Rhiannon Hendricks
There are many ways to address wedding invitations in a modern way. For example, you can include both partners' full names, such as Mr. Brian Freeman and Mrs. Valerie Freeman. You can also address them without titles, using just their first and last names, especially if you want to avoid gender-specific language. If you are inviting a family, you can address the envelope to The Armstrong Family, or list each family member's name separately. It is also worth noting that it is becoming more common to use gender-neutral language, such as Mx. instead of Mr., Mrs. or Ms..
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Married Couple, Formal | Mr. and Mrs. [Husband's First Name] [Shared Last Name] |
| Married Couple, Informal | [Wife's First Name] and [Husband's First Name] [Shared Last Name] |
| Married Couple, Different Last Names | [Wife's First Name] [Wife's Last Name] and [Husband's First Name] [Husband's Last Name] |
| Married Couple, wife has Hyphenated Name | Mr. [Husband's First Name] [Husband's Last Name] and Mrs. [Wife's First Name] [Wife's Maiden Name]-[Husband's Last Name] |
| Unmarried Couple Living Together | [Woman's First Name] [Woman's Last Name] [Man's First Name] [Man's Last Name] (on separate lines with no "and") |
| Single Person | Ms./Miss/Mx. [First Name] [Last Name] |
| Single Person with Plus One | [First Name] [Last Name] and Guest |
| Engaged Couple, Formal | Mr. [First Name] [Last Name] and Ms. [First Name] [Last Name] |
| Engaged Couple, Informal | The Future Mr. [First Name] [Last Name] and Mrs. [First Name] [Last Name] |
| Whole Family Invited, Formal | Mr. [First Name] [Last Name] and Mrs. [First Name] [Last Name] and [Children's Names] |
| Whole Family Invited, Informal | [First Name] [Last Name] and Family |
What You'll Learn
Married couples with the same last name
When addressing wedding invitations to married couples with the same last name, there are a few options to consider, depending on your preferred level of formality. Here are some examples to guide you:
Formal Addressing:
For a formal invitation, you can use the titles "Mr." and "Mrs." followed by the husband's first and last name. However, a more modern approach is to include both spouses' first and last names. Here's how you can format this:
Outer envelope:
- "Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Warren"
- "Mr. and Mrs. John Rivera" (as mentioned on The Knot)
Inner envelope:
- "Mr. and Mrs. Warren"
- "Thomas and Michelle"
Informal Addressing:
If you prefer a less formal approach, you can exclude the titles and use both spouses' first and last names. Here's an example:
Outer envelope:
"Thomas and Michelle Warren"
Inner envelope:
"Thomas and Michelle"
Modern Addressing:
In a modern approach, you can include both spouses' first, middle (if any), and last names. This ensures that the wife's name is also mentioned, moving away from the traditional practice of omitting it. Here's how you can format this:
Outer envelope:
"Mr. Thomas Warren and Mrs. Michelle Warren"
Inner envelope:
- "Mr. Warren and Mrs. Warren"
- "Thomas and Michelle"
Additional Tips:
- When addressing the outer envelope, try to keep both names on the same line if space allows. If necessary, you can use two lines, connecting the names with "and."
- For a more casual or informal wedding, you may use only the first and last names without titles.
- If you are inviting children as well, include their names on the inner envelope.
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Married couples with different last names
When addressing wedding invitations to married couples with different last names, there are a few options to consider. Here are some detailed guidelines to ensure your invitations are modern, direct, and instructive:
Formality
First, consider the formality of your wedding. If you are hosting a formal wedding (e.g., black-tie or in a place of worship), you may want to use more traditional titles and formats. On the other hand, if your wedding is informal (e.g., a backyard barbecue), you can take a more casual approach.
The use of titles is optional and depends on your preference and the level of formality you wish to convey. The traditional titles for married couples are "Mr." and "Mrs." However, in modern times, "Ms." is often preferred as it does not identify a woman by her marital status. "Mx." is also an option for guests who do not identify as male or female. Always consider your guests' preferred titles and double-check before finalising your invitations.
Outer Envelope
When addressing the outer envelope for a married couple with different last names, list both full names on the same line, with the woman's name first. If the names are too long to fit on one line, it is acceptable to list them separately. Here are some examples:
- Ms. Maria Stevens and Mr. David Estevez
- Mr. Brian Freeman and Ms. Valerie Warrington
Inner Envelope
For the inner envelope, you can use a less formal approach. You may use only the titles and last names or opt for first names only. Here are some examples:
- Ms. Stevens and Mr. Estevez
- Maria and David
- Mr. Brian Freeman and Ms. Valerie Warrington
Alphabetical Order
If the married couple has different last names and you are unsure of the order, it is acceptable to list their names alphabetically. This is especially relevant if you are equally close to both guests.
Multiple Envelopes
If you are using double envelopes (an outer and an inner envelope), you have more flexibility in your wording. The outer envelope should include the full names, while the inner envelope can be more casual, listing only the first names.
Remember, these are just guidelines, and you can adapt them to fit your preferences and the style of your wedding. The most important thing is to ensure your guests feel welcomed and included on your special day.
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Single guests with a plus one
When it comes to addressing wedding invitations to single guests with a plus one, there are a few things to keep in mind. Firstly, it is important to use the guest's preferred title, such as "Ms." or "Mr.". If you are unsure, it is better to forgo the title altogether.
Secondly, it is best to mention both the guest and their plus one by name on the invitation. This can be done on the outer envelope or the inner envelope. For example, the outer envelope can be addressed to "Mx. Sam Li" and the inner envelope can include the names "Sam Li and Guest". If you don't know the name of the plus one, you can simply write "and Guest".
It is also worth noting that if you are only using one envelope, all invited parties, including plus ones, should be listed on the front. This is different from the traditional approach, which uses an outer and inner envelope.
When it comes to budget constraints and venue capacity, it is generally recommended that married, engaged, and cohabitating guests receive a plus one. It is also common to offer a plus one to members of the bridal party and guests who won't know many other attendees. However, it is not necessary to offer a plus one to single guests who will know other people at the wedding. Ultimately, the decision of who gets a plus one is up to the couple, and there is no one-size-fits-all approach.
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Unmarried couples living together
When addressing wedding invitations to unmarried couples living together, it's important to note that the format is different from that of married couples. Here are some guidelines and examples to help you address these invitations:
Outer Envelope:
The outer envelope is typically more formal. When addressing an unmarried couple living together, write their full names on separate lines, with the woman's name first. Here's an example:
Ms. Valerie Warrington
Mr. Brian Freeman
612 Maple Lane
Fairhope, Alabama 36000
Note that the use of "and" between their names is optional. Traditionally, "and" signifies marriage, but some modern couples may still choose to use it to indicate their union. If you decide to use "and," the format would look like this:
Ms. Valerie Warrington and Mr. Brian Freeman
612 Maple Lane
Fairhope, Alabama 36000
Inner Envelope:
The inner envelope is more informal, giving you more flexibility. You can include just the first names or use titles and last names. Here are two options:
Valerie and Brian
Or
Ms. Warrington and Mr. Freeman
Other Considerations:
When deciding on the order of names, you can list the person you are closest with first or go in alphabetical order if you have no preference. Additionally, always double-check the preferred titles and names of your guests before finalising the invitations.
Examples:
Outer envelope:
Ms. Anna Brown
Mr. John Francis Smith, II
Inner envelope:
Ms. Brown
Mr. Smith
Or
Outer envelope:
Ms. Anna Brown
Mr. John Francis Smith, II
Inner envelope:
Anna and John
Remember, the key difference when addressing unmarried couples living together is to write their names on separate lines, indicating that they are not legally married.
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Addressing 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, military personnel, politicians, religious leaders, and other officials.
Doctors
For a married couple where one person is a doctor, the outer envelope can be addressed as follows:
- "Doctor Tami Takata and Mr./Mrs. [Name]"
- "Dr. Tami Takata and Mr./Mrs. [Name]" (spell out "Doctor" on the outer envelope)
If the doctor uses their partner's surname socially, the outer envelope can be addressed as:
- "Dr. Tami and Mr. Peter Underwood"
- "Doctor Tami and Mr. Peter Underwood"
If both parties are doctors with the same last name, the outer envelope can be addressed as:
- "The Doctors Smith"
- "Doctors Anne and Peter Underwood"
- "Drs. Anne and Peter Underwood"
For the inner envelope, use the following:
- "Dr. [Last Name]" or "The Doctors [Last Name]"
- "Dr. Barker and Mr. Underwood"
- "The Doctors Underwood"
Military Personnel
For a married couple where one person is a member of the military, the outer envelope can be addressed as:
- "Lieutenant Jonathan Kelly, US Navy and Mrs. Jane Kelly"
- "Captains Jane and Jonathan Kelly, US Navy" (if both hold military rank)
For the inner envelope, use the following:
- "Lieutenant Kelly, US Navy and Mrs. Kelly"
- "Captains Kelly, US Navy"
Lawyers
For a married couple where one person is a lawyer, the outer envelope can be addressed as:
"Michelle Brown, Esq. and Mr. John Brown"
If both parties are lawyers, the outer envelope can be addressed as:
"Michelle Brown, Esq. and John Brown, Esq."
For the inner envelope, use the following:
"Mr. and Mrs. Brown"
Judges
For a married couple where one person is a judge, the outer envelope can be addressed as:
"The Honorable Gina Rodriguez and Mr./Mx. Alice Rodriguez"
For the inner envelope, use the following:
"Judge Rodriguez and Mr./Mx. Rodriguez"
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Frequently asked questions
Traditionally, the man’s full name is written out, with the titles of “Mr. and Mrs.” included. However, a more modern approach is to include both first names individually, e.g. "Mr. Jackson Clarke and Mrs. Mary Clarke".
For married couples with different last names, write out their full names with “Mr.. or Mrs.” on the stationery, e.g. "Mrs. Gwyneth Brookes and Mr. Cyan Matthews".
For unmarried couples living together, the full names of each guest should be listed on one or two lines with the appropriate titles placed, e.g. "Ms. Alysson Schulz and Mr. Ricardo Gonzales".
For single persons, use the proper prefix in addressing your guests. For male guests, use “Mr.” then his full name. For female guests, use “Ms.” then her full name. For non-binary guests, use “Mx.” then their full name.
If you want to be general, you can simply address the envelope to the whole family or include “& children” following the names of the married couple, e.g. "The Carter Family". If you want to be specific about which family members are invited, list the names of the children in separate lines after addressing their parents in the opening line, e.g. "Mr. Max Carter, Mrs. Natasha Carter, Mx. Daniel Carter, Miss Alex Carter, and Mr. Andrei Carter".
