neatness and efficiency of printing. Handwriting can be time-consuming, especially for large weddings, and printing offers a more consistent and affordable option. On the other hand, printing may lack the sentimental value that handwritten invitations convey. Ultimately, the decision comes down to personal preference, budget, and the level of formality desired.

Pros and cons of handwritten envelopes

Handwritten envelopes can be a beautiful, personal touch to your wedding invitations. They can convey a sense of elegance and tradition, with calligraphy or embellished handwriting adding a unique flair to your stationery. However, there are also some considerations to keep in mind when deciding whether to handwrite your envelopes.

Pros:

• Personal Touch: Handwriting each envelope yourself or hiring a calligrapher can make your invitations more personal and special for your guests. It shows that you took the time and effort to create something unique for them.
• Tradition and Etiquette: Following wedding traditions and etiquette is important to some couples. Handwritten envelopes are considered the proper way to address wedding invitations, especially for formal affairs.
• Uniqueness: Calligraphy or embellished handwriting can turn your envelope into a work of art. It adds a luxurious and elegant touch to your invitation, making it truly unique.

Cons:

• Time Consumption: Handwriting envelopes can be incredibly time-consuming, especially if you have a large guest list. It requires patience and dedication, as mistakes can lead to wasted envelopes and money.
• Cost: Hiring a professional calligrapher can be expensive, with prices ranging from $1 to $5+ per envelope. If you decide to do it yourself, you may also need to purchase fancy pens or other supplies, which can add up.
• Legibility: Some calligraphy or cursive writing can be difficult to read. You want to ensure that your guests can easily understand the address and that the postal service can process the envelopes without issues.
• Physical Limitations: Handwriting a large number of envelopes can be physically demanding, especially if you have limited mobility or experience hand cramps.

Ultimately, the decision to handwrite your envelopes depends on your personal preferences, budget, and time constraints. There are alternative options, such as printing services or address labels, that can achieve a similar effect without the same level of time and cost commitment.

Pros and cons of printed envelopes

There are several factors to consider when deciding whether to handwrite or print addresses on wedding invitation envelopes. Here are some pros and cons of printed envelopes to help you make an informed decision:

Pros of Printed Envelopes:

• Consistency and Legibility: Printed envelopes ensure that the addresses are consistent and legible across all invitations. This can be especially important if you have messy handwriting or want to avoid potential delivery issues due to illegible handwriting.
• Cost-effectiveness: Printing your own envelopes can be a cost-effective option, especially if you have a large number of invitations. While there may be initial costs associated with DIY tools and materials, it can still be more affordable than hiring a calligrapher or purchasing pre-printed envelopes.
• Customisation: With digital printing, you have more customisation options than ever before. You can match the envelope design to your wedding invitation, using the same colours and fonts. This level of customisation allows you to maintain a cohesive theme and style for your wedding stationery.
• Time-efficiency: Printing envelopes can be a quick and easy process, especially with modern digital printing techniques. It saves you the time and effort of handwriting each envelope individually.

Cons of Printed Envelopes:

• Deviation from Tradition: Traditional wedding etiquette suggests that it is proper to handwrite wedding envelopes, as social correspondence is typically written by hand. Printed envelopes may be seen as less personal and deviating from this traditional norm.
• Loss of Personal Touch: Handwriting adds a personal touch to your invitations, making each guest feel valued. Printed envelopes may lack this personal touch, especially if you opt for a generic font or design.
• Limited Print Colours: The print colours available to you may be limited, depending on your printer and materials. This may restrict your ability to fully customise the envelope design.
• Potential High Costs: Certain printing methods, such as foil printing or letterpress, can be expensive. If you opt for specialised printing techniques or require a large number of invitations, the costs can add up quickly.
• Time Consumption for DIY Printing: DIY printing can be time-consuming, especially if you lack the proper knowledge or equipment. It is important to consider the time commitment required for designing, testing, and printing the envelopes yourself.

Cost of hiring a professional calligrapher

The cost of hiring a professional calligrapher varies depending on the calligrapher's level of experience, the complexity of the work, the materials used, and the local market.

For envelope addressing, most calligraphers charge per envelope, with rates ranging from $1 to $6 per envelope. The price also depends on the number of lines of text and any additional flourishes or symbols requested. Some calligraphers offer discounted rates for outer envelopes only or charge extra for return addresses.

Place cards are typically priced lower, ranging from 75 cents to $2 per card. Custom programs with calligraphy can start at $150, while custom calligraphy design or artwork combining calligraphy with images or special characters is usually charged at an hourly rate of $50 to $75.

When hiring a calligrapher, it is important to consider the time it takes to complete the work, as this will impact the overall cost. Most calligraphers require a few months' notice, and it is recommended to book them when ordering your invitations.

To save costs, some couples choose to use printed fonts or learn calligraphy themselves. However, professional calligraphers add a unique and elegant touch to wedding invitations, and their expertise ensures a high-quality final product.

Time spent handwriting envelopes

Handwriting envelopes for wedding invitations can be a time-consuming task. While some people enjoy the process and find it relaxing, others may find it tedious and stressful. The amount of time spent on handwriting envelopes will depend on several factors, including the number of invitations, the complexity of the addresses, and the person's handwriting skills.

Let's break down the time spent on handwriting envelopes for a typical wedding with 100 invitations. Assuming each envelope takes around 2-3 minutes to address, it would take approximately 3-5 hours to complete all the envelopes. This estimate can vary depending on the individual's handwriting speed and the level of detail or decoration desired.

To save time, some people choose to handwrite only the guests' names on the envelopes and print or use labels for the addresses. This hybrid approach can reduce the time spent on envelopes while still adding a personal touch.

It's important to consider the time needed for any corrections or mistakes made during the handwriting process. It's a good idea to order extra envelopes to account for any errors, as they can lead to wasted time and money. Practicing addressing on sample envelopes beforehand can help improve accuracy and speed when writing on the final envelopes.

In addition to the actual writing, there may be time spent on other related tasks, such as gathering guest addresses, ordering envelopes, and allowing ink to dry before assembling the invitations. These steps can add to the overall time investment.

Ultimately, the time spent handwriting envelopes for wedding invitations will vary depending on individual circumstances and preferences. Some people may opt for printing or calligraphy services to save time and ensure a consistent and elegant result.

How to print envelopes at home

There are many reasons why you may want to print your wedding envelopes at home. It can save you time and money, and you can still achieve a handwritten look without having to hire a calligrapher. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to print your envelopes at home:

Step 1: Prepare your guest list

Create an Excel spreadsheet with all your guest addresses. Include columns for names, street addresses, street address 2 (for apartment numbers), city, state, zip code, and country if you have international guests. This will make it easier to format the addresses later.

Step 2: Choose your envelope design and template

Decide on the envelope size you need, keeping in mind the size of your invitations. For example, a 5x7 invitation fits an A7 envelope (7.25 x 5.25 inches). Choose a template that you like and that you feel comfortable working with. You can build your own template or purchase one online.

Step 3: Edit your addresses and set up your template

Edit your guest addresses in the template and set up a print-ready PDF. You may need to play around with the settings and alignment to get it right, so it is recommended to do a few test prints on plain paper or have some spare envelopes on hand.

Step 4: Prepare your envelopes for printing

Before placing your envelopes in the printer, go over all the edges with a bone folder, the edge of a ruler, or your fingernail to flatten them down. This will help prevent smudging. Also, try to tuck in the envelope flap to prevent jamming. Place the envelopes upside down in the printer feed, with the side you will print on facing you. However, this may vary depending on your printer, so be prepared to do some test prints.

Step 5: Print your envelopes

Open the PDF and go to the print settings (usually Ctrl+P or File - Print). Under "Page Setup," ensure that your paper size matches the size of your envelopes. Always choose "no scaling" or 100% so that your design fits perfectly on the envelopes.

Step 6: Check your printer manual

If you are unsure about how to load your envelopes into the printer, refer to your printer's manual. Each printer is different, and you want to make sure you load the envelopes in the correct tray and with the correct side facing up.

Step 7: Send out your invitations!

With your beautifully printed envelopes, you are now ready to send out your invitations in style!

Frequently asked questions