Is not Addressing by Hand a Sin?

dubird

We used labels because we couldn't afford a calligrapher, our envelopes wouldn't print nicely in either our printer or the one up at work, trying to put it through the press would have been impossible, and neither of us has nice handwriting.  So we used clear labels in the same serif font I used on the invitations, and it looked really good.  I don't have an issue with labels as long as they look good when you're done.  For example, if you can't use a label that's the same color as your envelope, use a good quality clear one so it won't peel up.

I guess if you're having a super-formal black tie wedding, then you'd want to spring for a calligrapher, but I don't see anything wrong with using labels for wedding invites as long as the final product looks good.

Sydney91

IMHO, I hate hand addressed labels. Most mail carriers despise handwriting because it's not standard size and numbers can look so different. Labels don't bother me a bit, but I'm not paying extra for those suckers. I'm printing right on the envelope, in a font that the post office can read without any effort.

EDIT: If I can't get my computer to print on the envelope properly, I will have to go the label route. Isn't postage a label anyway? Are we supposed to imitate that for you nit-pickers out there just to avoid offending you too? Take a valium and care about important things in life, not whether someone put a label on an envelope.

goobersinlove

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_etiquette_is-not-addressing-by-hand-a-sin?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:9Discussion:d5e90d77-b180-4032-a1e6-9631d282af6ePost:5706ac0d-3c0d-43f6-a818-9b093a32ad3f">Re: Is not Addressing by Hand a Sin?</a>:
[QUOTE]No, it IS etiquette, not tradition. Again, handwriting is more personalized. It conveys that you took the time to write to this person, personally. We criticize people all the time who don't take the time to handwrite thank you notes and instead send out a mass-produced printed note. This is similar etiquette. Not, it's not the worst breech of etiquette and if you have terrible handwriting and can't pay for calligraphy, then printing on the envelope is a valid option. Labels are not, since it's not much harder to just print on the envelope.
Posted by msmerymac[/QUOTE]

A mass produced printed TY note is definitely NOT the same, or even similar to, a printed address label on an outter envelope that people are going to throw away.

Also, other PP's have said that their printer could not do the envelope-printing function and labels are the only practical way they can do it.  I just don't think they should be critized for etiquette breach - that's ridiculous.

[Deleted User]

I have nice handwriting so I wrote all of ours....I like the personal touch, but I've never actually received a handwritten invitation myself.

lopezalonso

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_etiquette_is-not-addressing-by-hand-a-sin?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding BoardsForum:9Discussion:d5e90d77-b180-4032-a1e6-9631d282af6ePost:48d4157f-6706-4811-b8ba-580f09f365f9">Re: Is not Addressing by Hand a Sin?</a>:
[QUOTE]IMHO, I hate hand addressed labels. Most mail carriers despise handwriting because it's not standard size and numbers can look so different. Labels don't bother me a bit, but I'm not paying extra for those suckers. I'm printing right on the envelope, in a font that the post office can read without any effort. EDIT: If I can't get my computer to print on the envelope properly, I will have to go the label route. Isn't postage a label anyway? Are we supposed to imitate that for you nit-pickers out there just to avoid offending you too? Take a valium and care about important things in life, not whether someone put a label on an envelope.
Posted by Sydney91[/QUOTE]



In regard to your last two sentences. We have the right to disagree however posting on the etiquette board and not expecting people to be nit-picky is ridiculous. There is a right and wrong way to do this. Pick up ANY etiquette book and you will did that handwriting the addresses on an invitation is on there. Choosing not to follow the rules is a personal choice. Printing onto the envelope is a modern form of handwriting for those who cannot afford the time or a calligrapher. Important is subjective and on this board, etiquette is important.

micls

[QUOTE]I agree with PPs in that hand written invitations are more personal and feel like less of a mass mailing. It gives the event a more intimate feel. We are having a calligrapher address ours.
Posted by lopezalonso[/QUOTE]

I'm absolutely baffled as to how getting someone else to write your invitations is more personal than typing something to print yourself (not just aimed at you, others have said the same).

unchatenfrance

I made my own wrap-around labels. I made a template in Word, printed them out on full-page labels and spent hours cutting them to make them perfect. (Plus I spent hours searching through phone books and stalking people on facebook to get everyone's names and addresses correct). For the return envelopes I just printed our mailing addresses on transparent labels. The invitations were sent out a month ago and nobody seems to be complaining about anything. Then again, FI and I are south-east European and there is are no big etiquette issues regarding invitations. Maybe it's a bigger deal in Anglo circles. (And if anyone does say anything I will tell them to kiss my a** as I spent a very long time working on the labels all by myself!)