Addressing Wedding Invitations To A Divorcee: A Guide

When addressing a wedding invitation to a divorced woman, it is important to be mindful of her preferences and use her chosen name. While many divorced women keep their ex-husband's last name, others revert to using their maiden name. Therefore, it is advisable to ask someone close to her which name she would prefer to be addressed by. The use of Ms. or Mrs. is appropriate, followed by either her ex-husband's last name or her maiden name, depending on her preference. Additionally, if you are unsure whether she will be bringing a guest, it is acceptable to include the wording and Guest on the invitation.

Use Ms. or Mrs. and either her ex-husband's last name or her maiden name, depending on her preference

When addressing a wedding invitation to a divorced woman, it is important to respect her preference. Many women keep their ex-husband's last name, but others revert to their maiden name. Therefore, it is a good idea to ask someone close to her which name she prefers.

If she has chosen to keep her ex-husband's last name, you can address her as "Mrs." or "Ms." followed by her married last name. For example, if the invitee's name is Mrs./Ms. Cookie Lyon, the outer envelope could be addressed to "Mrs. Lyon" or "Ms. Lyon". The inner envelope could then refer to her using her title and last name, for example, "Mrs. Lyon" or "Ms. Lyon".

On the other hand, if she has chosen to revert to her maiden name, you would use "Ms." or "Mrs." followed by her maiden name. For example, if the invitee's name is Mrs./Ms. Cookie Holloway, the outer envelope could be addressed to "Mrs. Holloway" or "Ms. Holloway". The inner envelope could then refer to her using her title and last name, for example, "Mrs. Holloway" or "Ms. Holloway".

If you're unsure of her name preference, it's appropriate to include and Guest

When addressing a wedding invitation to a divorcee, it is important to use the correct titles and names to be respectful and avoid offending the recipient. Here are some guidelines to follow if you are unsure of the divorcee's name preference and want to include "and Guest":

• Use "Ms." or "Mrs.": It is appropriate to use "Ms." or "Mrs." when addressing a divorced woman, followed by either her ex-husband's last name (if she still uses it) or her maiden name, depending on her preference. For example, "Mrs./Ms. Cookie Lyon" or "Mrs./Ms. Cookie Holloway". "Ms." can also be used as a neutral title if you are unsure of her marital status or name preference.
• Avoid using "Miss": "Miss" is generally not appropriate for someone who is older than 30 and has been married before.
• Consider the relationship: If the wedding invitation is coming from someone who knew the divorcee's ex-spouse, she may prefer to be addressed as "Mrs.". If the sender doesn't know the ex-spouse, she might prefer "Ms.".
• Use the full name: If unsure, you can use the divorcee's full name and title as "Mrs." before her marriage, as it shows respect to her and her late husband. Alternatively, use "Ms." with her full name.
• Ask someone close to her: If possible, consider asking someone close to the divorcee about her name and title preference. This is a respectful way to find out directly and ensure you are using the correct information.
• Timing is important: If the divorce is recent, it may not be appropriate to ask about name preferences right away. Use your best judgment and consider why you are inviting her and including her as a guest.
• Reserve "and Guest" for the inner envelope: If the divorcee has been given a plus one, there is no need to indicate this on the outer envelope. Simply address it to the divorcee. On the inner envelope, you can use "and guest" after her name.
• Be mindful of sensitivity: Many modern women may have a strong aversion to having their names left out or lumped in with their ex-spouses. If possible, try to find out her preferred name and title to ensure she feels comfortable and respected.

For a divorced woman who uses her married name, go with Mrs. or Ms

When addressing a divorced woman who uses her married name, it is appropriate to use "Mrs." or "Ms." instead of "Miss". This is because "Miss" is typically used for girls and women under the age of 18.

If you are unsure which title she would prefer, it is a good idea to ask someone close to her. It is also worth noting that some women may have a strong aversion to having their name left out and lumped in with their husband's, so it is important to be mindful of this when addressing the invitation.

The outer envelope of the invitation should be formal and include the recipient's full name and personal title. For example, "Ms. Stephanie Chen" or "Mrs. Emily Thompson". The inner envelope is more informal, and you can leave out one or two elements of the formal name format. For example, "Ms. Chen" or "Mrs. Thompson".

If the divorced woman you are inviting has been given a plus-one, you do not need to indicate this on the outer envelope. Instead, reserve "and guest" language for the inner envelope only. For example, "Mrs. Thompson and guest".

If she prefers her married name, use Mrs. [her first name] [her ex-husband's first name]

When addressing a wedding invitation to a divorcee, it's important to be mindful of their preferred name and title. If you know for certain that she prefers to use her married name, the correct format is "Mrs. [her first name] [her ex-husband's first name]".

For example, if the divorcee's name is Mrs. Emily Jones, and her ex-husband's name is John Smith, the invitation should be addressed as "Mrs. Emily Smith". This format acknowledges her preference for using her married name while also ensuring that you are not addressing her with her ex-husband's full name, which is generally not recommended.

It is worth noting that some divorced women may choose to revert to their maiden name, so it is always a good idea to double-check with someone close to her to confirm her preferred name and title before addressing the invitation.

Additionally, when addressing a wedding invitation, it is customary to use a more formal approach on the outer envelope and a slightly more casual approach on the inner envelope. For the outer envelope, you can use "Mrs. [her first name] [her ex-husband's first name] [their last name]". For the inner envelope, you have the option to use either the full name format or just the first names, such as "[her first name] and [ex-husband's first name]".

Here's an example to illustrate:

Outer envelope: Mrs. Emily Smith Jones

Inner envelope: Emily and John

Remember, the inner envelope is more informal, so you can choose to include only the first names if that feels more appropriate for your wedding invitations.

If she prefers her maiden name, use Mrs./Ms. [her first name] [her maiden name]

When addressing a wedding invitation to a divorced woman, it is important to be mindful of her preferences. Many women choose to keep their ex-husband's last name, while others revert to their maiden name. Therefore, it is advisable to ask someone close to her which name she prefers. If she prefers her maiden name, the invitation can be addressed as "Mrs./Ms." followed by her first name and maiden name. This format applies to both the outer and inner envelopes.

For example, if the divorced woman's name is Catherine Smith, and her ex-husband's last name was Jones, she may prefer to be addressed as Mrs./Ms. Catherine Smith. On the outer envelope, the invitation can be addressed to "Mrs./Ms. Catherine Smith". On the inner envelope, a more informal approach can be taken, such as "Mrs./Ms. Catherine".

It is worth noting that the use of "Mrs." or "Ms." is a matter of personal preference. "Mrs." is traditionally used to indicate a woman's marital status, while "Ms." is often chosen by women who prefer a title that does not denote marital status.

Additionally, if the divorced woman has been offered a plus-one, the invitation can include "and guest" on the inner envelope. For example, "Mrs./Ms. Catherine Smith and guest". This approach ensures that the guest's name is not included on the outer envelope, providing flexibility if the guest is uncertain about bringing a plus-one.

Following these guidelines will help ensure that the divorced woman feels respected and valued as a guest at the wedding.

Frequently asked questions