Deborah Chan
When it comes to wedding invitations, the envelope and what's written on it are just as important as what's inside. The invitation is a reflection of your personal style and how you view your wedding. While it may be tempting to use pre-printed labels or address labels for efficiency's sake, some believe that hand-written envelopes indicate that you care about making your wedding a truly memorable occasion. Etiquette-wise, hand-writing or hiring a calligrapher to address your wedding invitations is the proper way to go. However, if you have beautiful penmanship and the time, hand-writing each envelope can add a nice personal touch. On the other hand, if you have bad handwriting or want to save yourself the hassle, there are now many options for custom envelope printing that can achieve a luxurious and elegant look.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Time | Handwriting addresses can be time-consuming |
| Effort | Handwriting addresses can be laborious |
| Etiquette | Pre-printed labels are not considered proper etiquette |
| Presentation | Handwriting addresses adds a personal touch |
| Readability | Handwriting may be difficult to read |
| Customisation | Labels may not match the envelope colour |
| Cost | Handwriting is free, but hiring a calligrapher costs money |
What You'll Learn
Handwriting vs printing: pros and cons
Handwriting your wedding invitations is a time-consuming task. It involves drawing faint pencil lines to write in a straight line and achieving a mediocre result. However, it adds a nice personal touch and indicates that you care about making your wedding a memorable occasion. It is also proper etiquette to handwrite wedding invitations.
On the other hand, printing wedding invitations is more efficient and less labour-intensive. It can be done by feeding envelopes through a printer, downloading a nice font, or using a label maker/printer and buying clear labels to print the addresses on. Printing is a good option if you have bad handwriting or are sending out a large number of invitations.
Some people believe that pre-printed labels on wedding invitations send the message: "Let's just get this over with!" However, others argue that most people won't inspect the outside of the envelope and that it's not worth stressing over.
Ultimately, the decision to handwrite or print your wedding invitation labels depends on personal preference and the amount of time and energy you are willing to spend.
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Etiquette and tradition
Tradition dictates that wedding invitations should be hand-addressed. This is seen as the proper way of addressing wedding invitations and indicates that you care about making your wedding a memorable occasion. Handwriting your invitations is also a way to add a personal touch and make your guests feel special.
However, hand-addressing wedding invitations can be time-consuming and tedious, especially if you have a large number of invites to send out. It can also be challenging if you don't have neat handwriting or good penmanship. In this case, using address labels or printing directly on the envelopes may be more practical and efficient options.
If you choose to use address labels, clear labels are generally considered more elegant and classy than white labels, especially if your envelopes are coloured. You can also find labels in different fonts, designs, and colours to match your wedding theme and style. Some couples also opt for return address labels, which are easier to find since they don't have to be designed specifically for weddings.
Another option is to print directly on the envelopes, either by feeding them through your printer or by using a mail merge function. This can look nicer than labels, cost less, and take up a similar amount of time. You can download free fonts online to customise the look of your envelopes.
For an even more elegant and sophisticated option, you can hire a professional calligrapher to address your envelopes. This adds a luxurious touch to your invitations and ensures that the writing is consistent and neat. However, this option can be more expensive, as the cost per envelope reflects the careful work and skill of the calligrapher.
Ultimately, the decision of whether to hand-write, print, or use labels for your wedding invitation addresses is a personal one. While tradition favours hand-writing, modern alternatives can also be tasteful and practical, especially if you have a large number of invitations to send out.
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Time and cost efficiency
When it comes to time and cost efficiency, there are a few factors to consider when deciding between handwriting or printing labels for wedding invitations.
Handwriting addresses on wedding invitations can be a time-consuming and tedious task, especially for larger weddings. It requires purchasing stationery, envelopes, and other materials, as well as spending hours writing out each address. While this option may be suitable for those with good handwriting and a small number of invitations, it can quickly become overwhelming and inefficient for larger guest lists.
On the other hand, printing labels for wedding invitations can offer a faster and more cost-effective solution. Pre-printed labels can be purchased from online retailers or stationery stores, with options to customise fonts, designs, and colours to match the wedding theme. This eliminates the need to spend time handwriting each address and ensures a consistent and neat appearance. Printing labels can also be more budget-friendly, especially when ordering in bulk, and reduces the risk of errors or illegible handwriting.
Some couples may opt for a combination of both methods. For example, they may handwrite addresses for a small number of close friends and family, while using printed labels for the remaining guests. This approach can add a personal touch while still saving time and effort.
Additionally, printing directly on the envelopes is another efficient alternative. This method can be cost-effective and create a seamless look, avoiding the need for separate labels. However, it may require some technical knowledge to set up the printing process correctly.
In conclusion, when considering time and cost efficiency, printing labels or directly on the envelopes is generally the faster and more affordable option for addressing wedding invitations. Handwriting can be a labour-intensive and time-consuming task, especially for larger weddings. Ultimately, the decision depends on personal preferences, the number of invitations, and the desired level of customisation and personal touch.
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Design and style
When it comes to the design and style of your wedding invitations, the envelope is the first thing your guests will see. It sets the tone for your wedding and gives guests an idea of your wedding theme and how formal the day will be.
If you have beautiful handwriting, you may want to handwrite your envelopes. This adds a personal touch and indicates that you care about making your wedding a memorable occasion. However, this can be time-consuming and may not be feasible for large weddings. If you have bad handwriting or are worried about hand cramps, there are other options available.
One option is to use address labels. These are stickers that display names and addresses, saving you the time and effort of writing out each one by hand. Clear labels with a nice font can look classy and are budget-conscious, especially if you have a lot of invitations to send out. You can also buy fancier labels, such as those with gold foil text or a coloured background. However, some people consider labels to be inappropriate and tacky for wedding invitations, especially if they are white and don't match the envelope.
If you want to avoid labels, you can print directly onto the envelopes. This can be done by feeding the envelopes through your printer, or by using a service that offers envelope printing. This gives a more sophisticated look than labels and costs less. You can also download a nice font to use. Another option is to use a lightbox technique, where you print the addresses onto a word document and trace them onto the envelopes.
For an even more luxurious look, you can hire a professional calligrapher to write directly on the envelopes. This is an elegant way to send them off, but it can be expensive. Alternatively, you can print envelopes in a calligraphy style font, ensuring perfect alignment and spacing.
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Outsourcing options
If you don't want to hand-write your wedding invitations, there are several outsourcing options available. These include:
- Printing services: There are many online printing services that offer affordable and high-quality printing for wedding invitations. These services allow you to upload your own designs or use templates provided by the company. Examples include Prints of Love, Vistaprint, Zazzle, and Overnight Prints.
- Etsy: Many independent artisans on Etsy offer unique stationery accessories, such as wedding address labels or custom-printed envelopes. You can find a range of designs, fonts, and materials (such as clear labels or gold foil printing) to suit your style.
- Calligraphy services: Hiring a professional calligrapher to address your wedding invitations is an elegant option. They will work with you to determine your preferred penmanship style and will handwrite directly on each envelope. This option can be more expensive than printing services due to the careful work and skill involved.
- Print shops: Local print shops can be a great option, especially if you need a quick turnaround. Look for a print shop with experience in invitation printing, such as Gwin's Commercial Printing.
- Invitation design businesses: If you're looking for a more comprehensive service, you can outsource your printing needs to invitation design businesses. These businesses can help with design, printing, and even assembly. Examples include PrintsWell Fulfillment and Red Letter Day Invitations & Design.
When outsourcing your wedding invitation labels or envelopes, be sure to consider the style, quantity, and timeline of your project. This will help you choose the best option for your needs.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, according to Mary Mitchell, spokesperson for stationery giant Crane & Co., "The invitation sets the tone for your wedding at the very beginning and is just as important a detail as your flowers, decor and menu. Hand-written envelopes indicate that you care to make your wedding a truly memorable occasion."
You can opt for custom envelope printing, which can be designed to complement the rest of your wedding stationery. You can also use custom stickers to seal the envelopes for an elegant finishing touch.
You can handwrite the addresses yourself if you or someone you know has nice handwriting. You can also print directly on the envelopes or hire a calligrapher to address them for you.
Some people believe that labels are acceptable if you have bad handwriting or a large number of invitations to send out. Clear labels with a nice font are generally preferred over white labels, as they are less noticeable and can look classy.
Make addressing your invitations an opportunity for a fun get-together. Ask your fiancé, bridal party, family members, or friends for help.
