Addressing Wedding Invites: Etiquette For Married Couples

Wedding invitation wording can be a tricky business. There are a lot of rules to navigate, especially when it comes to addressing married couples. Traditionally, the man's full name is written out, with the titles Mr. and Mrs. included. However, this is changing, and many couples prefer to be addressed by their individual names, with the woman's name sometimes coming first. For same-sex couples, the same rules apply, with appropriate prefixes. It's also acceptable to use The Mesdames for two women and The Mssrs. for two men, or Mrs. and Mrs. and Mr. and Mr. for a more casual approach.

Outer envelope format for a married couple with the same last name

When addressing wedding invitations, it's important to use the correct titles and formats for your guests' names. Here are some guidelines for addressing the outer envelope of a wedding invitation to a married couple with the same last name:

Heterosexual Couple:

For a heterosexual married couple with the same last name, the traditional format is to use "Mr." and "Mrs." followed by the husband's full name. For example:

> "Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Warren"

If the couple prefers a more modern approach, you can include the wife's first name as well, like this:

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

Same-Sex Couple:

For a same-sex married couple with the same last name, you can use "Mr." and "Mr." or "Mrs." and "Mrs." followed by either person's full name. For example:

> "Mr. and Mr. Thomas Warren" or "Mrs. and Mrs. Michelle Warren"

Alternatively, you can include both of their first names:

> "Mr. Thomas Warren and Mr. Michael Warren" or "Mrs. Michelle Warren and Mrs. Emily Warren"

Inner Envelope Format:

It's worth noting that the inner envelope can be less formal. You can address the couple using their titles and last name or just their first names. For example:

> "Mr. and Mrs. Warren" or "Thomas and Michelle"

Remember to consider the couple's preferences and always double-check their preferred names and titles before addressing the invitations.

Inner envelope format for a married couple with the same last name

When addressing wedding invitations, it is important to consider the nuances of writing out your guests' names, which depend on their relationship status, honorific titles, and whether or not they are receiving a plus-one. Here is a guide to the inner envelope format for a married couple with the same last name:

For a heterosexual couple, the inner envelope format is typically "Mr. and Mrs." followed by the husband's first and last name. For instance, "Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Warren" on the outer envelope would be followed by "Mr. and Mrs. Warren" or "Thomas and Michelle" on the inner envelope. If the couple is sensitive to the wife's name being left out, the outer envelope can be addressed as "Mr. Thomas Warren and Mrs. Michelle Warren", with the inner envelope reading "Mr. Warren and Mrs. Warren" or "Thomas and Michelle".

For same-sex married couples, either name can go first. For example, "Ms. Celine Elgin and Ms. Jacqueline Purcell" on the outer envelope can be followed by "Ms. Elgin and Ms. Purcell" or "Celine and Jacqueline" on the inner envelope.

If the couple has a more prominent title, such as a military rank or a graduate degree, this can be included in the address. For example, "Lieutenant Beth March and Mr. Greg Wharton" on the outer envelope can be simplified to "Lieutenant Beth and Mr. Greg" on the inner envelope.

The inner envelope format can be more informal, allowing for a more casual tone. If you are close to the couple, you may use their first names only, such as "Thomas and Michelle" or "Celine and Jacqueline".

Outer envelope format for a married couple with different last names

When addressing wedding invitations, it's important to follow certain guidelines to ensure your guests feel welcomed and respected. Here are some tips for addressing outer envelopes to a married couple with different last names:

Outer Envelope Format:

The outer envelope is typically more formal and includes the full names and titles of the recipients. When addressing a married couple with different last names, there are a few options to consider:

• List the woman's name first, followed by the man's name on the same line. For example, "Ms. Maria Stevens and Mr. David Estevez".
• If the combined names are too long, list their names separately, either on two lines or with the person you are closest with first. For instance, "Ms. Celine Elgin and Mr. David Estevez" or "Celine Elgin and David Estevez".
• When addressing a same-sex couple with different last names, you can list the names alphabetically or based on your closeness with the individuals. For example, "Ms. Susan Bunch and Ms. Carol Willik-Bunch" or "Ms. Carol Willik-Bunch and Ms. Susan Bunch".
• In the case of a hyphenated last name, list the name of the partner with the hyphenated name last. For example, "Mr. Andy Dwyer and Ms. April Ludgate-Dwyer".
• If one partner has a distinguished title, such as a judge, military personnel, or clergy, their name should be listed first. For instance, "The Honorable Ruth Bader Ginsburg and Mr. Martin David Ginsburg" or "Rabbi Richard Glass and Mrs. Rosina Glass".

Remember to avoid abbreviations and nicknames. Also, be mindful of the couple's preferences, especially if the traditional format may cause discomfort. Always aim for a respectful and inclusive tone.

Inner envelope format for a married couple with different last names

When addressing wedding invitations to a married couple with different last names, there are a few options to consider for the inner envelope format. Here are some detailed guidelines to help you with this task:

Using Full Names

One option is to write the full names of the couple on the inner envelope. In this case, you can use their titles and last names, such as "Ms. Anna Smith and Mr. Henry Jones". If their names are too long to fit on one line, you can write them on two separate lines, omitting the "and", and listing the names in an order that feels appropriate. For example, you could write:

> Ms. Anna Smith

> Mr. Henry Jones

Alternatively, you can use just their first and last names without the titles for a more casual approach. For instance:

> Anna Smith and Henry Jones

Using First Names Only

If you prefer a more informal style, you can address the couple using only their first names. This can be a great way to create a warm and intimate feeling. Simply write their first names on the inner envelope, such as "Maria and David". You can also add their last names if you wish, like so:

> Maria and David Stevens-Estevez

Including Professional Titles

If one or both individuals have professional titles, such as "Doctor", "Judge", or military ranks, be sure to include these in the address. The person with the higher-ranking title should be listed first. For example:

> Dr. Tami Takata and Mr. David Estevez

Addressing Same-Sex Couples

When addressing a same-sex married couple with different last names, the same guidelines apply. You can use their full names with titles, just their first and last names, or first names only. Here's an example for the inner envelope format:

> Mr. Marcus Craft and Mr. Brian Crosby-Craft

> Marcus and Brian

Remember, the key is to be consistent and follow the preferences of the couple when addressing wedding invitations. The inner envelope allows for a more casual and intimate tone, so feel free to adapt the format to match the style of your wedding and your relationship with the invited couple.

Outer envelope format for a married couple with one hyphenated last name

When addressing a wedding invitation outer envelope to a married couple with one hyphenated last name, there are a few options to consider. The outer envelope is typically more formal, and you should include the full names of the recipients, including their personal titles.

If the spouse has chosen to hyphenate their last name, the outer envelope can be addressed as follows:

> Mr. [Husband's First Name] [Husband's Last Name] and Ms. [Wife's First Name] [Wife's Maiden Name]-[Husband's Last Name]

For example, "Mr. Michael Jones and Ms. Mary Smith-Jones".

Alternatively, you can use "Mrs." instead of "Ms." if the wife prefers this title or if you are certain she has chosen to change her name. However, "Ms." is generally considered the correct title when a woman has hyphenated her last name, as "Mrs." indicates a change in last name without hyphenation.

> Mr. Michael Jones and Mrs./Ms. Mary Smith-Jones

If you are inviting a same-sex couple where one partner has a hyphenated name, the format is similar:

> Mr. [First Partner's First Name] [First Partner's Last Name] and Mr. [Second Partner's First Name] [Second Partner's Maiden Name]-[First Partner's Last Name]

For example, "Mr. Marcus Craft and Mr. Brian Crosby-Craft".

In all cases, the inner envelope can be more informal, and you can address the couple by their first names only:

> [First Partner's First Name] and [Second Partner's First Name]

For example, "Michael and Mary".

Frequently asked questions