Guide To Addressing Wedding Invites To Retired Military Personnel

Military wedding invitations follow the same general guidelines as civilian weddings, but with a few key differences. The invitation is a formal affair and requires proper care and attention to the correct use of titles and ranks. This is a guide to how to address retired military wedding invitations. In most cases, retired officers are addressed with their titles, especially those who have held the rank of Commander or Lieutenant Colonel and above. The title and full name are written on the first line, with the branch of service and retired on the second line. When addressing a retired officer who is the father of the bride or groom, the service designation is not necessary.

How to address retired military personnel with titles

When addressing retired military personnel with titles, it is important to follow certain protocols and guidelines. Here are some detailed instructions on how to address retired military personnel with their proper titles:

Ranks and Titles:

The use of titles is a significant aspect of military wedding invitations. The general rule is that retired officers can retain and use their titles, especially those who held ranks such as Commander and Lieutenant Colonel. When addressing them in invitations, include their title, followed by their full name, and then indicate their retired status. For example:

> Lieutenant Colonel Smith Johnson

> United States Army, Retired

Note that the service branch (in this case, "United States Army") is written on the second line without a comma, and "Retired" is placed at the end of the sentence.

Abbreviations:

It is important to avoid abbreviating military titles in wedding invitations. Ensure that you spell out the full titles, such as "Lieutenant Colonel" or "Commander," rather than using abbreviations.

Inner and Outer Envelopes:

When addressing envelopes, the outer envelope should include the full names and titles of the invitees, while the inner envelope can use abbreviations for the titles. For example:

> Major and Mrs. Anthony Davis (outer envelope)

> Major and Mrs. Davis (inner envelope)

Married Couples:

When addressing a married couple where one or both spouses are retired military personnel, the invitation format can vary depending on the tone of your wedding (traditional, modern formal, or informal). Here are a few examples:

For a traditional invitation, address the couple using the husband's title and last name, followed by the wife's name:

> Colonel and Mrs. Andrew Garcia

For a modern formal invitation, list the wife's title and name first, followed by the husband's name:

> Major Natalia Correa and Colonel Andrew Garcia

If both spouses hold the same title, they can be addressed together:

> Captains Thomas and Maria Marquette

Same-Sex Couples:

When addressing same-sex couples, use the same two-line format as opposite-sex couples, but list the names alphabetically by last name:

> Lieutenant Jamie Garcia, U.S. Air Force, Retired

> and Lieutenant Ian Miller, U.S. Navy, Retired

Civilian and Military Couples:

If you are inviting couples where one spouse is a civilian and the other is a retired military service member, address them as you would any other married couple. Use their titles and names, following the format that aligns with the tone of your wedding.

How to address retired military personnel with ranks

Military wedding invitations are similar to civilian wedding invitations, with the main difference being the use of titles. The bride's/groom's rank and service, and that of any of their parents, should be included. Brides who are members of the military have traditionally not used their titles on the invitations, but they can and should if they want to.

If the bride, groom, or both are senior officers, their titles should appear before their names, followed by the branch or service on the line below:

> Colonel Timothy Andrew Smith

> United States Air Force

If the bride, groom, or both are junior or company-grade officers, their titles should appear under their names, followed by the branch of service on the same line:

> Andrea Rebecca Barnett

> Second Lieutenant, United States Air Force

Note that First and Second Lieutenants in the Army use "Lieutenant" only. In the Air Force and Marines, "First" and "Second" are used.

For enlisted personnel, rank is usually omitted. The full name is written on one line, with the branch of service underneath:

> Joseph Peter Jones

> United States Air Force

Retired officers, especially in the ranks of Commander and Lieutenant Colonel, generally keep their titles in civilian life and use them on wedding invitations, noting that they are retired if the invitation is issued in their name alone:

> Lieutenant Colonel Richard James Dixon

> United States Air Force, Retired

When officers' names are used with their spouse's name, the branch of service is not mentioned on the line underneath:

> Lieutenant Colonel and Mrs. Richard James Dixon

Military titles should never be abbreviated.

> Lieutenant Colonel Smith Jhonson

> United States Army, Retired

> requests the honour of your presence at the marriage of their daughter, Leslie Anne, to Paul Taylor Daley, Lieutenant, United States Army, on Thursday, the ninth of June at half past four o'clock at Cadet Chapel West Point, New York.

When addressing the envelopes, the outer envelope contains the full names, with no abbreviated titles:

> Major and Mrs. Anthony Douglas Davis

> or

> Captain James Rice Taylor

The inner envelope is addressed with abbreviations:

> Major and Mrs. Davis

> or

> Captain Taylor

How to address a retired military guest

When addressing a retired military guest on a wedding invitation, it's important to follow the correct etiquette. Here are some guidelines to help you address retired military guests appropriately:

• When addressing retired military personnel, it is common to include their titles, especially for ranks such as Commander and Lieutenant Colonel. The title should be included before the full name. For example: "Lieutenant Colonel Smith Jhonson".
• In the next line, include the branch of service and indicate their retired status. For instance: "United States Army, Retired".
• Do not use commas to separate the lines, except before the word "Retired" in the final line.

Formatting:

• For formal or traditional invitations, use full titles and names. Avoid abbreviations unless there are space limitations.
• When addressing envelopes, the outer envelope may include the full name and title, while the inner envelope can use abbreviations. For example: "Major and Mrs. Anthony Douglas Davis" on the outer envelope, and "Major and Mrs. Davis" on the inner envelope.
• If the retired military guest is a married couple, address them on separate lines, indicating their married status with the word "and". For example: "Major Natalia Correa, U.S. Military and Colonel Andrew Garcia, U.S. Military".
• For unmarried or divorced individuals, use their rank, full name, and service branch (if applicable). For instance: "Lieutenant Jamie Garcia, U.S. Air Force".

Additional Considerations:

• If the retired military guest is the parent of the bride or groom, the service branch information may be omitted, especially for ranks such as Commander and Lieutenant Colonel. For example: "Lieutenant Colonel Richard James Dixon, Retired".
• When addressing a retired military guest who is a woman, you may use her professional or military title, followed by her full name. For instance: "Doctor Natalia Garcia".
• If the retired military guest is a widow or has resumed the use of her maiden name, adjust the formatting accordingly while still including their title and full name.

Remember, these guidelines can vary depending on the specific circumstances and your personal preferences. The key is to ensure that your guests feel respected and welcomed by following the appropriate etiquette for addressing retired military personnel on wedding invitations.

How to address a retired military groom

Military wedding invitations follow the same general guidelines as those for civilian weddings, with some differences in the use of titles. The bride's/groom's rank and service, and that of any of their parents, should be included. Brides who are members of the military have traditionally not used their titles on the invitations, but you can include them if you want to.

If the groom is a retired military officer, he will generally keep his title in civilian life and use it on the wedding invitations, noting that he is retired. For example, if the retired lieutenant colonel of the US Army's name is Smith Johnson, it should be written as:

> Lieutenant Colonel Smith Johnson, United States Army, Retired

Note that the title and full name are written in the first line, followed by the branch of service and "Retired" on the second line. There should be no comma separating the branch of service and "Retired".

If the retired groom is a senior officer (e.g., Colonel or above), his title should appear before his name, followed by the branch of service on the line below:

> Colonel Timothy Andrew Smith, United States Air Force, Retired

If the retired groom is a junior or company-grade officer, his title should appear under his name, followed by the branch of service on the same line:

> Andrea Rebecca Barnett, Second Lieutenant, United States Air Force, Retired

Note: In the Army, First and Second Lieutenants use simply "Lieutenant." In the Air Force and Marines, the "First" and "Second" designations are used.

For enlisted personnel, the rank is usually omitted. The full name is written on one line, with the branch of service underneath:

> Joseph Peter Jones, United States Air Force, Retired

If the retired groom is a couple with a spouse, the branch of service is not mentioned on the line underneath. For example:

> Lieutenant Colonel and Mrs. Richard James Dixon, Retired

It is important to note that military titles should never be abbreviated on the invitations.

How to address a retired military bride

Military wedding invitations are similar to civilian wedding invitations, with the main difference being the use of titles. Traditionally, brides who are members of the military do not use their titles on the invitations, but they can and should if they want to.

If the bride is a senior officer, her title appears before her name, followed by the branch or service on the line below:

> Colonel Andrea Smith

> United States Air Force

If the bride is a junior or company-grade officer, her title appears under her name, followed by the branch of service on the same line:

> Andrea Smith

> Second Lieutenant, United States Air Force

Note: In the Air Force and Marines, "First" and "Second" are used before Lieutenant. In the Army, simply "Lieutenant" is used.

Retired officers, especially those who held the ranks of Commander and Lieutenant Colonel, generally keep their titles in civilian life and use them on wedding invitations. They should note that they are retired if the invitation is issued in their name alone:

> Lieutenant Colonel Andrea Smith

> United States Air Force, Retired

When a retired officer's name is used with their spouse's name, the branch of service is not mentioned on the line underneath:

> Lieutenant Colonel Andrea Smith and Mr. John Smith

Military titles should never be abbreviated.

Outside envelopes should be addressed with full names and no abbreviated titles:

> Lieutenant Colonel Andrea Smith and Mr. John Smith

The inner envelope is addressed with abbreviations:

> Lieutenant Colonel and Mr. Smith

Frequently asked questions