Etiquette Guide: Children's Names On Wedding Invites

When it comes to wedding invitations, there are a lot of factors to consider, especially when it comes to addressing them to families with children. The general rule is that if the children are over 18, they should receive their own invitations. If they are under 18, their names are usually listed only on the inner envelope, not the outer envelope. The children's names are typically listed by seniority, with boys under 18 requiring no title and girls under 18 addressed as Miss. For children over 18, the titles Mr. and Ms. are used.

Children under 18: listed on the inner envelope only, under their parents' names

When it comes to wedding invitation etiquette, there are a few different approaches you can take, depending on your preferences and the formality of your wedding. Here are some detailed instructions and examples for listing children under 18 on the inner envelope only, under their parents' names:

Outer Envelope:

On the outer envelope, you will only list the parents' names, along with their formal titles and full mailing address. For example, if you are inviting a family with young children or children under the age of 18, the outer envelope is reserved for the names of the parents or guardians. Here's an example:

"Mr. and Mrs. Alan Thompson"

Or

"Mr. Alan Thompson and Mrs. Emily Thompson"

Inner Envelope:

On the inner envelope, you will list the names of the children under their parents' names. Girls under 18 can be addressed as "Miss", while boys under 13 can be addressed as "Master". Boys under 18 do not require a title. Here's an example:

"Alan, Emily, Roger, Chance, Miss Jennifer, and Master Lily"

Or

"Alan and Emily, Daniel, Jeffrey, Miss Brittany, and Mx. Kelly"

Other Considerations:

• If you are using inner and outer envelopes, it is considered more informal and gives you the option to be more flexible with names and titles.
• If you are using only one envelope, all invited family members, including children, should be listed on the front.
• If you do not include each child's name, it may be interpreted as children not being invited. However, it is still possible that some guests may assume their children are welcome, so clear communication is key.
• Children over the age of 18 and living at home with their parents should be listed separately, either on the inner envelope or on their own invitation, depending on your preference.

Children over 18: should receive their own invitation

When it comes to wedding invitation etiquette, tradition and formality are key. If you're inviting a family with children over the age of 18, it's important to note that they should each receive their own invitation. This shows careful consideration and respect for the invitees and helps to avoid any confusion.

For children over 18 who still live at home with their parents, you have the option to follow the standard family format. On the outer envelope, you can address the parents with their names and titles, for example, "Mr. and Mrs. Alan Thompson". On the inner envelope, list the names of the children over 18, using their titles and surnames, for instance, "Miss Jennifer and Mr. Roger Thompson". This format is especially useful if you're inviting a large family with multiple children of varying ages.

However, if you choose to send separate invitations to children over 18, even those living at home, this is also acceptable and ensures a more personalised approach. In this case, the outer envelope for each individual invite would include their full name and title, such as "Miss Jennifer Thompson". The inner envelope would then simply state their title and surname, "Miss Thompson".

It's worth noting that the use of titles may feel restrictive or exclusive to some guests, especially those who do not identify as Mr., Mrs., Miss, or Ms. In such cases, it is perfectly acceptable to forgo titles altogether and use only first and last names on both the outer and inner envelopes. This modern approach ensures that all your guests feel included and respected, regardless of their gender identity or personal preferences.

Boys under 18: no title needed

When addressing wedding invitations, it's important to follow certain guidelines to ensure your guests feel welcome and respected. Here are some detailed instructions for addressing boys under 18, for whom no title is needed:

Outer Envelope Etiquette:

The outer envelope is the more formal of the two envelopes and should include the guest's complete and formal name, along with their mailing address. When inviting a family with children under 18, the outer envelope is reserved for the parent's or guardian's names only. Boys under 18 do not need a title, so simply write their names without any honorifics. List the children's names underneath their parents' names, from oldest to youngest.

For example, if you're inviting a family with two boys under 18, the outer envelope could be addressed to:

> Mr. and Mrs. Michael Abraham

And the inner envelope to:

> Mr. and Mrs. Michael Abraham

> Daniel and Jeffrey

Inner Envelope Etiquette:

The inner envelope is more informal, and you have the option to be more casual. You can choose to include or exclude titles and last names. For boys under 18, continue to list their names without any titles or honorifics, such as "Master," which is sometimes used for boys under 13.

Single Envelope Etiquette:

If you're using a single envelope, combine the guidelines for the outer and inner envelopes. Write the parents' or guardians' formal names and mailing address, followed by the names of their children under 18, listed from oldest to youngest. Again, boys under 18 do not need a title, so simply include their names without any honorifics.

For example, a single envelope could be addressed to:

> Mr. and Mrs. Michael Abraham

> Daniel, Jeffrey

Remember, when it comes to addressing wedding invitations, it's important to be consistent and follow the guidelines as closely as possible. These instructions will help you navigate the sometimes tricky world of wedding invitation etiquette!

Girls under 18: addressed as 'Miss'

When it comes to wedding invitation etiquette, there are a few things to keep in mind when addressing girls under 18. Firstly, it is common to use the title "Miss" for girls under the age of 18. This is considered a formal and respectful way to address young girls. Here are some examples of how to address wedding invitations for this age group:

Outer Envelope Etiquette:

On the outer envelope, it is appropriate to write the names of the girl's parents or guardians. If you are inviting a family with young girls under 18, you can follow this format:

"Mr. and Mrs." [Father's First Name] and [Mother's First Name] [Last Name]

For example, if the parents' names are Alan and Emily Thompson, the outer envelope can be addressed to:

"Mr. and Mrs. Alan and Emily Thompson"

Alternatively, you can choose to address the outer envelope more simply to:

"The Thompson Family"

Inner Envelope Etiquette:

On the inner envelope, you can list the names of the children, including the girls under 18. Here is an example of how to format this:

"Alan, Emily, Roger, Chance, Miss Jennifer, and Miss Lily"

In this example, "Miss" is used as a title for the girls under the age of 18, with their first names listed. This adds a formal and respectful touch to the invitation.

It is important to note that the outer envelope is typically more formal, including the full names and titles of the guests. On the other hand, the inner envelope is more informal, giving you the option to use first names only if you prefer a more casual vibe.

Additionally, it is worth mentioning that if you are inviting a family with children under 18 and want to be clear that only the parents are invited, you may choose to omit the children's names from the inner envelope. However, be prepared that some guests may still assume their children are welcome. In this case, it is helpful to spread the word through family and friends that the wedding will be adults-only.

Girls over 18: addressed as 'Ms.'

When addressing wedding invitations to girls over the age of 18, the correct title to use is "Ms.". Here are some guidelines and examples to help you with the formatting:

Outer Envelope

On the outer envelope, the guest's title ("Ms.") should be included as part of their full name. For example:

> Ms. Stephanie Chen

Inner Envelope

On the inner envelope, you have the option to leave out certain elements of the formal name format used on the outer envelope. You can use just the last name, or just the first name:

> Ms. Chen

> or

> Stephanie

Plus-One

If the guest is bringing a plus-one, you don't need to indicate this on the outer envelope. Reserve "and guest" language for the inner envelope only:

> Ms. Chen and guest

> or

> Stephanie and guest

Living at Home

If the girl over 18 is living at home with her parents, you can follow the family format. In this case, the children's names are listed by seniority underneath the parents' names, omitting the last names:

> Mr. and Mrs. Alan Thompson

> Alan, Emily, Roger, Chance, Miss Jennifer, and Ms. Lily

Multiple Children Over 18

If there are multiple children over the age of 18, the plural form of "Miss" or "Ms." can be used:

> Misses Jennifer and Lily

> or

> Ms. Jennifer and Ms. Lily

Same-Sex Parents

When addressing same-sex parents, the format remains the same. For a married couple with the same last name, use "Mr." and "Mr." or "Ms." and "Ms." followed by their names. For example:

> Mr. Alan Thompson and Mr. Roger Thompson

> or

> Ms. Alan Thompson and Ms. Roger Thompson

Different Last Names

If the parents have different last names, list their names separately on the same line, with the person you are closest to or the alphabetized name first:

> Ms. Alan Thompson and Ms. Emily Thompson

Unmarried Parents

For unmarried parents living together, both names should be included on separate lines. List the person you are closest to or the alphabetized name first:

> Ms. Alan Thompson

> Ms. Emily Thompson

Remember, these guidelines can be adjusted to fit the level of formality desired for your wedding invitations. It's important to use the correct titles and formats to ensure your guests feel welcomed and respected.

Frequently asked questions