Wedding Invitation Etiquette: Junior—To Capitalize Or Not?

When it comes to wedding invitations, grammar and spelling are of utmost importance. The invitation is the first glimpse guests have of your special day, and attention to detail here demonstrates thoughtfulness and care. One such detail is the use of Junior on a wedding invitation. The correct form is to write out junior or Jr. in full, with a capital J when abbreviating. For example, Mr. Frank Thomas Jones, junior or Mr. Frank Thomas Jones, Jr.. A comma is also required after the last name. However, when using a more formal Jr. abbreviation, it should be lowercase as it is not a proper noun.

Abbreviating 'Junior'

Abbreviating Junior

When addressing wedding invitations, it is important to follow the correct etiquette to ensure formality and avoid offending anyone. One such consideration is how to address individuals with suffixes such as "Junior".

When addressing a man with the suffix "Junior", the preferred format is to write out "Junior" or "Jr." in full, for example, "Mr. Frank Thomas Jones, junior" or "Mr. Frank Thomas Jones, Jr.". When abbreviating, it is proper to capitalise the "J", for example, "Mr. Frank Thomas Jones, Jr.". A comma should always be included after the last name. If a man is named after his father, who is a Junior, the son will be referred to as "III", for example, "Mr. Thomas Elias Jones III". No comma is needed before the "III".

For formal invitations, it is recommended to write out "Junior" in full rather than abbreviating it. However, if you choose to abbreviate, it is important to note that junior should be written in lowercase as it is not a proper noun.

In addition to the suffix, social titles such as "Mr." should also be included in the address. For married couples, the husband's first name is typically included on the outer envelope, while only the titles and last name are written on the inner envelope. For couples with different last names, the wife's name is usually written first, and the word "and" is used to imply marriage.

Formality and etiquette

When it comes to wedding invitations, maintaining proper etiquette is essential. Here are some guidelines to ensure your invitations exude the desired formality and adhere to standard etiquette:

• Honourifics and Titles: Always use appropriate honourifics and titles when addressing your guests. For example, use "Mr." for a man, "Mrs." for a married woman, and "Ms." for an unmarried woman or a married woman who hasn't changed her last name. When addressing a married couple, the standard format is "Mr. and Mrs." followed by the husband's first name and last name. If the wife has kept her maiden name, her name should appear first, followed by "and".
• Formality in Addressing Junior: When addressing someone with the suffix "Junior" or "Jr.", it is advisable to write it out in full for a more formal invitation. The proper format is "Mr. [Name] [Last Name], junior" or "Mr. [Name] [Last Name], Jr.". Remember to include a comma after the last name. If you choose to abbreviate "Junior", ensure the "J" is capitalised: "Mr. [Name] [Last Name], Jr.".
• Middle Names: It is considered proper etiquette to use middle names instead of initials. For instance, "Mr. John Isaac Smith" instead of "Mr. John I. Smith".
• Proper Nouns: Always capitalise proper nouns, such as names of people and places. Additionally, capitalise the day of the week, the month, and the first letter of the year when writing out the date.
• Spell Out All Words: Avoid abbreviations and spell out all words in addresses, including street titles ("Drive", "Avenue", "Boulevard"), directional words ("North", "South"), and state names ("South Carolina" instead of "SC").
• Formality in Children's Titles: When addressing children in a formal manner, a boy under the age of 13 is addressed as "Master", while girls and young women under the age of 18 are addressed as "Miss".
• Inner and Outer Envelopes: For an added touch of formality, consider using both inner and outer envelopes. The outer envelope includes the postal delivery information, while the inner envelope lists the names of the invited guests in the household, including children.
• Return Address: Traditionally, the return address was embossed or featured raised lettering. Nowadays, most couples print the return address using the same method as the invitations. It is typically placed on the envelope's back flap.
• Punctuation: Avoid using punctuation at the end of lines in your invitation wording.
• Grammar and Spelling: Ensure your invitations are free of grammatical errors and spelling mistakes. Have multiple people proofread the invitations before sending them to print.
• Professional Assistance: If you're unsure about etiquette or want a cohesive look, consider hiring a calligrapher or seeking guidance from wedding etiquette experts like Emily Post.

Proper nouns and capitalisation

When it comes to wedding invitations, proper nouns and capitalisation are important considerations. Proper nouns refer to the names of specific people, places, or things, and they are always capitalised. This means that the names of the bride and groom, as well as their parents and any other honoured guests, should be capitalised on the invitation.

In addition to proper nouns, there are a few other capitalisation rules to keep in mind. Firstly, only the day of the week, month, and first letter of the year should be capitalised. For example, "Saturday, the sixth of May, two thousand eighteen". The "t" in "two" is also capitalised, but the rest of the year is not. When it comes to attire, only the first word is capitalised, for example, "Black tie", not "Black Tie".

When addressing a married couple, classic envelopes incorporate social titles and the husband's first name on the outer envelope, with only the titles and last name on the inner envelope. For example, "Mr. and Mrs. John Smith". If the wife has kept her maiden name, her name should appear first, and the names should be joined with "and". For example, "Mrs. Sarah Smith and Mr. John Smith".

When addressing a man with a suffix like "Junior" or "Senior", there are a few options. The most formal option is to write out the suffix in full, for example, "Mr. Frank Thomas Jones, junior". Alternatively, you can abbreviate the suffix as "Jr." or "Sr." and capitalise the letter, for example, "Mr. Frank Thomas Jones, Jr.". If a man is named after his father who is a Junior, he will be referred to as "III" or "IV" after the father's name, for example, "Mr. Thomas Elias Jones III".

It's important to note that while proper nouns and certain other words are capitalised, you should avoid using capital letters for emphasis or to create a unique style. This can be considered inappropriate and may detract from the formality and elegance of a wedding invitation.

Abbreviating titles and suffixes

When it comes to titles and suffixes, there are a few general rules and guidelines to follow, especially when it comes to formal writing and invitations.

Professional Titles

Professional titles typically indicate authority, professional status, or academic activity. In American English, it is customary to abbreviate certain titles when they appear before full names, initials, and last names. Some common abbreviations include:

• "Rep." for "Representative"
• "Insp. Gen." for "Inspector General"
• "Assoc. Prof." for "Associate Professor"
• "Lt. Col." for "Lieutenant Colonel"

It is important to note that these abbreviations are typically used before a full name or initials and last name, and not just before a last name. For example, "Representative Randolph" instead of "Rep. Randolph."

When a formal title follows a person's name, it is abbreviated with a period, such as "Jr." for "Junior," "Sr." for "Senior," and "Esq." for "Esquire." A comma is usually included before "Jr." and "Sr.", but not before "Esq." For example:

• "Preston B. Franklin Jr."
• "Ernesto R. Gonzalez Sr."
• "Bartholomew H. Makepeace, Esq."

Additionally, the abbreviation "Esq." is not used when another title is given before or after the name. For instance, "Mr. Bartholomew H. Makepeace, Esq." would be incorrect.

Academic Degrees

Academic degrees, such as bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degrees, are often abbreviated when included after an individual's name. The abbreviation is set off by a comma and no other title should precede the name. For example:

• "Tyra E. King, M.D."
• "T.E. King, M.D."

It is important to note that the abbreviation for the degree follows the person's full name, not just their last name or initials.

Name Suffixes

Name suffixes, such as "Jr." and "Sr.," are used to distinguish between family members with the same name. In the United States, these suffixes are abbreviated as "Jr." and "Sr." with initial capital letters, and are usually preceded by a comma. For example:

"Mr. Frank Thomas Jones, Jr."

If a man is named after his father who is a "Jr.", then he becomes the "III." For example:

"Mr. Thomas Elias Jones III."

In less formal situations, the suffix may be omitted or abbreviated differently. For instance, on a wedding invitation, "Mrs. Lon Chaney Jr." could be simplified to "Mrs. L. Chaney" or "Shannon Chaney."

When addressing individuals with academic or professional titles, it is important to consider the hierarchy of titles. For example, "Dr." takes precedence over "Mrs." or "Ms." So, a correct format would be: "Dr. Sarah Smith and Mr. John Smith."

Capitalization and Punctuation

In terms of capitalization, only proper nouns, the day of the week, month, and first letter of the year should be capitalized in formal invitations. Additionally, the "Jr." and "Sr." abbreviations are capitalized when used as suffixes.

Regarding punctuation, American English dictates that abbreviations include a period, such as "Rep." or "Jr." However, when abbreviating "junior" or "senior" after a full name, a comma is also included, as in "Mr. Frank Thomas Jones, Jr."

Addressing envelopes

The outer envelope should include all the information the postal service needs for delivery. The inner envelope should list the names of the invited guests in the household, including children whose names do not appear on the outer envelope. The outer envelope should include guests' names written in full—no nicknames or initials. Use the appropriate social titles, such as addressing married couples as "Mr. and Mrs." If a man has a suffix, write "Mr. Joseph Morales, Jr." or "Mr. Joseph Morales IV"; "Junior" can be spelled out for more formal invitations.

When addressing a married couple with different last names, the wife's name is traditionally written first, with their names connected by "and", indicating marriage. For unmarried couples living together, names should be written on separate lines without "and". On the inner envelope, both are addressed by their titles and respective last names.

For a formal invitation to a married couple, classic envelopes use social titles and the husband's first name on the outer envelope, and only the titles and last name on the inner envelope. The inner envelope can also include first names for a more personal style. The house number can be written as a numeral for a less formal feeling.

A formal way to address children on wedding envelopes is to use an outer envelope identical to that of a couple without children. On the inner envelope, write the name and title of each invited guest in the household. A boy under 13 is addressed as "Master", not "Mr." Girls and young women under 18 are called "Miss". For an informal approach, use the parents' first names on the outer envelope and the parents' and children's first names without titles on the inner envelope.

For a single woman, either "Ms." or "Miss" is appropriate, although many prefer the former. A single man is addressed as "Mr.". Only the guest's name appears on the outer envelope. On the inner envelope, write the guest's name followed by "and Guest". If you know the guest's plus-one, it is more personal to include their name, on a separate line.

Spell out all words in the address on your envelopes. Instead of "St.", "P.O. Box", and "Apt.", use "Street", "Post Office Box", and "Apartment". This also applies to city and state names; write out "Saint Paul, Minnesota" instead of using abbreviations. House numbers smaller than 20 should also be spelled out.

Frequently asked questions