Addressing Wedding Invites: A Guide For Philippine Couples

Wedding invitation etiquette can be a tricky business, and it's easy to get wrong. The way you address your wedding invitations will depend on the relationship status of your guests, their titles, and whether or not they're bringing a plus-one. It's also important to consider whether your wedding will be formal or casual, as this will impact the tone of the invitations. While a casual wedding might allow for first names only, a formal event will require full names and titles. It's also worth noting that the invitation format can differ depending on whether your guests are from the Philippines, where there are specific cultural considerations to take into account when addressing wedding invitations.

How to address a wedding invitation to a single person

When addressing a wedding invitation to a single person, it's important to use their preferred title and full name. Here are some examples to illustrate the format:

Example 1: Without a Plus-One

On the outer envelope: The preferred title and full name of the guest, such as "Ms. Ali Johnson".

On the inner envelope: Their last name, such as "Ms. Johnson".

Example 2: With a Plus-One

On the outer envelope: The preferred title and full name of the guest, such as "Mx. Sam Li".

On the inner envelope: Their name and "and Guest", such as "Sam Li and Guest".

It's worth noting that if you're unsure about the guest's preferred title, it's better to forgo the title altogether. Additionally, if the guest is a single female, use "Ms." if she is over 18, and "Miss" if she is younger. For a single male, use "Mr." if he is over 18; otherwise, no title is necessary.

How to address a wedding invitation to a married couple

There are many ways to address a wedding invitation to a married couple, and the "right" way to do it will depend on how traditional or modern you want to be, as well as the couple's preferences. Here are some options to consider:

Traditional Approach

Use “Mr. and Mrs.” followed by the husband’s full name. For example, "Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Smith". This approach has been used for a long time and is suitable if you want a more traditional or old-fashioned style. Remember that some women may oppose having their name grouped with their husband’s.

Modern Style

List each partner separately, even if they have the same last name. Precede each partner's name with “Mr.” or “Mrs.", then their full name. For example, "Mr. Alejandro Hernandez and Mrs. Tatiana Hernandez". This approach is more modern and also covers the possibility that the couple has different last names.

Alphabetical Order

If you don't know the couple equally well, list their names in alphabetical order. This approach is appropriate if you want to be neutral and avoid playing favourites.

Same-Sex Couple

Address invitations to same-sex couples in the same way you would address them to opposite-sex couples listed separately. Begin each partner's name with their proper title, followed by their full name. For example, "Mr. Adam and Mr. Bruce Acheson". Also, list a same-sex couple starting with the partner that you are closest with.

Trans or Non-Binary People

List trans or non-binary couples in the same way as other couples, using their preferred pronouns and full names. For example, "They/Them Smith and They/Them Jones". Some non-binary people prefer the title “Mx.” as a gender-neutral term. If you aren’t sure about correct pronouns, you can always contact the couple and ask what they prefer.

Inner Envelope

If you want to be more traditional, you can include an inner envelope, which is optional. The inner envelope is less formal than the front one and is used to provide the invited couple with a fresh, clean envelope if the outer envelope gets damaged. You can use first names on the inner envelope if you’re close to the couple. For example, "Michael and Kim" instead of "Mr. and Mrs.".

How to address a wedding invitation to a family

When addressing a wedding invitation 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 or parents' names, and list the invited children's names in order of age below. For formal invitations, use titles such as "Mr.", "Mrs.", "Miss", and "Mx." and spell out their full names, including middle names if possible. Avoid abbreviations and nicknames.

For the outer envelope:

• "The Simpson Family"
• "Mr. & Mrs. Homer Simpson"
• "Mr. Homer Simpson and Mrs. Marge Simpson"

For the inner envelope:

• "Homer, Marge, Bart, Miss Lisa, and Miss Maggie"
• "Mr. and Mrs. Simpson, Bart, Lisa, and Maggie"

If you are inviting children who are 18 or older, they should receive their own invitations, unless they are living at home with their parents. In this case, you can follow the family format as shown above.

How to address a wedding invitation to an unmarried couple

When addressing wedding invitations to unmarried couples, there are a few things to keep in mind. Here are some guidelines to help you with this task:

For unmarried couples living together, include both names on one line, listing the person you are closest to first. If you are equally close to both, you can list the names alphabetically by last name.

Example:

Contemporary: Ed and Kara

Traditional: Mr Ed Parsons and Ms Kara Porter

• If the unmarried couple does not live together, it is ideal to send a separate invitation to each person. However, if you prefer, you can send one invitation to the primary invited guest and include the partner's name on the inner envelope.
• Always use the full, formal names of the guests. Avoid using nicknames or abbreviations.
• When addressing the outer envelope, use titles such as "Mr." and "Ms." followed by their surnames.

Example:

Mr. Ross Geller

Ms. Rachel Green

For the inner envelope, you can be less formal and use first names only, especially if you are very close to the couple.

Example:

Rachel and Ross

If you are inviting a same-sex unmarried couple, the same etiquette applies. List both names on the same line if they live together. If they have different last names, you can list the names alphabetically or according to whom you are closest to.

Example:

Contemporary: Carlos and Maria

Traditional: Mr Carlos & Maria Hamilton

Remember to be consistent with your chosen format and always double-check the preferred titles and names of your guests before addressing the invitations.

How to address a wedding invitation to a same-sex couple

When addressing a wedding invitation to a same-sex couple, the general rules for wedding invitation etiquette in the Philippines still apply. Here are some tips on how to address a wedding invitation to a same-sex couple:

Unmarried Same-Sex Couples

If the couple is not married, traditional etiquette suggests addressing each person individually, just as you would for an unmarried opposite-sex couple. Write each name on a separate line, and use the appropriate titles. The order of the names usually doesn't matter, but if you're unsure, arrange them alphabetically by last name. For example:

> Mr. Charles Adams

> Mr. John Green

Note that some same-sex couples choose not to marry for legal reasons but still consider themselves a committed pair. In this case, you can put both names on one line and separate them with "and":

> Mr. Charles Adams and Mr. John Green

Married Same-Sex Couples with Different Last Names

If the same-sex couple is married and has different last names, both names should typically go on the same line, separated by "and". Many married same-sex couples choose to keep their last names, so this format is often the most appropriate. For example:

> Mr. Dan Brown and Mr. John Smith

> Mrs. Amanda Jones and Mrs. Jane Williams

You can also use the plural form of the title, especially if the married couple has the same last name. For men, you can write "The Messrs." followed by their names, or for women, "The Mesdames" or "Mmes." For example:

> The Messrs. Dan and John Smith

> Mmes. Anna and Emily Andrews

Married Same-Sex Couples with the Same Last Name

When addressing a married same-sex couple with the same last name, you can write both names on the same line, separated by "and". As with different last names, you can choose to give each name its own title. For example:

> Mr. Dan Smith and Mr. John Smith

> Mrs. Anna Andrews and Mrs. Emily Andrews

Again, the plural form of the title can also be used:

> The Messrs. Dan and John Smith

> The Mesdames Anna and Emily Andrews

Asking for Their Preferred Greeting

When in doubt, consider asking the couple for their preferred greeting. They will likely appreciate being consulted, and it will help you avoid any mistakes in your invitations.

Frequently asked questions