Guide To Addressing Family On Wedding Invites

Wedding invitations are a tedious but important part of wedding planning. They inform guests about the when and where of the celebration and set the tone for the event. There are a few rules to follow when addressing wedding invitations to ensure they are both accurate and respectful. Firstly, it is important to decide on the formality of the wedding. A black-tie affair calls for a more traditional and elegant addressing style, while a laid-back country wedding may be more casual and relaxed. Next, consider whether you will be using single or double envelopes. Double envelopes are more traditional and formal, with the outer envelope being more formal and the inner envelope more casual. When addressing a family on a wedding invitation, it is important to include all family members' names if they are invited. If children are not invited, their names should be omitted. It is also important to use full names and appropriate titles when addressing the family.

Addressing a married couple with the same last name

When addressing a married couple with the same last name, the general rule is to use "Mr." and "Mrs." followed by the husband's full name. For example, "Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Warren". If you would like to address both partners equally, you can use both the husband's and wife's first and last names, for example, "Mr. Thomas Warren and Mrs. Linda Belcher".

For same-sex couples with the same last name, you can use "Mrs. and Mrs." or "Mr. and Mr." followed by their first names and shared last name. For example, "Mrs. Suzanne and Mrs. Deborah Jones" or "Mr. Robert and Mr. Peter Smith".

If you are using double envelopes (an outer envelope containing the mailing address and an inner envelope containing the invitation), you can be more casual with the inner envelope. For married couples with the same last name, you can use "Mr. and Mrs." followed by the last name only on the inner envelope, or you can use their first names, for example, "Thomas and Michelle".

It is important to note that some modern women may have a strong aversion to having their names left out and lumped in with their husbands. In this case, you can address the outer envelope by writing out both their full names, for example, "Mr. Thomas Warren and Mrs. Michelle Warren". The inner envelope can then be addressed as "Mr. Warren and Mrs. Warren" or use their first names.

When addressing a married couple, it is also important to be mindful of any titles or distinctions they may have. For example, if one partner is a doctor, you would list them first, regardless of gender. You can spell out "Doctor" or use the abbreviation "Dr.".

Addressing a married couple with different last names

When addressing a married couple with different last names, the outer envelope should include their full names, with "Mr." or "Mrs." and each of their names. The woman's name can come first, or you can order the names alphabetically. Here's an example:

> Mr. Frank Smith and Mrs. Grace Apple

If the couple has children under 18, their names can be included on the inner envelope, listed in order of age. If you are inviting children over 18, they should receive their own invitation.

If one of the married couple is a doctor, list the doctor first, regardless of gender. You can use either "Doctor" or "Dr." on the outer envelope, and just "Dr." on the inner envelope. For example:

> Outer envelope: "Doctor Michaela Quinn and Mr. Byron Sully"

> Inner envelope: "Dr. Quinn and Mr. Sully"

If both partners are doctors, you can address their invite with "The Doctors" on the outer envelope, and "Doctors" and their last name on the inner envelope. For example:

> Outer envelope: "The Doctors Smith"

> Inner envelope: "The Doctors Smith"

If the couple has different last names and one is a judge, list the judge's name first, using "The Honorable" on the outer envelope, and "Judge" on the inner envelope. For example:

> Outer envelope: "The Honorable Ruth Bader Ginsburg and Mr. Martin David Ginsburg"

> Inner envelope: "Judge Ginsburg and Mr. Ginsburg"

If one partner has a distinguished title, such as a member of the clergy, rabbi, or military personnel, the title comes first, regardless of gender. For example:

> Outer envelope: "Rabbi and Mrs. Richard Glass" or "The Honorable Senator Elizabeth Ann Warren and Mr. Bruce Mann"

> Inner envelope: "Rabbi and Mrs. Glass" or "Senator Warren and Mr. Mann"

For a more casual wedding, you can get away with addressing your envelopes less formally, such as leaving off titles or just using first names.

Addressing an unmarried couple at the same address

When addressing an unmarried couple living at the same address on a wedding invitation, there are a few things to keep in mind. Firstly, their names should be written on the same line, and you should avoid using the word "and" between their names. This is a secret cue that the couple is not married. Here is an example:

"Mr. Stanley Kim and Ms. Amanda Rhee"

If you are closer to one of them, list that person's name first. If you are equally close to both, go in alphabetical order by last name. For instance:

"Ms. Rachel Green and Mr. Ross Geller"

For the inner envelope, you can use courtesy titles and last names, or just first names if you are close with the couple:

"Ms. Green and Mr. Geller" or "Rachel and Ross"

When addressing the envelopes, be sure to use full names and avoid nicknames. It is also a good idea to double-check each attendee's preferred titles and pronouns before addressing the envelopes.

Addressing a family with children under 18

When addressing a family with children under 18 on a wedding invitation, there are a few things to keep in mind. Firstly, it is important to use the correct titles and full names, avoiding any abbreviations or nicknames. The outer envelope should be formal and include the titles and full names of the parents. If the parents have different last names, list the person you are closest with first, or arrange their names in alphabetical order. For the inner envelope, you can use just the first names of the parents and list the names of the children in order of age, with "Miss" for girls under 18 and no title for boys under 18. Here is an example:

Outer envelope: Mr. and Mrs. Michael Abraham

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

If you are not inviting the children, simply address the invitation to the parents without mentioning the children's names. However, be aware that some guests may still assume their children are welcome if they are not explicitly mentioned. To avoid confusion, you can add a message to your wedding website stating that the wedding will be adults-only.

Addressing a family with children over 18

When addressing a family with adult children, it's important to send a separate invitation to each adult child living away from their parents. For those living at home, you can follow the standard family format.

On the outer envelope, use the adult child's full name and honorific. On the inner envelope, use their honorific and last name.

If you're inviting a family with children over the age of 18 who live at home, you can address the invitation to the whole family. On the outer envelope, write the parents' names, followed by the names of any children under 18. Girls under 18 can be addressed as "Miss", while boys under 16 do not need a title. Boys aged 16 and over should be addressed as "Mr".

On the inner envelope, you can list the first names of all invited family members.

Outer envelope:

Mr. and Mrs. Homer Simpson

Mr. Bart Simpson

Miss Lisa Simpson

Inner envelope:

Mr. and Mrs. Simpson

Bart, Lisa, and Maggie

Alternatively, you can address the outer envelope to "The Simpson Family".

Frequently asked questions