Addressing And Mailing Wedding Invites: A Step-By-Step Guide

Wedding invitations are a chance to make your guests feel welcome and respected. While the world of wedding invitation etiquette can be a slippery slope, it's not too complicated. Here's a guide to help you address your wedding invitations without a hitch.

How to address a wedding invitation to a married couple with the same last name

When addressing a wedding invitation to a married couple with the same last name, there are a few conventions to follow. Firstly, the outer envelope should be formal and include the recipient's full name and their personal title. For a heterosexual couple, use "Mr." and "Mrs." and spell out the husband's first and last name. For example:

> "Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Warren"

For a same-sex couple, either name can go first, ensuring you indicate the appropriate prefix:

> "Mrs. Shyan Walton and Mrs. Kiara Walton"

If the couple is sensitive to the tradition of the wife's name being left out, you can address them as follows:

> "Mr. Thomas Warren and Mrs. Michelle Warren"

The inner envelope is more informal, and you can leave out elements of the formal name format. For example:

> "Mr. and Mrs. Warren" or "Thomas and Michelle"

How to address a wedding invitation to a married couple with different last names

When addressing a wedding invitation to a married couple with different last names, there are a few things to keep in mind. The outer envelope is more formal, and you should include the recipient's full name(s) and their personal title(s). If the couple has different last names, list their names on the same line, with the woman's name first. If their combined names are too long to fit on one line, list them separately. Here is an example:

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

The inner envelope is more informal, and you have the option to leave out certain elements of the formal name format. You can use last names only or first names only, depending on your preference. Here is an example:

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

If you are inviting a same-sex couple with different last names, the same format applies. Ensure that you use the appropriate prefixes for each person. Here is an example:

Outer envelope: "Mr. Daniel Ramsay and Mr. Jeric Combs"

Inner envelope: "Mr. Ramsay and Mr. Combs" or "Daniel and Jeric"

It is also important to consider the preferences of the couple when addressing the invitation. For example, some modern women may prefer to have their full name included instead of having their name left out and lumped in with their husband's. In this case, you can address the outer envelope as follows:

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

How to address a wedding invitation to a single person

When addressing a wedding invitation to a single person, it's important to use their preferred title and full name. Here are some examples to illustrate this:

For a Single Female Guest:

On the outer envelope: "Ms." (if she is over 18) or "Miss" (if she is under 18) followed by her full name, such as "Ms. Stephanie Chen" or "Miss Stephanie Chen".

On the inner envelope: You can use their title and last name, such as "Ms. Chen", or just their first name, "Stephanie".

For a Single Male Guest:

Use "Mr." if he is over 18, followed by his full name, like "Mr. James Montgomery". If he is under 18, no title is needed, simply use their full name.

On the inner envelope: You can use "Mr." and their last name, like "Mr. Montgomery", or just their first name, "James".

For a Non-Binary Guest:

Use the abbreviation "Mx." followed by their full name, for example, "Mx. Sam Li".

On the inner envelope: Write their first name and "Guest", like "Sam Li and Guest".

For a Widowed Woman:

It is recommended to ask for her preference. Often, a widowed woman is addressed using her married name, such as "Mrs. Sadie Schwartz".

For a Divorced Woman:

You can use either "Mrs." or "Ms." depending on whether she uses her maiden name or married name. For instance, "Mrs. Kristina Vasquez" or "Ms. Kristina Torres".

How to address a wedding invitation to a family

When addressing a wedding invitation to a family, there are a few things to keep in mind. Firstly, it is important to use the correct titles and full names of the family members, especially on the outer envelope. The outer envelope is typically more formal, while the inner envelope can be more casual.

If the family includes a married couple, the traditional way to address them is to use "Mr. and Mrs." followed by the husband's full name. However, this can be seen as outdated, and it is also acceptable to list the wife's name first or to use both first names. For same-sex married couples, simply use the appropriate titles and names accordingly.

If the couple is unmarried, the person who you are closest to should be listed first, followed by their partner's name on a separate line.

When inviting children under the age of 18, their names are typically listed on the inner envelope, in order of age, with "Miss" for girls and no title for boys under 16. Children over the age of 18 should receive their own invitation, with their full formal name on the outer envelope and "Mr." or "Ms." on the inner envelope.

If you do not wish to invite children to the wedding, simply omit their names from the invitation. However, it is a good idea to mention this on your wedding website to avoid any confusion.

Outer envelope: "Mr. and Mrs. Michael Abraham"

Inner envelope: "Mr. and Mrs. Michael Abraham, Daniel, Jeffrey, Miss Brittany, and Mx. Kelly"

Remember to use proper etiquette and avoid abbreviations when addressing the envelopes. Give yourself plenty of time to assemble and mail the invitations, and consider using digital calligraphy or hiring a local calligrapher if you want a handwritten touch.

How to address a wedding invitation to an unmarried couple

When addressing a wedding invitation to an unmarried couple, there are a few things to keep in mind. Firstly, it's important to use the correct titles or prefixes for each person. For a woman, use "Ms." or “Miss” if she is under 18. For a man, use "Mr." unless he is under 18, in which case no title is needed. If your guest identifies as non-binary, use the abbreviation "Mx.".

Secondly, if the unmarried couple lives together, their full names should be included on the same line, with each name getting its own line if they have different last names. List the person you are closest to first, or go in alphabetical order if you are equally close to both. Here is an example:

Outer envelope: "Ms. Alysson Schulz and Mr. Ricardo Gonzales"

Inner envelope: "Ms. Schulz and Mr. Gonzales" or "Alysson and Ricardo"

If the unmarried couple does not live together, they should receive separate invitations.

Frequently asked questions