Addressing Wedding Invites: Reverend Edition

Wedding invitation etiquette can be a headache, especially when it comes to addressing religious leaders. If you're inviting a reverend to your wedding, it's important to get their title right. The traditional way to address a pastor or reverend via a written invitation is to write The Reverend followed by their name. If they have a doctorate, you would write The Reverend Dr.. If the reverend is married, you would include their spouse's name, for example, The Reverend and Mrs. John Smith. When addressing a couple where both spouses are reverends, the wife's name comes first, for example, The Reverends Mary and John Smith. It's also worth noting that you should never abbreviate the reverend's title and always use their full, formal name.

Reverend's name and title

When addressing a wedding invitation to a reverend, it's important to follow the proper etiquette. Here are some guidelines to help you address the invitation correctly:

The Reverend's Title and Name:

• Use the full title: Write "The Reverend" instead of "Rev." or "Reverend." This shows respect and formality.
• Include the reverend's full name. For example, "The Reverend John Smith."
• If the reverend has a doctorate: Use the title "The Reverend Dr." followed by their name. For instance, "The Reverend Dr. John Smith."
• Address the spouse correctly: If the reverend's spouse has the same last name, the proper form is "The Reverend and Mrs. John Smith." If the spouse also holds a title, such as "Doctor," include it: "The Reverend Dr. and Dr. John Smith."
• When the spouse has a different last name: Write "The Reverend John Smith and Ms. Jane Doe."
• For casual inner envelopes: You can use a more informal address on the inner envelope, such as "Reverend John and Jane."

Envelope and Postal Information:

• Outer envelope: Include the reverend's full name, title, and postal information on the outer envelope. For example, "The Reverend John Smith, Ascension Baptist Church, 100 Oak St., Anywhere, FL, 33256."
• Inner envelope: The inner envelope is for additional guests, such as the reverend's children. You can address it more simply, such as "Reverend Doe and Mrs. Doe."
• Sending the invitation: It is customary to send the invitation to the reverend's home address rather than their church address.

Letter Etiquette:

• Starting the letter: Begin your letter with "Dear Pastor," "Dear Reverend," or "Dear Dr." followed by their last name. For example, "Dear Reverend Smith."
• Salutation: When signing off your letter, use a respectful closing, such as "Sincerely" or "Regards," followed by your name.

Remember to double-check the reverend's specific religious title and any preferences they may have. These guidelines will help you address your wedding invitation to a reverend and their spouse correctly and appropriately.

Spouse's name and title

When addressing a wedding invitation to a reverend and their spouse, there are a few things to consider. Firstly, it is important to use the reverend's full title, usually "The Reverend" (followed by their full name), rather than using "Rev." or "Reverend" alone. The same courtesy should be extended to the spouse if they also hold a title such as Reverend, Doctor, or Judge.

If the reverend and their spouse share the same last name, the traditional way to address them is to combine their names, just as you would with "Mr. and Mrs. John Smith". So, for example, "The Reverend and Mrs. John Smith". If the reverend holds an additional title, such as a doctorate, this can be included: "The Reverend Dr. and Mrs. John Smith". If the spouse also holds a title, this should also be included: "The Reverend and Dr. John Smith".

If the reverend's spouse does not share their last name, their full name should be included: "The Reverend John Smith and Ms. Jane Doe". If the spouse also holds a title, this should be included: "The Reverend John Smith and Dr. Jane Doe".

In more informal settings, such as on the inner envelope of a wedding invitation, casual titles can be used: "Reverend John and Jane", for example.

It is worth noting that if the reverend's spouse is also a reverend, a different format is used. In this case, the appropriate way to address them is: "The Reverends Mary and John Smith", with the wife's name always coming first.

Envelope format

When addressing a wedding invitation envelope to a reverend, there are a few basic rules to follow to ensure proper etiquette. Here are some guidelines for addressing the envelope correctly:

• Full Title: Write out the reverend's full title as "The Reverend" instead of using abbreviations like "Rev." or "Reverend." This shows respect and formality.
• Spouse's Name: If the reverend is married, include their spouse's name on the invitation. The traditional way is to use "Mr." or "Mrs." followed by the spouse's first and last name. For example, "The Reverend and Mrs. John Smith."
• Same Last Name: Ensure that the reverend and their spouse share the same last name. If they have different last names, write their names separately, such as "The Reverend John Smith and Ms. Jane Doe."
• Additional Titles: If the reverend holds additional titles, such as a doctorate, include them in the address. For instance, "The Reverend Dr. and Mrs. John Smith."
• Inner Envelope: For the inner envelope, you can use more casual titles. Simply write "Reverend John and Jane" for a less formal approach.
• Mailing Address: Include the name of the reverend's church and its mailing address on separate lines below the names. This ensures that the invitation reaches the correct destination.
• Full Name: Always use the complete, formal name of the reverend and their spouse. Avoid using initials or abbreviations for their names or any street addresses.
• Spouse's Title: If the reverend's spouse also holds a title, such as "Doctor" or "Judge", include their title as well. For example, "The Reverend and Dr. John Smith."
• Order of Names: When addressing a couple, the wife's name typically comes first, followed by the husband's name. For example, "The Reverends Mary and John Smith."
• Children's Names: If you are inviting the reverend's children, include their names on the inner envelope, listing them by seniority while omitting their last names.

Inner envelope titles

The inner envelope is more casual and is used to include the names of all invited guests in the family, such as the officiant's children. In most cases, the inner envelope is addressed only to the officiant or to the officiant and spouse.

You do not need to include the officiant’s full name. Instead, you would write Father [Surname], Reverend [Surname], or Rabbi [Surname] for a Catholic, Protestant, or Jewish pastor, respectively. If the spouse is also invited, you would address the inner envelope to Reverend [Surname] and Mrs. [Surname].

If the reverend holds a doctorate, you can write "Reverend Dr. [Surname] and Mrs. [Surname]". If the reverend's wife also has a title, such as "Dr.", you would write "Reverend John and Dr. Jane".

If the reverend and his wife are both referred to as "Reverend", the appropriate way to address them is "The Reverends Mary and John Smith". The wife's name always comes first.

For a more casual feel, you can simply write "Reverend John and Jane" on the inner envelope.

Address

Start with "The Reverend and Mrs./Mr." if the reverend is married, followed by the reverend's first and last name. For example, "The Reverend and Mrs. John Smith." If the reverend holds another title, such as a doctorate, include that as well: "The Reverend Dr. and Mrs. John Smith." If the reverend's spouse also holds a title, such as "Doctor," the proper form would be: "The Reverend and Dr. John Smith."

If the reverend's wife does not share the same last name, write: "The Reverend John Smith and Ms. Jane Doe." If the reverend's spouse is also a reverend, address them as: "The Reverends Mary and John Smith." The wife's name always comes first.

Inner and Outer Envelopes:

Wedding invitations typically have two envelopes: an outer and an inner envelope. The outer envelope includes all the postal information and the officiant's full name and title. The inner envelope includes the names of all invited guests in the family, such as the officiant's children. For the outer envelope, use the full title and name: "The Reverend John Smith and Mrs. Jane Smith." For the inner envelope, you can drop the first names: "Reverend Smith and Mrs. Smith."

Mailing Address:

Include the name of the reverend's church on the next line and the church's mailing address on the following line. For example: "The Reverend and Mrs. John Smith, Ascension Baptist Church, 100 Oak St., Anywhere, FL, 33256."

Informal Addressing:

For a more casual approach, you can simply write "Reverend John and Jane" on the inner envelope. This is appropriate if you have a close relationship with the reverend and their spouse.

Other Tips:

• Always use the complete, formal name of your guest.
• Write out the full spelling of titles and names, avoiding abbreviations.
• Send the invitation to the reverend's home address, not the church address, unless specified.

Frequently asked questions