How To Include 'And' Family On Wedding Invites

When it comes to wedding invitations, there are a few different ways to address a family, depending on the formality of the event and the couple's preferences. One option is to use the parents' full names on the outer envelope, e.g. Mr. and Mrs. Homer Simpson. On the inner envelope, list the first names of the invited family members, e.g. Homer, Marge, Bart, Miss Lisa, and Miss Maggie. Alternatively, for a less formal event, you can simply address the envelope to The Simpson Family. If you want to be specific about which family members are invited but don't want to list their names, you can write Mr. and Mrs. Homer Simpson and Family on the outer envelope.

Married Couple With Different Last Names

When addressing wedding invitations to a married couple with different last names, there are a few etiquette rules to follow. Firstly, it is important to use the correct titles and full names on the outer envelope, while the inner envelope can be more informal, with simple first names and no titles.

For a heterosexual married couple with different last names, the outer envelope should have their names on the same line, with the woman's name listed first, followed by the man's name. If their combined names are too long to fit on one line, list them separately. Here is an example:

> Outer envelope: "Ms. Maria Stevens and Mr. David Estevez"

> Inner envelope: "Ms. Stevens and Mr. Estevez" or "Maria and David"

If you are equally close to both members of the couple, you can arrange their names alphabetically.

If the couple is unmarried but living together, their names should still be included on the outer envelope, but on separate lines, with the person you are closest to listed first. Here is an example:

> Outer envelope: "Mr. Stanley Kim and Ms. Amanda Rhee"

> Inner envelope: "Mr. Kim and Ms. Rhee" or "Stanley and Amanda"

If the couple has the same last name, the outer envelope can be addressed as "Mr. and Mrs." followed by the husband's full name. For a same-sex couple, either name can go first. Here is an example:

> Outer envelope: "Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Warren"

> Inner envelope: "Mr. and Mrs. Warren" or "Thomas and Michelle"

If the couple prefers a more modern approach, you can simply use their first and last names, without titles.

Unmarried Couple Living Together

When addressing wedding invitations to unmarried couples living together, wedding invitation etiquette recommends putting each name on a separate line. The word "and" implies that a couple is married, so it is not necessary in this scenario. For example:

Mr. John Francis Smith, II

Ms. (or Miss) Anna Brown

If you are closer to one half of the couple, their name should appear first. If you are equally close to both, you can list them alphabetically.

If you are inviting an unmarried couple that does not live together, wedding etiquette states that each person should receive their own invitation. However, if you are closer to one person in the couple, you can send the invitation to them and include "and guest" on the inner envelope for their partner.

Children 18 and Older

When it comes to addressing wedding invitations to families with children 18 or older, it's important to follow proper etiquette to ensure your guests feel welcomed and respected. Here are some guidelines to help you navigate this process:

Inviting All Children Over 18 in the Family

If you are inviting a family that includes children who are 18 or older, it is recommended that each child over 18 receives their own invitation, even if they still live at home with their parents. This is because individuals over 18 are considered adults and should be treated as such. Sending separate invitations to each adult child in the household ensures that they feel valued and respected as individuals.

Here's an example of how to address the invitations:

Outer envelope: "Ms. Audrey Abraham"

Inner envelope: "Ms. Abraham"

Inviting Only Some Children Over 18 in the Family

In some cases, you may want to invite only the parents and select children over 18 from the same family. This can be a delicate situation and requires careful consideration. While it may seem more convenient and cost-effective to send a single invitation to the entire family, it is generally considered rude and may cause hurt feelings among the siblings. To avoid this, it is advisable to send separate invitations to each adult child you wish to invite, even if they live at the same address.

Here's an example of how to address the invitations:

Outer envelope: "Ms. Audrey Abraham"

Inner envelope: "Ms. Abraham and guest"

Including Plus-Ones for Adult Children

When inviting adult children, it is customary to include their significant others or long-term partners in the invitation. This can be done by adding "and guest" to the inner envelope. If you are on a tight budget and cannot accommodate plus-ones, it is essential to make this clear on the invitation or through word of mouth.

Here's an example of how to address the invitations:

Outer envelope: "Ms. Audrey Abraham"

Inner envelope: "Ms. Abraham and guest"

Handling Budget Constraints

Sending multiple invitations to the same household can impact your invitation and postage budget. In such cases, it is essential to prioritize etiquette and the comfort of your guests. Consider adjusting your stationery or making changes in other areas of your wedding planning to accommodate the additional invitations. Remember, your guests' comfort and well-being should always come first.

Communicating an Adults-Only Wedding

If you prefer to have an adults-only wedding without children, it is essential to convey this message subtly and respectfully. Instead of explicitly stating "adults-only" on the invitation, you can use phrases like "intimate ceremony" or "cocktail reception" held at an adult-only venue. Additionally, ensure that your envelopes are addressed correctly, listing only the invited guests on the inner envelope.

Here's an example of how to address the invitations:

Outer envelope: "Mr. and Mrs. Michael Abraham"

Inner envelope: "Mr. and Mrs. Abraham"

In summary, when inviting families with children 18 or older to your wedding, it is important to follow proper etiquette. Send separate invitations to each adult child, even if they live at home, and include their significant others whenever possible. By doing so, you will ensure that your guests feel valued and respected, contributing to a memorable and enjoyable wedding celebration for all.

Married Couple, Both Are Doctors

When addressing a wedding invitation to a married couple where both parties are doctors, there are a few options to consider.

If the doctors have the same last name, the outer envelope can be addressed as:

• "The Doctors [Last Name]"
• "Doctors [First Name] and [First Name] [Last Name]"
• "Doctor [First Name] and Doctor [First Name] [Last Name]"

If the doctors have different last names, the outer envelope can be addressed as:

• "Doctor [First Name] [Last Name] and Doctor [First Name] [Last Name]"
• "Doctors [First Name] [Last Name] and [First Name] [Last Name]"

The inner envelope is more informal, so you can use abbreviations here. For the inner envelope, you could write:

• "[First Name] and [First Name]"
• "The Doctors [Last Name]"
• "Doctors [First Name] and [First Name]"
• "Dr. [First Name] and Dr. [First Name]"

If you are inviting a couple with distinguished titles, such as doctors, it is proper etiquette to address them by their titles on the wedding invitation envelope. However, it is important to note that some doctors prefer to use their professional title in a professional setting and a social title, such as Mr., Mrs., or Ms., in a social setting. Be sure to consider your audience and do what you think your guests would prefer.

Inviting the Whole Family

When inviting an entire family, you have a couple of options for how to address the envelopes. If you don't want to specify which family members are invited, you can simply address the envelope to the whole family:

"The [Last Name] Family"

If you do want to specify which family members are invited, there are a few different formats you can use. One option is to list the names of each family member, starting with the parent or parents' names, and then listing the children's names in order of age below. Girls under the age of 18 can be addressed as "Miss":

"Mr. and Mrs. [Parents' Names] [Child 1], [Child 2], Miss [Child 3], Miss [Child 4]"

If the whole family is invited, you can use the family name or just the parents' names on the outer envelope:

• "The [Last Name] Family"
• "Mr. & Mrs. [Parents' Names]"

Then, on the inner envelope, list the first names of all invited family members:

• " [Parents' First Names], [Children's First Names]"
• "Mr. and Mrs. [Parents' First Names], [Children's First Names]"

If you're using only one envelope, you can include all invited family members' names:

• "Mr. and Mrs. [Parents' Names] and Family"
• "Mr. and Mrs. [Parents' Names], [Children's Names]

Frequently asked questions