Etiquette Q&A: "Can I Use Pre-Printed Address Labels?"

wedding invitation

Q: Instead of writing addresses by hand on the envelope, is it okay to use pre-printed labels?  

A: As much as it would seem more efficient and less labor-intensive, using pre-printed address labels on your wedding invitations is not recommended. Your invitation is a reflection of your personal style and how you view your wedding. According to Mary Mitchell, spokesperson for stationery giant Crane & Co., "The invitation sets the tone for your wedding at the very beginning and is just as important a detail as your flowers, decor and menu. Hand-written envelopes indicate that you care to make your wedding a truly memorable occasion."

The message you send with pre-printed labels? "Let’s just get this over with!" So take the time to write out names and addresses. Why not try your hand at calligraphy or hire someone to do it for you?

Make addressing your invitations an opportunity for a fun get-together rather than a chore. Ask your fiancé, bridesmaids, mom or other family members and friends for some help (don’t try to do it all yourself). You’ll discover that your guests will not only appreciate the time taken but will also regard your wedding as the special event you want it to be.    

—Diane Forden

Hunger Games Fans: See Katniss Everdeen's Wedding Gown!

In a new promo pic for The Hunger Games: Catching Fire, which hits theaters on November 22, Katniss is wearing a gorgeous wedding gown:

katniss everdeen wedding dress

In the book, President Snow orders Katniss to wear Cinna's winning wedding gown design for her televised interview to kick off the Quarter Quell. Katniss describes her gown as "heavy white silk with a low neckline and tight waist and sleeves that fall from my wrists to the floor. And pearls. Pearls everywhere. Stitched into the dress and in ropes at my throat and forming the crown for the veil." 

And when she twirls... well, fans know what happens there!

Obviously, the costume designers took some liberties with the design, but we can certainly imagine how this dress will transform when she twirls. What do you think?

Updated: The designer has been revealed! Though previously speculated to be Sarah Burton of Alexander McQueen, Catching Fire costume designer Trish Summerville reveals that this frothy confection was the brainchild of Tex Saverio in Jakarta. "He is amazing! I found his designs quite some time ago and saved his information for a fitting project, then came Catching Fire —perfect!" she told The Hollywood Reporter. After several Skype calls and countless sketches, they nailed the final design: a Swarovski-crystal-covered "organza corset under a metal cage." The metal pieces on top represent fire and flames, while the laser-cut feathers at the waist and shoulder are a nod to her transition into a Mockingjay.

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Wedding Ideas by Color: Gold and Silver

From bouquets to bridesmaids dresses, centerpieces to cakes, get tons of inspiration for metallics. Plus, see more color palettes here.

By: Kristen O'Gorman Klein

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Wedding Ideas by Color: Gold and Silver

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A Wonderful Wizard of Oz Wedding

Anna and Brandon's beautiful wedding was held at the Land of Oz, a mostly-defunct Wizard of Oz theme park in North Carolina. The theme park, which operated from 1970 to 1980, featured a cyclone experience ride within Dorothy's house, a yellow brick road leading to a show at Emerald City, an artificial balloon ride (a modified ski lift), and a museum with props and costumes from the 1939 film. Anna's father worked in the park in the '70s, and her parents have such happy memories from their time spent there. With a little digging, her mom discovered that the park still operates for special events. It was the perfect fit for Anna and Brandon's big day!

Photography by Brett & Jessica.

5 Affordable Ways to Personalize Your Wedding

Are you feeling pressured to plan a "unique" wedding? Initially, my fiancée Claudia and I struggled to find a balance between creating a wedding that is unpredictable and fun, yet still captures the beauty of the rite of matrimony. When we won our consultation with David Tutera, he told us one piece of advice that would change our entire wedding-planning process. He said, "Years from now when your guests talk about your wedding, it's the little things that they'll remember the most." 

March 6th

Photo by: BCPrints/Etsy on Engaged & Inspired via Lover.ly

Tip of the Day: Fun games aren't just for bridal showers! Help guests break the ice during cocktail hour or the reception with this "Who Said It?" trivia card. This game is brilliant because everyone can take a guess and play, even friends' dates who may not know the bride and groom very well.

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Wedding Ideas by Color: Rainbow

From bouquets to bridesmaids dresses, centerpieces to cakes, get tons of inspiration for a rainbow wedding.

By: Kristen Klein

Enter Slideshow

Wedding Ideas by Color: Rainbow

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