Junior Rasmussen
Wedding planning can be daunting, especially when it comes to the finer details such as addressing save-the-date cards. Save-the-date cards are an important part of wedding planning as they give guests a heads-up about your upcoming nuptials and let them know that you would like them to be part of the celebration. While it is similar to addressing wedding invitations, save-the-date cards can be less formal and playful. This means that you can be flexible with titles and honorifics, using them only when necessary. For example, if you are inviting a married couple, you can use Mr. and Mrs. followed by the husband's first and last name. Alternatively, you can opt for a more informal approach by using first names only. Ultimately, the style you choose will depend on the type of wedding you are having and your personal preferences.
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What You'll Learn
- Formality: Save the date cards don't need to be as formal as wedding invites
- Married couples: Address by their first names, e.g. Peter and Belinda
- Unmarried couples: Include both first and last names, e.g. Regina Spektor and Henry Dunant
- Single guests: Use Ms. or their full name, e.g. Ms. Holly Curry or Holly Curry
- Plus ones: Make it clear if guests have a plus one, e.g. Ms. Sarah Lee and Guest
Formality: Save the date cards don't need to be as formal as wedding invites
Save-the-date cards are typically less formal than wedding invitations. They are a preliminary notice to let guests know about the wedding date and location, while invitations provide formal details and a request for attendance. Save-the-dates are usually sent out well in advance of the wedding date to allow guests to plan, especially if they need to travel or make other arrangements.
The level of formality in your save-the-date cards depends on the type of wedding you are having and your personal preferences. If you are having a traditional wedding, you may want to use a formal address format that includes titles and full names, such as "Mr. and Mrs. John Smith". For unmarried couples, you can use “Mr.” or "Ms." followed by their first and last name.
If you are having a casual wedding, you can use an informal address format that includes first names only, such as "John and Sarah". This style is ideal for close friends and family members. A combined address format is a combination of the formal and informal formats, using titles with first names, such as "Mr. John and Ms. Sarah".
When addressing your save-the-date cards, it is important to use your guests' full names to ensure clarity and professionalism. If your guest prefers a nickname, it is acceptable to use it on the save-the-date card and reserve the full name for the formal invitation. Be sure to double-check the spellings of your guests' names to avoid offending anyone.
Save-the-date cards can be mailed out physically or sent virtually via email. If you choose to mail them, you can use handwritten addressing for a traditional look or opt for a more uniform look with guest and return address printing. Postcard-style save-the-dates are a great option to save money on stationery, as guests' addresses can be printed directly on the back, eliminating the need for envelopes.
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Married couples: Address by their first names, e.g. Peter and Belinda
When addressing save-the-date cards to married couples, you can opt for a formal, informal, or combined address style. The style you choose depends on the type of wedding you're having and your personal preferences.
If you're going for an informal address, you would use the couple's first names only, for example, "Peter and Belinda". This style is ideal for close friends and family members and casual weddings. It's worth noting that even with an informal address, you should avoid using nicknames and use the couple's full first names.
If you prefer a more formal approach, you can use titles such as “Mr. and Mrs.” followed by the husband's first and last name, for example, "Mr. and Mrs. Peter Kavinsky". However, this style is more common for wedding invitations, and save-the-date cards can be less formal. Ultimately, it's up to you whether you include titles or not.
When addressing unmarried couples or married couples with different last names, be sure to include both partners' first and last names. Traditionally, the man's name is listed first, but it's also acceptable to list the woman's name first, especially if you're closer to her. For example, "Belinda and Peter Smith".
To ensure your save-the-date cards are clear and effective, it's important to double-check all spellings and get the guests' full names. It's also a good idea to start early and stay organized, especially if you plan to handwrite the addresses.
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Unmarried couples: Include both first and last names, e.g. Regina Spektor and Henry Dunant
When it comes to addressing save-the-date cards, there are a few different styles you can use. The style you choose will depend on the type of wedding you're having and your personal preferences. Here are some tips and guidelines specifically for addressing unmarried couples:
- Include both first and last names, e.g., Regina Spektor and Henry Dunant. This format is ideal if the couple does not share a last name or if they are married but have kept their separate last names.
- Use honorifics or titles like "Mr." or "Ms." if you want to be more formal. For example, Ms. Regina Spektor and Mr. Henry Dunant. This is optional and depends on your preference.
- Traditionally, the man's name is listed first. However, you can switch up the order and put the woman's name first, especially if you are closer to her. For example, Henry Dunant and Regina Spektor.
- If you are addressing a same-sex couple, you can list the person you are closest to first or simply alphabetize the order.
- If you are close to only one person in the couple, be sure to include both names to make the invitation more personal.
- If you are sending physical cards, be sure to double-check the spellings and addresses before mailing them out.
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Single guests: Use Ms. or their full name, e.g. Ms. Holly Curry or Holly Curry
When it comes to addressing save-the-date cards, you can choose to be formal or informal, depending on the type of wedding you're having and your personal preference. If you're addressing unmarried single guests, you can use “Ms.” followed by their full name, or simply use their full name without the prefix. For example, "Ms. Holly Curry" or "Holly Curry".
If you're giving single guests a plus one, make that clear on the save-the-date card. If you know the name of their date, you can include it, for example, "Ms. Sarah Lee and Mr. Ross Craton". If not, it's perfectly fine to simply write "and Guest".
It's important to note that save-the-date cards are less formal than wedding invitations, so you may choose to omit titles altogether, especially if your wedding is a casual event with guests who are your age. Ultimately, the decision to use titles or not is up to you.
However, if you think that a less formal address could potentially offend any of your guests, it's better to use their formal titles on both the save-the-date cards and the wedding invitations. It's also a good idea to double-check the spellings of your guests' names to avoid any embarrassment.
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Plus ones: Make it clear if guests have a plus one, e.g. Ms. Sarah Lee and Guest
When addressing save-the-date cards, it's important to make it clear if guests have a plus one. This is especially important for guests who are travelling and need to make travel arrangements.
If you are giving single guests a plus one, make this clear on the save-the-date card. You can write their name and "plus guest" or "and guest", for example, "Ms. Sarah Lee and Guest". If you know the name of their date, you can include it, for example, "Ms. Sarah Lee and Mr. John Smith".
If you are inviting a couple, it is recommended to include both names on the save-the-date card. Traditionally, the man's name is listed first, but if the woman is closer to the couple, her name can be listed first. For example, "Ms. Sarah Davis and Mr. Ross Craton".
It is not necessary to include titles such as "Mr." and "Mrs." on save-the-date cards, especially for less formal weddings. However, if you do choose to include titles, it is important to be consistent.
Some people prefer to wait until the formal invitations to include plus ones, as it can be tricky to predict how many people will attend, and relationships may change between sending save-the-dates and invitations.
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Frequently asked questions
For a formal wedding, the save-the-date cards should include titles and full names. For example, "Mr. and Mrs. John Smith". If you are inviting a married couple who do not share the same last name, include both of their first and last names, e.g., "Mr. Henry Dunant and Mrs. Regina Spektor".
If you are giving single guests a plus-one, make that clear on the save-the-date card. If you know the name of their date, write their name, e.g., "Ms. Sarah Lee and Mr. Ross Craton". If you do not know their date's name, simply write "and Guest".
It is best to use your guests' full names when addressing save-the-date cards. This helps ensure that your invitations are clear and professional. However, if your guest prefers a nickname, it is acceptable to use it on the save-the-date card and reserve their full name for the formal wedding invitation.
