Addressing A Wedding Invitation To A Trio: Etiquette Guide

Wedding invitation etiquette can be a minefield, and it can be tricky to know how to address your invites to multiple people. The general rule is that each adult should get their own invite, even if they live at the same address, unless they are a couple. If you are inviting a couple, their names should be listed on the same line, with the person you are closest to listed first, or in alphabetical order if you are equally close to both. If you are inviting a family, you can either list each family member's name separately, or simply address the envelope to The [Family Name] or [Parents' Names] & Children.

How to address a wedding invitation to a married couple with the same last name

When addressing a wedding invitation to a married couple with the same last name, there are a few conventions to follow. The outer envelope should be formal and include the recipient's full name and title. For a heterosexual couple, use "Mr." and "Mrs." and spell out the husband's full name. For a same-sex couple, either name can go first. Here is an example:

Outer envelope: "Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Warren"

Inner envelope: "Mr. and Mrs. Warren" or "Thomas and Michelle"

If the couple prefers an emphasis on equality, you can address them as follows:

Outer envelope: "Mr. Thomas Warren and Mrs. Michelle Warren"

Inner envelope: "Mr. Warren and Mrs. Warren" or "Thomas and Michelle"

When addressing the inner envelope, you have more flexibility. You can choose to include titles and last names or just use first names, especially if you are close to the couple.

It is important to note that wedding invitation etiquette has evolved, and you should always consider the couple's preferences. Some couples may prefer a more modern approach, such as using only first and last names or using gender-neutral titles like "Mx." If you are unsure about their preferred titles, it is best to double-check with them beforehand.

Additionally, if you are only using one envelope for the invitation, combine the outer and inner envelope formats provided above.

How to address a wedding invitation to a married couple with different last names

When addressing a wedding invitation to a married couple with different last names, there are a few things to keep in mind. The outer envelope should be formal and include the full names of both individuals. If the couple is heterosexual, the woman's name is typically written first, followed by the man's name. If they are a same-sex couple, either name can go first. If one person has a hyphenated last name, this name is usually listed last. You can use "Mr." and "Mrs." or "Ms." depending on their preferences or if you know their preferred pronouns.

> Ms. Maria Stevens and Mr. David Estevez

If the names are too long to fit on one line, you can list them separately:

> Ms. Maria Stevens

> Mr. David Estevez

The inner envelope is more informal, and you have a few options for how to address it. You can use their titles and last names, or just their first names if you are close with the couple.

> Ms. Stevens and Mr. Estevez

> Maria and David

If one person in the couple has a hyphenated last name, the format would look like this:

Outer envelope:

> Mr. Andy Dwyer and Ms. April Ludgate-Dwyer

Inner envelope:

> Mr. Dwyer and Ms. Ludgate-Dwyer

> Andy and April

It's important to remember that the outer envelope is more formal, while the inner envelope is slightly more casual. You can also choose to send wedding invitations without an inner envelope, in which case you would just focus on properly addressing the outer envelope.

How to address a wedding invitation to a married couple with children

When addressing a wedding invitation to a married couple with children, there are a few things to keep in mind. Firstly, it is important to use the correct titles and full names of the guests. For a married couple with the same last name, you can use "Mr. and Mrs." followed by the husband's full name. If the couple has different last names, you can list either name first, based on your preference or closeness to the individual.

When including children in the invitation, the outer envelope should only include the names of the parents. The inner envelope is where you would list the names of the children, in order of age, with "Miss" for girls under 18. Children over the age of 18 who live with their parents should receive their own invitation. Here is an example of how to address the invitation:

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

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

If you are using a single outer envelope without an inner envelope, simply include the full names of all invited family members, with "Miss" for girls under 18:

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

It is important to note that if you do not include the children's names on the invitation, it may be understood that they are not invited. To avoid any confusion, you can mention on your wedding website that the event is adults-only.

How to address a wedding invitation to an unmarried couple

When addressing a wedding invitation to an unmarried couple, the format is a little different from that of a married couple. Both names should be included on the envelope, with each name on a separate line. List the person you are closest with first, or go in alphabetical order if you are equally close to both guests.

Mr. Ross Geller

Ms. Rachel Green

If you are using an inner envelope, you can use courtesy titles and last names or only first names if you are close with the couple.

Ms. Green and Mr. Geller or Rachel and Ross

How to address a wedding invitation to a single person

When addressing a wedding invitation to a single person, it's important to use their preferred title and name. Here are some examples to illustrate the format:

Example 1: Without a Plus-One

On the outer envelope: Use their title and full name, such as "Ms." for an unmarried woman over 18, "Mr." for a man over 18, or "Mx." for a non-binary individual. For instance, "Ms. Ali Johnson" or "Mr. George Costanza".

On the inner envelope: You can use their title and last name or just their first name, like "Ms. Johnson" or "Ali".

Example 2: With a Plus-One

On the outer envelope: Use their title and full name, similar to the previous example. For instance, "Mx. Sam Li".

On the inner envelope: Mention their name and "Guest", such as "Sam Li and Guest".

It's worth noting that if you're unsure about their preferred title, you can choose to forgo the title altogether. Additionally, if the single guest is under 18, you can omit the title for males and use "Miss" for females, spelled out rather than abbreviated.

Frequently asked questions