Addressing Wedding Invites To The President: Proper Etiquette

It has become a trend for couples to send wedding invitations to celebrities and world leaders, such as the President, in the hopes of receiving a congratulatory message or keepsake in return. While the President likely won't attend your wedding, sending an invitation can be a fun way to potentially receive a memorable response to add to your wedding scrapbook. Here's a guide on how to address a wedding invitation to the President.

The President's address: 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Washington, DC

If you're looking to invite the President of the United States to your wedding, you'll want to send your invitation to the White House, which is located at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Washington, DC. This is the official residence and principal workplace of the President.

When addressing your wedding invitation to the President, the recommended format is as follows:

> The Honorable [President's Name] & Mrs. [First Lady's Name]

> The White House Greetings Office, Room 39

> 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW

> Washington, DC 20502

Using "The Honorable" as a prefix is the proper way to address the President. The specific address, "The White House Greetings Office, Room 39," ensures your invitation reaches the appropriate office within the White House complex.

It's worth noting that the zip code for the White House may be listed as either 20500 or 20502. Both are acceptable, and your invitation will reach the intended recipient.

While the President likely won't be able to attend your wedding, sending an invitation to this address will usually result in a response. You can expect to receive a pre-printed card with a stamped signature from the President and First Lady, which you can add to your wedding scrapbook as a memento. This has been a tradition for many years, with former President Barack Obama being a particularly popular recipient of wedding invitations during his presidency.

Include the First Lady

If you're sending a wedding invitation to the President of the United States, you'll want to include the First Lady, too. The correct way to address the envelope is as follows:

> The Honorable [President] & Mrs. [First Lady]

> The White House

> Greetings Office, Room 39

> 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW

> Washington, DC 20502

This format includes the First Lady and is the proper way to address a wedding invitation to the President of the United States.

While the current President and First Lady will likely not attend your wedding, they often send a reply that you can keep as a memento. You will likely receive a pre-printed card with the signatures of the President and First Lady, or a nice card with well wishes and their stamped signatures. These replies make wonderful keepsakes and can be added to your wedding scrapbook.

If you are inviting former President Barack Obama and former First Lady Michelle Obama, you can request a greeting by filling out a form. Their office still sends replies to people celebrating big life moments, such as weddings, births, and graduations.

Including the First Lady in your invitation is a great way to show respect for the office and to acknowledge the important role that the First Lady plays in the White House. While it is unlikely that they will be able to attend, sending an invitation is a fun way to potentially receive a memorable reply.

Send invites 6-8 weeks in advance

It's important to give your guests enough notice to allow them to plan and prepare for your wedding. The general rule of wedding etiquette is to send out your invitations around six to eight weeks before your wedding date. This gives your guests plenty of time to reply, make travel arrangements, and purchase gifts.

If you're inviting guests from abroad, or if you're planning a destination wedding, it's a good idea to add a few weeks to this timeline. Aim to send your invites around 12 weeks in advance. This will give your international guests sufficient time to arrange travel and accommodations.

If you have any last-minute changes or additional guests, it's a good idea to order extra invitations. Consider ordering 5-10 extra invitations to account for any unforeseen circumstances.

When addressing your wedding invitations, use proper titles and include all relevant information. For the President of the United States of America, the correct address is:

> The Honorable [President] & Mrs. [First Lady]

> The White House Greetings Office, Room 39

> 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW

> Washington, DC 20502

Please note that processing times for a presidential greeting request can take up to eight weeks, and there is no guarantee of receipt.

You may receive a pre-printed card with signatures

If you have extra wedding invitations, you may want to send one to the President of the United States. You can expect to receive a pre-printed card with signatures from the President and First Lady. During the Obama administration, the correspondence office received over 10,000 letters daily, many of which were wedding invitations. The Obamas sent a lovely message to couples, which read:

> "Congratulations on your wedding. We hope that your marriage is blessed with love, laughter, and happiness and that your bond grows stronger with each passing year. This occasion marks the beginning of a lifelong partnership, and as you embark on this journey, know you have our very best for the many joys and adventures that lie ahead."

Even though the Obamas are no longer in office, they still send replies to people celebrating big life moments, such as weddings, births, and graduations. If you would like a message from them, you can submit your information online and wait to receive a printed, signed card.

To invite the current President and First Lady to your wedding, use the following address:

> The President & First Lady

> The White House Greetings Office, Room 39

> 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW

> Washington, DC 20502

The processing time for a presidential greeting request can take up to eight weeks, and there is no guarantee of receipt. However, it can be a fun way to receive a memorable keepsake for your wedding scrapbook.

No guarantee of a response

It is important to note that there is no guarantee that you will receive a response when sending a wedding invitation to the President of the United States. While it is a fun trend to send invitations to celebrities and world leaders, such as the President, there is always the possibility that you may not get anything back.

The White House receives a high volume of mail on a daily basis, and while they try to accommodate as many wedding invitation requests as possible, there is no assurance that your invitation will be seen or responded to. The Greetings Office at the White House, which handles wedding invitation requests, typically takes up to eight weeks to process these requests.

Additionally, it is worth mentioning that the likelihood of the President attending your wedding is extremely slim. Sending an invitation to the President is more about the anticipation of receiving a response and the possibility of adding a unique memento to your wedding scrapbook. Many couples find it exciting to include the President on their guest list, even if it is just for fun.

If you do decide to send an invitation to the President, it is recommended to send it at least six weeks in advance of your wedding. You should also include your old and new mailing addresses in case the RSVP comes later. The correct address to send a wedding invitation to the White House is:

> The President & First Lady

> The White House Greetings Office, Room 39

> 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW

> Washington, DC 20500/20502

While there is no guarantee of a response, some couples have reported receiving a pre-printed card with the signatures of the President and First Lady, a nice card with well wishes and a stamped signature, or even a signed plaque. So, if you have some extra invitations and are feeling adventurous, go ahead and send one to the President! Just remember to manage your expectations and not get too disappointed if a response doesn't arrive.

Frequently asked questions