Help with Etiquette
Etiquette is the science of Living: it embraces everything, it is ethics, it is Honor ~Emily Post.
Calligrapher follows formal rules for addressing envelopes, unless the client has a different preference. For more information on wedding etiquette, Crane’s Wedding Blue Book is recommended. This can be accessed online.
Your Guest List – Client should provide a typed, proofed, and readable list using upper and lowercase letters with at least a 12 point font. All caps is not acceptable. Include the correct 5-digit ZIP code. Please do not use “spread-sheet” format. Mailing label format is requested.
example of requested format for the guest list addresses
Mr. and Mrs. Buck Wilson
19 North Hunters Lodge
San Antonio, Texas 78230
example for an inner envelope
Mr. and Mrs. Wilson
Zachary, Sophie and Julia
Little details – Please spell out titles and forms of address exactly as you would like them written. Abbreviations are not permitted except for “Mrs.” “Mr.” “Messrs.” “Dr.” Jr.” and “Lt” when combined with “Colonel” “General” or “Commander.” Please spell out street names. You can abbreviate the state names, though I will spell them out.
Indicate whether you prefer “Apartment” or “Number” spelled out. Bullets can also be used with the number following.
Close relatives may be addressed as “Grandmother”, “Aunt Sue and Uncle George” etc. on the inner envelope.
Married couples with different last names should appear on separate lines with “and” connecting them on the second line. Where a man and woman living together have different last names, the woman’s name should appear on the line above the man’s.
Children over the age of eighteen should receive separate invitations. Invited children under the age of eighteen should appear on the inner envelope, in birth order beneath their parent’s names. (“And Family” can be written if desired on the inner envelope, although this is not considered as formal)
Check and double check your spelling!
Order some Extras! – Please order at least 15% more envelopes than invitations (for add-ons and mistakes). If the client anticipates adding more guests to the list, the client needs to figure that in as well (15% is not expected to cover those instances).
Turn around time estimate for envelope jobs: 1 week per 100 unlined envelopes.
Mailing – Wedding invitations should be mailed 6 weeks before the wedding; 8 weeks is recommended for out of town guests. Be sure to have your handwritten envelopes hand cancelled at the post office.
