Lyla Dejesus
Wedding invitation wording and formatting can be a tricky business. While some people prefer a traditional approach, others are happy to go with a more modern style. The good news is that there are no hard and fast rules, but there are some guidelines to help you get it right. For example, it's best to use full names and avoid abbreviations, and always double-check titles and pronouns. If you're inviting a couple, it's best to include both names, and if children are invited, it's important to be clear about that too.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Married couple, same last name | Mr. and Mrs. John Smith |
| Married couple, different last names | Mr. John Smith and Mrs. Jane Doe |
| Married couple, one hyphenated last name | Mr. John Smith and Mrs. Jane Smith-Doe |
| Married couple, both doctors | The Doctors Smith |
| Married couple, one doctor | Dr. Smith and Mr. John Doe |
| Unmarried couple | Mr. John Smith and Ms. Jane Doe |
| Single person | Mr. John Smith or Ms. Jane Doe |
| Single person with a plus-one | Mr. John Smith and Guest |
| Family invited | The Smith Family |
What You'll Learn
Addressing a married couple with the same last name
When addressing a wedding invitation to a married couple with the same last name, there are a few options to consider. Here are some examples:
Formal Addressing
For a formal wedding invitation, it is appropriate to use titles such as "Mr." and "Mrs." when addressing a married couple with the same last name. Here is an example:
Outer envelope:
Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Warren
Inner envelope:
- Mr. and Mrs. Warren
- Thomas and Michelle
If the couple prefers to include the wife's name, you can address the invitation as follows:
Outer envelope:
Mr. Thomas Warren and Mrs. Michelle Warren
Inner envelope:
- Mr. Warren and Mrs. Warren
- Thomas and Michelle
Modern Addressing
For a more modern approach, you can choose to omit the titles and use only the first and last names of the couple. Keep both names on the same line if possible. Here is an example:
Outer envelope:
Thomas Warren and Michelle Warren
Inner envelope:
Thomas and Michelle
Informal Addressing
If your wedding is informal, you can use a more casual format for addressing the invitations. Here is an example:
Outer envelope:
Thomas and Michelle Warren
Inner envelope:
Thomas and Michelle
Including Children
If you are inviting the entire family, including children, you can address the outer envelope to the parents and include the children's names on the inner envelope. Here is an example:
Outer envelope:
Mr. Brian Freeman and Mrs. Valerie Freeman
Inner envelope:
- Mr. and Mrs. Freeman
- Anders Freeman
- Sue Freeman
Remember, it is essential to consider the couple's preferences and what feels right for your wedding. These are just a few options to guide you in addressing wedding invitations to a married couple with the same last name.
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Addressing a married couple with different last names
When addressing a wedding invitation to a married couple with different last names, there are a few conventions to follow. Firstly, the outer envelope should be formal and include the recipient's full name and title. For a married couple with different last names, their names should be written on the same line, with the woman's name listed first. If the combined names are too long to fit on one line, list them separately. Here is an example:
> Outer envelope: "Ms. Maria Stevens and Mr. David Estevez"
> Inner envelope: "Ms. Stevens and Mr. Estevez" or "Maria and David"
If the couple has children, there are a few options for how to include them on the invitation. One option is to list the children's names on the inner envelope, like this:
> Outer envelope: "Mr. John Smith and Ms. Jane Doe"
> Inner envelope: "Mr. John Smith, Ms. Jane Doe, Joe Smith"
If you want to include the children on the outer envelope as well, you can use one of these options:
- "The Smith-Doe Family"
- "The Family of Mr. John Smith and Ms. Jane Doe"
- "Mr. John Smith, Ms. Jane Doe, and Family"
It is important to respect the woman's choice to keep her maiden name and not assume that she has taken her husband's surname. Using "Ms." is generally a safe option, as it is universal and can be used for all women regardless of marital status.
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Addressing a married couple with one hyphenated last name
When addressing a wedding invitation to a married couple with one hyphenated last name, there are a few options to consider. Here are some examples to help you format the address correctly:
Outer Envelope:
- Mr. John Smith and Mrs. Mary Smith-Jones
- Mr. John Smith and Ms. Mary Smith-Jones
- Ms. Mary Smith-Jones and Mr. John Smith
The outer envelope is the one that will be seen by the post office, so it is important to use the correct titles and formats. The woman's name is typically written first, followed by the man's name. However, if the woman has chosen to hyphenate her last name, you can use "Ms." instead of "Mrs." to avoid assuming her marital status.
Inner Envelope:
- Mr. Smith and Ms. Smith-Jones
- Mary and John
The inner envelope is more informal, so you have more flexibility with the format. You can use just the first names of the couple or their titles and last names.
Modern Variations:
If you prefer a more modern approach, you can include both spouses' first names on the outer envelope:
- Mr. John Smith and Mrs. Mary Smith-Jones
- Mr. John Smith and Ms. Mary Jones-Smith
Remember, the most important aspect is to respect the preferences of the couple. If you are unsure about their preferred format, it is always a good idea to ask them beforehand to ensure your invitations are addressed correctly and according to their wishes.
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Addressing an unmarried couple
When addressing an invitation to an unmarried couple, the rules differ depending on whether the couple lives together or not. If the unmarried couple lives together, their names should be written on separate lines without a conjoining "and", with the woman's name written first. If you are closer to one of the guests, you can list them first or go in alphabetical order. Here is an example:
> Ms. Valerie Warrington
> Mr. Brian Freeman
> 612 Maple Lane
> Fairhope, Alabama 36000
If the couple does not live together, they should be sent separate invitations.
If you are using both inner and outer envelopes, the outer envelope is more formal and typically includes titles and full names. The inner envelope is more informal and may include first names only.
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Addressing a single person
When addressing a wedding invitation to a single person, the first step is to use the person's preferred title. If you are unsure of their preferred title, it is best to leave out the title altogether. If the single person you are inviting is a woman, use "Ms." if she is over 18, and "Miss" if she is younger. If the invitee is a man, use "Mr." if he is over 18, and no title if he is younger.
On the outer envelope: Ms. Ali Johnson
On the inner envelope: Ms. Johnson
If the single woman you are inviting has been given a plus-one, you do not need to indicate this on the outer envelope. Instead, use the "and guest" language on the inner envelope:
On the outer envelope: Ms. Stephanie Chen
On the inner envelope: Ms. Chen and guest
On the outer envelope: Mr. James Montgomery
On the inner envelope: Mr. Montgomery
If the single man you are inviting has been offered a plus-one, do not indicate this on the outer envelope. Instead, use the "and guest" language on the inner envelope:
On the outer envelope: Mr. James Montgomery
On the inner envelope: Mr. Montgomery and guest
If your guest identifies as non-binary, you can use the honorific "Mx." If you are unsure of their preferred title, be sure to ask them.
On the outer envelope: Mx. Sam Li
On the inner envelope: Sam Li
If your guest is a widow, it is best to ask someone close to her if she prefers to be addressed using her married name or her husband's name. Some widows may also prefer to be addressed as "Ms."
On the outer envelope: Mrs. George Devereaux
On the inner envelope: Mrs. Devereaux
If your guest is divorced, you can address the envelope using "Ms." or "Mrs." and either her ex-husband's last name (if she still uses it) or her maiden name, depending on her preference.
On the outer envelope: Mrs./Ms. Cookie Lyon
On the inner envelope: Mrs./Ms. Lyon
If your guest is a judge, use the term "The Honorable" before their full name.
On the outer envelope: The Honorable Sonia Sotomayor
On the inner envelope: Judge Sotomayor
If your guest is a priest, use the term "Father" before their full name.
On the outer envelope: Father Damien Karras
On the inner envelope: Father Karras
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Frequently asked questions
You can list them together using the husband's first and last name: "Mr. and Mrs. Robert Belcher". Or, to address both partners equally, use both their first and last names: "Mr. Robert Belcher and Mrs. Linda Belcher".
Write their names on the same line with the woman's name first: "Mrs. Leslie Knope and Mr. Ben Wyatt". If the combined names are too long, list them separately.
List the person with the hyphenated name last: "Mr. Andy Dwyer and Ms. April Ludgate-Dwyer".
