How address labels

can change the wedding planning game

Let's talk address labels- one of our favorite organizational hacks for staying organized & efficient. Yes, addressing save the dates and invites is a drag & one of the least fun parts of the entire wedding planning process. It's a bit boring and draining to knock this task off the list, but luckily you can kill two, three, even four birds with one stone using this tip & save your HOURS of time. Follow this easy step by step guide to conquer the fear of mail merge so you can spend your time on more important and fun elements of wedding planning.


Top Reasons we LOVE address labels

  • Multipurpose use- print three or four copies to use for save the dates, invitations, thank you notes, even for future Christmas cards, the list could go on and on
  • Time Savings- Save hours of time handwriting individual save the dates & invitations & thank you notes
  • Affordable- The only thing you are out is the cost of printing & the labels themselves which are very affordable. For example, for a 200 person guest list the all in cost is around $30. You can save hundreds without having to hire a professional calligrapher
  • Digital Format- Stay organized by keeping everything in digital format and easily edit addresses of friends that may have moved to a different address


When creating your guest list, use Microsoft Excel as a way to stay organized and start a database of names & addresses. Be sure and create separate columns for first name, last name, street address, street address 2 (such as an apartment number), city, state, and zip code. Having all the data itemized into columns will make life so much easier later on.


After compiling your guest list & once you are ready to send save the dates, we recommend using address labels in lieu of handwritten addressing. Although calligraphy is an absolute beautiful work of art, it can be pricey and can take up to several weeks to be completed. You can still use unique touches to your envelops with a personalized wax seal or custom return address stamps.


Here's a step by step process for using address labels for addressing guests:

  1. Create an address template using the resources found at Avery.com, which is a brand of address labels that offer several free resources
  2. Use template #5160 which is the standard address label size & click "start designing" on the Avery website
  3. Select a design you like- we recommend keeping this pretty simple and selecting the blank design as you don't want the envelop to look too busy. With a blank canvass you have the option use a more elaborate calligraphic font if you wish.
  4. Select "Import Data from Mail Merge" on the left hand side of the screen. Click on the sample spreadsheet so you can see how your data needs to be formatted. You may have to adjust or move around a few columns so everything is in the correct order.
  5. Once your data and guest list is in the correct format & ready, click "Start Import/Merge"
  6. After your data is upload the fields should pre-populate. You can easily manipulate the fields to your liking by clicking "Edit All" option in the navigator on the right. You can also make individual edits to certain labels by clicking "Edit One" option
  7. Once you have reviewed everything, Avery.com will generate a template & email it to you
  8. Keep this email and head to your local Office Depot where you can buy the labels suited for template #5160, forward them the email, and they can print copies for you. Be sure and ask the Office Depot associate if their printer requires the labels to be JetInk or Laser (this distinction is found on the address labels on the top right hand side)


PRO TIPS:

  • Save money by buying the generic Office Depot brand instead of the Avery branded labels. There should be a "compatible with template #5160" designation on the front of the address label pack
  • Print at least three or four copies so you can use the labels not only for save the dates, but invitations, thank you notes, even for Christmas cards as your first married Christmas


We hope this tip helps save you time, energy, and money in the wedding planning process. We'd love to hear if you've tried address labels & how it went for you.


If you have other time and money saving wedding planning hacks, please email us at thereserveatrangercreek@outlook.com