Hand Addressing Invites Etiquette

AJPretty

This randomly popped into my head today and I wanted to see everyone's opinion on it. Etiquette says invitations should be hand addressed, but it has become generally acceptable to send your invites out to a calligrapher to do this, but it is still unacceptable to print the envelopes with a computer at home.

I thought the point of handwritings is that it is the most personal thing you will ever send... IMO spending the time to print on a computer is more personal than sending things off to someone you don't know to address them for you.

Why is it acceptable to have a calligrapher do invitations for you, but not print them yourself on a computer?

(FYI - FI and I addressed our invites by hand, we only had 40 so it took maybe an hour, so I'm not asking bc I want to print mine, just a general question)

pooh8402

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_etiquette_hand-addressing-invites-etiquette?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:9Discussion:411d25eb-4757-4ccf-9b57-1fd20423670cPost:bcee54e6-48ec-4fc3-9550-0a5abdfac145">Hand Addressing Invites Etiquette</a>:
[QUOTE]This randomly popped into my head today and I wanted to see everyone's opinion on it. Etiquette says invitations should be hand addressed, but it has become generally acceptable to send your invites out to a calligrapher to do this, <strong>but it is still unacceptable to print the envelopes with a computer at home.</strong> I thought the point of handwritings is that it is the most personal thing you will ever send... IMO spending the time to print on a computer is more personal than sending things off to someone you don't know to address them for you. Why is it acceptable to have a calligrapher do invitations for you, but not print them yourself on a computer? (FYI - FI and I addressed our invites by hand, we only had 40 so it took maybe an hour, so I'm not asking bc I want to print mine, just a general question)
Posted by AJPretty[/QUOTE]
not so much. it's very commonly done and doesn't break etiquette. hell, I printed the addresses onto clear labels and stuck those on the envelopes. envelopes are not something to waste a bunch of time or money on, since they are immediately thrown in the trash.

AllAboutTheBenjamin

Honestly I think as long as the invite gets to where it needs to go - you can do what you want.

aragx6

I'm not sure I'd say it's "very commonly done", but even if it is, it isn't the "correct" thing to do, Pooh.

It's an interesting question -- I guess you cared enough to pay someone to do it pretty? I'd like a calligrapher -- not because I'm lazy, but because I don't have very pretty handwriting.

pooh8402

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_etiquette_hand-addressing-invites-etiquette?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:9Discussion:411d25eb-4757-4ccf-9b57-1fd20423670cPost:b25624a9-bb7e-40fd-a8b8-f5036444d3ea">Re: Hand Addressing Invites Etiquette</a>:
[QUOTE]I'm not sure I'd say it's "very commonly done", but even if it is, it isn't the "correct" thing to do, Pooh. It's an interesting question -- I guess you cared enough to pay someone to do it pretty? I'd like a calligrapher -- not because I'm lazy, but because I don't have very pretty handwriting.
Posted by aragx6[/QUOTE]
oh yea? find for me where Emily Post has said that envelopes MUST be hand-addressed. I've already looked.

TurtlesAllTheWayDown

Well, calligraphy takes time, too. Plus, who's to say you didn't do your own calligraphy? But I think msot people here will say that printing on the envelope is fine.

It's funny, I called my mom to talk to her about my calligrapher and my step father said, "She should have just printed out labels and stuck them on the envelopes!" And he's been married twice. So most people really don't care how "pretty" your envelopes are.

jnic0319

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_etiquette_hand-addressing-invites-etiquette?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding BoardsForum:9Discussion:411d25eb-4757-4ccf-9b57-1fd20423670cPost:bcee54e6-48ec-4fc3-9550-0a5abdfac145">Hand Addressing Invites Etiquette</a>:
[QUOTE]This randomly popped into my head today and I wanted to see everyone's opinion on it. Etiquette says invitations should be hand addressed, but it has become generally acceptable to send your invites out to a calligrapher to do this, but it is still unacceptable to print the envelopes with a computer at home. I thought the point of handwritings is that it is the most personal thing you will ever send... IMO spending the time to print on a computer is more personal than sending things off to someone you don't know to address them for you. Why is it acceptable to have a calligrapher do invitations for you, but not print them yourself on a computer? (FYI - FI and I addressed our invites by hand, we only had 40 so it took maybe an hour, so I'm not asking bc I want to print mine, just a general question)
Posted by AJPretty[/QUOTE]

I haven't received a hand written wedding invite in years.  I agree with Pooh, it is very common to print them off your computer and there is nothing wrong with it.  I am doing this, my writing stinks and I don't really care for the look of calligraphy, which is just a personal opinion, I know many brides love it.

ETA: I do think labels are pushing it though.

SaraAndrew2010

I know some people use label or print directly on the envelope, but I always cringe a little when I see it.  Maybe I'm old fashioned, but I still hold to the tradition that wedding invitations should be hand addressed.  I'm not saying it's the end of the world if you use labels, but there are still a lot of people out there who expect wedding invitations to be hand addressed.

kcasity

I read on a website that it is acceptable to print addresses directly onto the envelope just not onto address labels.  I think it is a cleaner look than handwritten addresses.

jillross

I'm all for labels - I sit at a computer all day if I had to write 100 invitations I'm fairly certain my arm wouldn't work for a week

Do what you feel is the right thing for you. 

Kristin789

>>find for me where Emily Post has said that envelopes MUST be hand-addressed. I've already looked.

Go to this website, and look under the DON'Ts:
http://www.emilypost.com/wedding-invitations-and-announcements/341-essential-invitation-dos-and-donts

banana468

Here is what Crane's says:
http://www.crane.com/navContentProduct.aspx?NavName=etiquette_tips&DeptName=Etiquette_Wedding&Name=WedEt_AddressingEnvelope

Note, labels don't come into play.

quotequeen

Hiring a calligrapher really is NOT a new thing.  The distinction is based on personal mail vs. business mail, not how personal it is for you to do it yourself.

brookelynpaisley

Technically, guests shouldn't be using your RSVP cards either. The proper etiquette is for your guest to send a handwritten note to either accept or decline the invitation. This is a shortcut that has been accepted. Labels on invitations is also becoming accepted, I think in particular for belly bands and wrap-arounds. That being said, I'm still a fan of hand-addressing. Calligraphy or not, I think it shows more sincerity that you took the time to write out their name and thoughtfully invite them to your wedding.