Wedding Invite Etiquette: Addressing Family Members

Wedding invitation etiquette can be a tricky business. When it comes to addressing a family on a wedding invite, there are a few options. If you want to be specific about which family members are invited, it's best to list each family member's name, starting with the parents and then listing the children in order of age. For girls under 18, the prefix Miss can be used, while boys under 18 do not need a title. If the whole family is invited, the outer envelope can be addressed to the family name or the parents' names, and the inner envelope can include the first names of all invited family members. If you don't want to list individual names, simply addressing the invite to The [Family Name] Family is also correct.

Addressing a family with children

When addressing a family with children on a wedding invitation, there are a few things to consider. Firstly, it is important to use the correct titles for each family member. On the outer envelope, write the parents' full names, addressing them as "Mr." and "Mrs.". On the inner envelope, list the first names of the children and use "Miss" for girls under 18. Boys under 18 do not need a title.

If you are inviting children under 18, you only need to include their names on the inner envelope. If you are not inviting children, simply omit their names from both envelopes. To make it clear that children are not invited, mention this on your wedding website or inform close family members and members of the wedding party to spread the word.

Outer envelope: "Mr. and Mrs. Michael Abraham"

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

If there are children aged 18 or over in the family, they should receive their own invitations, unless they are living at home with their parents. Here is an example of how to address an adult child on a wedding invitation:

Outer envelope: "Ms. Audrey Abraham"

Inner envelope: "Ms. Abraham"

Remember to use the correct titles and full names on the outer envelope, and you can use first names only on the inner envelope if you prefer a more casual approach.

Addressing a family without children

When addressing a family without children on a wedding invitation, there are a few options to consider. Here are some detailed instructions and examples to help you with this task:

Using Formal Titles and Full Names

This option involves using formal titles such as "Mr." and "Mrs." along with the full names of the couple. If the couple has the same last name, you can use the following format:

Outer envelope:

"Mr. and Mrs. John Smith"

Inner envelope:

"Mr. and Mrs. Smith" or "John and Emily"

If the couple has different last names, you can list the person you are closest with first, followed by their partner. For example:

Outer envelope:

"Mr. John Smith and Mrs. Emily Johnson"

Inner envelope:

"Mr. Smith and Mrs. Johnson" or "John and Emily"

Using First Names Only

If you prefer a more casual approach, you can use just the first names of the couple on the inner envelope. This is especially suitable for informal weddings such as backyard barbecues or brunches. Here's an example:

Outer envelope:

"Mr. and Mrs. John Smith"

Inner envelope:

"John and Emily"

When addressing a family without children, you have a few options:

Outer envelope:

• "The Smith Family"
• "Mr. and Mrs. John Smith"

Inner envelope:

List the first names of all invited family members, such as "John, Emily, and Aunt Margaret"

If there are no children in the family, you don't need to include their names on the inner envelope. This implies that only the adults are invited. However, be aware that some guests may still assume their children are welcome, so it's best to clarify this through word-of-mouth or on your wedding website.

Additional Tips:

• Always use the full names and formal titles on the outer envelope, even if you opt for a more casual approach on the inner envelope.
• If you are using double envelopes, remember that the outer envelope is more formal, while the inner envelope is more personal and casual.
• Give yourself plenty of time to assemble and mail the invitations, as it can be a time-consuming task.

Addressing a family with children of different ages

When addressing a family with children of different ages, there are a few things to keep in mind. Firstly, it is important to use the correct titles and full names on the outer envelope, which is the more formal of the two. The inner envelope can be more casual and can include first names only.

If you are inviting a family with children under the age of 18, the outer envelope should be addressed to the parents or guardians. The inner envelope is where you would list each child by name. Girls under 18 can be addressed as "Miss", while boys do not need a title until they are 16, when they can be addressed as "Mr.".

For example, the outer envelope could be addressed to:

> Mr. and Mrs. Michael Abraham

And the inner envelope could list the children's names:

> Mr. and Mrs. Michael Abraham

> Daniel, Jeffrey, Miss Brittany and Mx. Kelly

If any children in the family are 18 or older, they should receive their own invitations, unless they are living at home with their parents. In this case, you can follow the same format as the family invitation but address it to the individual child.

If you do not include the names of children on the inner envelope, it is generally understood that children are not invited. However, it is still a good idea to specify this on your wedding website to avoid any confusion.

Addressing a family with children under 18

When addressing a family with children under 18, there are a few options to consider. If you are using both inner and outer envelopes, the outer envelope is reserved for the parent(s) or guardian(s) names, and the inner envelope is where you list each child by name. For girls under 18, you can use "Miss" as a prefix, while boys under 18 do not need a title.

If you are using only an outer envelope, you can address it to "The [Last Name] Family", or list the names of the parents and then "and family". You can also list the children's names, but it is important to ensure that their names are not displayed publicly for safety reasons.

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

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

Outer envelope: "The Simpson Family" or "Mr. and Mrs. Homer Simpson"

Inner envelope: "Homer, Marge, Bart, Miss Lisa, and Miss Maggie"

Outer envelope: "Mr. and Mrs. Michael Abraham"

Inner envelope: "Daniel, Jeffrey, Miss Brittany, and Mx. Kelly"

If you are not using inner envelopes, you can also use belly bands or write on the back of the invitation.

Addressing a family with children over 18

When addressing a family with adult children on a wedding invitation, there are a few options to consider. If the adult children live at home with their parents, they can be included in the family format. In this case, you can address the outer envelope with the family name or the names of the parents. For example:

> The Simpson Family

> Mr. & Mrs. Homer Simpson

On the inner envelope, list the first names of all invited family members:

> Homer, Marge, Bart, Miss Lisa, and Miss Maggie

If the adult children live on their own, they should receive separate invitations. In this case, use their full formal names on the outer envelope and their honorific ("Mr." or "Ms.") and last name on the inner envelope. For example:

> Outer envelope: Ms. Audrey Abraham

> Inner envelope: Ms. Abraham

If you are not using inner envelopes, simply focus on properly addressing the outer envelope.

Frequently asked questions