Addressing German Wedding Invites: Etiquette And Format

When it comes to addressing a German wedding invitation, there are a few things to keep in mind. Firstly, it is important to use the correct titles and surnames when addressing the invitees. For a married couple with the same last name, the invitation can be addressed to Herr und Frau [Last Name], with the abbreviation Hr. & Fr. being uncommon in this context. For unmarried or married women, the title Frau is used, followed by their last name, while for unmarried or married men, the title Herr is used, followed by their last name. It is also worth noting that the word Fräulein, which translates to Miss, is no longer used in Germany as it is considered politically incorrect to refer to a woman's marital status.

Formal prefixes

When addressing a wedding invitation to a German family, it is important to use the correct formal prefixes. Here are some guidelines to follow:

• For a married couple with the same last name, the proper form is "Herr und Frau [Last Name]". It is not common to abbreviate this to "Hr. & Fr." on a wedding invitation, although it is possible to do so.
• When addressing a married couple on the envelope, include their first names, for example, "Herr und Frau (John und Jane) Wagner".
• If you are close to the couple, you can address them as "Familie (or short: Fam.) [First Name] und [First Name] [Last Name]".
• When addressing the couple in the letter, use "Lieber Onkel [First Name], liebe Tante [First Name]!"
• For unmarried or married women, use "Frau [Last Name]". The term "Fräulein" is no longer used in Germany as it is considered politically incorrect to refer to a woman's marital status.
• For unmarried or married men, use "Herr [Last Name]".
• When addressing a married couple with different last names, use their individual prefixes and last names, for example, "Herr [First Name] [Last Name] und Frau [First Name] [Last Name]".

Married couples with the same last name

When addressing a wedding invitation to a married couple with the same last name, the outer envelope should be addressed using the formal "Herr und Frau [Last Name]". The use of "Hr. & Fr." as an abbreviation is uncommon in this context.

If you are close to the couple, you may prefer to address them as "Familie [Last Name]" or use their first names, e.g., "Lieber Onkel John, liebe Tante Jane!"

For the inner envelope, you can use their first names, e.g., "Jane und John". The traditional, formal form of address is "Mr. & Mrs. [Husband's First Name] [Last Name]", but this is neither common nor appropriate nowadays. The wife's name ALWAYS comes first when using first names, e.g., "Jane and John Doe".

If one of the spouses has a title, such as "Dr.", this should be included in the address. For example, "Dr. & Mrs. John Doe" or "Mr. and Mrs. John Doe" if the wife is the doctor, or "Dr. Jane Doe and Mr. John Doe" if both hold a doctorate.

Unmarried women

When addressing a wedding invitation to an unmarried woman in German, it is important to follow the correct etiquette and cultural norms. Here are some guidelines to help you with the wording and format:

Wording and Translation

It is recommended to use the woman's full name, including her title and last name. The appropriate title for an unmarried woman over the age of 18 is "Ms." ("Ms." is "Fräulein" in German, but this term is no longer commonly used due to political correctness). If the unmarried woman is under the age of 18, the title "Miss" ("Miss" in German) is acceptable.

For example, the outer envelope can be addressed as: "Ms. Stephanie Chen" or "Fräulein Stephanie Chen" (if she is over 18) in English, and "Fräulein Stephanie Chen" in German.

Format and Cultural Norms

In German culture, the formatting of the invitation may differ from other cultures. Here are some key points to consider:

• Envelope and Paper Choice: While not specifically mentioned in the German context, it is common in wedding invitation etiquette to use double envelopes. The outer envelope keeps the inner envelope clean, and it also allows for an envelope liner, adding a decorative touch. However, some modern couples may opt for a single envelope to simplify the process.
• Abbreviations: Avoid abbreviating words like "Street" or "Apartment" in the address. Also, avoid abbreviating the woman's title as "Ms." or "Miss" and always spell them out.
• Guest Indication: If the unmarried woman is invited with a plus one, there is no need to indicate this on the outer envelope. Reserve the "and guest" language for the inner envelope only. For example, the inner envelope can be addressed as: "Ms. Chen and guest" or "Stephanie and guest."
• Close Family Members: When addressing close family members, such as an aunt or uncle, it is more common to use their first names or refer to them as "Familie X" rather than using formal titles like "Herr" and "Frau."

Sample Wording

Outer envelope:

Fräulein Stephanie Chen

[Address line 1]

[Address line 2]

Inner envelope:

Fräulein Chen and guest

Or

Stephanie and guest

Remember to adapt the address lines according to the woman's specific address details.

Unmarried men

When addressing a German wedding invitation to an unmarried man, there are a few things to keep in mind. Firstly, it is important to use the correct title or prefix. The standard title for an unmarried man over the age of 18 is "Mr." or "Mr.". If the man is under the age of 18, no title is necessary.

For a more formal invitation, it is customary to include both an outer and an inner envelope. The outer envelope, which contains the mailing address, postage, and return address, should be addressed more formally, using the full name and title of the guest. For example, "Mr. George Constanza". The inner envelope, on the other hand, is printed with only the recipient's name and can be more casual, often incorporating first names. So, for an unmarried man, the inner envelope could simply say "George".

If you are sending the invitation without an inner envelope, which is more common nowadays, simply focus on properly addressing the outer envelope. In this case, you can list the guest's name and title on the same line, for example, "Mr. Ross Geller".

Additionally, when addressing the envelope, avoid using nicknames or name abbreviations. It is also worth noting that, while wedding invitations are typically formal, if you are having a casual wedding such as a backyard barbecue or brunch in the park, you may be able to get away with a less formal approach, such as leaving off titles or using first names only.

Finally, if the unmarried man you are inviting has a distinguished title, such as a member of the clergy, rabbi, or military personnel, this should be included in the address, regardless of gender. For example, "Rabbi George Constanza".

Formal openings

When addressing a wedding invitation to a German couple, there are a few things to keep in mind to ensure that your invitation is both formal and correct.

Firstly, it is important to use the correct titles when addressing the invitees. For a married couple with the same last name, the equivalent of "Mr. and Mrs." in German is "Herr und Frau." It is not common to abbreviate these titles when addressing a wedding invitation. For example, you would write "Herr und Frau Wagner" instead of "Hr. und Fr. Wagner."

If you are sending the invitation to a married couple with different last names, you would write their full names, for example, "Herr John Miller und Frau Jane Schneider."

When addressing an unmarried woman, the correct title is "Frau" followed by her last name. For example, "Frau Schmidt." The word "Fräulein," which used to be the equivalent of "Miss," is no longer used in Germany as it is considered politically incorrect to refer to a woman's marital status.

For an unmarried man, the title "Herr" is used, followed by his last name. For example, "Herr Müller."

When addressing family members on a wedding invitation, it is more common to use first names or to address them as "Familie" followed by the last name. For example, "Familie Schmidt" or "Lieber Onkel John, liebe Tante Jane!"

In terms of the format and language used in German wedding invitations, there does not appear to be a traditional or standard wording that is commonly used. However, it is important to note that German wedding invitations tend to be less formal than those in other cultures. A simple phrase such as "Wir laden Euch zu unserer Hochzeit ein" ("We invite you to our wedding") is often used.

If you are concerned about accuracy and want to ensure that your German wedding invitations are both formal and correct, it is recommended to have them proofread by a native German speaker or a professional translator.

Frequently asked questions