How To Address Wedding Invites: State Or No State?

When it comes to wedding invitations, there are a lot of things to consider, from the font and paper type to the formalities of addressing your guests. One of the most common questions that arise is whether to write out the state name in full or use its abbreviation. While it may seem like a minor detail, it's essential to know the proper etiquette to ensure your invitations are well-received by your guests and to avoid any potential issues with mail delivery.

Spell out the state name in full

When it comes to wedding invitations, there are differing opinions on whether to spell out the state name in full or abbreviate it. Some people believe that it is more formal and aesthetically pleasing to write out the state name in full, such as "Washington, District of Columbia," while others prefer the standard abbreviation for the sake of consistency and to save space.

According to Martha Stewart, you should always spell out the state name in full on the outer envelope of a wedding invitation. This is considered the traditional and formal way to address wedding invitations. It is also in line with the general rule of thumb for wedding invitations, which is to avoid using any abbreviations or initials and to write out all words in the address, including "Street" instead of "St." and "Apartment" instead of "Apt."

However, some people have raised concerns about potential issues with the postal service when spelling out the state name. A few people have mentioned that their invitations with written-out state names were delivered without any problems, while others have heard of cases where the postal service pulled these invitations for hand-sorting.

Ultimately, the decision of whether to spell out the state name or use the standard abbreviation depends on your personal preference and the level of formality you want to achieve. If you are concerned about potential postal issues, you can consider abbreviating the state name or seeking advice from your local post office.

To ensure your wedding invitations are well-received by your guests, it is essential to pay attention to the small details, such as addressing and assembly. Following the appropriate etiquette guidelines will create a positive impression and reflect the thought and care you have put into your special day.

Etiquette for addressing envelopes

When addressing wedding invitations, it's important to follow certain etiquette rules to ensure your envelopes are properly and respectfully addressed. Here are some guidelines to follow for addressing envelopes:

Full Names and Titles:

Use the complete, formal names of your guests. For example, if you're inviting your "Uncle Steve," the proper form would be "Mr. Steven Lewis Nelson." Use guests' full middle names if you know them; otherwise, omit them. Avoid using nicknames or initials. When addressing married couples, traditionally, "Mr. and Mrs." is used, followed by the man's full name. However, it is also acceptable to write out each person's first name. For unmarried couples living together, list both names on separate lines without using "and."

Spell Out All Words:

Avoid abbreviations and spell out all words in the address. Instead of "St." or "Apt.," use "Street" and "Apartment." This includes city and state names; for example, write "Washington, District of Columbia" instead of "WA" or "DC." Spell out house numbers for numbers smaller than twenty. For numeric street names, write out the number, such as "Sixty-Seventh Street" instead of "67th Street."

Serious Partners and Plus-Ones:

Include serious partners and plus-ones by name whenever possible, rather than just writing "and guest." If you are inviting children, be clear about it by adding "and Family" after the parents' names.

Divorced or Separated Individuals:

Be mindful of guests who are divorced or separated. Avoid using "Mrs." for someone who is no longer married. For a divorced woman who uses her married name, use "Mrs." or "Ms." instead of "Miss."

Doctors, Judges, and Military Officers:

For medical doctors, write out the word "Doctor." For academic doctors (Ph.D.), the abbreviation "Dr." is appropriate. When addressing a judge, use the formal title "The Honorable," followed by their name. For military officers, distinguish between their title and their spouse's title, ensuring you know their correct rank and service.

Return Address:

The preferred place for printing the return address is on the envelope's back flap. Traditionally, blind embossing or colorless raised lettering was used for wedding invitations, but this is no longer common due to postal service preferences.

Inner and Outer Envelopes:

Using two envelopes is optional but ensures that the inner envelope remains pristine. The outer envelope includes all the information needed by the postal service for delivery. The inner envelope lists the names of the invited guests in the household, including children.

Handwriting and Calligraphy:

The address on a wedding invitation should be handwritten. While printed labels are not appropriate, calligraphy, either done by hand or by computer directly on the envelope, is gaining popularity and acceptability. If you prefer calligraphy, consider hiring a professional calligrapher to inscribe your envelopes.

Abbreviations for street names

When it comes to wedding invitations, there are differing opinions on whether to use abbreviations for state names. Some people believe that it is best to spell out the full state name to maintain formality and adhere to traditional wedding invitation etiquette. This ensures that the invitation looks elegant and follows the standard conventions for formal writing.

On the other hand, others argue that using state abbreviations is more practical, especially when dealing with long state names or when space is limited on the invitation. Additionally, some people feel that using abbreviations is acceptable as long as the zip code is correct, as the zip code is the most crucial element for ensuring proper delivery.

It is worth noting that the United States Postal Service (USPS) has specific building and street abbreviations that are commonly used and accepted. These include abbreviations for street suffixes, such as "St." for "Street," and building designators, such as "Apt." for "Apartment." While these are standard USPS abbreviations, it is recommended to spell out all words in a formal wedding invitation's address, including street and building information.

Ultimately, the decision to abbreviate state names or write them out in full on wedding invitations is a matter of personal preference. While traditional etiquette dictates spelling out the full state name, modern conventions allow for some flexibility, especially if space is a concern. It is essential to prioritize clarity and legibility to ensure that the invitations reach their intended recipients without any issues.

Formal titles for married couples

When addressing wedding invitations to married couples, there are a few different options to choose from, depending on the couple's preferences and the level of formality desired. Here are some examples of how to address married couples on wedding invitations:

Using Formal Titles

• For a formal invitation, the outer envelope can include the couple's social titles and the husband's first name, with only the titles and last name on the inner envelope: "Mr. and Mrs. John Rivera" on the outer envelope and "Mr. and Mrs. Rivera" on the inner envelope.
• If the couple has different last names, the wife's name is traditionally written first, and their names are written separately without the word "and": "Ms. Celine Elgin" and "Ms. Jacqueline Purcell" on the outer envelope and "Ms. Elgin" and "Ms. Purcell" on the inner envelope.
• When the wife has kept her maiden name, her name can come first, followed by her husband's name: "Mrs. Rachel Cooper-Smith and Mr. John Smith" or "Mrs. Rachel Smith and Mr. John Smith".
• If both spouses have professional titles, such as doctors or judges, their titles should be included: "Doctor Sally Carter and Mr. John Carter" or "The Honorable Pamela Patel and Lieutenant Jonathan Patel, U.S. Navy".

Using First Names

• For a more modern approach, you can use the couple's first names on both the outer and inner envelopes: "John and Samantha Rivera" or "Celine and Jacqueline".
• If the couple has different last names, you can write their first names followed by their last names: "Celine Elgin and Jacqueline Purcell".
• When the wife has kept her maiden name, you can still write their first names together: "Rachel and John Smith".

It's important to note that the outer envelope should include the full, formal names of the guests, while the inner envelope can be more informal, allowing for more flexibility in how you address the couple. Additionally, always write out the full state name on the envelope, rather than using abbreviations.

Rules for writing out numbers

When it comes to writing out numbers on wedding invitations, there are a few different conventions you can follow. Here are some general rules and guidelines to help you decide:

• Traditionally, no numerals (numbers) would be present on a wedding invitation at all. However, in modern times, it is common to use numerals for very informal or casual weddings.
• For formal invitations, it is generally considered correct to spell out all numbers, dates, and times. This helps to avoid confusion and ensures that your invitation adheres to traditional etiquette.
• When spelling out the date, begin with the day of the week, followed by a comma, then the day of the month, and another comma. For example, "Friday, the twenty-ninth". Then, add the month, preceded by the word "of", such as "Friday, the twenty-ninth of April".
• For the year, spell it out in full, such as "two thousand and eighteen". Avoid using an "and" in the year, so instead of "two thousand and sixteen", opt for "two thousand sixteen".
• When writing out the time, avoid using "o'clock", "am", or "pm". Instead, refer to the placement of hands on a clock. For example, noon is "12:00 pm", and you would write this as "noon" or "twelve o'clock". For 4:30 pm, you could write "half after four o'clock" or "half past four o'clock".
• The time of day can be indicated by using phrases such as ""in the morning" for all hours before 11:00 am, "in the afternoon" for hours from 12:00 pm to 5:00 pm, and "in the evening" for all hours after 5:00 pm.
• When addressing the wedding location, include the full address for out-of-town guests. For formal weddings, spell out the state name instead of using abbreviations.
• For house numbers, there are differing opinions. Some sources suggest spelling out numbers less than twenty, such as "four" instead of "4". Others recommend using numerals for any address numbers, regardless of length.
• If you are handwriting your envelopes, consider following USPS conventions for clarity and legibility. However, if you prefer a more traditional aesthetic, calligraphy is also acceptable.

Frequently asked questions