Making an Impression: Hand Addressed Wedding Envelopes

You've spent hours looking at pages and pages of beautiful wedding invitations (some very expensive), made your decision (with difficulty), composed the invitation language, and waited (impatiently) for the arrival of the printed treasures from the stationer. Well, they're here. Now what?

Who is going to address all those envelopes?
This is one of the most important aspects of your dream wedding and you want to make an impression on your guests what this wedding means to you and how lucky they are to be on your guest list.

What to do?  

1. Use a ballpoint pen and hope for the best? Not really. Is your handwriting (or a friend's) pretty and neat enough? This may work but you may not be satisfied with the results. Do you really want to do this yourself?

2. Use a computer? Maybe. That's too perfect and obviously done by a machine. If you like that, fine, but most brides want something personal and special.

3.Hire a calligrapher who addresses envelopes professionally. This is ideal. Someone who knows what they're doing with a track record and ability to produce lovely hand-addressed envelopes your guests will want to keep.

C-a-l-l-i-g-r-a-p-h-y  
It's Greek for "beautiful writing" and its history goes back thousands of years. For modern hand-addressed wedding invitations, we're not referring to labor intensive calligraphy work by monks in mountaintop monasteries from the Middle Ages. Today's calligraphers know how to use unique writing tools, are skilled in the craft and efficient on time. They offer brides a range of lettering styles to choose from, and their services come at different prices--no two are alike. It's an art form that is seeing a revival and appreciation.  

What about cost?
After what you've spent on wedding invitations, the services of a calligrapher should be factored in. It's not as expensive as one might think and the results are well worth the time and effort.  

As a rule, calligraphers charge by the envelope or by the "set" (an outside and an inside envelope). They will also do Save the Date envelopes, place cards, signs, and bride Thank You notes if requested, among other things. Prices vary and can range from $1.75 to $5.00 and up per envelope. A good calligrapher will gladly do 25 envelopes as well as 500, and sometimes price is negotiable.  

How to find a calligrapher
Local bridal shows are usually good sources for wedding services and products, but it's hard to find a calligrapher at one. If there is, brides can view actual addressed envelopes, lettering styles and discuss the process of hiring a professional to hand address envelopes, the turnaround time, and the cost involved. You and your calligrapher will also discuss the guest list and proper protocol. She may even bring up issues that you didn't even think to ask about but are relevant to the work at hand. The relationship established between you and your calligrapher is based on trust; —she will have possession of your valuable envelopes for a period of time and you want to be comfortable with that, knowing there will be regular communication (questions on guest list or updates on progress). She will normally keep several blank envelopes after delivering the completed work in the event of changes, corrections, or additional guests. Plan on this to happen—it always does.  

The Internet is another good source. It's not always possible to find a calligrapher in your home town or even within 100 miles. Shop around and look at several websites. Send an inquiry email or make a phone call. Once you've found the right calligrapher, a written agreement is important (don't settle for verbal), one that is clear and includes her services, envelope quantity, lettering style, price, deadline and payment. There may also be a rush charge if the work has to be done on short notice such as less than four weeks. Don't be afraid to ship your envelopes to her. It's common these days although you will be required to pay postage both ways. A deposit is also required at the time of contract, with the balance due at delivery.

Bridal magazines also provide a list of resources (hard copy and online).

Wedding planners and stationery shops are another source. Planners often use outside vendors that may include calligraphers. Stationers (for wedding invitations) may also know of calligraphers to refer. Check around and ask.  

Calligraphy Workshops
A good calligrapher is a good instructor, willing to share her skills and knowledge to those who want to learn the fundamentals of the art. Whether it's simply to address envelopes for weddings, holidays or birthdays, there are techniques anyone (even left-handers) can learn with patience and practice, acquiring a certain "feel" when holding a calligraphy pen correctly to attain consistency in style, form, and size.

In a classroom situation, it will not take long for the student to understand this—; he will become his own worst critic and know what is correct and what is not. With an instructor's guidance and demonstrations, each person learns at his own speed, some faster, some slower, but each will leave knowing he's learned something new to use every day. Craft shops, recreation centers, stationers and art studios may offer calligraphy classes with announcements in newspapers, store postings, emails or a calligrapher's website.    

Make your wedding the best you can
Your wedding invitations should be dropped in the mail knowing they are beautifully hand addressed, intended to make a lasting impression on the invited guest. You want him to hold the envelope in his hand with respect and anticipation of a wonderful event. Calligraphy is an ages-old tradition of beauty and art, expressing the sender's wish to share a joyful celebration with friends and relatives—, all on a simple envelope that says it all.