Addressing Wedding Invites: Single Women, What's The Proper Way?

Wedding invitations can be a tricky business, especially when it comes to addressing single women. The traditional Ms. is usually the go-to prefix, but it's important to note that this is typically used for women over the age of 18. If the woman is younger, the acceptable prefix is Miss, which should be spelled out rather than abbreviated. It's also worth mentioning that some widows might prefer to be addressed by their married name, so it's always a good idea to check with them beforehand.

Addressing a single woman under 18

When addressing a single woman under 18 on a wedding invitation, there are a few things to keep in mind. Firstly, it is important to use the correct title when addressing her. In this case, the acceptable title is "Miss", which should be spelled out rather than abbreviated as an initial.

For the outer envelope, the address can be formatted as follows:

"Miss [Full Name] "

For example:

"Miss Stephanie Chen"

For the inner envelope, you have a few options and can choose to include the guest's full name, just their first name, or their title and last name:

"Miss Chen" or "Stephanie" or "Miss Stephanie"

If the single female guest is under 18 and has been given a plus one, you can simply add "and Guest" to the inner envelope:

"Miss Chen and Guest" or "Stephanie and Guest"

It is worth noting that if you are inviting a family with children under 18, the outer envelope is usually reserved for the parent(s) or guardian(s) names only. Each child's name is then listed on the inner envelope. This is because including each child's name on the outer envelope may be too lengthy and could simplify things. However, if you do wish to include each child's name on the outer envelope, it is typically written on a second line, in order of age, with the girls addressed as "Miss":

"Mr. and Mrs. Homer Simpson

Miss Lisa Simpson

Mr. Bart Simpson"

Alternatively, you can address the outer envelope to the whole family:

"The Simpson Family"

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

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

Remember, it is important to include each child's name if they are invited. If you do not include their names, it implies that children are not invited.

Addressing a single woman over 18

When addressing a single woman over 18 for a wedding invitation, there are a few things to keep in mind. Firstly, it is important to use the woman's preferred title. If she is over 18, the appropriate title is usually "Ms." followed by her full name. For example, "Ms. Stephanie Chen".

If the woman's title is unknown or you are unsure, it is better to forgo the title altogether. In this case, you would simply write her full name on the outer envelope, such as "Stephanie Chen".

It is also worth noting that if the single woman has been given a plus one, you do not need to indicate this on the outer envelope. Instead, you can add "and guest" to the inner envelope, for example, "Stephanie Chen and guest".

Additionally, when addressing wedding invitations, it is best to avoid using nicknames or abbreviations. Always use the complete, formal name of the guest. For example, "Mr. Steven Lewis Nelson" instead of "Uncle Steve".

Furthermore, when addressing the outer envelope, it is important to write out the full name of the street and state, rather than using abbreviations. For example, "Sixty-Seventh Street" instead of "67th St." and Alabama" instead of "AL".

By following these guidelines, you can ensure that your wedding invitations are properly addressed to single women over 18 in a respectful and appropriate manner.

Addressing a single woman with a plus-one

When addressing a single woman with a plus-one, there are a few things to keep in mind. Firstly, it is important to use the correct title for the woman, which is typically "Ms." for those over 18 and "Miss" for those under 18. For example, on the outer envelope, you would write "Ms. Stephanie Chen" if she is over 18, or "Miss Stephanie Chen" if she is under 18.

If the single woman has been offered a plus-one, you don't need to indicate this on the outer envelope. Instead, reserve the "and guest" language for the inner envelope only. For example, the inner envelope could be addressed as "Ms. Chen and guest" or "Stephanie and guest".

It is also worth noting that if you are only sending one envelope (an outer envelope), you should include the names of all invited parties, including plus-ones. In this case, you can simply write the name of the single woman and "and guest" on the outer envelope, such as "Ms. Stephanie Chen and guest".

Additionally, if you know the name of the plus-one, it is more appropriate to include their name on the envelope instead of using "and guest". For example, if the plus-one's name is "Albert Clifford Slater", the inner envelope could be addressed as "Ms. Stephanie Chen, Mr. Albert Clifford Slater" or "Stephanie Chen, Albert Clifford Slater".

It is also important to be mindful of the seating arrangements for singles and plus-ones. Avoid seating singles between married couples or PDA-heavy pairs, and instead, place them between outgoing and friendly couples to create a more communal feel.

Addressing a single woman who is a widow

When addressing a single woman who is a widow on a wedding invitation, the general rule is to use "Mrs." followed by her married last name, especially if she chose to take her husband's name. However, there are some exceptions and nuances to consider:

• If the widow has legally reverted to her maiden name, it is more appropriate to use "Ms." instead of "Mrs.".
• If a significant amount of time has passed since the death of her spouse, using "Ms." might be more respectful of her current identity and life stage.
• For casual events, a less formal approach can be taken. Addressing her as "Mrs." followed by her first and married last name is acceptable. Alternatively, you can simply write her full name without any title.
• When addressing a widow with a distinguished title, such as a judge, priest, or military officer, the format changes slightly. Use "The Honorable" for judges, "Father" for priests, and the relevant military title followed by their full name.
• When in doubt, it is always best to ask the widow or someone close to her about her preferred title and name format. This is especially important if she has remarried, is in a relationship, or uses her maiden name.

Outer envelope: "Mrs. Reginald Thompson" or "Mrs. Kathleen Jones"

Inner envelope: "Mrs. Thompson" or "Mrs. Jones"

For a more casual invitation:

Outer envelope: "Mrs. Kathleen Jones" or "Kathleen Jones"

Inner envelope: "Mrs. Jones" or "Kathleen"

If the widow has a distinguished title:

Outer envelope: "The Honorable Sonia Sotomayor" or "Father Damien Karras"

Inner envelope: "Judge Sotomayor" or "Father Karras"

Addressing a single woman who is divorced

When addressing a wedding invitation to a single woman who is divorced, it is important to use her preferred title and either her maiden name or her ex-husband's last name, depending on her preference. Here are some examples of how to address the outer and inner envelopes:

Outer envelope: "Ms. /Mrs. [First Name] [Maiden Name] or "Ms. /Mrs. [First Name] [Ex-husband's Last Name]

Inner envelope: "Ms. /Mrs. [Last Name] or " [First Name]

For example, if the divorced woman in question has chosen to keep her married name, "Mrs. Cookie Lyon," you would address the outer envelope to "Mrs. Cookie Lyon" and the inner envelope to "Mrs. Lyon" or "Cookie."

On the other hand, if she has chosen to revert to her maiden name, "Ms. Cookie Holloway," the outer envelope would be addressed to "Ms. Cookie Holloway," and the inner envelope to "Ms. Holloway" or "Cookie."

It is also worth noting that if the divorced woman has children under the age of 18, they should be included on the inner envelope with their names listed in order of age. For example: "Mrs./Ms. Cookie Lyon Daniel, Jeffrey, Miss Brittany, and Mx. Kelly."

Additionally, if you are inviting a divorced woman with a plus-one, simply write "and guest" after her name on the inner envelope. For example: "Mrs./Ms. Cookie Lyon and guest."

Frequently asked questions