Addressing Lawyers: Wedding Invitation Etiquette

When addressing wedding invitations to lawyers, there are a few options to consider. Traditionally, the use of “Esquire” or Esq. after the lawyer's full name was appropriate. However, modern etiquette guides suggest that it is no longer necessary to use this title when addressing wedding invitations to lawyers. Instead, you can address them as you would any other guest, using their preferred titles, such as Mr., Mrs., or Ms..

For example, if you are inviting a lawyer named Jackson Smith, you can address the outer envelope as Mr. Jackson Smith instead of Jackson Smith, Esq.. The inner envelope can simply state Mr. Smith.

If you are inviting a couple where one or both partners are lawyers, you would follow the same etiquette as for other guests from the same household. For example, for a couple where the wife is the lawyer, the outer envelope could be addressed to Mrs. Ana Smith and Mr. Jackson Smith, while the inner envelope would be Mr. and Mrs. Smith.

Lawyers can be addressed as ''Esquire' on the outer envelope

When addressing wedding invitations, it is important to maintain a level of formality, especially when inviting guests with distinguished titles, such as lawyers. While it is not mandatory, you can address lawyers with the title "Esquire" on the outer envelope. This is the shortened version of the formal title "Esquire," which is a courtesy title given to attorneys.

> Jackson Smith, Esq.

Alternatively, if you prefer a more modern approach, you can simply use "Mr." or "Ms." followed by their full name:

> Mr. Jackson Smith

If you are inviting a couple where the wife is the lawyer, you can address them as:

> Mr. and Mrs. Jackson Smith

Or, if you prefer to include their first names:

> Ana Smith, Esq. and Mr. Jackson Smith

For the inner envelope, a more informal approach is typically taken. You can simply address them by their title and last name, or just their last name if they are your close friends or family:

> Mr. and Mrs. Smith

> Mr. Smith

These are just a few examples of how to address lawyers on your wedding invitation outer envelopes. Ultimately, the choice is yours, and you can decide whether to use "Esquire" or not. Just remember to use the appropriate titles and maintain a level of formality when inviting guests with distinguished titles.

Alternatively, use 'Mr' or 'Mrs'

When addressing wedding invitations to lawyers, it is proper etiquette to address them by their title. However, if you would like to stick to the traditional form of addressing married couples, you can use "Mr." and "Mrs." instead of their professional titles.

If you are inviting a lawyer and their spouse, you can address the outer envelope as:

Mr. and Mrs. [Lawyer's Last Name]

On the inner envelope, you can simply write:

Mr. and Mrs. [Last Name]

If the couple has different last names, you can list the person you are closest with first, followed by their spouse's name. For example:

Mr. John Brown

Mrs. Michelle Brown

Alternatively, you can list their names in alphabetical order:

Mrs. Michelle Brown

Mr. John Brown

If both spouses are lawyers, you can address them as such on the outer envelope:

Mr. John Brown, Esq.

And Mrs. Michelle Brown, Esq.

On the inner envelope, you can drop the "Esq." and simply write:

Mr. and Mrs. Brown

Remember that the inner envelope is more informal, so you have the option to leave out certain elements of the formal name format used on the outer envelope.

When addressing female attorneys, it is important to consult them on their preferred names. Many married female lawyers may prefer to use their maiden name in professional matters but use their spouse's name socially. In such cases, it is appropriate to use their maiden name or other preferred name on the wedding invitation.

For the inner envelope, use 'Mr' or 'Mrs' and their last name

When addressing wedding invitations to lawyers, the same rules apply as when addressing invitations to other professionals with distinguished titles.

For a lawyer's invitation, you can use their complete name followed by a comma and "Esq." or “Esquire". However, this is no longer considered necessary, and you can simply address them as you would other guests, using their title and last name.

For the outer envelope, you can write:

"Mr./Ms./Mrs. [Lawyer's Full Name]"

Or

"[Lawyer's Full Name], Esq."

For the inner envelope, use:

"Mr./Ms./Mrs. [Last Name]"

If you are inviting a couple where one person is a lawyer, the format is the same. For the outer envelope, you can address them as:

"Mr./Ms./Mrs. [Guest's Full Name] and Mr./Ms./Mrs. [Lawyer's Full Name]"

Or

"Mr./Ms./Mrs. [Lawyer's Full Name] and Mr./Ms./Mrs. [Guest's Full Name]"

For the inner envelope, use their titles and last names:

"Mr./Ms./Mrs. [Lawyer's Last Name] and Mr./Ms./Mrs. [Guest's Last Name]"

If both members of the couple are lawyers, you can address them as:

"Mr./Ms./Mrs. [Lawyer's Full Name] and Mr./Ms./Mrs. [Lawyer's Full Name]"

For the inner envelope, simply use their titles and last name:

"Mr./Ms./Mrs. [Lawyer's Last Name]"

Remember, these are just guidelines, and you can adapt them to fit your preferences and the level of formality you wish to achieve.

If inviting a couple, use first names and shared last name

If you are inviting a couple who are both lawyers, you can address the outer envelope as "Mr. and Mrs. [Shared Last Name]", with their first names listed in alphabetical order. For example, "Mr. and Mrs. Jackson Smith".

If the couple has different last names, you can list the person you are closest with first, or go in alphabetical order. For instance, "Mr. Jackson Smith and Mrs. Ana Jones".

On the inner envelope, you can simply write "Mr. and Mrs. [Shared Last Name]".

If the wife is the lawyer, you can address the outer envelope as "Mrs. [First Name] [Last Name], Esq. and Mr. [First Name] [Last Name]". For example, "Mrs. Ana Smith, Esq. and Mr. Jackson Smith".

If the husband is the lawyer, you can address the outer envelope as "Mr. [First Name] [Last Name], Esq. and Mrs. [First Name] [Last Name]". For example, "Mr. Jackson Smith, Esq. and Mrs. Ana Smith".

In both cases, the inner envelope can be addressed as "Mr. and Mrs. [Shared Last Name]".

If both partners are lawyers, you can address the outer envelope as "Mr. and Mrs. [Shared Last Name], Esq." or "Mr. [First Name] [Last Name], Esq. and Mrs. [First Name] [Last Name], Esq.". For example, "Mr. and Mrs. Smith, Esq." or "Mr. Jackson Smith, Esq. and Mrs. Ana Smith, Esq.".

The inner envelope can remain the same, addressed as "Mr. and Mrs. [Shared Last Name]".

If both lawyers, use 'Mr' and 'Mrs' with their last name

When addressing wedding invitations to lawyers, the same rules apply as when addressing other guests. If both lawyers are married to each other, their invitation should be addressed to "Mr. and Mrs." followed by their last name.

For the outer envelope, you can write their full names, for example:

Mr. Jackson Smith and Mrs. Ana Smith.

For the inner envelope, a more informal style can be used, such as:

Mr. and Mrs. Smith.

If the couple has different last names, the outer envelope can be addressed as follows:

Mr. Jackson Smith and Mrs. Ana Brown.

The inner envelope can then be simplified to:

The Smiths and Browns.

If you wish to include their professional title, "Esquire" or "Esq." can be added after their names on the outer envelope, but this is not necessary and may be considered outdated.

Mr. Jackson Smith, Esq. and Mrs. Ana Smith, Esq.

Or, if they have different last names:

Mr. Jackson Smith, Esq. and Mrs. Ana Brown, Esq.

Frequently asked questions