Addressing Wedding Invites: Little Boys, Big Confusion

When it comes to addressing wedding invitations, there are a few different scenarios to consider. For instance, if you're inviting a family with young children, the outer envelope should only include the parent(s) or guardian(s) names, with each child named on the inner envelope. Boys under the age of 16 do not need a title, but girls under 18 can be addressed as Miss. If children are over 18, they should receive their own invitation.

Boys under 13 are 'Masters', not 'Mr'

When it comes to addressing wedding invitations, it's important to get the titles right, especially when it comes to children. Boys under 13 are addressed as "Master" on the inner envelope, not "Mr". This is considered the formal way to address boys of this age.

The outer envelope should include the names of the parents or guardians and can be addressed to "The [Surname] Family", or "Mr. and Mrs. [Parent Name(s)]". The inner envelope is where you list the names of the children. For example:

Outer envelope: "Mr. and Mrs. Michael Abraham"

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

If the parents do not share the same last name, you can address the outer envelope as: "Mr. [Father's Name], Mrs. [Mother's Name] & Family".

It is important to note that if you do not include the children's names on the inner envelope, it may be assumed that children are not invited to the wedding. To avoid any confusion, it is best to list each child's name.

Some couples may prefer a more casual approach to addressing their wedding invitations. In this case, you can use first names on the inner envelope, omitting titles altogether. For example:

Outer envelope: "The Thompson Family" or "Mr. and Mrs. Alan Thompson"

Inner envelope: "Alan, Emily, Roger, Chance, Jennifer, and Lily"

Remember, the outer envelope is for the postal service and should be as clear and simple as possible. The inner envelope is where you can include the names of all invited guests, including children.

Boys under 18 require no title

When addressing wedding invitations, it's important to consider the age of the boys you're inviting. Boys under 18 do not require a title, whereas boys over 18 are typically addressed as "Mr.".

If you're inviting a family with boys under 18, the outer envelope should only include the names of the parents or guardians. You can list each child's name on the inner envelope, but this is not mandatory. If you choose to include their names, simply write the boys' names without a title. For example, if you're inviting a family with two children under 18, the outer envelope could be addressed to "Mr. and Mrs. Michael Abraham", while the inner envelope could read "Mr. and Mrs. Michael Abraham, Daniel, and Jeffrey".

It's important to note that if you don't include the children's names on the inner envelope, it may imply that they are not invited. To avoid any confusion, you can ask your immediate family and wedding party to help spread the word that the wedding is adults-only or add this information to your wedding website.

Another option is to address the invitation to "The Abraham Family", indicating that everyone at that address is invited. However, this may be too open-ended if you only want specific family members to attend.

• It's always a good idea to double-check the preferred names and titles of your guests before addressing the invitations.
• If you're short on space, you can simply write "The Abraham Family" on the outer envelope and include the parents' names on the inner envelope, along with the children's names if desired.
• Handwriting the addresses is considered more formal, but you can also use computer calligraphy or hire a local calligrapher.
• Give yourself enough time to assemble and send out the invitations, allowing your guests adequate time to respond.

Remember, these are just guidelines, and ultimately, you can choose to address the invitations in the way that feels most comfortable and appropriate for your wedding.

Boys over 18 are 'Mr'

When addressing wedding invitations, it's important to be mindful of the tone of your wedding and to be respectful and intentional when addressing your guests. Here are some guidelines for addressing boys over 18 as "Mr" on wedding invitations:

Outer Envelope Addressing

The outer envelope is typically more formal and includes the recipient's full name and title. For boys over 18, you would use the title "Mr." followed by their full name. For example:

"Mr. James Montgomery"

If the boy over 18 is part of a family being invited, you have a few options:

• Address the entire family: "The [Last Name] Family"
• Address the parents with children's names listed underneath: "Mr. and Mrs. [Parents' Names] [Children's Names]"
• Give each family member their own invitation

Inner Envelope Addressing

The inner envelope is more informal, and you have the option to use just the first name or a combination of the title, last name, or full name. For boys over 18, you can use "Mr." followed by their last name or full name. For example:

"Mr. Montgomery" or "James"

If the boy over 18 has been offered a plus one, you can indicate this on the inner envelope:

"Mr. Montgomery and Guest" or "James and Guest"

Other Considerations

When addressing wedding invitations, it's essential to be mindful of the preferences and sensitivities of your guests. If you are unsure about a guest's preferred title, it's best to ask them directly. Additionally, always double-check the spelling of names and titles, and consider hiring a calligrapher or using printed envelope addressing for a neat and elegant presentation.

Boys under 16 don't need a title

When addressing wedding invitations, it is important to consider the age of the boys you are inviting. Boys under 16 do not need a title, whereas boys aged 16 and above can be addressed as "Mr."

If you are inviting a whole family, the outer envelope should be addressed to the parents only, with the children's names listed on the inner envelope. This is because the outer envelope is reserved for the names of those with social or professional titles, and the postal service only needs this envelope for delivery. The inner envelope is more informal and lists the names of all invited guests in the household, including children.

If the boys you are inviting are under 16, you do not need to include a title for them on the inner envelope. Simply write their names without any prefix. For example, if you are inviting the "Thompson Family", the outer envelope would be addressed to "Mr. and Mrs. Alan Thompson", and the inner envelope would list "Alan, Emily, Roger, Chance, Miss Jennifer, and Lily". Here, only the girls under 18 are addressed with the title "Miss", while the boys under 16 have no title.

If you are inviting a single boy under the age of 16, you can simply address the outer and inner envelopes with his name, without any title or prefix. For example:

Outer envelope: "James Smith"

Inner envelope: "James"

However, if you are inviting a single boy who is 16 or older, you would address him as "Mr." on both envelopes. For example:

Outer envelope: "Mr. James Smith"

Inner envelope: "Mr. James"

Remember, these guidelines are based on traditional wedding invitation etiquette. If you are having a more casual wedding, you may choose to use first names only or omit titles altogether.

Boys over 16 are addressed as 'Mr'

When addressing wedding invitations, it's important to use the correct titles for your guests, especially when inviting families with children. While girls under 18 can be addressed as "Miss", boys don't need a title until they turn 16, after which they can be addressed as "Mr." This is considered the traditional approach to wedding invitation etiquette.

If you're inviting a family with boys over 16, there are a few options for how to address the invitations. If the boys are under 18, their names should be listed on the inner envelope only, not the outer envelope. The outer envelope can be addressed to "The [Last Name] Family" or "Mr. and Mrs. [Parents' Names]". On the inner envelope, list the names of the parents followed by the names of their children. For boys over 16, use "Mr." followed by their first name, e.g. "Mr. Daniel".

If the boys over 16 are living away from their parents, they should receive their own invitations. On the outer envelope, write their full name with the "Mr." title, e.g. "Mr. Daniel Abraham". On the inner envelope, you can simply write their first name, e.g. "Daniel".

It's worth noting that wedding invitation etiquette has evolved, and some couples choose to forgo titles altogether, using only first and last names. This is especially relevant if you have guests who do not identify with traditional gender-specific titles. Always prioritise your guests' comfort and respect their preferences when addressing invitations.

Frequently asked questions