hand addressing invites?

Has anyone ever addressed their invitations by hand?

How did it turn out? I am considering doing it.

Hi,

I was browsing this board and came across your post. I hope my experience can help you.

My own wedding hasn't come yet, but I will be hand-addressing all of the envelopes myself. I did my sister's invitations in 2004 and everyone said they came out beautiful (if I do say so myself!)

At the time, I went online to theknot.com and printed out their calligraphy articles. There's one article that has samples of calligraphy fonts. I asked my sister which font she preferred, as well as showed her what I was capable of doing, and what would be difficult, being that I have no idea how to do true calligraphy.

I bought 3 black calligraphy markers with fine slanted tips from Lady Jane Craft Center on Crossbay Blvd (Queens). I practiced on plain white paper, especially 'Mr. & Mrs.' many times to get the feel for those words, since practically every envelope had those words! Then I made up an alphabet master copy from A-Z, with both upper & lowercase letters (think Aa, Bb, Cc and so on) and the numbers 0-9, as a guide to go by since I knew I couldn't address all the invites in one night!

I used up all 3 markers for about 60 or 70 invites. Can't recall the exact number. I used the lined cardboard insert that comes with the invitations to insert inside each envelope as a guide for straight lines. After a while, the marker tips become a bit frayed at the ends, so it helps to have extras on hand so the calligraphy doesn't look sloppy. I can't recall the brand name of the markers, but when I went back to Lady Jane, then AC Moore and then Michaels to find them earlier this year, they only had thick scrapbooking markers of the same brand. I had to buy a different brand calligraphy marker instead. I use them in my classroom all the time for awards and such.

It wasn't too difficult to do myself, but it was very time-consuming. I did use up some of those extra envelopes that they advise you to order for just this exact reason. Based on these things, I know I'll do mine a little differently, meaning address a few each night so I'm not sitting there all day writing my hands off! After a while, the letters seem to blur into each other and it becomes overwhelming, not to mention you wind up making silly mistakes, and then need another extra envelope!

If you need anymore info, post again or send me FM! Good luck!!

PS... I know a few months ago I saw pics on LIW from a bride who was doing her own invitations too. The envelopes were red and the calligraphy/scrolling script was in either silver or gold. They were BEAUTIFUL!!! But I can't find the link to them!!!

ETA: I just checked out my sister's wedding website and she doesn't have pics of the invitations. Sorry!