Deborah Chan
When it comes to addressing children on wedding invitations, there are a few considerations to keep in mind. Firstly, it is important to distinguish between children under 18 and adults. Children under 18 are typically listed on the inner envelope but not the outer one. For girls under 18, you have the option to use Miss, while boys don't need a title until they turn 16, after which they can be addressed as Mr.. On the other hand, adult children aged 18 and above should receive their own invitations, unless they live at home with their parents. In this case, you can follow the family format and include their names on the inner envelope. It is worth noting that if you don't include the names of children on the invitation, it could be interpreted as them not being invited. However, some guests may still assume their children are welcome, so it is advisable to spread the word that the wedding will be adults-only through your wedding website or by word of mouth.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Outer envelope format for families with children under 18 | "Mr. and Mrs. [Parent Names]" or "[Parent Names] and Family" |
| Inner envelope format for families with children under 18 | Include children's names, e.g., "Mr. and Mrs. [Parent Names] [Children Names]" |
| Outer envelope format for families with children over 18 | Send individual invitations to parents and children over 18, or send one invitation addressing the whole family |
| Inner envelope format for families with children over 18 | N/A |
What You'll Learn
Children's names on inner envelope only
When inviting a family with children, it is customary to list the parents' names on the outer envelope and the children's names on the inner envelope. This is true for both formal and informal wedding invitations.
For girls under 18, you can use "Miss" as an honorific, but it is not necessary for boys under 16 to have a title. If you do not include the names of each child, it may be interpreted as children not being invited to the wedding. However, it is important to note that some guests may still assume their children are welcome if you only list the parents' names. To avoid confusion, it is recommended to ask your immediate family and wedding party to help spread the word that the event is adults-only and to include this information on your wedding website.
Outer envelope: Mr. and Mrs. John Smith
Inner envelope: Mr. and Mrs. Smith Peter, Paul, and Mary
If you are inviting a family with children over 18, it is recommended that each family member receives their own invitation. However, if they live at the same address as their parents, you can include them in the family format. In this case, you don't need to use honorifics, but you can if you prefer.
Outer envelope: Mr. and Mrs. John Smith
Inner envelope: Mr. and Mrs. Smith Peter, Paul, and Miss Mary Smith
It is important to note that the level of formality of your wedding invitation should match the style of your wedding. For example, a black-tie affair calls for a more traditional and elegant addressing style, while a country wedding may be more casual and relaxed.
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Adult children get their own invites
When it comes to wedding invitation etiquette, it's important to get it right for all your guests, including adult children. Here are some detailed instructions for addressing invitations to families with adult children, ensuring they get their own invites.
Formal Addressing:
If you are inviting a family with adult children (aged 18 or over), each person should receive their own invitation. It is not necessary to use titles, but you can if you wish. Just be sure to use the correct identifiers.
Example:
On the outer envelope: Ms. Audrey Abraham
On the inner envelope: Ms. Abraham
Informal Addressing:
If you are having a more casual wedding, you can still follow the same format as above but omit the titles.
Example:
On the outer envelope: Audrey Abraham
On the inner envelope: Audrey Abraham
Other Tips:
- If the adult children are living at home with their parents, you can follow the family format.
- If you are inviting a family with some children under 18 and some over 18, you can send separate invitations to the parents and younger children, and another to the adult children.
- If you are unsure about the correct title or name to use, it is best to ask the guest. It shows you care, and they will appreciate your thoughtfulness.
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Avoid 'and family'
If you're looking to invite Avoid and his family to your wedding, there are a few ways to address the wedding invitation depending on the formality of your wedding.
Formal Addressing
If you're going for a formal and traditional invitation style, the outer envelope should be reserved for the names of the parents or guardians. You can use "Mr." and "Mrs." followed by the father's first and last name, or you can include both parents' names if they have different last names. Here's how to address the outer envelope:
- Mr. and Mrs. Avoid Smith
- Mr. John Smith and Mrs. Emily Smith
On the inner envelope, you can list each child's name along with their respective titles. Boys over the age of 16 can be addressed as "Mr.", while girls under the age of 18 can be addressed as "Miss". Here's an example of how to address the inner envelope:
Mr. and Mrs. Smith Avoid, Miss Alice Smith, Mr. Bob Smith
If you want to include the entire family on the outer envelope, you can use the following format:
Mr. and Mrs. Avoid Smith and Family
Informal Addressing
If you're having a more casual or informal wedding, you can be more relaxed with the addressing style. You can use first names and last names without titles on both the outer and inner envelopes. Here's an example:
- Outer envelope: Avoid and Emily Smith
- Inner envelope: Avoid, Emily, Alice, Bob
Alternatively, you can use a combination of first names and last names with titles on the outer envelope, and then switch to a more informal style on the inner envelope. Here's an example:
- Outer envelope: Mr. Avoid Smith and Mrs. Emily Smith
- Inner envelope: Avoid, Emily, Alice, Bob
Other Considerations
If you're inviting a large family and the names might not fit on the envelope, you can simply write:
The Smith Family
Additionally, if any of the children are 18 or older, it's recommended that they receive their own individual invitations.
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Addressing unmarried couples
When addressing an invitation to an unmarried couple, there are a few things to keep in mind. Firstly, if the couple lives together, their names should be included on the same line, with the person you are closest to, or the person you know the best, listed first. If you know both of them equally well, you can go in alphabetical order. Here is an example:
> Mr. Stanley Kim and Ms. Amanda Rhee
If the unmarried couple does not live together, each person should receive a separate invitation. In this case, you would list their names alphabetically by last name on separate lines:
> Mr. Ross Geller
> Ms. Rachel Green
You can also list their names on the same line, with the person you are closest to, or know the best, listed first. If you are equally close to both, go alphabetical:
> Ms. Rachel Green and Mr. Ross Geller
When addressing the inner envelope, you can use courtesy titles and last names or just their first names if you are close with the couple:
> Ms. Green and Mr. Geller or Rachel and Ross
If you are having a casual wedding, such as a backyard barbecue or brunch in the park, you can afford to be less formal in your addressing. You can leave out titles or just use first names. However, for more formal weddings, it is better to err on the side of formality.
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Formal vs informal
When it comes to addressing children on wedding invitations, the traditional approach is to differentiate between formal and informal styles, especially when it comes to inner and outer envelopes. Here are some guidelines for a formal versus informal approach:
Formal Addressing:
The formal style is typically used for the outer envelope and is considered more elegant and traditional. Here are some tips for addressing children in a formal manner:
- For families with children under 18, list only the parents' names on the outer envelope. The children's names can be included on the inner envelope.
- When addressing girls under 18, you can use "Miss" as an honorific. Boys do not need a title until they are 16, when they can be addressed as "Mr.".
- For families with children over 18, it is recommended to send separate invitations to the parents and each adult child.
- In a formal invitation, use full names (no nicknames) and spell out all words, such as "Street" or "Avenue".
- Abbreviate titles like "Mr.", "Mrs.", "Ms.", and "Jr.".
- Write out professional titles, such as "Doctor" or "Professor".
Example:
Outer envelope: Mr. and Mrs. Michael Abraham
Inner envelope: Mr. and Mrs. Michael Abraham, Daniel, Jeffrey, Miss Brittany, and Mx. Kelly
Informal Addressing:
The informal style is often used for the inner envelope or for more casual weddings. Here are some tips for addressing children informally:
- You can use first names only or include both the first and last names of children.
- If you want to include all family members on one line, you can use "and Family" after the parents' names.
- For a very informal wedding, you might choose to use only first names for all guests, regardless of age.
Example:
Outer envelope: Mr. and Mrs. Michael Abraham
Inner envelope: Michael, Sarah, Daniel, Jeffrey, Brittany, and Kelly
Combining Formal and Informal Elements:
It is also possible to combine formal and informal elements, especially when using only one envelope. Here are some tips for this approach:
- Include the names of all invited family members, including children, on the outer envelope.
- Use a combination of titles and first names or last names, depending on your preference and the level of formality you wish to convey.
Example:
Outer envelope: Mr. and Mrs. Michael Abraham, Daniel, Jeffrey, Brittany, and Kelly
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Frequently asked questions
For a formal invitation, the outer envelope should include the parents' names, and the inner envelope should list the parents' and children's names. For girls under 18, you can use "Miss". Boys don't need a title until they're 16, when they can be addressed as "Mr.". For a more informal invitation, you can simply address the family using their first names.
It's a good idea to include each child's name on the inner envelope as this makes them feel especially invited. However, if you don't include their names, it implies that children are not invited.
Children over 18 should receive their own invitations. If they still live at home with their parents, you can include them in the family format as outlined above.
If you're only using outer envelopes, list all invited parties on the front. If you're short on space, you can use "and Family" or the family name (e.g. "The Abraham Family").
