Expert Advice on Addressing Wedding Invitation Envelopes

Expert Advice on Addressing Wedding Invitation Envelopes by JoDitt Williams

You start to critique your handwriting, then you decide that the basic blue or black ink won't do and don't forget the added cost of postage. Here are a few tips to help you with this very important, often under estimated task!

Here are a few tips to help you ease into the addressing task!

1. Addressing the Wedding Invitation Envelopes -

There is a misconception that the cheapest route is to address your own envelopes. However, you may not realize just how long it will actually take you. It may take you so long that you take off work or skip class in order to get them finished. Or, if you are a perfectionist, you may end of throwing away half of your envelopes because they weren’t perfect. It’s possible that the whole process could get you so stressed out that you end up sick at the doctor’s office, missing work or other important engagements, which could cost you money and time. All this can easily be avoided by outsourcing the addressing of your envelopes. On the other hand, if you have plenty of time and writing addresses relaxes you, then by all means, save a little money and do it yourself.

If calligraphy is out of your budget range, consider having them printed using either the same font as is used on your invitation,or a font that looks similar to calligraphy. Or get someone who has nice, legible handwriting to do them for you.

2. Return address printing-

Sometimes return address printing is included in the price of your wedding invitations. If you choose to have your addresses done in calligraphy, you would not want the return address printed on the envelope. You would want the return address to be done in calligraphy as well. In that case, check to make sure that you are not paying for a service that you do not need.

3. Printed response card envelopes-

Likewise, do not assume that printing your address on your response/RSVP envelopes (or on the back of a response postcard) is included in the price. Sometimes it is and sometimes it isn’t. Just make sure if it isn’t included that you can add it for a reasonable price.

4. Lined inner envelopes-

Wedding etiquette no longer requires you to include inner

envelopes. Many brides see this as an unnecessary expense,especially if they are using contemporary style and/or pocket fold type invitations. If you do use inner envelopes, hand-write the names on the envelopes. Never use printing or labels on inner envelopes.

5. Assembly-

What is the proper way to place your wedding invitation and all of your inserts into the wedding invitation envelope? Does the wedding invitation go on top? Or does the RSVP card go on top? Where do you put the map? There are a lot of differing opinions about this. But it becomes quite easy if you choose a pocket style wedding invitation. Pocket Wedding Invitations are constructed so that the main wedding invitation is glued or taped to one panel and then all of the inserts stack neatly on top of one another inside the pocket. Assembly also includes gluing/taping layered invitations, placing inserts into the pockets on pocket style invitations and adding embellishments like ribbons, jewels, charms, etc. Some invitation prices include assembly and some do not, so be sure to find out before ordering.

Assembly usually does not require a lot of skill, so if you have time to assemble your own invitations, it’s a great way to save a few bucks. Or, if you don’t have time to do them all yourself,invite your bridesmaids over for an “Invitation Assembly Party” and get them all done in one day!

Once you've picked the perfect wedding invitation, take it one step further and make sure that you have the perfectly addressed envelope, after all the envelope is what your loved ones see first!

JoDitt Williams, known as "Your Custom Card Lady," is an invitation designer and the owner of Joyful Heart Design, an online custom wedding invitation boutique. JoDitt welcomes you to visit her website to view the most up-to-date customizable invitations on the market. Please visit http://www.oohandaahweddinginvites.com/