Rhiannon Hendricks
Wedding invitation envelopes can be a tricky task, especially when it comes to addressing guests with plus-ones. The outer envelope, which includes the guest's name(s) and address, should be formal and include titles such as Mr., Mrs., Ms., or Mx.. If you are inviting a single person with a plus-one, address the outer envelope to the primary invitee, and include and Guest on the inner envelope. This way, you can ensure your guests feel welcome and know what to expect on your big day.
What You'll Learn
Outer envelope: Addressing a single person with a plus one
When addressing a wedding invitation envelope to a single person with a plus one, there are a few things to keep in mind. Firstly, it is important to use the person's preferred title and full name on the outer envelope. If they are a male guest, use "Mr." followed by their full name. For female guests, use "Ms." followed by their full name. For non-binary guests, use the honorific "Mx." followed by their full name. If you are unsure of their preferred title, it is best to ask them directly.
On the outer envelope, address the invitation to the person you are truly inviting. If you know the name of their plus one, include it as you would for an unmarried couple. For example, "Ms. Jessica Spano, Mr. Albert Clifford Slater". If you do not know the name of their plus one, simply write "and guest" after the invitee's name, for example, "Mr. Zachary Morris and guest".
The inner envelope is more informal, and you have a few options for how to address it. You can include the first and last names of the invitee and their plus one, for example, "Jessica and A.C.". Alternatively, you can use their titles and last names, for example, "Ms. Spano and Mr. Slater". If you do not know the name of the plus one, you can use "and guest" after the invitee's name, for example, "Mr. Morris and guest".
Remember to be mindful of the person's preferences and comfort, especially if they have a non-traditional gender identity or are part of the LGBTQ+ community. Always double-check their preferred titles and names before addressing the envelopes.
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Inner envelope: Addressing a single person with a plus one
When addressing a wedding invitation envelope to a single person with a plus one, there are a few things to keep in mind. Firstly, it is important to use the person's preferred title, such as "Mr.", "Ms.", "Miss", or "Mx.". If you are unsure of their preferred title, it is better to forgo the title altogether.
Secondly, if you know the name of the plus one, include their name on the envelope. For example:
> Ms. Jessica Spano
> Mr. Albert Clifford Slater
If you do not know the name of the plus one, simply write "and guest" after the name of the person you are inviting. Note that "and" and "guest" are not capitalized:
> Mr. Zachary Morris and guest
For the outer envelope, follow the above format. For the inner envelope, you can either use titles and last names or just first names, especially if you are very close to the guest:
> Ms. Spano
> Mr. Slater
> or
> Jessie and A.C.
It is also important to note that wedding invitation envelopes usually include an outer and an inner envelope. The outer envelope is more formal and includes the mailing address, postage, and return address. The inner envelope is more personalized and includes the names of the invitees, the invitation, RSVP card, and any other additional stationery.
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Outer envelope: Addressing an unmarried couple
If you're addressing an invitation to an unmarried couple living together, the format is a little different from that for a married couple. Both names should be included on the envelope, but in this case, each name gets its own line. List the person you're closest with first or go in alphabetical order if you're equally close to both guests.
Here's an example:
On the outer envelope:
Mr. Aaron Triguiero
Mr. Gabriel Reyes
If you're only using an outer envelope, all invited parties should be clearly stated on the front. This includes guests that are typically only listed on the inner envelope, such as plus-ones and kids. If you're short on space, you can replace children's individual names with "and Family" or opt for "The [Last Name] Family".
If you're having a casual wedding, such as a backyard barbecue or brunch in the park, you might be able to get away with addressing your envelopes less formally, such as leaving off titles or just using first names. Otherwise, wedding etiquette suggests you err on the side of formality.
Avoid using nicknames or name abbreviations. Ensure you use the correct titles or prefixes.
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Inner envelope: Addressing an unmarried couple
If you're addressing an inner envelope to an unmarried couple, the format is slightly more informal than the outer envelope. You can use titles + last names or just first names if you're close with the couple.
If the unmarried couple lives together, list both names on one line, with the person you're closest to first. If you know them both equally well, go in alphabetical order.
- Ms. Green and Mr. Geller, or Rachel and Ross
- Ms. Susan Bunch and Ms. Carol Willik-Bunch, or Susan and Carol
- Mr. Mitchell Pritchett and Mr. Cameron Tucker, or Mitchell and Cameron
- Ms. Alysson Schulz and Mr. Ricardo Gonzales, or Alysson and Ricardo
- Ms. Lily Pike and Ms. Jane Pearce, or Lily and Jane
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Addressing a married couple with different surnames
When addressing a wedding invitation to a married couple with different last names, there are a few things to keep in mind. Firstly, it is important to address each individual by their title and full name, avoiding assumptions about name changes. Secondly, the names can be written on the same line or on separate lines, depending on length and preference. Finally, the person you are closest to should be listed first, or you can go in alphabetical order if you are equally close to both.
Outer envelope:
Mrs. Gwyneth Brookes and Mr. Cyan Matthews
Inner envelope:
Mrs. Brookes and Mr. Matthews
Alternatively, if the combined names are too long for one line, you can list them separately:
Outer envelope:
Mrs. Gwyneth Brookes
Mr. Cyan Matthews
Inner envelope:
Mrs. Brookes
Mr. Matthews
If the couple has the same last name, you can address them as "Mr. and Mrs." followed by the husband's first and last name or full name. For same-sex couples, simply indicate the appropriate prefix before their names.
Outer envelope:
Mr. and Mrs. Jackson Clarke
Inner envelope:
Mr. and Mrs. Clarke
Or:
Mr. Jackson Clarke and Mrs. Mary Clarke
Inner envelope:
Jackson and Mary
When addressing a married couple with one hyphenated last name, the non-hyphenated name is usually listed first.
Outer envelope:
Mr. Marcus Craft and Mr. Brian Crosby-Craft
Inner envelope:
Mr. Craft and Mr. Crosby-Craft
Or:
Marcus and Brian
It is important to remember that these are general guidelines, and you can always adjust based on your relationship and comfort level with the couple.
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Frequently asked questions
On the outer envelope, write the names of the invitee and their plus-one as you would for an unmarried couple. For example, "Ms. Jessica Spano Mr. Albert Clifford Slater". On the inner envelope, you can use their first names, e.g., "Jessie and A.C.".
In this case, you can simply write "and guest" after the invitee's name. For example, "Mr. Zachary Morris and guest".
It is preferable to include the plus-one on the inner envelope as well, especially if you know their name. This ensures that both the invitee and their guest feel welcomed.
Yes, if your wedding is casual, such as a backyard barbecue or a picnic in the park, you can be less formal. You may be able to get away with using only first names or leaving off titles. However, it is still important to be respectful, especially when inviting older or more conservative guests.
