George Boyle
Wedding invitations are a chance to showcase your style and creativity, but they also serve a practical purpose. A return address on your wedding invitation is essential as it ensures your guests can RSVP and also provides a location for gifts to be mailed. The return address is usually placed on the back flap of the envelope and traditionally, no names are included. However, you can choose to include names if you wish. It is also possible to add a little personality to your wedding invites with a unique wedding rubber stamp.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Return address location | Back flap of the envelope, front of the envelope, or both |
| Return address format | Formal, casual, handwritten, printed, mailing label, or stamp |
| Names on return address | Formal: No names, bride's parents' names, bride and groom's names separately. Casual: Bride and groom's names together |
| Font | Align with the wedding's aesthetic, legible, not overly decorative |
What You'll Learn
Return address placement
The return address is an essential part of your wedding invitation suite. It allows guests to RSVP and lets them know where to send gifts. It also ensures that any undelivered invitations can be returned so that you can take necessary action.
There are two options for return address placement: the front of the envelope or the back. The front of the envelope is the most practical option, as it is the location recommended by the USPS. The optimal placement is in the upper left corner, with the text 1/2 inch from the left edge and 6 inches from the bottom. This option ensures efficient mail processing and delivery but may limit your artistic design.
The other option is to place the return address on the back flap of the envelope. This is the preferred option for those who want a clean, uncluttered look on the front of the envelope, where the recipient's address is usually written. This option allows for more creative freedom but may compromise visibility and is not recommended by the USPS.
If you are using double envelopes (inner and outer), the return address only goes on the back flap of the outer envelope. There is no need for a return address on the inner envelope.
Traditionally, the return address is handwritten, but it is now acceptable to have it printed, use a mailing label, or a return address stamp.
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Return address etiquette
The return address on a wedding invitation is an essential part of the invite and is considered a standard practice. It allows guests to RSVP and protects your invite from any mailing mishaps. It also tells guests where to send gifts if they are unable to attend the wedding or would prefer to send their gift in advance.
There are two options for where to place the return address on the envelope: the front or the back. The front is the traditional option and is the placement recommended by the United States Postal Service, as it increases visibility for postal workers and ensures quick automated sorting and delivery. The back of the envelope is often chosen for a clean, uncluttered look on the front, especially if you have a lot of text or design elements on the front. However, this placement is not recommended by the USPS and may cause postal delays or mail returns.
When it comes to formatting the return address, it's important to consider the overall design and formality of the invitation when choosing the font, size, and style. Handwritten calligraphy or a printed font that mimics calligraphy is ideal. If that's not possible, clear and legible handwriting or printed labels are also acceptable. Avoid fancy or overly decorative fonts.
Traditionally, the return address on wedding invitations includes the names of the hosts or the individuals sending the invitations. For example, if the parents of the bride are hosting, their names and address should be included. If the couple is hosting their own wedding, their names can be used instead. It is also acceptable to use just the address with no names.
Outer envelope (formal):
12 Park Lane
Mobile, Alabama 36695
RSVP envelope (bride's parents' return address):
Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Johnson
12 Park Lane
Mobile, Alabama 36695
RSVP envelope (bride and groom's return address, formal):
Ms. Kari Johnson
Mr. Bradley Shaw
23848 Dunmore Loop
Mobile, Alabama 36695
RSVP envelope (bride and groom's return address, casual):
Kari and Bradley
23848 Dunmore Loop
Mobile, Alabama 36695
There are also different options for getting your return address onto the envelope, such as return address labels, pre-printed envelopes, return address stamps, or calligraphy.
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Return address options
There are several options for including your return address on your wedding invitation envelopes. Here are some of the most common methods:
Return Address Labels:
This option involves creating return address labels that can be stuck onto the envelope. These labels can be printed at online printing services or designed and printed at home on label paper. This option is affordable and simple, but it may not look elegant, especially if you have coloured envelopes.
Pre-Printed Return Address on Envelope:
When ordering envelopes online, you can often have your return address pre-printed for a small additional fee. This saves time as you don't need to stick or write the address, and it provides a clean look. However, if you run out of envelopes or need more, you'll need to find an alternative solution for the return address.
Return Address Stamp:
Similar to labels, you can order a custom return address stamp that you can use on multiple envelopes. This option provides a cohesive look if you're using calligraphy for the guest addresses. There are various ink colours available to match the guest address ink. However, it does require additional time to apply the stamp, and there may be a slightly higher cost.
Calligraphy Return Address:
The most luxurious option is to have a calligrapher write your return address in beautiful calligraphy. This ensures a perfect match in writing style and ink colour to the guest addresses. However, this is also the most expensive option as it requires the most time and effort from the calligrapher.
Handwritten Return Address:
Traditionally, return addresses were handwritten in black ink. While this option may be time-consuming, it adds a personal touch to your invitations. Consider enlisting friends or family members with nice handwriting to help with this task.
When deciding on the placement of your return address, you have two main options: the front of the envelope (upper left corner) or the back flap. The front placement is recommended by the USPS as it increases visibility and reduces the risk of mail errors. However, the back flap option provides a clean, uncluttered look on the front and allows for more design freedom. Ultimately, the choice depends on your priorities and preferences.
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Return address labels
When using return address labels, it's important to consider the overall design and formality of the invitation when choosing the font, size, and style. While there are no hard and fast rules, it's best to avoid overly fancy or decorative fonts. Instead, opt for a clear and legible font, such as Times New Roman, Georgia, Palatino, Arial, or Helvetica.
The return address on the label should include the names of the hosts or individuals sending the invitations, followed by the full street address, city, state, and zip code. Traditionally, only the physical address is listed, with no names, but it is acceptable to include names if desired.
The return address labels can be placed on the back flap of the outer envelope, which is the preferred location by the postal service. This makes the address easily visible and accessible for the recipient and postal service and maintains a clean and uncluttered look on the front of the envelope. However, some couples may prefer to place the labels on the front of the envelope, especially if they want to showcase intricate designs or artwork on the back. While this may detract from highly formal wedding themes, it provides more space for artistic expressions.
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Pre-printed return addresses
If you're ordering envelopes online, you can opt for pre-printed return addresses. This saves you time as you don't have to stick, stamp, or write the address. However, this option can be costly and may not be ideal if you need more envelopes at short notice.
Pre-Printed Return Address Options
- Return address labels—Printed at places like VistaPrint and Shutterfly, or designed on your computer and printed at home on label paper.
- Pre-printed return address on the envelope—When ordering envelopes online, you can often add your return address for a small fee.
- Return address stamps—Similar to labels, you can order a custom return address stamp.
Return Address Format
The return address should be placed on the back flap of the invitation envelope and the front side of the response envelopes. If you're using double envelopes, the return address only needs to go on the outermost envelope.
The return address format should include the names on the first line, followed by the full street address on the second line, and the city, state, and zip code on the third line.
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Frequently asked questions
The return address typically goes on the back flap of the envelope. This is considered the traditional and formal way to present your return address. However, you can also put it on the front left corner of the envelope, which increases visibility and reduces the risk of mail errors.
The return address should include the host's names on the first line, followed by the full street address on the second line, and the city, state, and zip code on the third line. Avoid using abbreviations and instead spell out everyone's full name, the street name, the city, and the state.
Traditionally, the return address includes the names of the hosts or the individuals sending the invitations. If the parents of the bride are hosting, use their names and address. If the couple is hosting, their names can be used, but formal invitations issued by the bride's parents refer to her by her first and middle names and the groom by his full name and title.
You can use first names only (e.g., "Alex and John"), first and last names (e.g., "Alex Jones and John Smith"), last names plus the word "wedding" (e.g., "Jones and Smith Wedding"), or no names at all, just the address. For same-sex couples, you can go in alphabetical order or choose what sounds better.
