Franklin Dean
Wedding invitations can be a tricky business. There are a lot of people to invite and a lot of envelopes to fill out. And, of course, you want to make sure you're being respectful and not offensive. So, how do you address all-in-one wedding invitations?
First, it's important to know that wedding invitations can include both an inner and outer envelope. The outer envelope is what is stamped and addressed, while the inner envelope only has the names of the invitees and contains the invitation inside. You don't need to include an inner envelope, but it can be useful if you want to clarify who else is invited, such as plus ones or children.
When addressing the outer envelope, it's essential to use the correct titles and full names. For a married couple with the same last name, you can use Mr. and Mrs. followed by the man's full name or write out each person's first name. For a married couple with different last names, write out each full name with Mr. or Mrs. The same rules apply for same-sex couples, making sure to use the appropriate prefixes.
If you're inviting a single person, use Mr. for men, Ms. for women, and Mx. for non-binary individuals. For widowed or divorced women, it's best to ask their preference for how they would like to be addressed.
When inviting a family, you can address the outer envelope to The [Last Name] Family or list the names of the parents. If you want to specify which family members are invited, list their names in order of age below the parents' names.
These are just the basics of addressing all-in-one wedding invitations. There are also more specific scenarios to consider, such as inviting doctors, military personnel, or judges. But don't stress too much about it! The most important thing is to be respectful and clear in your invitations.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Outer envelope | Formal, includes mailing address, postage, and return address |
| Inner envelope | More informal, includes only the recipients' names and the invitation suite |
| Married couple, same last name | Mr. and Mrs. [husband's first name] [last name] or Mr. [husband's first name] and Mrs. [wife's first name] [last name] |
| Married couple, different last names | Mr. [husband's first name] [last name] and Mrs. [wife's first name] [last name] or Mrs. [wife's first name] [last name] and Mr. [husband's first name] [last name] |
| Married couple, one hyphenated last name | Mr. [first name] [last name] and Mr. [first name] [hyphenated last name] |
| Unmarried couple | Mr. [first name] [last name] and Ms. [first name] [last name] |
| Single person | Mr./Ms./Mx. [first name] [last name] |
| Single person with a plus-one | Mr./Ms./Mx. [first name] [last name] and guest |
| Married couple, one is a doctor | The Doctors [last name] or Dr. [first name] [last name] and Mr./Ms. [first name] [last name] |
| Married couple, both are doctors | The Doctors [last name] or Drs. [first name] [last name] |
| Couple with distinguished titles | List titles and names, with the person holding the higher title first |
| Family | The [family name] or list each family member's name individually |
What You'll Learn
Addressing a married couple with the same last name
When addressing a married couple with the same last name on a wedding invitation, there are a few etiquette rules 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, followed by the wife's name. For example:
> "Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Warren"
For a same-sex couple, either name can go first. If the couple prefers a more modern approach, you can forgo the titles and list their names separately:
> "Mr. Thomas Warren and Mrs. Michelle Warren"
The inner envelope is more informal, so you have the option to leave out certain elements of the formal name format. For example:
> "Mr. and Mrs. Warren" or "Thomas and Michelle"
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Addressing a married couple with different last names
When addressing a married couple with different last names, the outer envelope should include both of their names on the same line, with the woman's name listed first. If their combined names are too long to fit on one line, list them separately. Here is an example:
> "Ms. Maria Stevens and Mr. David Estevez"
For the inner envelope, you can use their names and last names or just their first names, depending on your preference and relationship with the couple. Here are some examples:
> "Ms. Stevens and Mr. Estevez" or "Maria and David"
If you are only using one envelope, include both guests' names, either on the same line or 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. Here is an example:
> "Ms. Celine Elgin and Ms. Jacqueline Purcell" or
> "Celine Elgin and Jacqueline Purcell"
It is also acceptable to forgo titles and use only first and last names, especially if you feel that personal titles may be restrictive or exclusive for your guest list. In this case, ensure that you double-check each attendee's preferred personal title.
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Addressing a married couple with one hyphenated last name
When addressing a wedding invitation to a married couple with one hyphenated last name, there are a few options to consider. The outer envelope is more formal and typically includes the full name(s) of the recipient(s). In this case, the husband's name is typically written first, followed by the wife's hyphenated name. An example of this format is:
"Mr. Michael Jones and Ms. Mary Smith-Jones"
Alternatively, you could use "Mr." and "Mrs." with the husband's full name and the wife's first name, followed by her hyphenated last name:
"Mr. and Mrs. Michael Jones"
If you are using inner envelopes, you have more flexibility. You can use titles and last names or first names only, depending on how well you know the couple. For a married couple with one hyphenated last name, the inner envelope could be addressed as follows:
"Mr. Jones and Ms. Smith-Jones" or "Michael and Mary"
It is important to note that the use of "Mrs." with a hyphenated name is not technically correct, so it is best to use "Ms." unless you know the wife's preference.
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Addressing an unmarried couple
When addressing wedding invitations to unmarried couples, there are a few things to keep in mind. Firstly, it is important to include both names of the couple on the invitation, even if you are closer to one person than the other. This is because established couples are considered a social unit, and it would be impolite to refer to one half of the couple as a "plus one" or "and guest". If you are equally close to both people in the couple, you can list their names alphabetically.
Secondly, the format of the address depends on whether the couple lives together or separately. If they live together, their names should be written on the same line, with one name following the other, and connected with "and". For example, "Ms. Rachel Green and Mr. Ross Geller". If the couple has the same last name, you can also choose to list their names separately on two lines without the "and", for example:
Mr. Ross Geller
Ms. Rachel Green
If the unmarried couple does not live together, it is best to send a separate invitation to each person. However, if you are only sending one invitation, make sure to include the significant other's name on the inner envelope.
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Addressing a single person
When addressing a wedding invitation to a single person, the general rule is to use their full name and the appropriate honorific.
For a single female guest, use "Miss" if she is under 18 and "Ms." if she is over 18. The outer envelope should be addressed formally with their full name, while the inner envelope can use their first or last name.
For a single male guest, use the title "Mr." if he is over 18. If he is under 18, no title is necessary. The outer envelope should include their full name, while the inner envelope can use their first or last name.
If your guest identifies as non-binary, use the honorific "Mx." If you are unsure of their preferred honorific, it is best to ask.
If you have allowed a plus-one for a single guest, you can simply add "and guest" after their name on the inner envelope.
Single Female Guest:
Outer envelope: Ms. Elizabeth Lemon
Inner envelope: Ms. Lemon or Elizabeth
Single Female Guest Under 18:
Outer envelope: Miss Donna-Jo Tanner
Inner envelope: Miss Donna-Jo or Donna-Jo
Single Male Guest:
Outer envelope: Mr. George Costanza
Inner envelope: Mr. Costanza or George
Single Male Guest Under 18:
Outer envelope: George Costanza
Inner envelope: George
Non-Binary Guest:
Outer envelope: Mx. Courtney Andrews
Inner envelope: Mx. Andrews or Courtney
Single Guest with a Plus-One:
Outer envelope: Ms. Jessica Miller
Inner envelope: Ms. Miller and Guest
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Frequently asked questions
Traditionally, the man's full name is written out, with the titles "Mr. and Mrs." included. For a less traditional approach, you can include both first names individually. Same-sex couples follow the same format, with appropriate prefixes.
Write out each person's full name with "Mr." or "Mrs." The order of the names depends on your preference or whom you are closer to. Same-sex couples follow the same format, ensuring to address guests with suitable prefixes.
For male guests, use "Mr." followed by their full name. For female guests, use "Ms." followed by their full name. For non-binary guests, use the abbreviation "Mx." followed by their full name.
If you know the name of the plus one, include it on the envelope as you would for an unmarried couple. If you don't know their name, simply write "and guest" or "& Guest" after your guest's name.
