Addressing Etiquette: Return Address Apartment Number On Wedding Invites

Wedding invitations are a crucial aspect of wedding planning, and addressing them correctly is essential. The return address on a wedding invitation is typically placed on the back flap of the envelope and includes the names of the hosts or individuals sending the invitations, followed by the full street address and the city, state, and zip code. It is recommended to use handwritten calligraphy or a printer that mimics calligraphy fonts for the envelopes. The return address provides guests with the location to send their RSVPs and gifts and ensures that any undelivered invitations are returned to the sender.

Return address location

The return address is an essential part of your wedding invitation. It allows guests to RSVP to your celebration and ensures that any undelivered invitations are returned to you.

The preferred location for a return address is on the back flap of the envelope. This makes it easily visible and accessible for the recipient and postal service, and it maintains a clean and uncluttered look on the front of the envelope. If your invitation includes an inner envelope, you can also write the return address on the back of this.

The return address should include the names on the first line, followed by the full street address on the second line, and the city, state, and zip code on the third line. It is recommended that you avoid abbreviations and spell out everyone's full name, the street name, the city, and the state.

Return address format

When addressing an envelope, the return address is usually placed in the upper left corner of the envelope. This is true for both wedding invitations and other types of mail.

The return address is not always a requirement, but it is highly recommended. If there is no return address and the mail is undeliverable (for example, due to damage, insufficient postage, or an incorrect address), the postal service will be unable to return the item to the sender.

• Start with your full name.
• Write your street address on the next line. Use two lines if needed. Be sure to include the apartment or suite number.
• On the next line, write the city, state, and ZIP code of your address. For international addresses, add the country name as the last line.

There are a few special cases to consider:

• Military Addresses: For military addresses, the city name will be either APO (Air/Army Post Office), FPO (Fleet Post Office), or DPO (Diplomatic Post Office). The state will be AA (Armed Forces America), AE (Armed Forces Europe), or AP (Armed Forces Pacific), depending on the duty station. The ZIP code remains the same, but sometimes an extra four-number code is required for delivery.
• Inner and Outer Envelopes: For formal wedding invitations, it is customary to use two envelopes: an outer envelope for mailing and a pristine inner envelope for the invited guests to open. The outer envelope includes all the information the postal service needs for delivery, while the inner envelope lists the names of the invited guests in the household, including children.
• Pre-Printed Return Address: If you are ordering envelopes online, you may have the option to pre-print your return address for a small fee. This saves time and provides a clean look. However, it may not be feasible if you need to use extra envelopes.
• Return Address Labels: Another option is to create return address labels that can be stuck onto the envelope. These can be printed at places like VistaPrint and Shutterfly or designed and printed at home. However, white labels on coloured envelopes may look inelegant and inconsistent with the guest address.

When addressing envelopes, it is important to use a clear and legible font. A font size of 8 points or larger is recommended for the return address.

Whose address to use

The return address on a wedding invitation envelope is important as it tells guests where gifts and RSVPs are to be mailed. Traditionally, the hosts of the wedding will collect both gifts and RSVPs, so their address is used. This is usually the address of the bride's parents, though nowadays it is common for the bride and groom to pay for the wedding themselves or to host it together with their families.

If the bride and groom are hosting, there are a few options for how to format their names and address. Formally, the bride and groom's names should not appear together in print before marriage, so the return address could be written as:

> 12 Park Lane

> Mobile, Alabama 36695

However, it is becoming more acceptable to include both names, especially if the couple is hosting. In this case, a formal option could be:

> Ms. Kari Johnson

> Mr. Bradley Shaw

> 23848 Dunmore Loop

> Mobile, Alabama 36695

Or, for a more casual approach:

> Kari and Bradley

> 23848 Dunmore Loop

> Mobile, Alabama 36695

If the bride's parents are hosting, their names and address are used, for example:

> Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Johnson

> 12 Park Lane

> Mobile, Alabama 36695

It is also possible to use the couple's wedding as the return address, without including any names:

> The Johnson-Shaw Wedding

> 23848 Dunmore Loop

> Mobile, Alabama 36695

The return address usually goes on the back flap of the invitation envelope and the front of the response envelopes. If using inner and outer envelopes, the return address only goes on the outer envelope.

Spell out all words

When addressing wedding invitations, it is important to spell out all words in the address. This means that abbreviations like "St.", "P.O. Box", and "Apt." should be written out as "Street", "Post Office Box", and "Apartment" respectively. This also applies to city and state names; instead of using abbreviations, write out the full name of the city and state, such as "Saint Paul, Minnesota" or "Washington, District of Columbia". Even house numbers should be spelled out if they are less than twenty.

The preferred place for printing the return address is on the envelope's back flap. While it is not necessary to include the return address, doing so ensures that your envelopes can be returned to you if something happens during transit. The return address can be written in the same style as the guest address, or you can use different-sized text or a design to distinguish it.

Mr. and Mrs. John Smith

123 Main Street, Apartment 4B

Anytown, California, 98765

Remember to use proper titles and spelling when addressing your envelopes, as this shows that you've put thought into it.

Inner and outer envelopes

The use of inner and outer envelopes is a long-standing tradition that stems from the early 1900s, when mail was sorted by hand. The inner envelope was a way to ensure that wedding invitations arrived in pristine condition. Today, the use of both envelopes is considered traditional wedding invitation etiquette.

The Outer Envelope

The outer envelope is the mailing envelope that is addressed to the recipients. It includes the full names, titles, and sometimes middle names of the recipients. It may also include their full address, with street names and city names written out in full.

The Inner Envelope

The inner envelope is smaller and is placed inside the outer envelope. Traditionally, it only includes the titles and last names of the guests. However, contemporary styles may include first names only or even nicknames.

The inner envelope is used to specify exactly who is invited to the wedding. For example, if children are not invited, their names would be left off the inner envelope. This helps to eliminate any confusion or awkwardness regarding the guest list.

Married Couple (Same Last Name)

• Formal: Mr. and Mrs. Baldwin
• Contemporary: James and Heather

Married Couple (Different Last Names)

• Formal: Ms. Swift and Mr. Brookes
• Contemporary: Sandy and George

Single Woman

• Formal: Miss Cartwright and Ben (only if you don't know the name of the guest, otherwise write "and guest")
• Contemporary: Cynthia

Single Man

• Formal: Mr. Anderson
• Contemporary: Ben

Unmarried Couple (at the same address)

• Formal: Ms. Smith and Mr. Green
• Contemporary: Colleen and James

Families with Children

When inviting families with children, their names are listed under the parents' names. If children are not invited, their names are omitted.

• Formal: Mr. and Mrs. Brown or Kevin and Katrina
• Contemporary: Andrea, Steve, and family or Andrea, Steve, Kevin, and Katrina

People with Distinguished Titles

Only include titles on the inner envelope if the guest is a doctor, judge, or high-ranking military professional.

• Doctor (Medical): Doctor and Mrs. Grimes
• Doctor (PhD): Dr. Henry Skinner and Guest
• Judge: The Honorable Judge Brown and Mrs. Brown
• Military Officer: Captain and Mrs. Greene

Frequently asked questions