Addressing Wedding Invites: Diy Guide For Perfect Etiquette

Wedding invitations can be a tricky task, especially when it comes to addressing them. The traditional way of addressing envelopes is with Mr., Mrs., or Ms. followed by the guest's full name. However, this can be seen as outdated and even sexist, as it erases the individual identity of married women. An alternative way to address wedding invitations is to use first and last names only, or to include Mx. for non-binary guests. It's important to consider the formality of your wedding when addressing invitations, as well as the preferences of your guests. For a casual wedding, you may choose to use only first and last names, while for a more formal event, you might want to include titles. Additionally, you can add a personal touch by handwriting the addresses, or use clear labels or printing for a more budget-friendly option.

How to address wedding invitations to a married couple

When addressing wedding invitations to a married couple, there are a few things to keep in mind. Firstly, it is important to consider the formality of your wedding. If you are having a casual wedding, such as a backyard barbecue or brunch in the park, you may choose to use only first names or leave off titles. However, if your wedding is more formal, it is generally recommended to use titles and full names.

For a married couple with the same last name, you can use "Mr." and "Mrs." followed by the husband's first and last name. For example, "Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Warren". Alternatively, you can use both partners' first and last names, such as "Mr. Thomas Warren and Mrs. Michelle Warren". If you are inviting a same-sex couple, either name can go first.

If the married couple has different last names, you can list their names on the same line, with the person you are closest to or the woman's name first. For example, "Ms. Maria Stevens and Mr. David Estevez". If one partner has a hyphenated name, list their name last. You can use "Mr." or "Mrs." for the partner with the hyphenated name.

When addressing the inner envelope, you can be less formal. You have the option to use titles and last names or first names only. For example, "Mr. and Mrs. Warren" or "Thomas and Michelle".

It is always a good idea to double-check your guests' preferred titles and names before addressing the invitations.

How to address wedding invitations to an unmarried couple

When addressing wedding invitations to an unmarried couple, it is important to get the etiquette right. Here is a step-by-step guide:

The Outer Envelope

The outer envelope is the more formal of the two envelopes and is the one that will be seen by the post office. For unmarried couples living together, both names should be included on the envelope. You have two options for formatting:

List their names alphabetically by last name on separate lines. For example:

> Mr. Ross Geller

> Ms. Rachel Green

List both names on the same line, starting with the person you are closest to. If you are equally close to both, go in alphabetical order. For example:

> Ms. Rachel Green and Mr. Ross Geller

The Inner Envelope

The inner envelope is more informal and often incorporates first names. For unmarried couples, you can follow the same guidelines as for the outer envelope, or you can use first names only if you are very close to the couple. For example:

> Ms. Green and Mr. Geller

> Rachel and Ross

General Tips:

• Always double-check each attendee's preferred titles and names.
• Avoid abbreviations and nicknames.
• If the couple does not live together, send separate invitations to each guest.

How to address wedding invitations to a single person

When addressing wedding invitations to a single person, it's important to use their preferred title and name. Here are some guidelines to help you with the formatting:

For a Single Female:

• Use "Ms." if she is 18 years or older. This is the standard form of address and conveys respect while maintaining a neutral tone regarding marital status.
• If the woman is under 18, use "Miss" instead. This is typically acceptable for younger women and is spelled out rather than abbreviated.

Example Outer Envelope: Ms. Elizabeth Lemon (or Miss Donna-Jo Tanner for a minor)

Example Inner Envelope: Ms. Lemon (or Miss Tanner)

For a Single Male:

• Use "Mr." for males aged 18 and above.
• If the male guest is younger than 18, no title is necessary. Simply address them by their name.

Example Outer Envelope: Mr. George Costanza

Example Inner Envelope: Mr. Costanza (or George for a minor)

For a Widow:

It is recommended to inquire about their preferred form of address. Some widows may prefer to be addressed using their married name, such as "Mrs. George Devereaux," or "Mrs. Blanche Devereaux." Others may opt for "Ms." followed by their married name or maiden name.

For a Divorced Woman:

You can use either "Ms." or "Mrs." followed by their ex-husband's last name (if they still use it) or their maiden name, depending on their preference.

Example Outer Envelope: Mrs./Ms. Cookie Lyon (or Mrs./Ms. Cookie Holloway)

Example Inner Envelope: Mrs./Ms. Lyon (or Mrs./Ms. Holloway)

For a Judge:

Use the term "The Honorable" before their full name.

Example Outer Envelope: The Honorable Sonia Sotomayor

Example Inner Envelope: Judge Sotomayor

For a Priest or Clergy Member:

Use the appropriate title, such as "Father," before their full name.

Example Outer Envelope: Father Damien Karras

Example Inner Envelope: Father Karras

Remember, when addressing individuals, the outer envelope should be formal, including their preferred title and full name. The inner envelope can be more casual, using only their title and last name or their first name if you are very close.

How to address wedding invitations to a family

When addressing wedding invitations to a family, there are a few things to keep in mind. Firstly, decide whether you want to specify which family members are invited or invite the whole family. If you want to be specific about who is invited, write the names of each family member, starting with the parent(s) and listing the invited children's names in order of age below. For formal invitations, use titles such as "Mr.", "Mrs.", and "Miss" where appropriate. For example:

"The Smith Family"

"Mr. and Mrs. John Smith"

"John Smith"

"Mrs. Jane Smith"

"Miss Sarah Smith"

If the whole family is invited, you can use the family name or just the parents' names on the outer envelope:

"The Smith Family"

"Mr. and Mrs. John Smith"

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

"John and Jane Smith"

"Sarah, Emily, and Michael Smith"

When inviting children under 18, you only need to name them on the inner envelope. If you're not inviting children, don't name them on either envelope. To make it clear that children aren't invited, mention this on your wedding website.

Remember, it's your special day, so choose the etiquette rules that work best for you!

How to address wedding invitations to those with distinguished titles

When addressing wedding invitations to guests with distinguished titles, it is considered proper etiquette to use their titles. This includes guests who are doctors, lawyers, judges, or military personnel. Here are some guidelines and examples to help you address your wedding invitations correctly:

Doctors

For a married couple where one person is a doctor, you can use the following formats:

• Outer envelope: "Dr. Anne Barker and Mr. Peter Underwood" or "Doctor Tami Takata and Ms. Christina Smith"
• Inner envelope: "Dr. Barker and Mr. Underwood" or "Dr. Takata and Ms. Smith" or "Tami and Christina"

If the doctor uses their partner's surname socially, the outer envelope can be addressed as "Dr. Anne and Mr. Peter Underwood".

If both parties are doctors, you can address them as:

• Outer envelope: "Doctors Anne and Peter Underwood" or "The Doctors Smith" or "Drs. Matthew and Angela Smith"
• Inner envelope: "The Doctors Underwood" or "The Doctors Smith" or "Matthew and Angela"

Military Personnel

When addressing military personnel, ensure you know their correct title and understand their rank and service. Here are some examples:

• Outer envelope: "Lieutenant Jonathan Kelly, US Navy and Mrs. Jane Kelly" or "Captains Jane and Jonathan Kelly, US Navy"
• Inner envelope: "Lieutenant Kelly, US Navy and Mrs. Kelly" or "The Captains Kelly"

Lawyers

When addressing lawyers, use the designation "Esq." after their name. For example:

• Outer envelope: "Michelle Brown, Esq. and Mr. John Brown"
• Inner envelope: "Mr. and Mrs. Brown"

Judges

When addressing a judge, use the title "The Honorable". Here's how you can address a judge and their spouse:

• Outer envelope: "The Honorable Gina Rodriguez and Mx. Alice Rodriguez" or "The Honorable Josephine Wood and Mr. Jonathan Wood"
• Inner envelope: "Judge Rodriguez and Mx. Rodriguez" or "Judge Wood and Mr. Wood"

General Guidelines

• If both guests have special titles of equal rank, you can list their names alphabetically.
• For same-gender couples, order their names alphabetically by last name.
• When addressing unmarried couples, list the person you are closest to first.
• Always use the guest's preferred title. If you are unsure, it is safer to forgo the title altogether.

Frequently asked questions