Michelle Dowling Calligraphy
There are many things to consider when planning
an event. Here are a few helpful hints I have learned along the way:
Ordering
Invitations
It
is suggested that you order your invitations about 4 to 5 months prior to the
event. Using your guest list, determine the number of invitations needed
and add approximately 15 to 20% to the order. For example, if you are
inviting 100 guests, order 120 envelopes. This allows for name or address
changes, errors, or last minute additions.
Essential
Ingredients
Your invitation provides your guests
with all of the information they need to know about your wedding. If
applicable, you can add menu cards, hotel/accommodation information, and
map/direction cards. Be sure to include your return address on the
envelope.
Paper
The
best choice of paper for handwritten calligraphy is a fine, smooth surface
paper. Organic or textured papers may cause ink to bleed or catch the pen
tip causing an irregular print
Determining
How to Address your Invitations
If
you like the look of handwritten calligraphy, we can schedule an appointment
for you to look through my portfolio. I have over 14 years of experience
as a calligrapher. We can discuss different font styles, ink color, or
special touches. Samples can be created during our consultation.
Turnaround
Time
It
is advisable to mail your invitations 6 to 8 weeks in advance of the
event. I suggest getting your invitations to the printer/calligrapher at
least one month before the mailing date. This allows time for an initial consultative
meeting, envelope assembly, and review prior to sending. My services are
done on a first come, first served basis. Generally, it takes
approximately 7 to 10 days to complete a calligraphy order for 100 invitations
(including both inner and outer envelopes). Expedited services are
available and I will work with you to meet your timeframes.
Pricing
Calligraphers
typically charge by the item (i.e.., $amount per envelope).
Other
Offerings
Additional
services include handwritten table cards, placecards, monograms, menus, direction cards, and programs. Envelope assembly also offered.
Putting It All
Together … Before Mailing
There
are many time-honored traditions for addressing invitations and the following
suggestions are based on those traditions. If you would like more
information on formal etiquette, there are a variety of websites and books I
can suggest.
Etiquette
It
is traditional to use the complete, formal name and address of your invited
guests. For example:
Mr.
and Mrs. Robert Smith
Versus
Mr.
and Mrs. Bob Smith
It is also traditional to spell out Avenue, Road and Street as well as the State name. If you are providing response cards, it is traditional to place a postage stamp on the reply envelope to make it easy for your guests to respond.
Standard Invitation – Two Envelopes
(Inner and Outer)
Married couple, living at the same
address:
OUTER
ENVELOPE: Mr. and Mrs. Robert
Smith
200 Park Avenue
New York, New York 10003
INNER
ENVELOPE: Mr. and Mrs.
Smith
Married couple in which the woman has
retained her maiden or professional name, living at the same address:
OUTER
ENVELOPE: Mrs. Jane
Jones
INNER
ENVELOPE: Mrs. Jones
Mr. Robert
Smith
Mr. Smith
200 Park Avenue
New York, New York 10003
Unmarried couple, at the same address
should be listed alphabetically, or also acceptable is placing the woman’s name
first:
OUTER
ENVELOPE: Ms. Carol Clancy
INNER
ENVELOPE: Ms. Clancy
Mr. George
Everett
Mr. Everett
Three Greenleaf Lane
Huntington, California 90260
Family with children:
OUTER
ENVELOPE: Mr. and Mrs. Robert
Smith
INNER
ENVELOPE: Mr. and Mrs.
Smith
200 Park
Avenue
Mark and Susan (listed by seniority)
New York, New York 10003 OR
INNER
ENVELOPE: Mr. and Mrs.
Smith
Mr. Smith and Miss Smith *
*
You may use the title Master if the young man is under thirteen years
old. It is also considered correct to send a separate invitation to
children over eighteen years old.
Standard
Invitation – One Envelope (Outer only)
The
same guidelines apply as stated above. All invitees should appear on the
outer envelope, including children’s names (listed separately by seniority) or
state “and Family”.
“AND GUEST”
If
you are not able to find out the name of the “guest”, it is correct to address
as: Ms.
Carol Clancy and Guest. This information would appear on the inner envelope when
using two envelopes or on the outer envelope if sending a single envelope
invitation.
Assembly
The
invitation and enclosure cards are placed in the envelope ( or inside the inner
envelope, if applicable) in order of size and importance. The largest
enclosure cards are placed closest to the invitation. For example, from
bottom to top: invitation, direction cards, response envelope with response
card (tucked under response envelope flap), and reception card. When using
two envelopes, the inner envelope is unsealed and inserted into the outer
envelope so the guest’s name is the first thing seen as the outer envelope is
opened.
Mailing
and Postage
Typically,
invitations are mailed out 6 - 8 weeks prior to the event; taking into
consideration out of town guests who need to plan travel arrangements. It
is highly recommended you take your full invitation, with all enclousures, to
be weighed by the post office. Remember that when you mail your invitations,
have them “hand canceled” (issuing the round, red mark over the stamp and
envelope). If your envelopes go through the postal machine, there is a
chance it may be crumpled or torn.
Leaving a Clue
Here's a helpful hint: use a pencil to lightly
mark a number on the back lower corner of each response card. Keep a numbered
list with corresponding names. If you can't read someone's handwriting, you can
use your code to uncover the mystery!