Deborah Chan
Wedding invitations are a crucial milestone in the wedding planning journey. The envelopes you choose set the tone for your entire celebration, whether you opt for traditional or modern styles. Black envelopes with a matte finish are a stylish option for couples who want to make a memorable first impression on their guests. When addressing black envelopes, it is essential to consider whether you are following a formal or informal invitation style, finalising your guest list, and understanding the appropriate etiquette for titles and honorifics. The outer envelope should include the recipient's full mailing address, centred on the front side, while the inner envelope is optional and usually only includes the names of the invitees.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Envelope colour | Ebony Black with a matte finish |
| Envelope type | Outer and inner envelopes |
| Outer envelope | Include recipient's full mailing address in the centre of the front side |
| Inner envelope | Addressed with invitee's names only |
| Outer envelope addressing | Formal |
| Outer envelope format | Recipient's full name, including courtesy titles |
| Outer envelope format for couples | Both recipients' full names, including courtesy titles |
| Outer envelope format for married couples | Include "and children" following the names of the married couple |
| Outer envelope format for unmarried couples | Use first and last names only |
| Outer envelope format for names ending in "s", "x", "z", "ch", or "sh" | Add "es" to form the plural |
| Middle names | Not necessary, but must be spelled out if used |
| Envelope writing | Silver gel pen, or custom-printed labels |
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What You'll Learn
Finalise your guest list
Finalising your guest list can be one of the most stressful parts of wedding planning, but it's important to remember that it's your wedding and you can plan it however you like. It's a good idea to start by setting a budget and deciding on a venue, as the number of guests you can invite will depend on how much you can spend and how many people your venue can accommodate.
Begin by writing down everyone you would invite if there were no limits on space or budget. Start with immediate family and close friends, and work outwards to include colleagues, school friends, distant relatives, and acquaintances. This is your master list.
Now it's time to start trimming it down. Decide on a number of guests that works for your budget and venue, and highlight the people you definitely want to be there. These are the non-negotiables, the people you simply wouldn't get married without. You can allocate some people as evening guests only if you want to include more people but are limited by budget or space.
If people other than you and your partner are contributing financially, make sure to have a discussion early on about who will receive an invitation. Be consistent with your decisions, for example, by deciding to only invite first cousins and not second cousins. Remember, it's impossible to please everyone, and you may have to set boundaries about who gets a say in the guest list.
Finally, send your finalised guest list to your venue and caterers so they can prepare accordingly.
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Choose your envelope style
Wedding invitations are a chance to set the tone for your celebration and let your personality shine through. From traditional to modern, romantic to chic, there are many envelope styles to choose from. Here are some tips to help you decide on the perfect envelope for your big day:
Formal vs. Informal
Firstly, consider whether you want to follow a formal or informal invitation style. A formal style might include courtesy titles such as Mr., Mrs., Miss, or Ms. Alternatively, a more modern approach could be to use first and last names only, forgoing any personal titles. This option is especially inclusive for guests who may not identify with traditional courtesy titles.
Inner and Outer Envelopes
Traditionally, wedding invitations include an inner and outer envelope. The outer envelope is formal and includes the recipient's full mailing address in the centre of its front side. It may also include titles and surnames, depending on your preference. The inner envelope, which is optional, is usually only addressed with the names of the invitees. This envelope remains unsealed and is protected by the outer envelope during mailing.
Honorifics and Sensitivities
Be mindful of guests who may use multiple honorifics or be sensitive to certain titles, such as widowed or divorced individuals. In these cases, simply ask them which title they prefer for formal occasions. This consideration communicates which members of a family are invited and avoids any confusion.
Handwritten vs. Printed
You can add a personal touch by handwriting the envelopes or opting for custom-printed labels. If you have a friend or family member with impeccable handwriting, enlist their help! Alternatively, custom-printed labels offer a convenient and efficient solution, ensuring a polished and professional finish.
Calligraphy and Finishing Touches
Hiring a calligrapher can add a beautiful, elegant touch to your invitations, although it may be more expensive. Other finishing touches to consider include wax seals, belly bands, and ribbons to complete your dream wedding invitation suite.
No matter which style you choose, remember that addressing envelopes correctly is essential to making your guests feel welcome and ensuring your invitations are both accurate and respectful.
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Addressing etiquette
Addressing wedding invitations is the first step in making your guests feel welcome at your celebration. Here is some addressing etiquette to keep in mind:
Formality
The outer envelope should be formal. Write out the recipient's full name, including their courtesy title (Mr., Mrs., Ms., Miss, or Mr.). This format works for couples of all genders, regardless of whether they share a surname, and still feels traditional. If personal titles feel restrictive or exclusive for some guests, you can forgo them and use first and last names only. Middle names aren't necessary, but if you use them, spell them out (no initials).
Married and unmarried couples
When addressing envelopes to couples, you may need to pluralize last names. For most last names, simply add an "s" at the end (e.g., The Smiths, The Johnsons). For last names ending in "s," "x," "z," "ch," or "sh," add "es" (e.g., The Joneses, The Lynches). Never add an apostrophe!
Honorifics
Some guests might use multiple honorifics or be sensitive to them (e.g., in the case of a widow or divorcee). Simply ask them which they prefer for formal occasions. If you're inviting a family, you can address the envelope to the whole family or include "and children" after the parents' names. If you want to specify which family members are invited, list the children's names (in birth order) separately after their parents' names.
Inner and outer envelopes
The outer envelope includes the recipient's full mailing address, centred on the front side. The inner envelope (optional) is only addressed with the names of the invitees. If your invitation is elaborate, you may choose to have a stylish inner envelope protected by a more durable outer envelope.
Practical considerations
Give yourself enough time to collect mailing information from guests and get your address list in order. Double-check any funky details and ensure your invitations are accurate and respectful. You can also enlist the help of a friend with nice handwriting or use custom-printed labels for a professional finish.
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Writing implements and colours
Wedding invitation envelopes set the tone for your entire celebration. Whether you're going for a traditional or modern look, there are a few things to keep in mind when it comes to writing implements and colours.
Firstly, consider the colour of the ink. While black ink is traditional, you can add a touch of creativity and modernity by using coloured ink. For example, a silver gel pen can look elegant and striking on a black envelope. Alternatively, you may want to match the ink colour to your wedding colours or theme.
Secondly, decide on the writing implement itself. If you have impeccable handwriting, you may choose to write the addresses by hand. This adds a personal and welcoming touch to each invitation. However, if your handwriting is less than perfect, or you're short on time, there are other options available. Custom printed labels offer a practical solution, ensuring a polished and professional finish. You could also hire a calligrapher to address your envelopes, adding a beautiful and elegant touch. Calligraphy can be more expensive, but it may be worth it for the impressive first impression it will make on your guests.
Another option is to use stickers that match your wedding colours as envelope seals, which can be a fun and efficient way to seal your invitations. You can also order printed wedding invitation envelopes, with companies offering different styles such as romantic calligraphy or a chic, modern sans-serif font.
Finally, when addressing envelopes to couples, there are specific rules to follow. For standard last names, simply add an "s" at the end (e.g. "The Smiths"). For names ending in "s," "x," "z," "ch," or "sh," add "es" (e.g. "The Joneses"). Remember never to use an apostrophe!
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Inner and outer envelopes
Wedding invitation envelopes are an important part of the entire celebration, setting the tone for the event and helping to make your guests feel welcome. The way you address your invitations communicates which members of a family are invited to your wedding.
Traditionally, there is a difference between inner and outer envelopes, each with its own etiquette rules. The outer envelope is formal and includes the recipient's full mailing address in the centre of its front side. This is the envelope that is stamped and addressed. When addressing envelopes to couples, remember to pluralise last names. For example, "The Smiths" or "The Joneses".
The inner envelope is optional and is usually only addressed with the names of the invitees. It does not need to include any address information other than the name of each recipient. If you have an elaborate invitation suite, you may choose to have a stylish inner envelope that is protected during mailing by a more durable outer envelope.
When addressing envelopes, there is a blend of traditional etiquette and modern considerations to keep in mind. You may choose to use traditional titles such as Mr., Mrs., Miss, or Ms., or you may opt for a more modern approach by using first and last names only. It is also important to consider any sensitivities your guests may have regarding honorifics, especially if they are widowed or divorced. In this case, simply ask them which they prefer for formal occasions.
To add a special touch to your invitations, you may want to consider hiring a calligrapher or using custom-printed labels to address your envelopes.
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Frequently asked questions
The outer envelope should include the recipient's full mailing address, placed in the centre of its front side. The outer envelope should be formal and include the recipient's full name, including their courtesy title (Mr., Mrs., Miss, etc.). If personal titles feel restrictive, you can forgo them and use first and last names only.
To address an envelope to an unmarried couple, write out their full names, including their courtesy titles. For example, "Mr. Max Carter and Mrs. Natasha Carter". If you want to be gender-neutral, you can use their first and last names only.
A silver gel pen will show up nicely on a black envelope.
