Wedding Invitation Etiquette For Kids And Families

When it comes to addressing wedding invitations to families with children, there are a few different approaches you can take. Here are some options to consider:

Using Inner and Outer Envelopes:

If you're using both inner and outer envelopes, the outer envelope is typically more formal and includes the parents' full names and titles. On the inner envelope, you can list the first names of the invited children, with Miss for girls under 18 and no title for boys under 18. For children over 18, it is customary to send separate invitations.

Using a Single Envelope:

When using a single envelope, you have the option to address it to the entire family, such as The Simpson Family. Alternatively, you can list the names of each family member, starting with the parents, followed by the invited children's names in order of age. Again, girls under 18 can be addressed as Miss, while boys under 18 do not require a title.

Specifying Invited Family Members:

If you want to be specific about which family members are invited, you can list their names on the invitation. For example: Mr. and Mrs. Homer Simpson, Mr. Bart Simpson, Miss Lisa Simpson.

Addressing Children Over 18:

Children over the age of 18 are typically sent their own invitations, even if they live with their parents. On the outer envelope, use their full names, and on the inner envelope, you can use their first names or titles and last names.

Remember, it's essential to use full names and avoid abbreviations or nicknames when addressing wedding invitations. You can also choose to omit children's names from the invitation if they are not invited, but be aware that some guests may still assume their children are welcome.

Addressing families with children under 18

When addressing families with children under 18 on wedding invitations, there are a few different approaches you can take. Here are some options to consider:

Using "The" + Family Name

You can address the invitation to the entire family by using "The" followed by the family name. This approach is less formal and can be a good choice if you want to keep the wording simple:

"The Simpson Family"

Using "Mr. and Mrs." + Parent Names

Another option is to address the invitation to the parents by using "Mr. and Mrs." followed by the parents' names. This approach is more formal and can be a good choice if you want to specify who is invited:

"Mr. and Mrs. Homer Simpson"

Including Children's Names

If you want to be specific about which family members are invited, you can include the children's names on the inner envelope. List the names of invited children in order of age, with girls under 18 addressed as "Miss":

"Mr. and Mrs. Homer Simpson"

Inner envelope: "Bart, Miss Lisa, and Maggie"

Addressing Children Over and Under 18 Differently

It's important to note that the way you address children on the invitation can depend on their age. Children under 18 are typically not given titles, while children over 18 are addressed as "Mr." or "Ms.":

"Mr. and Mrs. Simpson"

Inner envelope: "Bart, Miss Lisa, and Ms. Maggie"

Remember, these are just a few examples, and you can customise the wording to fit your preferences and the style of your wedding.

Addressing families with children over 18

When addressing wedding invitations to families with children over 18, it's important to follow certain guidelines to ensure your invites are both proper and clear. Here are some detailed instructions to help you with this task:

Outer Envelope:

The outer envelope is generally more formal and requires the full names of the recipients, including titles. When addressing families with children over 18, each child over 18 should receive their own invitation. Use their full formal name on the outer envelope. For example:

"Ms. Audrey Abraham"

Inner Envelope:

The inner envelope is more informal, allowing for flexibility. You can use titles and last names or opt for a more casual approach with first names only. For children over 18, use "Mr." or "Ms." followed by their last name. For instance:

"Ms. Abraham"

Other Considerations:

If the children over 18 are living at home with their parents, you have the option to follow the family format. In this case, you can address the outer envelope to the parents and include the children's names on the inner envelope. Here's an example:

• Outer envelope: "Mr. and Mrs. Alan Thompson"
• Inner envelope: "Alan, Emily, Roger, Chance, Miss Jennifer, and Ms. Lily" (assuming Jennifer is under 18 and Lily is over 18)

Remember to double-check the correct identifiers and preferred titles of your guests. It's also a good idea to give yourself ample time to assemble and address the invitations, ensuring you have a buffer to double-check all the details before sending them out.

Addressing families with children of both ages

When addressing a wedding invitation to a family with children, there are a few things to consider. Firstly, it is important to note that children over the age of 18 should receive their own invitations. For children under 18, their names are typically included on the inner envelope only, not the outer envelope. The outer envelope is reserved for the names of the parents or guardians.

When addressing children in a wedding invitation, the following guidelines can be followed:

• Female children under the age of 18 can be addressed as "Miss".
• Male children under the age of 18 do not require a title.
• Female children over the age of 18 are addressed as "Ms.".
• Male children over the age of 18 are addressed as "Mr.".

If you want to be specific about which family members are invited, you can list the names of each family member, starting with the parent(s) or guardian(s) and then listing the invited children in order of age below. For example:

"The Thompson Family"

"Mr. and Mrs. Alan Thompson"

"Mr. Alan Thompson and Mrs. Emily Thompson"

"Alan, Emily, Roger, Chance, Miss Jennifer, and Miss Lily"

Alternatively, if the whole family is invited, you can use the family name or the names of the parents on the outer envelope:

"The Thompson Family"

"Mr. & Mrs. Alan Thompson"

Then, on the inner envelope, list the first names of all invited family members:

"Mr. and Mrs. Thompson"

"Alan, Emily, Roger, Chance, Miss Jennifer, and Miss Lily"

Another option is to address the invitation to "The [Family Name] Family", which implies an open invitation to all family members. However, this may not be suitable if you want to be clear about which family members are invited.

It is also important to note that if you do not include children's names on the invitation, it may be understood that they are not invited. However, some guests may still assume that their children are welcome, so it is a good idea to add a message to your wedding website or spread the word through family and friends to clarify.

Addressing families with children of unknown ages

When addressing families with children of unknown ages, there are a few options to consider. One option is to address the invitation to the entire family, using a phrase such as "The [Family Name] Family". This approach can be less formal and is suitable for casual weddings. However, it is important to note that this may be perceived as an open invitation to all family members, which might not be the intended outcome.

Another option is to specify the names of the family members who are invited. Start with the parent or parents' names, followed by the names of the invited children in order of age. For girls under the age of 18, it is customary to use "Miss" as a title, while boys under 18 do not require a title. For example, the outer envelope can be addressed as "Mr. and Mrs. [Parent Names]" or " [Father's Name] and Mrs. [Mother's Name]". On the inner envelope, list the first names of the invited family members, such as " [Father's Name], [Mother's Name], [Child 1], Miss [Child 2], and Miss [Child 3]".

If the children in the family are over the age of 18, it is recommended that they receive their own separate invitations. In this case, use their full formal names on the outer envelope and their honorific ("Mr." or "Ms.") followed by their last name on the inner envelope.

It is worth noting that the use of titles and the level of formality can be adjusted to match the tone and style of the wedding. For a casual wedding, it may be appropriate to use first names only or leave out titles altogether. However, for a more formal event, adhering to traditional etiquette is generally recommended.

Addressing families with children when you want to be clear about the guest list

When it comes to addressing families with children on wedding invitations, there are a few different approaches you can take depending on how clear you want to be about your guest list. Here are some options to consider:

Using "The Family Name"

If you don't want to specify which family members are invited, you can simply address the envelope to the entire family. For example:

"The Simpson Family"

Listing Individual Family Members

If you want to be specific about who is invited, list the names of each family member, starting with the parents. For example:

• "Mr. and Mrs. Alan Thompson" or "Mr. Alan Thompson and Mrs. Emily Thompson"
• "The Thompson Family: Alan, Emily, Roger, Chance, Miss Jennifer, and Miss Lily"

Addressing Children Over and Under 18

It's important to note that children under 18 are typically listed on the inner envelope only, not the outer envelope. Children over 18 should receive their own invitation. When addressing children, use the following guidelines:

• Females under 18: "Miss" (full name)
• Females over 18: "Ms." (full name)
• Males under 18: no title needed, just the full name
• Males over 18: "Mr." (full name)

Being Clear About the Guest List

If you want to be very clear about your guest list, it's a good idea to include the names of all invited family members on the inner envelope. For example:

"Mr. and Mrs. Simpson: Bart, Lisa, and Maggie" or "Homer, Marge, Bart, Miss Lisa, and Miss Maggie"

Communicating Through Other Means

Keep in mind that not everyone follows the same rules for addressing invitations, and some guests may assume their children are invited even if they are not listed. To avoid confusion, you can also communicate your guest list through other means, such as your wedding website or by asking your immediate family and wedding party to spread the word.

Frequently asked questions