Addressing An Attorney: Wedding Invitation Etiquette

When addressing wedding invitations, it's important to use the correct titles and name order for guests with professional designations, such as attorneys. The traditional way to address an attorney on a wedding invitation is to use the title Esquire or Esq. after their name. For example, Michael Adams, Esq. This title is typically included on the outer envelope along with the full mailing address, while the inner envelope may simply refer to the guest as Mr. or Ms. and their last name. It is also acceptable to address an attorney as Mr. or Ms. and their full name on both envelopes, as you would for other guests. Ultimately, the choice of how to address an attorney on a wedding invitation depends on the level of formality desired and the couple's personal preference.

Use 'Esq.' after their name

When addressing a wedding invitation to an attorney, it is proper etiquette to use "Esq." after their name. This designation is typically used for individuals in the legal profession and is an abbreviation of the term "esquire".

The "Esq." title should appear on the outer envelope of the invitation, along with the attorney's full name and mailing address. For example, if you are inviting an attorney named Michael Adams, the outer envelope would be addressed to "Michael Adams, Esq.".

The inner envelope of the invitation, which is typically more informal, does not require the use of "Esq.". For the inner envelope, you can simply address the attorney by their name and chosen title, such as "Mr. Adams".

It is important to note that the use of "Esq." is not mandatory and you may choose to address the attorney as "Mr." or "Ms." if they do not hold any other distinguished title. Additionally, it is always a good idea to double-check with your invitee beforehand to ensure you are using their preferred title and form of address.

Include their full mailing address

When addressing a wedding invitation to an attorney, it is important to include their full mailing address on the outer envelope, along with their professional title and surname. Here are some examples to illustrate this:

For a Single Attorney:

Outer envelope: "Michelle Brown, Esq." followed by their full mailing address.

For a Married Couple, Both Attorneys:

Outer envelope: "Michelle Brown, Esq. and John Brown, Esq." followed by their full mailing address.

For a Married Couple, One Attorney:

If the attorney is the wife:

Outer envelope: "Michelle Brown, Esq. and Mr. John Brown" followed by their full mailing address.

If the attorney is the husband:

Outer envelope: "Mr. John Brown and Michelle Brown, Esq." followed by their full mailing address.

For an Unmarried Couple, One Attorney:

If the attorney is the woman:

Outer envelope: "Ms. Michelle Brown, Esq. and Mr. John Smith" followed by their full mailing address.

If the attorney is the man:

Outer envelope: "Mr. John Smith and Michelle Brown, Esq." followed by their full mailing address.

It is worth noting that the "Esq." title is not required on the inner envelope and can be omitted. Additionally, when addressing attorneys as a couple, the person with the professional title (in this case, the attorney) is typically listed first, regardless of gender.

Write 'Mr.' for men

When addressing a wedding invitation to a single male, the general rule is to use "Mr." followed by their surname if they are over 18 years old. If the male guest is under 18, no title is necessary. Here are some examples:

Outer envelope:

Mr. James Montgomery

Inner envelope:

Mr. Montgomery or James

If the male guest has been offered a plus one, the outer envelope remains the same. For the inner envelope, you can use the following format:

Inner envelope:

Mr. Montgomery and guest or James and guest

Additional Tips:

• It is recommended to use the person's full name, including their middle name if you know it.
• Avoid using initials or abbreviations for titles, streets, avenues, etc.
• Write out the full state name instead of using the abbreviation.
• For a more modern approach, you can choose to omit titles altogether and use only first and last names.
• Always double-check your guests' preferred titles, especially if they have distinguished titles or specific preferences.

Write 'Ms.' for women

When addressing a wedding invitation to a woman, it is important to use the correct title. "Ms." is the appropriate title for a woman over the age of 18. If she is younger than 18, "Miss" is the acceptable choice, and it should be written out rather than abbreviated as an initial.

Example 1: Single Woman Without a Plus-One

Outer envelope: Ms. Ali Johnson

Inner envelope: Ms. Johnson

Example 2: Single Woman With a Plus-One

Outer envelope: Ms. Stephanie Chen

Inner envelope: Ms. Chen and guest or Stephanie and guest

Example 3: Married Woman With the Same Last Name as Her Spouse

Outer envelope: Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Warren (for a heterosexual couple) or Mr. and Mr. Thomas Warren (for a same-sex couple)

Inner envelope: Mr. and Mrs. Warren or Thomas and Michelle

If the couple prefers that the wife's name is not left out, you can use the following format:

Outer envelope: Mr. Thomas Warren and Mrs. Michelle Warren

Inner envelope: Mr. Warren and Mrs. Warren or Thomas and Michelle

Example 4: Married Woman With a Different Last Name Than Her Spouse

Outer envelope: Ms. Maria Stevens and Mr. David Estevez

Inner envelope: Ms. Stevens and Mr. Estevez or Maria and David

Example 5: Unmarried Couple Living at the Same Address

Outer envelope: Mr. Stanley Kim and Ms. Amanda Rhee

Inner envelope: Mr. Kim and Ms. Rhee or Stanley and Amanda

When addressing a woman attorney on a wedding invitation, it is proper to use the title "Esq." after her name. For example: Michelle Brown, Esq.

Write 'Miss' for girls under 18

When addressing wedding invitations, it is important to follow certain etiquette to ensure your guests feel welcome on your big day. Here are some tips for addressing attorneys and their families on your wedding invitations:

Addressing Attorneys on Wedding Invitations:

If you are inviting an attorney to your wedding, it is proper etiquette to address them by their professional title. For attorneys, use the designation "Esq." after their name. For example, "Michelle Brown, Esq." on the outer envelope and "Mr. and Mrs. Brown" on the inner envelope for a married couple who are both attorneys.

Addressing Families with Children on Wedding Invitations:

When inviting a family with children, the outer envelope is reserved for the parent(s) or guardian(s) names. For girls under 18, you can use "Miss" as a courtesy title if you wish. Boys do not need a title until they turn 16, at which point they can be addressed as "Mr."

Outer envelope: "Mr. and Mrs. Alan Thompson" or "Mr. Alan Thompson and Mrs. Emily Thompson"

Inner envelope: "Alan, Emily, Roger, Chance, Miss Jennifer, and Miss Lily"

Note that if you do not include each child's name on the inner envelope, you are implying that children are not invited. However, some guests may still assume their children are welcome, so it is a good idea to spread the word through family and your wedding party that the wedding will be adults-only. You may also want to add this information to your wedding website.

Addressing Single Females on Wedding Invitations:

When addressing a single female on a wedding invitation, use "Ms." if she is over 18 and "Miss" if she is under 18. For example:

Outer envelope: "Miss Stephanie Chen" (if under 18)

Inner envelope: "Miss Chen" or "Stephanie"

If you are offering a plus-one to a single female guest, you do not need to indicate this on the outer envelope. Simply add "and guest" to the inner envelope, like this:

Outer envelope: "Miss Stephanie Chen"

Inner envelope: "Miss Chen and guest" or "Stephanie and guest"

Remember, when addressing wedding invitations, it is always best to use the person's preferred title. If you are unsure, it is safer to forgo a title altogether. These guidelines will help you navigate the intricacies of addressing attorneys and their families on your wedding invitations.

Frequently asked questions