Do wedding invitations need to be hand addressed?
This is just one of the many questions many couples ask when tackling wedding invitations on the checklist.
You don’t want to make any etiquette mistakes, especially on something as important as your wedding invitations.
Making any errors on an invitation can be embarrassing since, once mailed, you can’t get them back.
Your invitation is an essential element, revealing the tone, theme, and style of your wedding. In addition, it provides your guests with everything they need to know ahead of the celebration.
Invitations are also time-consuming: choosing the best invites for your budget, the design, the colors, the wording, proper addressing, and assembling wedding invitations all come with their own “rules”.
Today we’re tackling the topic of hand-addressing wedding invitations.
Should wedding invitations be hand addressed?
Do you really need to address each envelope by hand?
Not necessarily. We’ll explain two ways to address your invitations that are etiquette-approved. Plus, we’ll answer some frequently asked questions about how to properly hand address those invites so you don’t mess it up.
Do You Have to Hand Address Invitations?
Here are answers to common questions on the topic.
• Should you hand address wedding invitations?
Yes, as a rule of thumb, wedding invitations should be hand addressed.
• What if your handwriting is not nice enough for hand addressing?
If your handwriting isn’t the nicest, that’s OK. You can hire a calligrapher to do it for you.
We recommend Eloquence Design and Co. as one resource. Here’s an example of her beautiful work below:
If you don’t want to hire a calligrapher, you can print the addresses on your wedding envelopes (see Option 2 below).
• Do you hand address the return address?
You don’t need to use hand writing on the return address. Instead, you’ll use a stamp like this, rather than a label. We recommend return address stamps by PaperPeachShop, like the examples shown below. These are handmade and oh-so-unique! You can get a custom stamp made here.
This state stamp is a signature in the shop. Of course, any state is available. :)
There are two options for addressing invitations:
Option 1: Hand Addressing Wedding Invitations
Hand address your invitations if your handwriting is nice, or you know someone whose writing is!
If you’re addressing the envelopes by hand, we recommend using these ultra fine point markers so the ink does not smudge, won’t leak through the envelope, and will give you a polished finish.
In addition, take your time and order plenty of extra envelopes for any mistakes that occur while hand addressing them.
Option 2: Print Addresses on Envelopes
Getting your envelopes printed is an easy — and completely acceptable — way to hand address invitations without actually writing them by hand.
However, not all printing is the same. The key is to make the envelopes look addressed by hand. The best way to achieve this look is with invitation envelope printing at Minted.
You can get wedding envelopes printed for free (included with your invitations) with your guests’ addresses, names, and return address. You can choose the fonts used, the color envelopes, and more.
These look so similar to hand addressed wedding invitations that no one will notice.
Plus you won’t run into common pitfalls of printing wedding invitation addresses yourself at home, such as:
• smeared ink if you don’t use the proper envelopes
• inconsistent and expensive ink cartridges
• you have to hand-type each address
These look amazing and the envelopes even coordinate with your invitation suite. Here are some examples to give you ideas on how your wedding invitations can be hand addressed — or look that way! — without any of the hard work.
TIP: Can You Use Labels for Addressing Envelopes?
According to proper wedding etiquette, you should NOT use labels to address envelopes. Do not put address labels on the front of your envelopes and do not use return address labels for the return addresses either.
However, there is an exception: a certain type of skinny wrap label, since it is not a traditional envelope label; it is designed for weddings and events.
You can see how these look below in a few examples from here:
How to Print Addresses on Envelopes for Wedding
If you want to print the addresses on envelopes instead of hand writing them, get it done free here (with your invitation order). The same service is offered on save the date cards, too, so take advantage of it! Your wedding stationery will look so beautiful.
So, what do you think? Should you hand address your wedding invitations, hire a calligrapher, or will you print addresses instead of hand addressing invites?
Tell us in the comment box below!
Happy Planning!
xo
Emma
Pin It:
