Etiquette Guide: Addressing Indian Wedding Invites

Indian weddings are a grand affair, with near and dear ones, as well as distant relatives, invited to celebrate the special day. The wedding invitations themselves are an important part of Indian wedding culture, with innovative designs and careful wording. When addressing Indian wedding invitations, it is customary for the bride and groom to personally invite close friends and family members, especially the elderly, while guests who are not as close to the family receive paper invitations in the mail. Here are some tips for addressing Indian wedding invitations:

- The outer envelope should be formal, including titles and full names.

- Ladies' names are usually written first.

- Pet names are not appropriate for wedding invitations.

- For married women with a professional title, such as Dr., this should be included on the outer envelope.

- Children's names should be included on the inner envelope to imply that they are invited. Otherwise, it may be assumed that the wedding is adults-only.

- When inviting a married couple, their names are usually put on the same line, with the woman's name first.

Married couples with the same last name

When addressing Indian wedding invitations to married couples with the same last name, there are a few etiquette rules to follow. The outer envelope, which is more formal, should include titles and full names. For heterosexual couples, use "Mr." and "Mrs." and spell out the husband's full name, followed by the wife's first name. For example:

> "Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Warren"

If the couple is sensitive to the wife's name being left out, you can include her first name and last name, as shown below:

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

For same-sex couples, either name can go first.

The inner envelope is more informal, and you have the option to leave out certain elements of the formal name format. For example, you can address the couple as:

> "Mr. and Mrs. Warren"

Or

> "Thomas and Michelle"

If you are very close to the couple, you can use their first names only on the outer envelope, leaving out titles and last names. For example:

> "Thomas and Michelle"

However, it is important to note that pet names are not appropriate for wedding invitations.

Married couples with different last names

Indian wedding invitation etiquette differs slightly from other cultures. While the rules for sending Indian wedding invitations are generally the same as other cultures, there are a few different rules that must be followed.

When addressing a married couple with different last names, the outer envelope should include both names on the same line, with the woman's name listed first. If the combined names are too long to fit on one line, list them separately. It should look something like this:

"Ms. Maria Stevens and Mr. David Estevez"

If the wife has chosen to keep her maiden name both socially and professionally, the invitation should be addressed the same way you would address a couple living together but not married. The outer envelope should be formatted as follows:

"Ms. Adams and Mr. Sullivan"

For the inner envelope, you have more flexibility. You can go with a more informal approach and leave out one or two elements of the formal name format. For example:

"Ms. Stevens and Mr. Estevez" or "Maria and David"

If you are very close to the couple, you can use their first names only:

"Maria & David"

It's important to note that Indian wedding invitations should be sent six to eight weeks in advance to give guests enough time to plan. Be sure to include information about accommodations and other relevant details.

Unmarried couples

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 specifically. The outer envelope should include their full names with appropriate titles, whereas the inner envelope can be more informal, with just their first names.

If the unmarried couple lives together, both names should be included on one line, with the person you are closest to listed first. For example, "Mr. Stanley Kim and Ms. Amanda Rhee" on the outer envelope and "Mr. Kim and Ms. Rhee" or "Stanley and Amanda" on the inner envelope.

On the other hand, if the unmarried couple does not live together, it is ideal to send separate invitations to each person. However, if you choose to send only one invitation, address the outer envelope to the primary guest and include the partner's name on the inner envelope.

In all cases, avoid using nicknames or abbreviations, and always double-check the preferred titles and names of your guests.

Single invitees

When addressing wedding invitations to single invitees, there are a few things to keep in mind. Firstly, always use the invitee's full, formal name. For unmarried women, use "Miss" if she is under 18, and "Ms." if she is over 18. For single men, use "Mr." if he is over 18; otherwise, no title is necessary. For non-binary individuals, the honorific "Mx." is often used.

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

Inner envelope: "Ms. Chen" or "Miss Chen" or "Stephanie"

If a single female invitee has been offered a plus one, you can simply add "and guest" to the inner envelope:

Outer envelope: "Ms. Stephanie Chen"

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

For single male invitees, the format is similar:

Outer envelope: "Mr. James Montgomery"

Inner envelope: "Mr. Montgomery" or "James"

If a single male invitee has been offered a plus one, the "and guest" format can be added to the inner envelope:

Outer envelope: "Mr. James Montgomery"

Inner envelope: "Mr. Montgomery and guest" or "James and guest"

It is important to note that the "and guest" should be written in lowercase letters. Additionally, if you are addressing a divorced or widowed woman, you can use "Mrs." if she is using her married name, or "Ms." if she has returned to her maiden name. For divorced or widowed men, the same rules for single men apply.

Families with children

When addressing Indian wedding invitations to families with children, there are a few things to keep in mind. Here are some guidelines and examples to help you:

Outer Envelope:

The outer envelope should include the names of the parent(s) or guardian(s). You can use "Mr." and "Mrs." or "Smt." and "Shri." for parents' names. If the family has young children (under 18), their names can be listed on the inner envelope. However, if you don't include each child's name, it may be assumed that children are not invited.

Example:

> Mr. and Mrs. Michael Abraham

Inner Envelope:

On the inner envelope, you can list each child by name. For girls under 18, you can use "Miss" if desired. Boys don't need a title until they are 16, at which point they can be addressed as "Mr."

Example:

> Mr. and Mrs. Michael Abraham

> Daniel, Jeffrey, Miss Brittany, and Mx. Kelly

Including the Whole Family:

If you want to invite the entire family, you can use "and family" or "The [Last Name] Family" on the outer envelope.

Example:

> Mr. and Mrs. Mukesh Ambani and family

Adult Children:

If the family includes adult children (18 or older), they should receive their own invitations, unless they live at home with their parents. In that case, you can follow the format for the outer and inner envelopes as mentioned above.

Example for adult child living independently:

> Ms. Audrey Abraham

Save-the-Dates:

It is customary to send save-the-dates to guests who will be travelling to the wedding, especially those coming from overseas. These should be sent at least 10 weeks in advance and include hotel information for early booking.

Invitation Wording:

The wording of the invitation can be formal or intimate, depending on your preference. Here are some examples:

• "We invite you and your family to join us at the wedding of our son/daughter, [Name of Bride/Groom], to their soulmate, [Name of Groom/Bride], son/daughter of [Parents' Names]. Your presence will be an honour."
• "With immense joy in our hearts, we invite you to join us as we celebrate the union of our beloved children, [Bride's Name] and [Groom's Name]. Your presence would make this occasion even more special."
• "We are thrilled to announce our wedding and would be delighted to have you and your family celebrate with us. Please save the date for our big day!"

Additional Information:

Include functional details such as dress code, theme, and RSVP information. If there are separate ceremonies or events, such as a Mehndi night, you can send casual invitations to close friends and family.

Timing:

Indian wedding invitations are typically sent six to eight weeks in advance. It is also common to follow up with a phone call to ensure the invitation was received.

Remember to adapt these guidelines to fit your personal preferences and the style of your wedding. These suggestions will help you craft thoughtful and informative invitations for families with children.

Frequently asked questions