Addressing Wedding Invites: Including Guest Names In 8 Words Or Less

Wedding invitation wording can be tricky, especially when it comes to addressing guests with plus-ones. The general rule is to use the guest's full name, including their preferred title, on the outer envelope. If you are inviting a couple who live together, their names should be written on the same line, with the woman's name listed first. If your guest has a plus-one, it is best to find out their date's name and include it on the outer envelope. If you are unable to get their date's name, you can simply write [Guest's name] and guest on the outer envelope.

Single Male Guest

When addressing a wedding invitation to a single male guest, the outer envelope should include his full name with the honorific "Mr." For example:

> Mr. James Montgomery

If the single male guest is under 18, no title is necessary.

If the single male guest has been offered a plus-one, the outer envelope should remain the same, but the inner envelope should include "and guest" language. For example:

> Outer envelope: "Mr. James Montgomery"

> Inner envelope: "Mr. Montgomery and guest" or "James and guest"

If you are unsure of the guest's preferred title, it is best to forgo the use of any title altogether.

Single Female Guest

When addressing a wedding invitation to a single female guest, the general rule is to use "Ms." for women over 18. If the guest is younger, then "Miss" is the acceptable choice, and it should be spelled out rather than abbreviated.

On the outer envelope: "Ms. Ali Johnson"

On the inner envelope: "Ms. Johnson"

If you are offering a plus-one to a single female guest, you do not need to indicate this on the outer envelope. Instead, use "and guest" on the inner envelope. Here is an example:

Outer envelope: "Ms. Stephanie Chen"

Inner envelope: "Ms. Chen and guest" or "Stephanie and guest"

It is important to note that the outer envelope is the more formal layer and typically includes the recipient's full name and title. The inner envelope is more informal and can include just the last name or first name.

Additionally, if you are unsure about the preferred title of your guest, it is better to forgo the title altogether rather than risk offending them.

Married Couple, Different Last Names

When addressing a wedding invitation to a married couple with different last names, it's important to follow certain etiquette guidelines to ensure your guests feel welcomed and respected. Here are some instructions and examples to help you with this task:

Outer Envelope Etiquette:

The outer envelope is the more formal layer of the invitation, and it should include the full names and personal titles of the recipients. When addressing a married couple with different last names, write their names on the same line, with the woman's name first. Here's an example:

"Ms. Maria Stevens and Mr. David Estevez"

If the combined names are too long to fit on one line, you can list them separately. Here's another example:

"Ms. Maria Stevens

Mr. David Estevez"

Inner Envelope Etiquette:

The inner envelope is more informal, and you have the option to leave out certain elements of the formal name format. You can include titles and last names or use first names only. Here are some examples:

"Ms. Stevens and Mr. Estevez"

"Maria and David"

Additional Considerations:

• Guest's Preferences: Always respect your guests' preferences when it comes to names and titles. If you're unsure, don't hesitate to ask them directly.
• Modern Alternatives: If personal titles feel restrictive or exclusive for your guest list, you can forgo them and use first and last names only.
• Gender-Neutral Titles: If you have non-binary guests, use the gender-neutral honorific "Mx."
• Children's Names: If you're inviting children as well, include their names on the inner envelope to ensure they feel included. For girls under 18, you can use "Miss" if desired. Boys don't need a title until they're 16, when they can be addressed as "Mr."

Unmarried Couple

When addressing wedding invitations to unmarried couples, there are a few things to keep in mind. Firstly, it is important to use the correct titles and full names of the guests, rather than initials, nicknames, or shortened names. For unmarried female guests, use “Miss” if they are under 18 and “Ms.” if they are 18 or older. For unmarried male guests, use “Mr.” if they are 18 or older.

Secondly, when addressing an unmarried couple that lives together, put each name on a separate line. This is because putting the names on the same line with "and" between them implies that the couple is married. For example:

Mr. John Francis Smith, II

Ms. (or Miss) Anna Brown

Thirdly, if you are inviting an unmarried couple that does not live together, it is generally recommended to send an invitation only to the person you are closest to or were friends with first. You can then include “and guest” on the inner envelope for their significant other. This avoids any potential awkwardness if the couple were to break up before the wedding. However, if you feel this may offend the couple, you can address the invitation as you would for an unmarried couple living together, with both names listed on separate lines.

Finally, when it comes to the outer and inner envelopes, the outer envelope should be more formal, including the full name(s) and personal title(s) of the recipient(s). The inner envelope is more informal, where you can leave out one or two elements of the formal name format. For example, you can use only personal titles and last names or just first names.

Widowed Guest

When addressing a wedding invitation to a widowed guest, there are a few options to consider. Firstly, it is appropriate to use either the deceased spouse's first name and your guest's last name (for example, Mrs. John Jones) or your guest's own first name and last name (for instance, Mrs. Kathleen Jones). This is especially relevant if the deceased spouse's name was already included in the invitation before their passing.

If you are unsure whether to include the deceased spouse's name or not, it may be best to consult someone close to the widowed guest to determine their preference. Another option is to address the guest as "Ms." followed by their last name, which is generally acceptable for women regardless of their marital status.

Additionally, if the widowed guest is bringing a plus-one, you can reserve the "and guest" language for the inner envelope. This way, you can avoid any potential misunderstandings or discomfort.

Frequently asked questions