Addressing Wedding Invites: Etiquette For Divorced Women

When addressing a wedding invitation to a divorced woman, it is important to follow certain etiquette guidelines to ensure that the invitation is respectful and appropriate. Here are some tips to consider:

- Use Ms. or Mrs. as the title: You can use either Ms. or Mrs. when addressing a divorced woman, depending on her preference. Ms. is often used for women who are over 18, while Miss is used for those under 18.

- Choose the correct last name: Many divorced women keep their ex-husband's last name, while others revert to their maiden name. It is important to ask someone close to her which last name she prefers to use.

- Include and Guest if needed: If the divorced woman is allowed to bring a plus-one, you can include and Guest on the inner envelope. However, it is not necessary to indicate this on the outer envelope.

- Follow formal guidelines: When addressing the envelope, follow the general rules for formal wedding invitations. Use the complete, formal name of the guest, including their preferred title. Avoid abbreviations and always write out full names, states, and addresses.

Use 'Ms' or 'Mrs'

When addressing a wedding invitation to a divorced woman, the key considerations are her age, marital status, and personal preference.

Ms or Mrs?

The title "Ms." is a neutral catch-all term that can be used to address adult women, regardless of their marital status. It is considered the default form of address for women and can be used when you are unsure of their marital status. On the other hand, "Mrs." is used to address married women and widows.

Addressing a Divorced Woman

If a divorced woman has kept her married name, it is appropriate to address her as "Mrs." or "Ms." followed by her first name and married last name. For example:

> Mrs./Ms. Cookie Lyon

If she has reverted to using her maiden name, it is more appropriate to use "Ms." followed by her first name and maiden name. For example:

> Ms. Cookie Holloway

In both cases, it is always best to find out what her preferred title is, as this may vary depending on individual circumstances and preferences.

Addressing a Divorced Woman with a Guest

When addressing a divorced woman who is bringing a guest, the outer envelope should include the woman's name and title, followed by "and Guest." For example:

> Mrs./Ms. Ali Johnson and Guest

On the inner envelope, you can simply use her first name and title, or just her first name if you prefer a more casual tone. For example:

> Ms. Ali

Additional Considerations

When addressing wedding invitations, it is important to use the complete, formal name of the guest. Avoid using nicknames, abbreviations, or ampersands. If you are addressing a family with children, the names of each family member should be listed in order of age, and girls under the age of 18 can be addressed as "Miss."

Ask her preferred surname

When addressing a wedding invitation to a divorced woman, it is important to use her preferred surname. While many divorced women keep their ex-husband's last name, others revert to using their maiden name. Therefore, it is always best to ask someone close to her which name she prefers.

If you are using a single envelope, write her preferred name and title on the front of the envelope. For example, "Ms. Cookie Lyon" or "Mrs./Ms. Cookie Holloway". If you are using inner and outer envelopes, the outer envelope should be more formal and include her full name and title. The inner envelope can be more informal, with just her title and surname or her first name. For example, "Mrs./Ms. Lyon" or "Mrs./Ms. Holloway" on the outer envelope, and "Mrs. Lyon" or "Ms. Holloway" on the inner envelope.

If you are inviting a divorced woman with children over the age of 18, each person should receive their own invitation. If the children are under the age of 18, their names can be listed on the inner envelope. For girls under 18, you can use "Miss" as the title if you wish. Boys do not need a title until they are 16, at which point they can be addressed as "Mr.".

Avoid her former husband's name

When addressing a wedding invitation to a divorced woman, it is important to avoid using her former husband's name. Here are some tips and examples to ensure your invitations are both polite and proper:

• Always use the guest's preferred title and full name. In the case of a divorced woman, it is wise to ask someone close to her whether she prefers to be addressed with "Ms." or "Mrs." and her ex-husband's last name (if she still uses it) or her maiden name. Respect her choice.
• For a divorced woman who has kept her married name: "Ms./Mrs. [First Name] [Married Surname]." For example, "Ms./Mrs. Cookie Lyon."
• For a divorced woman who has reverted to her maiden name: "Ms./Mrs. [First Name] [Maiden Surname]." For instance, "Ms./Mrs. Cookie Holloway."
• If the divorced woman is the only guest invited and you are using an inner envelope, you can simply use her title and surname on that envelope: "Ms. Lyon" or "Mrs. Holloway."
• If the divorced woman is bringing a plus-one, you can indicate this on the inner envelope by adding "and Guest" in lowercase. For example, "Ms./Mrs. Cookie Lyon and Guest."
• When addressing the outer envelope, remember to use the full, formal name and title. Abbreviations and nicknames should be avoided.
• If you are having a casual wedding, such as a barbecue or a picnic, you may be able to use a less formal addressing style, such as leaving off titles or using only first names. However, for more formal weddings, it is better to err on the side of formality.

Include 'and Guest' if she's bringing one

When addressing a wedding invitation to a divorced woman who is bringing a guest, there are a few things to keep in mind. Firstly, it is important to use the correct title and name for the divorced woman. Many women keep their ex-husband's last name, but others revert to using their maiden name. Therefore, it is advisable to ask someone close to her which name she prefers. The outer envelope can then be addressed using "Ms." or "Mrs." and either her ex-husband's last name or her maiden name, depending on her preference. For example:

"Ms. Cookie Lyon" or "Mrs./Ms. Cookie Holloway"

When including a guest, the name of the guest is not necessary on the outer envelope unless you know their name. In this case, you can simply write "and guest". The "and" and "guest" should not be capitalised. For example:

"Ms. Cookie Lyon and guest"

For the inner envelope, you can use the same format as the outer envelope, or you may use just the first name of the guest if you are very close with them. For example:

"Ms. Lyon and guest" or "Cookie and guest"

It is important to note that the "and guest" wording is generally only used when you are unsure of the guest's name. If you know the name of the guest, it is more appropriate to include their name on the envelope.

Address the envelope formally

When addressing a wedding invitation to a divorced woman, there are a few formal options to consider. Firstly, it is important to note that you should not use her former husband's name. Many divorced women keep their married names, while others revert to using their maiden name. Therefore, it is always best to ask someone close to her which name she prefers. Here are some examples of how to address a wedding invitation to a divorced woman, using the name "Cookie Lyon":

Outer envelope:

• Mrs. Cookie Lyon
• Ms. Cookie Lyon
• Mrs./Ms. Cookie Holloway (using her maiden name)

Inner envelope:

• Mrs. Lyon
• Ms. Lyon
• Mrs./Ms. Holloway

In terms of including "and guest", it is appropriate to do so only if you are unsure whether she will bring someone. The "and guest" should only appear on the inner envelope.

Frequently asked questions