ADDRESSING YOUR ENVELOPES

We know that collecting and formatting your addresses is no fun, and we’re here to help! Here are our requirements, some tips, and addressing rules that will hopefully make everything a little easier. We urge you to start collecting your addresses early as it always takes longer than you think and we don't want this to delay the production process.


download THIS template to format your addresses.

Rules of thumb: PLEASE READ THE DETAILS BELOW- WE WILL ASK YOU TO REFORMAT IF YOUR ADDRESSES ARE NOT RECEIVED IN THE CORRECT FORMAT

  • Accepted file types: Excel and CSV. Please do not send word, pdf, google sheet or numbers files.

  • The easiest way to think about formatting is that each column will be its own text row on the envelope.

    • An example of how this should be used is with your Guest Names- If you have a couple with different last names, for example Mr. Charles Paul Lovely and Ms. Lucy Elizabeth Sweet, You will use the first column for the first persons name and the second for the “&” or “and” and the second persons name, as they will not fit together in one row across the envelope. Children's names can also go together in the second name column, i.e. "Chris, Trevor & Hallie" after the parents' names in the first column

  • DON’T use abbreviations, write out "Street, Lane, Drive" etc. as well as the state- Massachusetts not MA.

    • DO use abbreviations for directionals in street names (i.e. 2 Main Street SE instead of South East)

    • DON’T spell out street numbers unless the guest has given it to you that way!

    • It's always nice to spell out 'Apartment' and you are free to use the 2nd address line for that but if you have an unusually long address, you can abbreviate it to Apt. and include it on the street line: 2 Main Street, Apt. 143. Things like Unit, Suite or just a number (#35) will usually fit nicely after the street name.

  • DON’T create separate tab or sheets- include all addresses and information on the same tab, your only tab. If you create multiple sheets or tabs we are not responsible for missing addresses

  • DO include one or two addresses for yourself! As a keepsake and a fake address for photos!

  • Additional tips and requests;                

    • If you have extra inserts for rehearsal dinner or other events that only some of your guests are receiving please do add a column before the names to indicate who is getting them. This saves time when we are assembling your envelopes!

    • Zipcodes: please make your zipcode column 'text' so the '0's show up. If you have overseas guests it helps us to know the exact postal code!

    • Please be aware that if you like the idea of using full names for married couples - i.e. Mr. Michael & Mrs. Margaret December - they may not both fit on one line depending on the size and style of your font. If you are short on space Ampersands can help with saving space so please use '&' instead of 'and'

    • Please be consistent with caps and lowercase- while we do review not edit the addresses you give us, they will be printed exactly as they are shown on your excel form, so be sure to proof!Please don't include anything on the sheet that you don't want to show up on the envelopes.

  • It can be nice to use "&"s as opposed to "and"- it helps with spacing- but isn't required if you don't like the look.

  • If you have blank extras, just the return addresses will be printed on them. There is no need to indicate this on your address sheet.

  • You only need to include the country if it is an international address. The country should be in it’s own column

  • With addresses in different countries, the easiest way to think about formatting is that each column will be its own text row on the envelope.

  • Please let us know if you have any international guests (and how many) as postage should not be put on those RSVPs. Those guests will need to take care of their own RSVP postage, as they will be shipping them from overseas.

  • PLEASE NOTE: Changes cannot be made after your envelopes have been send to production.


Proofing:

We do not proof your addresses (since there's really no way for me to do that as I don't know your guests :) ). Be sure that all your addresses and names are all correct, punctuated properly and that no symbols have been converted oddly in Excel. We proof formatting, but all spelling and location proofing is your full responsibility. For some more detailed addressing "rules" and how to format different family situations etc, ask us, or a quick google search is always your best bet!

Extras or late additions or changes:

Just a heads up, if you have blank extras, just the return addresses will be printed on them. If you need new addresses printed down the road, there is a minimum order quantity of 25 sets. Which means any reprints, you will need to pay for a full set of 25 printed envelopes.

POSTAGE & MAILING

Postage for the outer envelope is not included in your wedding package.

We suggest that you wait to order any postage until you have received your final invitations. Then, take an addressed invitation to your the post office you plan to ship from and have them weigh it and ask if there will be any postage cost increases in the near future (I have literally ordered postage only to come back to send them a week later to find that the cost has changed). Double check postage costs for any out of country addresses as well.

If you're worried about them getting smudged or dirty, ask your post office to hand cancel the invitations as it's a cleaner look.

Please note, that we are in no way associated with USPS and while we can make recommendations, educated guesses and suggestions, we have no control over what happens to your invitations once they are in the hands of USPS. Shipping times and costs vary from location to location, so you should always go to your local post office for any specific shipping questions and recommendations.

ADDRESSING SYLES & PRICING

CALLIGRAPHY

Calligraphy guest addressing is done by hand on each individual envelope. We work in a variety of styles and colors so it’s a perfect match to your invitations! This upgrade is only available for custom design clients.

PRINTED ADDRESSING

Printed addressing is a digital print directly on your envelopes and is designed to match the fonts and styles created on your invitations. We can print logos and other fun details on your printed envelopes as well. Printed envelopes include both the guest addressing on the front and the return addresses printed on the back flap. Printed addressing can be done in any color on lighter envelopes and white on darker envelopes.

CALLIGRAPHY AND PRINT COMBO

The best of both worlds! Calligraphy, done by hand for your guest names, and then your guest addresses printed and the return address on the back flap. Great if you’re worried about legibility but love the look of calligraphy. Also great to get a little metallic hit of color on there!