How To Gracefully Include Names On Pocket Wedding Invites

When it comes to addressing wedding invitations, there are a few different approaches you can take. The most common practice is to include the names of the guests on the envelope rather than the invitation itself, allowing for a more general approach inside. This way, you can avoid the hassle of printing individual invitations for each guest. However, personalising your invites by adding names can add a special touch.

If you decide to include names on the invitation, it is generally considered more formal to use full names rather than nicknames. This is especially true if you are having a formal wedding. However, if you feel that using full names might be too stiff or if your guests prefer their nicknames, it is perfectly acceptable to use them instead. Ultimately, the choice between using full names or nicknames on wedding invitations depends on your personal preference and the level of formality you wish to convey.

Married couples with the same last name

When addressing a wedding invitation to a married couple with the same last name, there are a few etiquette rules to follow. Traditionally, the outer envelope is more formal and includes titles and full names. For a heterosexual couple, use "Mr." and "Mrs." followed by the husband's first and last name. For example, "Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Warren". For a same-sex couple, either name can go first.

If the couple may prefer a more modern approach, the outer envelope can include their first and last names without titles, e.g. "Thomas and Michelle Warren".

The inner envelope is more informal. For the couple sensitive to the traditional approach, the inner envelope can include "Mr." and "Mrs." followed by their surnames, or their first names, e.g. "Mr. and Mrs. Warren" or "Thomas and Michelle".

If you are using one envelope, be sure to clearly state who is invited. For example, if you are inviting a couple with children and your wedding is adults-only, address the envelope to "Mr. and Mrs. Smith", not "The Smiths" or "The Smith Family".

Married couples with different last names

When addressing wedding invitations to married couples with different last names, there are a few etiquette rules to follow. The outer envelope should be formal and include the recipient's full name and their personal title. For a heterosexual couple, the woman's name is written first, followed by the man's name on the same line. If the combined names are too long, list them separately. Here is an example:

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

If the couple is sensitive to the woman's name being left out or being lumped in with her husband, you can address the invitation like this:

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

Inner envelope: "Ms. Stevens and Mr. Estevez"

If the couple has the same gender, either name can go first. For a couple with the same last name, the outer envelope can be addressed as "Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Warren". For a more casual vibe, you can use first names only on the inner envelope, for example, "Maria and David".

It is important to note that the inner envelope is more informal, and you can leave out one or two elements of the formal name format. You can also include the names on the invitation itself, especially if the couple has children, as people may throw away the envelopes.

Unmarried couples

When it comes to wedding invitation etiquette, you may be wondering how to address unmarried couples. Here are some tips to ensure your invitations are both polite and clear:

If the unmarried couple lives together, both names should be included on the invitation, each with their own line. You can list the person you are closest to first, or go in alphabetical order. The word "and" is typically avoided as it implies marriage. For example:

Mr. John Francis Smith

Ms. (or Miss) Anna Brown

In this case, traditional etiquette suggests sending an invitation to each person. However, if you are closer to one partner, you can send the invitation to them and include "and guest" on the inner envelope. Alternatively, if you are friends with both, it is best to send individual invitations to avoid any confusion in case of a break-up.

Outer and Inner Envelopes

The outer envelope should be formal and include the full names and titles of the guests. For unmarried couples living together, connect their names with "and". For example:

Mr. Stanley Kim and Ms. Amanda Rhee

The inner envelope is more informal. You can use titles and last names or just first names. For example:

Mr. Kim and Ms. Rhee or Stanley and Amanda

In summary, when addressing wedding invitations to unmarried couples, include both names on separate lines, avoiding the use of "and". For couples living separately, send invitations to each individual or address one partner with an inner envelope mentioning "and guest". Always ensure your envelopes clearly indicate who is invited to avoid any misunderstandings.

Single males and females

When it comes to addressing wedding invitations to single males and females, there are a few etiquette rules to follow. Firstly, it is important to use the person's preferred title and full name. If they are over 18, use "Mr." for males and "Ms." for females. For those under 18, no title is needed for males, while "Miss" is used for females.

For the outer envelope, the format is typically as follows:

• "Mr. James Montgomery" for a single male
• "Ms. Stephanie Chen" for a single female

The inner envelope is more informal, and you can address the person by their title and last name or just their first name:

• "Mr. Montgomery" or "James" for a single male
• "Ms. Chen" or "Stephanie" for a single female

If a plus-one is offered to a single male or female, this is not indicated on the outer envelope. Instead, use "and guest" language on the inner envelope:

• "Mr. James Montgomery and guest"
• "Ms. Stephanie Chen and guest"

Some modern invitations may forgo titles altogether and simply use first and last names, especially if guests do not identify with traditional titles.

Families

When it comes to addressing wedding invitations to families, there are a few things to keep in mind. Firstly, it is important to decide whether you want to be specific about which family members are invited. If you want to keep it general, simply address the envelope to the entire family, for example, "The Thompson Family".

However, if you want to specify which family members are invited, it is best to write the names of each family member individually. Start with the parent or parents' names, followed by the names of the invited children in order of age. For girls under the age of 18, it is common to use "Miss" as a title, while boys do not need a title until they are 16, at which point they can be addressed as "Mr.". Here is an example of how to address an invitation to a family with young children:

Outer envelope: "Mr. and Mrs. Alan Thompson"

Inner envelope: "Alan, Emily, Roger, Chance, Miss Jennifer, and Miss Lily"

If you are inviting a family with children over the age of 18, it is recommended that each person receives their own invitation, unless they are living at home with their parents. In this case, you can follow the same format as for younger children.

It is also important to note that if you do not include the names of children on the invitation, it implies that they are not invited. So, if you are planning a child-free wedding, it is a good idea to make this clear on the invitation or through other communication channels.

Additionally, when addressing married couples within a family, the same rules apply as for individual married couples. You can use titles such as "Mr." and "Mrs." or simply use their first and last names. For example:

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

Inner envelope: "Michael and Jane Abraham"

Remember to always use the person's preferred title and double-check the spelling of names to avoid any misunderstandings.

Frequently asked questions