Addressing Wedding Invites: Include Apartment Number, Avoid Confusion

Addressing wedding invitations can be a tedious task, but it's important to get it right to avoid offending your guests. One of the key considerations is whether to use formal or informal addressing styles. For a formal wedding, traditional rules of etiquette should be followed, such as using full names and titles, spelling out street names and apartment numbers, and writing out state names in full. For informal weddings, it's acceptable to use first names only and a more casual tone. When addressing a couple with the same last name, the outer envelope can be addressed to Mr. and Mrs. [husband's full name]. If the couple has different last names, their names should be written on the same line, with the woman's name first. For unmarried couples living together, the outer envelope can be addressed to Ms. [woman's full name] and Mr. [man's full name].

Spell out 'apartment' in full

When addressing wedding invitations, it's important to consider the formality of your wedding event. The level of formality will influence the style of addressing you choose. For a formal wedding invitation, it is customary to write out all words in the address, including "Apartment" in full. Here are some tips and examples to help you address wedding invitations with apartment numbers, while maintaining a formal tone:

• Use full, given names instead of nicknames. For example, "Ms. Samantha Anderson" or "Mr. Robert Johnson."
• Include relevant titles and honours, such as "Dr." or "PhD." For instance, "Dr. and Mrs. Jared Cooper."
• Write out all address components in full, including "Apartment," "Avenue," "Street," etc. An example would be "Ms. Emily Parker, 42 Elm Street, Apartment 302, New York, New York 10010."
• Abbreviate titles such as "Mr.," "Mrs.," "Ms.," and "Jr." while writing out the full name of the state. For instance, "Mr. Ethan Miller, 155 Pine Avenue, Apartment 5B, Los Angeles, California 90032."
• For unmarried couples living at the same address, include both names on one line. You can list the person you are closest to first. An example is "Ms. Sara Miller and Mr. Daniel Jones, 212 Maple Street, Apartment 210, Chicago, Illinois 60601."
• If you are inviting a family with children, mention the family name or the parents' names on the outer envelope and include the children's names on the inner envelope. For instance, "Outer envelope: Mr. and Mrs. Michael Brown, 123 Oak Avenue, Apartment 401, Houston, Texas 77002. Inner envelope: Mr. and Mrs. Brown, Emma, Ethan, and Ella."

Include the apartment number

When addressing a wedding invitation, it is important to include the apartment number to ensure the invitation reaches the correct recipient and doesn't get lost in the post. Here are some tips and examples to help you with this task:

Format and Style:

The apartment number should be written out in full, along with the word "apartment". For example, "Apartment 3B" or "Apartment 101". This adds a touch of elegance and formality to the invitation. Abbreviations like "Apt." or "#" should be avoided.

Line Breaks and Spacing:

When writing out the address, consider the overall layout and spacing. If the street address is short, you can write it on the same line as the apartment number, followed by the city and state on the next line. For example:

> Ms. Samantha Anderson

> 56 North Ridge Drive, Apartment 3B

> Hartinger, California 28495

However, if the street address is longer, you may need to use line breaks for clarity:

> Ms. Samantha Anderson

> 56 North Ridge Drive,

> Apartment 3B

> Hartinger, California 28495

Formal vs Informal:

The level of formality of your wedding can guide your decision on how to format the address. For a glamorous black-tie affair, a more traditional and elegant addressing style is recommended. This includes using full names, titles, and spelling out words like "Apartment".

For a more laid-back or casual wedding, you have more flexibility. You can choose to use first names only or a combination of first and last names without titles. For example:

> Sam Anderson

> 56 North Ridge Drive, Apt. 3B

> Hartinger, CA 28495

Inner and Outer Envelopes:

Traditionally, wedding invitations included an outer envelope for mailing and an inner envelope to keep the invitation clean and neat. The outer envelope is more formal, while the inner envelope is more casual and may include only first names. If you choose to include both envelopes, the apartment number should be included on the outer envelope to ensure accurate delivery.

Proofreading and Double-Checking:

Before sending out the invitations, take the time to proofread and double-check all the addresses. This is especially important when including apartment numbers to avoid any mix-ups. Check that the apartment number corresponds correctly with the recipient's name and address.

In conclusion, including the apartment number in your wedding invitations is an important detail that ensures your invitations reach the right people. By following the tips above, you can create elegant and accurate invitations that set the tone for your special day.

Write out the street name

When addressing a wedding invitation, it is important to spell out all words in the address, including the street name. This means writing out “Street”, “Avenue”, “Boulevard”, “Court”, “Drive”, “Junction”, “Lane”, “Road”, “Square”, “Trail”, and “Valley” in full. For example, “Sixty-Seventh Street” instead of "67th St.".

The same rule applies to city and state names. Instead of using abbreviations, write out the full name of the city and state, such as “Saint Paul, Minnesota” or “Washington, District of Columbia”. This rule also applies to secondary address details such as “unit” and “apartment”. For instance, "Apartment 3B" would be written as "Apartment Three-B".

It is also important to note that house numbers below twenty should be spelled out. For example, "Fourteen Pine Road" instead of "14 Pine Rd.". By following these guidelines, you can ensure that your wedding invitations are both formal and respectful.

Abbreviate titles like 'Mr.' and 'Mrs.'

Abbreviations like "Mr." and "Mrs." are used as titles or honorifics before a person's name to show respect. They are pronounced the same as their longer forms, "mister" and "missus" or "missis".

"Mr." is used before the names of men and boys, regardless of their marital status. The abbreviation has been used since the 1500s as a shortening of "master", a title used for men of high authority.

"Mrs." is typically used before the names of married women. It also dates back to the 1500s as a shortened version of "mistress", a title for women of high rank or female heads of households.

When addressing a married couple, there are a few options. One is to use "Mr. and Mrs." followed by the man's full name. Alternatively, you can write out each person's first name: "Mr. Samuel and Mrs. Eliza Johnson". If you prefer, the woman's name can come first. If the couple has different last names, write out each full name with "Mr." or "Mrs.", whichever is applicable.

When addressing a married couple with different professional titles, such as doctor or lawyer, the person with the professional title is listed first, followed by their spouse. For example, "Dr. Anne Barker and Mr. Peter Underwood". If the doctor uses their partner's surname socially, this can be written as "Dr. Anne and Mr. Peter Underwood". If both parties are doctors, this can be written as "Doctors Anne and Peter Underwood".

When addressing a married couple and their children (under 18), use the rules above for the first line. On the second line, list the children's first names in order of age. Boys under the age of 13 are addressed as "Master", while girls under 18 can be addressed as "Miss".

It is important to note that the use of "Mr." and "Mrs." has evolved over time, and some people may prefer more modern or gender-neutral alternatives. It is always best to ask a person how they would like to be addressed and respect their preferred pronouns.

Write out the state name

When addressing wedding invitations, it is important to follow the correct etiquette to ensure your envelopes are properly delivered and to avoid annoying your guests.

The general rule is that you should write out the full state name on the envelope. For example, "Saint Paul, Minnesota" or "Washington, District of Columbia". Abbreviating the state name is considered informal and not in keeping with traditional wedding invitation etiquette. Martha Stewart, the etiquette expert, advises that you should always write out the full state name.

However, there is a loophole to this rule. If you are incorporating a modern design with large typography, geometric or patterned designs, or a unique shape, then abbreviating the state name may be appropriate. This exception also applies to very informal weddings.

Some people prefer the look of a written-out state name, while others find it silly or unnecessary, especially if the state name is long. Ultimately, the choice is yours, but keeping it formal and traditional is usually the best option for wedding invitations.

Remember, the most important thing is to ensure the zip code is correct and readable, as this is what the postal service primarily uses to sort mail.

Frequently asked questions