Addressing Wedding Invitations: Handwritten Or Printed?

Wedding invitations are a chance to make your guests feel welcome, and the way you address them can be an important part of this. While it's not necessary to hand-address your wedding invitations, it can be a thoughtful touch. If you're short on time, you can print guest address labels at home, buy pre-printed envelopes, or hire a local calligrapher.

If you do choose to hand-address your invitations, there are a few things to keep in mind. Firstly, make sure to use your guests' full names and titles, avoiding nicknames or initials. For married couples, the traditional format is Mr. and Mrs. followed by the husband's full name. For same-sex couples, either name can come first. For unmarried couples living at the same address, list both names on one or two lines, with the person you are closest to first.

Remember to double-check the spelling of your guests' names and addresses, and give yourself enough time to assemble and send out the invitations.

Handwriting vs printing

Handwriting vs. Printing

There are differing opinions on whether wedding invitations should be handwritten or printed. Some sources suggest that handwriting wedding invitations is the correct etiquette and that printed labels are not appropriate. However, it is acknowledged that calligraphy done by computer directly on the envelope is gaining popularity and acceptability.

Handwriting wedding invitations can be a nice touch, but it is also time-consuming and leaves more room for error. If you are concerned about your handwriting or want a more formal look, you can hire a professional calligrapher to inscribe your envelopes. This option will require additional time and money, as you will need to provide the calligrapher with a neatly printed guest list, including full addresses and social and professional titles, at least two to three weeks in advance.

On the other hand, printing guest address labels at home or buying pre-printed envelopes can be a more convenient and cost-effective option. It saves you the time and effort of handwriting each envelope and ensures a neat and consistent appearance.

Ultimately, the decision between handwriting and printing your wedding invitations comes down to personal preference, the level of formality you wish to convey, and your budget and time constraints.

Married couples with the same last name

When it comes to addressing wedding invitations, there are a few things to keep in mind to ensure your guests feel welcome on your big day. Here are some guidelines for addressing married couples with the same last name:

Outer Envelope:

For a heterosexual couple, the outer envelope is typically addressed using "Mr." and "Mrs." followed by the husband's first and last name. For a same-sex couple, either name can go first. Here are some examples:

• "Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Warren"
• "Mr. and Mrs. John Rivera"

If the couple prefers a more modern approach or is sensitive to the wife's name being left out, you can address them separately:

"Mr. Thomas Warren and Mrs. Michelle Warren"

Inner Envelope:

The inner envelope is more informal, and you have a few options for addressing married couples with the same last name:

• "Mr. and Mrs. Warren"
• "Thomas and Michelle"
• "Mr. Warren and Mrs. Warren"

Other Considerations:

• Full Names: It is recommended to write out the recipient's full name, including their personal title(s). This is more formal and traditional.
• Gender-neutral Titles: If a non-binary guest uses the title "Mx.", be sure to use this on the invitation.
• Handwriting vs. Printing: While individually addressing invitations by hand is a nice touch, it is not necessary. You can print guest address labels, buy pre-printed envelopes, or hire a local calligrapher.
• Children: If you are inviting children under 18, include their names on the inner envelope. For girls under 18, you can use "Miss". Boys do not need a title until they are 16.

Married couples with different last names

It is not necessary to hand-address wedding invitations, but it is a nice touch. If you don't want to handwrite them, you could print guest address labels at home, buy pre-printed envelopes, or hire a local calligrapher to address them for you.

If you are addressing a married couple with different last names, there are a few options for how to format their names. For a heterosexual couple, the woman's name typically comes first, followed by the man's name. If they have the same gender, you can choose which name comes first. You can put their names on the same line if it fits, or list them separately. For example:

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

If the couple has children, you can include their names on the inner envelope. For example:

• Outer envelope: "Ms. Maria Stevens and Mr. David Estevez"
• Inner envelope: "Ms. Stevens and Mr. Estevez, Daniel, and Jeffrey"

Single people

When it comes to addressing wedding invitations to single people, there are a few etiquette rules to follow. Firstly, it is important to use the person's preferred title. If you are unsure, it is best to leave out the title altogether. For a single woman, use "Ms." if she is over 18. If she is younger, use "Miss", spelling it out rather than abbreviating it as an initial. For a single man, use "Mr." if he is over 18; otherwise, no title is necessary.

On the outer envelope: Ms. Stephanie Chen

On the inner envelope: Ms. Chen and guest, or Stephanie and guest

On the outer envelope: Mr. James Montgomery

On the inner envelope: Mr. Montgomery and guest, or James and guest

It is important to note that if a single person has been offered a plus-one, you should not indicate this on the outer envelope. Instead, reserve the "and guest" language for the inner envelope only.

Additionally, when addressing wedding invitations, it is considered proper etiquette to write out guests' full names, including their titles, first name, middle name (optional), and last name. Avoid using nicknames or initials.

Families with children

When it comes to addressing wedding invitations to families with children, there are a few things to keep in mind. Firstly, it is important to specify whether the entire family is invited or only specific members. If you want to be specific about who is invited, list the names of each family member individually, starting with the parent(s) and then listing the children in order of age. For families with young children under the age of 18, the outer envelope should include only the parent(s)' names, while the inner envelope lists each child by name. Boys under the age of 16 do not need a title, while girls under 18 can be addressed as "Miss".

> Outer envelope: Mr. and Mrs. Michael Abraham

> Inner envelope: Mr. and Mrs. Michael Abraham, Daniel, Jeffrey, Miss Brittany, and Mx. Kelly

If you are inviting a family with children over the age of 18, each child should receive their own invitation unless they live at home with their parents. In this case, you can follow the same format as for families with younger children.

> Outer envelope: Mr. and Mrs. Michael Abraham

> Inner envelope: Mr. and Mrs. Abraham, Daniel, Jeffrey, Brittany, and Kelly

If you do not want to list specific family members, you can simply address the invitation to the entire family. Use the family name or the names of the parents on the outer envelope, and then list the first names of all invited family members on the inner envelope.

> Outer envelope: The Thompson Family or Mr. and Mrs. Alan Thompson

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

It is important to note that if you do not include the names of children on the invitation, it implies that children are not invited. However, some guests may still assume that their children are welcome. To avoid any confusion, it is a good idea to spread the word through your immediate family and wedding party that the wedding will be adults-only. You can also add this information to your wedding website.

Frequently asked questions