envelopes - MUST be handwritten?!

I think nice calligraphy is always best, but I've seen some bad calligraphy. Second best is probably nice printed envelopes (like professionally done). Third might be DIY computer-printed envelopes. Fourth best maybe not so nice calligraphy or hand written yourself.

I really don't like the look of labels, they look really really informal and kind of tacky IMO. I am really anal, so I would notice. However, if you have to do it for whatever reason most people will probably only remember for 5 minutes.

Edit: We're having our envelopes printed by the invitation company in the same font as the script on our invites.

---

Posted by bluegreen08

I think nice calligraphy is always best, but I've seen some bad calligraphy. Second best is probably nice printed envelopes (like professionally done). Third might be DIY computer-printed envelopes. Fourth best maybe not so nice calligraphy or hand written yourself.

I really don't like the look of labels, they look really really informal and kind of tacky IMO. I am really anal, so I would notice. However, if you have to do it for whatever reason most people will probably only remember for 5 minutes.

Edit: We're having our envelopes printed by the invitation company in the same font as the script on our invites.

---

That's what we are gonna do too, just have the invitation store print them up nicely. I'm excited to see them actually!

PS, I don't personally have an opinion as to labels either way, and I certainly didn't mean to offend anyone!!! When I get mail, I rip open the envelope, chuck it in the garbage, and never think twice about it!!! So I personally would not judge anyone either way about they way they addressed it

i was told this too...
guess what? i don't think anyone other than brides and etiquette people really care... and those that will comment on it if they DO care...are obnoxious and have nothing better to do with their lives.

i used labels and have not heard a single complaint. the envelopes get tossed anyway...why spend the moneyor time (if you don't have it) on something that only matters for 20 seconds?

---

Posted by PreshusSmurf

---

Posted by sparkle

---

Posted by PreshusSmurf

Digital Calligraphy has become acceptable, though Handwritten Calligraphy is preferable.

Either one is fine ... but whatever you do, Skip The Labels!!!!!!!!!

---

What do you mean by 'labels'? Like printing them and actually sticking them on the envelopes? (Don't worry, I wasn't planning on doing that....I've never seen anyone do that I don't think.....?)

Thanks girls.

---

Yes, that's what I meant. There are Brides out there who think that labels are acceptable, but they really aren't. And some are convinced that just because the label is clear, that it magically disappears. It doesn't.

I've never received an invitation to a formal affair that had labels used for addressing.

---

I used clear labels. I didn't think they magically disapeared. However, I have received formal invitations with labels before, and could not afford to have them hand written, and my hand writing would have been far less acceptable than the labels.

I know people don't mean to offend when they reply like this, and I am not personally offended b/c I've seen these replies before...

I just don't understand why people think they are qualified to tell other people what IS and IS NOT 'acceptable' Especially when it ends up in the trash either way.

---

Posted by bemyyoko

]and those that will comment on it if they DO care...are obnoxious

---

I agree with this. If one's already received an envelope addressed this way, there's no point in going back to the bride and groom and scolding them about somethat's already done.

---

Posted by bemyyoko

I used clear labels. I didn't think they magically disapeared. However, I have received formal invitations with labels before, and could not afford to have them hand written, and my hand writing would have been far less acceptable than the labels.

I know people don't mean to offend when they reply like this, and I am not personally offended b/c I've seen these replies before...

I just don't understand why people think they are qualified to tell other people what IS and IS NOT 'acceptable' Especially when it ends up in the trash either way.

---

Ok, I will admit that the word 'acceptable' probably came across as a harsh way to phrase what I meant. Its a relative term, and I'm all for everyone doing whatever suits them .... to each their own.

But in my defense, I have seen many brides on here (not you bemyyoko or Aug07OFCbride) who claim that once they put the clear labels on their envelopes, you couldn't even tell that there was a label there. Even you can admit, this just isn't true! I didn't mean what I said offensively at all.

I think MANY more people notice things about invitations and weddings than they are willing to admit. No one really wants to be the person who pointed out to a bride (after it was already done). What would be the point? The OP hadn't made her decision yet, I was only trying to make suggestions for her ...

Sure, and I bet you all know all the rules about how to sip your soup and what to do with your napkin when you go to the bathroom. I DO know this stuff, but you only use it in the RARE place which will know the difference (not a wedding venue).

Puuuuullllllease!

It doesn't make a damn difference. It comes down to the fact that you spend all this money on invites, you run into a problem:

1. Do you want to shoot all the pretty enveloped through a printer that you have access to?

2. Do you want to entrust the Staples people to do this (at considerable cost)?

3. Do you have the cash to hire a calligrapher?

4. Do you think your handwriting is beautiful?

After all this is over...I did the labels...the white labels which you could BARELY see if you were looking on my WHITE envelopes. They looked better than the clear ones on my envelopes. I chose this because over the past 3 years all the invites save 1 I received were in this format. (and they were all to classy, pricey weddings). I thought this worked out well and wouldn't have spent extra money or time to do anything else.

It is poor etiquette to criticize the decisions of another.

wow, i never gave this much thought, but i certainly don't give a flying sh*t about etiquette! i was cursed with a 4th grade boys handwriting, so i don't think that anyone would mind if i printed the envelopes.

hahaha and besides... who decided what was proper etiquette anyway? professional calligraphers? hahaha when else would they get business? they probably pay off people to say that so that they can stay in business!!

Just out of curiousity, why print on labels instead of directly on the envelope? (assuming you'd be doing either on your own computer)

it shouldn't cost more money (you actually save the cost of the labels) and I really do think it looks significantly better.

---

Posted by bluegreen08

Just out of curiousity, why print on labels instead of directly on the envelope? (assuming you'd be doing either on your own computer)

it shouldn't cost more money (you actually save the cost of the labels) and I really do think it looks significantly better.

---

we had professional computer calligraphy done for our inner and outer envelopes.
the font we chose looked exactly like handwriting.

---

Posted by bluegreen08

Just out of curiousity, why print on labels instead of directly on the envelope? (assuming you'd be doing either on your own computer)

it shouldn't cost more money (you actually save the cost of the labels) and I really do think it looks significantly better.

---

This is true, it would look nicer, and cost about the same if not cheaper. That was actually what I had wanted to do all along but my guest list would not export from the program it was in and alas... I was too lazy to do them each individually.
However, if you have a program that can do this, it's an awesome option.

Also, I know it'll sound hypocritical... but if you're going to use labels, please make sure you put them on straight, and without bumps,air pockets, or folds in them, it really does make a difference. I admittedly almost threw out a wedding invitation not too long ago because I thought it was junk mail based on the font/type of lable and placement of the label.

Labels, even to me who used them, isn't the best option, but it's definitely not something to lose sleep over if that's the method you choose.

ive received many formal invites done every which way discussed including labels that many warn about.

its not really a matter of what is 'correct' or 'acceptable'...bc who the hoot decides that? some ettiquette person out there? its up to the bride to decide what works for her.

its an envelope. it gets thrown away likely immediately. ive never kept or fretted over one that has come my way.

---

Posted by bluegreen08

Just out of curiousity, why print on labels instead of directly on the envelope? (assuming you'd be doing either on your own computer)

it shouldn't cost more money (you actually save the cost of the labels) and I really do think it looks significantly better.

---

envelopes can get jammed in some printers and ruin them so unless you have extras just in case.

---

Posted by msrn82

Regardless of what proper etiquette is, who has time to hand write the enveloped? Also, I have never receieved an invitation that was handwritten on the envelope. I am getting mine printed by the store, and save time and aggravation.

---

I actually hand wrote my e-party invites with a gold caligraphy pen and it was a bit of a PITA but not that bad surprisingly. I dont think i realized until after how uncommon it was, one of my bm's commented on it, in a good way lol shes very into this since one of her close friends owns an invitation company. I brought them to work to drop off at the post office and when i was leaving to drop them off ppl were asking me what the big box was so they wanted to see it and many were surprised i hand wrote them to, i was just like ok why is it so surprising haha

For the wedding we'll have more guests obviously. E-party was 150 and wedding will be about 300 so not sure if im up to writing them again. My printer is acting crazy so i cant even print them on mine, fh's is broken lol. So i wont buy a new one well that'd be pointless since a calligrapher costs less than a printer. I priced out calligraphers and the price was less than i thought. If we get 125 invites which i think is what we'll get have to go over guest list to count exactly how many but the price would be just under $200 to pay someone so for that reason i will go with hand calligraphy, well if we get more than a little over. I also dont want to do them in any way shape or form to be honest. I know it sounds bad but i have to send out invites soon and at this time with so much going on, even printing them or doing whatever to do i think i will lose my mind. Between the wedding, work, searching to purchase an apartment plus personal things. I will lose it if a printer jammed up, or anything went wrong.

Do what is best for you and what works for you.

---

Posted by Espo22

---

Posted by msrn82

Regardless of what proper etiquette is, who has time to hand write the enveloped? Also, I have never receieved an invitation that was handwritten on the envelope. I am getting mine printed by the store, and save time and aggravation.

---

I actually hand wrote my e-party invites with a gold caligraphy pen and it was a bit of a PITA but not that bad surprisingly. I dont think i realized until after how uncommon it was, one of my bm's commented on it, in a good way lol shes very into this since one of her close friends owns an invitation company. I brought them to work to drop off at the post office and when i was leaving to drop them off ppl were asking me what the big box was so they wanted to see it and many were surprised i hand wrote them to, i was just like ok why is it so surprising haha

For the wedding we'll have more guests obviously. E-party was 150 and wedding will be about 300 so not sure if im up to writing them again. My printer is acting crazy so i cant even print them on mine, fh's is broken lol. So i wont buy a new one well that'd be pointless since a calligrapher costs less than a printer. I priced out calligraphers and the price was less than i thought. If we get 125 invites which i think is what we'll get have to go over guest list to count exactly how many but the price would be just under $200 to pay someone so for that reason i will go with hand calligraphy, well if we get more than a little over. I also dont want to do them in any way shape or form to be honest. I know it sounds bad but i have to send out invites soon and at this time with so much going on, even printing them or doing whatever to do i think i will lose my mind. Between the wedding, work, searching to purchase an apartment plus personal things. I will lose it if a printer jammed up, or anything went wrong.

Do what is best for you and what works for you.

---

couldnt have said it better

IMO no. I am planning on using my home computer with a nice script font to print all my guest's addresses individually. I use MS Publisher and its very easy to work with!
HTH