Handwritten Wedding Invites: Envelope Etiquette For Brides

Wedding invitations are a chance to make a good first impression and set the tone for the big day. There are many options to consider when addressing envelopes, from handwriting them yourself to hiring a professional calligrapher, using a printer, or slapping on a label. The right choice depends on your budget, time constraints, and personal preference.

Pros and cons of handwritten envelopes

Handwritten wedding invitation envelopes can be a beautiful and personal touch to your special day. There are several factors to consider when deciding whether to handwrite your envelopes or not. Here are some pros and cons to help you decide:

Pros of Handwritten Envelopes:

• Tradition and Etiquette: Following traditional wedding etiquette, social correspondence is typically handwritten, adding a formal and elegant touch to your invitations.
• Personal Touch: Handwriting each envelope yourself or with your partner can make your invitations more intimate and special. Your guests may feel extra cared for when they receive a hand-addressed envelope in the mail.
• Customisation: With the availability of cool pens and inks, you can choose any colour, including opaques and metallics, to match your wedding theme or personal style.
• Cost-Effective (DIY): If you have nice handwriting or are confident in your DIY skills, handwriting your own envelopes can be a very affordable option.

Cons of Handwritten Envelopes:

• Time-Consuming: Addressing each envelope by hand can be incredibly time-consuming, especially if you have a large guest list. Mistakes and errors can lead to wasted envelopes and money.
• Legibility: If you have messy or illegible handwriting, your envelopes may not look polished, and your guests' addresses may be difficult to read, causing potential delivery issues.
• Costly (Calligrapher): Hiring a professional calligrapher can be expensive, with prices ranging from $1 to $5+ per envelope, and the cost can increase with special materials or custom ink colours.
• Consistency: Unlike printed envelopes, handwritten envelopes may not have consistent lettering throughout, especially if you are not a skilled calligrapher.

Ultimately, the decision to handwrite your wedding invitation envelopes depends on your personal preferences, budget, and time constraints. While handwritten envelopes can add a traditional and personal touch, they may also be more costly and time-consuming.

Pros and cons of printed envelopes

There are several factors to consider when deciding whether to handwrite or print the envelopes for your wedding invitations.

Printed Envelope Pros

• Consistent and legible addresses: With printed envelopes, you can ensure that each address is clear and easy to read, reducing the risk of delivery errors.
• Suitable for those with messy handwriting: If your handwriting is not the best, printing may be a better option to ensure your envelopes look neat and presentable.
• Ability to mix and match fonts and graphics: Printing allows you to experiment with different fonts and graphics, adding a modern touch to your invitations.
• Cost-effective: Printing your own envelopes at home can be a cost-effective option, especially if you have a large number of invitations to send out.
• Time-saving: While DIY printing may require some initial setup, it can ultimately save you time compared to handwriting each envelope individually.

Printed Envelope Cons

• Doesn't follow traditional wedding etiquette: Traditional wedding etiquette suggests that envelopes should be handwritten, as social correspondence is typically written and business correspondence is printed.
• Loss of personal touch: Printed envelopes may not feel as personal as handwritten ones, as they lack the unique character of your handwriting.
• Limited print colour options: You may be restricted to certain print colours, especially if you choose to print your envelopes at home.
• Some printing methods are expensive: Certain printing methods, such as foil or letterpress, can be costly and may not be feasible within your wedding budget.
• DIY printing can be challenging: If you don't have the proper knowledge or equipment, DIY printing can be time-consuming and frustrating.

Handwriting vs printing: tradition and etiquette

There are differing opinions on whether wedding invitation envelopes should be handwritten or printed. Some people believe that handwritten envelopes are more personal and traditional, while others think that printing is a more modern and cost-effective option. Ultimately, it is up to the couple to decide which option is best for them, taking into account their budget, time constraints, and personal preferences.

Handwriting

Handwriting wedding invitation envelopes can be a beautiful and traditional way to address them. It adds a personal touch and can make guests feel extra special and cared for. If you have nice handwriting, it can be a great way to save money on your wedding invitations. However, if your handwriting is messy or hard to read, it may not be the best option. Handwriting can also be time-consuming, especially if you have a large guest list.

Printing

Printing wedding invitation envelopes is a modern and cost-effective option that can save you time and money. It is a good choice if you have messy handwriting or don't want to spend the time handwriting each envelope. Printed envelopes can also be more legible, ensuring that your invitations are delivered without any issues. However, printing may not follow traditional wedding etiquette and may be considered less personal. Additionally, print colours may be limited, and some printing methods can be expensive.

Other Options

If you want the look of handwritten envelopes but don't want to do it yourself, you can hire a professional calligrapher. This option can be expensive, but it adds a luxurious and elegant touch to your invitations. Another option is to use faux calligraphy, where you first write your address in cursive and then reinforce the downstroke with a black pen. This creates the illusion of professional calligraphy.

Hiring a professional calligrapher

Benefits of Hiring a Professional Calligrapher

Calligraphy is a timeless art that adds a wow factor and a touch of elegance and formality to your wedding invitations. It sets the tone for your wedding and gives your guests a hint of what to expect. When done right, calligraphy can be a showstopper.

Cost of Hiring a Calligrapher

The cost of hiring a calligrapher can vary depending on their level of experience and the local market. Typically, calligraphy services are priced per piece, with envelope addressing ranging from $2.50 to $6 per envelope, and place card calligraphy starting around $2 per card. It's important to remember that you're paying for handmade items, so it's a worthwhile investment.

Finding a Calligrapher

To find a calligrapher, you can start by asking your stationery designer or local stationery boutiques, as they often have a list of trusted calligraphers they work with. You can also try your local calligraphy guild or association, which may have 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 are also a great option.

Timing

It's recommended to book your calligrapher early, around the same time you book your invitations. Calligraphers tend to get booked up quickly, and there may be physical limitations to the amount of work they can take on. Give your calligrapher plenty of notice to ensure they have enough time to work their magic.

Working with a Calligrapher

When working with a calligrapher, you'll want to review their portfolio and styles to find one that aligns with your wedding style and needs. Reach out to a few calligraphers to ask about availability, pricing quotes, and the services they offer. Once you've found the right calligrapher, sign a contract and start working together on the specifics of your designs.

Final Thoughts

DIY options for handwritten envelopes

Handwritten invitations and envelopes are a great way to add a personal touch to your wedding stationery. However, it can be a time-consuming and expensive task, especially if you have a large number of guests. Here are some DIY options for creating handwritten envelopes for your wedding invitations:

Utilize Your Own Handwriting

If you have neat handwriting, you can write the addresses yourself. This is a cost-effective option that allows you to add a personal and unique touch to your invitations. However, it can be time-consuming and mistakes can lead to wasted envelopes and money. It's a good idea to have extra envelopes and practice before writing on the final envelope.

Faux Calligraphy

Faux calligraphy is a DIY technique where you first write the address in cursive and then reinforce the downstrokes with a black pen to create the illusion of professional calligraphy. This option allows you to achieve a calligraphy look without hiring a professional. It can be more affordable, but it may take some time to master the technique.

Print-at-Home Trace-Over

With this option, you choose a fancy script font and lay out the letters in a light grey colour directly on your envelopes. You can then use a fountain pen to trace over the letters. This method gives you the look of calligraphy or fancy handwriting without having to write freehand. It can be more precise and ensure consistency in your envelopes. However, it may take a lot of time to complete, and there is no guarantee that they will turn out as expected.

Combination of Handwriting and Printing

You can also combine handwriting and printing. For example, you can print the addresses on clear labels and then handwrite the names in a fancy font. This option gives you the benefits of both methods and can be a good choice if you want to add a personal touch but don't have the time to write every address by hand.

Wax Seals and Envelope Liners

If you want to add a special touch to your envelopes but don't want to focus on the handwriting, consider adding wax seals or calligraphed quotes to your envelope liners or outer envelope flap. This can be a unique and creative way to enhance the presentation of your invitations without having to worry about your handwriting skills.

Remember, the most important thing is to ensure that the addresses are legible so that your invitations reach their intended recipients. You can also seek help from your bridal party or friends if you want to add a handwritten touch but don't want to do it all yourself.

Frequently asked questions